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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 wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) gets his hands on the ball but it falls incomplete 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
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) gets his hands on the ball but it falls incomplete 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 /

1. Late injuries could be a concern.

Vanderbilt’s offense keeping things interesting with three straight touchdowns from the end of the second quarter through the beginning of the first quarter forced Tennessee football to keep its starters on the field way longer than it should have. That became a concern.

Up 38-21, the Vols suffered two key injuries on one drive. The first was to Cedric Tillman. Hendon Hooker threw a pass that Tillman went up and seemingly grabbed but then dropped after he was hit from below. The hit knocked him out of the game, which took away the one go-to wideout the Vols have consistently had this year.

On the same drive, Hendon Hooker got hit and injured his finger. That means the two most important players in the Vols’ passing game went out. Joe Milton III came in and fumbled the ball in the red zone, killing a chance for UT to take control.

Hooker and Tillman both seemed to have injuries that aren’t too serious, but they could still be concerning. Also, this is what happens when you don’t put away a team you should blow out early on. Tennessee football still scored 45 points and won in dominating fashion, but these issues can always create more long-term issues.

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