Tennessee football’s top five performers in 45-42 win at Kentucky
Wide receiver. Redshirt senior. Velus Jones Jr.. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 4
5 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD; 1 kickoff return, 31 yards
JaVonta Payton deserves an honorable mention before we go to Velus Jones Jr., as Payton took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown on Tennessee football’s first play from scrimmage and had two catches for 78 yards. However, Jones and Cedric Tillman made more key plays on the night, and that’s why they were the receivers to make the list.
Jones led the team in receiving, and like Payton, he had a touchdown catch of over 70 yards. In fact, it came on the next drive. Kentucky had just tied the game up at 7, and on the third play of the Vols’ second offensive drive, Jones beat his man and caught a pass over the top, which he took 72 yards to the end zone to give them a 14-7 lead.
That’s not all Jones did, though. After Kentucky went up 21-14, he came up clutch again. It started with a 31-yard kickoff return that actually netted the Vols 46 yards after Kentucky needed a horse collar tackle to bring Jones down, so they got the ball at the 48.
However, a sack brought up a 3rd and 18 at one point. Jones came through again, as he caught a 14-yard pass. Then, on 4th and 4, he drew a pass interference penalty. That kept UT’s final touchdown drive of the first half alive, and they scored to tie it up.
Two receptions by Jones for 12 yards to open the Vols’ first drive of the second half, as they were trailing again 28-24, set up Jabari Small’s 37-yard touchdown run. Small deserves a mention as well with four carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. However, Jones was the top offensive skill player on the night.