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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 41-17 loss to No. 1 Georgia

By Caleb Calhoun

Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh (6) escapes tackles during a football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football Bp
Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh (6) escapes tackles during a football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football Bp /
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Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores a touchdown as Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) defends during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores a touchdown as Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) defends during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /

4. Wideouts had a historic effort.

Despite the miscues in the passing game, Tennessee football still had a historic performance from its bigger wide receivers. JaVonta Payton went out early after an eight-yard catch, and that led to Ramel Keyton coming in and having to make some plays. Keyton, despite that miss, finished with five catches for 48 yards.

Cedric Tillman, though, was the star. For the game, Tillman had 10 receptions for 100 yards and a meaningless touchdown at the end. You can dismiss that TD, but UGA has been playing with pride on defense all year regardless of the score, so it was legitimate to a degree and came on a 4th and Goal pass from Joe Milton III.

Putting up those numbers against Derion Kendrick is highly impressive. Velus Jones Jr. deserves credit for gaining 44 yards and a touchdown on eight catches, and Jalin Hyatt helped on UT’s touchdown drive as he finished the game with five catches for 24 yards, but this story was all about the wideouts and Tillman in particular.

Throughout the game, Tillman was winning one-on-one battles against Derion Kendrick. He had a key 29-yard catch that set up the Vols’ field goal to go back ahead in the first quarter, and he put them in scoring position numerous times after that. However, that leads to our next takeaway.

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