All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 60-14 win vs. South Alabama Jaguars

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball during a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball during a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) before a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) before a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp /

1. Efficiency defined the offense.

It was impossible to single out a part of the offense that did well. Tennessee football just dominated on that side of the ball altogether, and they did it by moving the ball downfield for the most part rather than scoring on big plays like they did against the Kentucky Wildcats.

UT jumped out to a 21-0 lead over South Alabama thanks to drives of 11, 9 and 8 plays. All of their drives were more than five plays except for the one set up by Velus Jones Jr.’s 33-yard punt return, and their offense scored on their first four possessions of the first half. In fact, the offense scored the first seven drives it actually attempted to score.

The phrase “attempted to score” is used because the Vols did have one possession at the end of the first half where Hendon Hooker took a sack on the final play, but that was just one play. We don’t know how that would’ve gone if they had a full drive. However, if you add in Jones’ kickoff return, UT scored the first eight times it touched the ball and attempted to score.

Hendon Hooker was obviously a star, completing 17-of-20 passes (85 percent) for 273 yards (13.64 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns while running it seven times for 21 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers. He put on a show, and Cedric Tillman and Jones both had at least 100 yards receiving to help him out. Princeton Fant also had 40 yards and a touchdown.

However, the rushing attack was dominant as well. Jaylen Wright had 13 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown (6.4 yards per carry), Jabari Small had 11 carries for 73 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, and Len’Neth Whitehead had six carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. There’s a reason the Vols had over 500 yards of total offense.

What really stood out was Tennessee football moving the ball without turning it over. South Alabama has been one of the best all year at takeaways, but the Vols didn’t give it away once. That’s a huge reason this offense dominated.

Home/Vols Football