Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 45-42 win at Kentucky

2. There are still too many miscues happening.

You can say teams have miscues on both sides all game. After all, Kentucky had a missed field goal and a turnover. However, the missed field goal was from 50 yards, and the turnover was based on Tennessee football’s defensive back, Alontae Taylor, reading the play.

The Vols’ miscues in this game were much more unforced. It started early. After that missed Kentucky field goal, UT had the ball up 14-7. Hendon Hooker seemingly had a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jalin Hyatt, but he was ruled out after 41 yards. Two plays later, a miscommunication between him and Jabari Small led to a fumbled snap.

In the second half, up 38-28, the Vols got a stop on 3rd and 8 at their own 40. However, Doneiko Slaughter committed an unnecessary holding penalty to give Kentucky a first down, and they scored a touchdown on that drive.

Hooker was then stopped on a 4th and 8 the very next drive because he dropped the ball trying to roll out to make a play and had to fall on it. Finally, Chase McGrath missed a 35-yard field goal, not a 50-yard field goal, late. That the Vols won the game overcoming these miscues is a huge deal, but they are inexcusable coming off a bye. The question is, how did they do it?