All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 62-24 win at Missouri

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) celebrates with quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) after scoring at touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) celebrates with quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) after scoring at touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is seen on the Field during an NCAA football game between Tennessee and Missouri on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 2 , 2021.Utmizzou 1002 0582
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is seen on the Field during an NCAA football game between Tennessee and Missouri on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 2 , 2021.Utmizzou 1002 0582 /

4. UT maintained success beyond the first quarter.

A staple of Tennessee football this year has been strong first quarters that then fizzled out. The Vols jumped up 14-0 on the Bowling Green Falcons in the first before going into halftime up only 14-6. They jumped out 10-0 on the Pittsburgh Panthers before going into halftime down 27-20.

Heck, even against Florida, the Vols were only down 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and went up 14-10 early in the second before allowing the Gators to score the final 28 points. Simply put, they would undo all of their early success, particularly in the second quarter.

That wasn’t the case in this game. Sure, UT still had an amazing first quarter, jumping out to a 28-3 lead. It was easily their strongest quarter. However, they also outscored Mizzou 17-7 in the second quarter and 10-7 in the third quarter, even as they were pulling the starters. They kept their foot on the gas, and that was a huge deal.

Going forward, the goal for Rocky Top has to be maintaining its first quarter success, even if they are able to make the strongest impression in the first. They’ll be in great shape going forward if they are able to do that, and it was huge here.

Home/Vols Football