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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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Oct 23, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from pressure from Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from pressure from Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Defense still couldn’t handle quarterback’s legs.

Last week, Tennessee football did a better job containing Matt Corral’s passing attack than anybody this year. The only problem was that Corral was able to extend plays with his legs, and he ran for 195 yards, a huge reason Ole Miss won.

Well, there was no reason to expect the Vols to allow that this week, as Bryce Young hadn’t run for more than 18 yards in a game all year. That changed on Saturday. While throwing for 371 yards and two touchdowns, Young shocked the world by rushing for 42 yards and another two touchdowns on 10 carries.

This was not part of his game coming in. It’s a big reason the Vols allowed so many third down conversions. The minute Young added that element to his attack, there was no way the Vols were going to be able to contend with this offense.

Going forward, the defense has to figure out how to contain quarterbacks who can run the ball. Mobile quarterbacks are going to be more and more common, and if guys like Young, who rely on throwing from the pocket, can torch Tennessee football on the ground, the Vols are in serious trouble. This is an issue that has to be fixed.

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