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Tennessee football report card in 45-42 win at Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a pass in the end zone putting the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of the Kentucky Wildcats 44-35 during the fourth quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a pass in the end zone putting the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of the Kentucky Wildcats 44-35 during the fourth quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) and defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) and defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive grades

Defensive line: C+ 

Chris Rodriguez Jr. had 22 carries for 109 yards, and Kavosiey Smoke added 11 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Tennessee football’s defensive line did not get the push you would expect it to get off a bye. However, the unit still made plays when needed. Byron Young alone pushed this to a nearly above average grade, as he killed a drive with two sacks and another with two hurries.

Linebackers: D

The issues at stopping the run largely rest with the linebackers. Once again, Jeremy Banks and Aaron Beasley couldn’t tackle or get off blocks. Will Levis was another quarterback to torch the Vols with his legs, as he had 47 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. These guys were usually in the right positions, but they just couldn’t make the plays.

Secondary: B

Poor play by the linebackers forced the safeties to often cheat up, and that resulted in them being out of position a lot on pass plays, which is why Levis had 372 yards passing. However, the secondary made plays when it needed to. Alontae Taylor had that key pick-six, and it forced four straight incompletions on Kentucky’s final drive. That pushed its grade to above average.

Overall defensive grade: C-

Sure, they allowed 42 points and over 600 yards, but Tennessee football’s defense also scored a touchdown, so it was a net 35 points allowed. Add in the two key defensive stands in the fourth quarter, and this unit, despite never forcing a punt, constantly came through when necessary, just enough to push this grade to average.

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