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Tennessee football report card in 52-24 loss at Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) react after recovering a fumbled ball by Alabama 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 linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) react after recovering a fumbled ball by Alabama 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; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

As a team, Tennessee football gets a very good grade through the first three quarters and a few minutes into the fourth quarter for its play at the Alabama Crimson Tide this past Saturday. Then the Vols get a massive failing grade for the final 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. That part is obvious. However, it goes much deeper than that.

What really happened was that parts of the Vols’ team that were struggling throughout the night were then magnified in those final minutes, and the areas where players were strongest just couldn’t keep up. Simply put, it’s a lot more complicated than just a broad difference in playing once a certain time on the clock hits.

Our grades for this game will reflect all of this as well. You’ll see wild swings on both sides of the ball. As usual, we’ll have two slides for offensive grades and one for defense, special teams and coaching each. This is our report card for Tennessee football in its 52-24 loss at Alabama.

Offensive grades part I

Quarterbacks: B+

Hendon Hooker made a crucial mistake with an interception and couldn’t extend plays with his legs the way he usually does. However, by and large, he was very good. Playing banged up, Hooker threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 26 rushing yards, so he still went for over 300 yards on the day as the only guy behind center.

Running backs: D+

Tiyon Evans played hurt, and he and Jabari Small couldn’t do anything. Together, they combined to have 14 carries for 38 yards. Small did add four catches for 39 yards, but that still doesn’t outdo how bad they were carrying the ball. After all, he had just eight yards on seven carries. Tennessee football had other issues contributing to this, but the backs aren’t off the hook.

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