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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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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) 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 quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /

3. A dominant running game led the way.

Although Tennessee football had a slow start offensively, the Vols were able to move the ball. They moved the ball, though, because of the way they dominated on the ground for a second straight week, demonstrating how good their future running game is.

Hendon Hooker and Cedric Tillman still had a rapport, before we get into this, as Tillman had seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. One of those was a 46-yard touchdown reception to keep the Vols in control in the second half after what happened at the end of the first half.

However, the Vols still only had 156 yards passing on 18 attempts, and while Hooker didn’t turn the ball over, that’s not his typical type of passing game. On the ground, though, things were different. UT rushed for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Hooker had 75 yards rushing, and Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright each went over 100 yards.

Wright had one touchdown in the game, and Small had two. This dominant rushing attack was why the Vols were able to mostly mount long drives, as they had touchdown drives of 12 and nine plays in the first half. This was able to offset their inconsistencies through the air.

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