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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 52-24 loss at Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) calls for the snap during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) calls for the snap during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /
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Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a ball over Alabama defensive back Daniel Wright (3) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a ball over Alabama defensive back Daniel Wright (3) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /

3. There were multiple big plays in the passing game.

To be fair to the limited rushing attack, a huge reason for it was Alabama selling out to stop it. Tennessee football’s offense depends on that, and the Vols usually respond by making big plays through the air. They were able to do that in this game.

Hendon Hooker completed 19 of 28 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. Cedric Tillman, meanwhile, caught seven passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Joining Tillman in coming through with big plays at times were Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton. All of them showed how the Vols can be dynamic on offense.

UT’s first touchdown drive included a 39-yard pass to Tillman before Jones finished it off. The Vols then took the lead thanks to a 57-yard pass from Hooker to Payton. After Alabama went up by two scores in the fourth quarter, Rocky Top responded with a 70-yard pass from Hooker to Tillman to keep it close for a little while.

Taking all this into account, UT definitely had some positives throughout the game. The issue was they couldn’t stay consistent because they couldn’t establish their rushing attack. Still, Hooker’s accuracy through the air is an encouraging sign going forward, even if they have plenty of other things to work on.

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