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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 45-21 win vs. Vanderbilt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball down the field during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball down the field during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs for a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs for a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Offense for Vols had an uncharacteristic slow start.

The pick-six seemed to suggest that Tennessee football would roar to a huge victory. Add in the Jones punt return on the next drive, and the Vols had the ball 1st and 10 on the Vanderbilt 21-yard line up 7-0 with just under 11 minutes to go in the first quarter. However, they weren’t able to convert, getting stopped on a 4th and 2 running play.

Then, after forcing a punt on the next drive, UT got the ball back, and you just felt that they were going to go down the field and score to make up for that stop. However, they didn’t. Rocky Top got two first downs and drove into Vandy territory, but a penalty by JaVonta Payton brought up a 1st and 15, and they weren’t able to get a first down off of that.

As a result, UT was forced to punt the ball again, and they went into the second quarter only up 7-0 with no offensive touchdowns. That’s not indicative of a team that led the nation in points per game in the first quarter.

Ironically, the second quarter was the time the Vols’ offense took off in this game, as they scored 17 points then. This isn’t a criticism of the offense’s performance, but it is the first time the unit took off in a win without dominating in the first quarter.

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