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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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Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright (5) looking to hand off to running back Rocko Griffin (24) in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright (5) looking to hand off to running back Rocko Griffin (24) in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /

2. Second half defense was a problem.

While Tennessee football’s offense struggled to take over the game in the first quarter, the defense struggled to keep the game in hand in the second half. It did start with that Hail Mary to end the first half, but things only got worse in the third quarter.

After that 46-yard touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman, Vanderbilt mounted a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. They converted two third downs and a fourth down on that drive, which allowed them to cut the score to 31-13.

Although the Vols’ offense responded with another touchdown, Vanderbilt got the ball back and drove down the field again for a touchdown. This time, they ran an insane 20 plays for 75 yards, and in the process, they converted four third downs and three fourth downs. One play went for 13 yards, one play went for 11 yards, and no other plays went for eight yards.

This was a drive that carried into the fourth quarter, and after the touchdown, Vanderbilt got the two-point conversion, cutting it to 38-21. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but Vanderbilt’s offense wasn’t good enough for the Vols to allow this to happen. This kept UT from putting away the game when they should have.

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