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Tennessee football blame pie in 31-26 loss to Ole Miss

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs the ball down the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs the ball down the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football /
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Beyond blaming the refs, which does warrant its own story, Tennessee football made a lot of mistakes in its 31-26 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels Saturday night. Here is a look at who’s responsible for Lane Kiffin walking out with a win in his return to Rocky Top for the first time as head coach of another program.

Chase McGrath: 5 percent

Missing a 49-yard field goal is always forgivable. However, we can’t pretend it didn’t prove costly. Chase McGrath missed that kick in the third quarter with the Vols trailing 24-19. If he makes it, then on the final drive, the Vols can try for a 38-yard field goal to win. As a result, he has to get some blame for that miss.

Quarterbacks: 10 percent

Hendon Hooker had a superb night and may have outplayed Matt Corral. However, he too often took sacks and didn’t take a chance downfield against Ole Miss’ coverage. That’s what brought up the 4th and 24 controversial spot to begin with. Add in Joe Milton III’s overthrow and decision to run and step out of bounds on the final play, and the quarterbacks did make some mistakes.

Velus Jones Jr.: 15 percent

Overall, Velus Jones Jr. played well. He had six catches for 93 yards and returned a punt 40 yards in the final minute of the game to set Tennessee football up with a chance to win. However, you can’t overlook that muffed punt after the Vols stopped Ole Miss on the opening drive. It set up Ole Miss’ first touchdown, and those mistakes can’t be made in a game where stops were at a premium.

Josh Heupel: 20 percent

On the Vols’ first offensive drive, Josh Heupel punted it on 4th and 1. That ignored analytics. He also settled for a 49-yard field goal when the Vols had a better chance of converting a 4th and 10. Add in the fact that he didn’t always mix up the run and pass well, and he has to get blame for some of his play-calling and decisions.

Linebackers: 25 percent

Despite holding Matt Corral and the running backs in check, Tennessee football still allowed over 500 yards of offense because Corral ran for 195 yards. Many were on designed draws. Jeremy Banks, Aaron Beasley and Solon Page III couldn’t get off blocks. Banks had two tackles for a loss, and Beasley had one, but they were the biggest culprit for Ole Miss’ moving the ball.

Interior offensive line: 25 percent

Nobody’s at fault for this. Cooper Mays was hurt, Cade Mays left the game early and Tiyon Evans’ the Vols’ elite back, was out. Jabari Small couldn’t even average four and a half yards a carry, and Hendon Hooker was sacked five times. That was because of the protection in the middle up front, and it’s the biggest thing that stalled UT’s offense.

Next. Top five performers in Vols' 31-26 loss to Ole Miss. dark

Injuries were there on both sides, and they revealed themselves based on where each team struggled. Tennessee football still had a chance to win late and blew it. The loss was heartbreaking for many reasons, but plenty of people shoulder blame for what happened.

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