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Tennessee football report card in 38-14 loss at Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

A view of the game during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
A view of the game during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
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Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce (27) runs the ball up the sideline during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 39
Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce (27) runs the ball up the sideline during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 39 /

Defensive grades

Defensive line: C

Ja’Quain Blakely had a nice sack, Tyler Baron knocked down a pass, and Tennessee football’s defensive line did what it could to put pressure on Emory Jones. However, the unit only had one sack on the night, and Florida did rush for 283 yards. Their rush offense is amazing, which is why this is just an average grade and not worse, but we can’t say too much for the Vols here.

Linebackers: D+

In all fairness, UT’s linebackers have been outmatched all year, and they were facing a spread offense that has the best rushing attack in the nation. They were outmatched. That doesn’t mean they weren’t below average, though. Jones had 144 yards rushing because the linebackers couldn’t contain him, and he often beat them on intermediate passes en route to 209 yards.

Defensive backs: B-

Alontae Taylor forced a key fumble. That alone was enough to give this unit an above average grade. However, the Vols did let Jones complete 21-of-27 passes, and they allowed a touchdown on a trick pass from Trent Whittemore. Lots of this falls on the linebackers, which is why this grade stays a B-, but Taylor and Jaylen McCollough both notably got beat at times.

Overall defensive grade: C

There’s not much the defense could have done given how outmatched it was and who it was facing. Given what Florida has been doing all year, Tennessee football’s performance was just average. The Gators average 541 yards and 36 points a game. UT allowed 505 yards and 38 points, so it was nothing special but nothing uniquely bad.

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