All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s top five performers in 38-14 loss at Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) runs with the ball as Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm (24) defends during the third quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) runs with the ball as Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm (24) defends during the third quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Ja’Quain Blakely (48) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) in the first half. The Florida Gators played the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday September 25, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/GainesvilleSun]2021Flgai 092521 Gatorsvsvolsgatorwalk
Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Ja’Quain Blakely (48) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) in the first half. The Florida Gators played the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday September 25, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/GainesvilleSun]2021Flgai 092521 Gatorsvsvolsgatorwalk /

Pick Analysis. Defensive end. Senior. Ja'Quain Blakely. 4. Scouting Report. player. 839

5 tackles (1 solo); 1.5 TFLs; 1 sack; 1 QB hurry

Obviously in the second half, the defense struggled significantly to stop the run. Tennessee football was just outmatched and didn’t have the depth to handle Florida’s potent offense, which is something everybody saw coming before the game.

However, Tim Banks called a perfect game given what he had, and that allowed plenty of guys opportunities to make big plays. One of those players was Ja’Quain Blakey. After the Vols got the 14-10 lead, Florida was driving and had brought up a 1st and 10 just eight yards shy of midfield.

Blakely then stepped up and had a key sack on Emory Jones. That resulted in a two-yard loss. Eventually, Florida was stopped on third down just barely, bringing up a 4th and 1, and Dan Mullen decided to punt it there. As a result, Blakely had a key sack that gave the Vols the chance to have the ball with the lead.

Rocky Top didn’t capitalize, but Blakely making that play along is enough for us to put him on this list. Assisting on another tackle for a loss and getting another quarterback hurry is icing on the cake. He had a solid performance throughout the night and did what he could in an extremely difficult situation for everybody playing his role.

Home/Vols Football