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Tennessee football: Ranking every win of 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877
Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877 /
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Oct 9, 2021; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) is tackled by South Carolina defensive back Carlins Platel (21) in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) is tackled by South Carolina defensive back Carlins Platel (21) in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY Sports /

Neyland Stadium. Game: 6. 839. Knoxville, Tenn.. 20. 850. Saturday, Oct. 9. 45

Rank: 3

Coming into this game, Tennessee football was riding high. They had gotten back on a path to six wins with a huge win the week before, one we’ll get to later, and they were set to face the South Carolina Gamecocks with a 3-2 record. Josh Heupel and Danny White unveiled black jerseys, which they hadn’t worn since that 2009 win over South Carolina.

Behind all the momentum, UT did what it had been doing all year and got off to a red-hot start. The Vols forced two punts, Jaylen McCollough had an interception and Aaron Beasley recovered a fumble all in the first quarter. They scored touchdowns on all four offensive possessions that quarter as well to go up 28-0.

Although things slowed down in the second quarter, they still closed it out with a touchdown and a field goal while South Carolina had a touchdown in between, so it was 38-7 at halftime. However, Shane Beamer’s team didn’t quit. They cut it to 38-20 in the fourth and got the ball back. UT then stepped up and forced a turnover on downs before scoring a final touchdown to clinch it.

Hendon Hooker had all four touchdowns in the first half, three on passes to Jalin Hyatt, JaVonta Payton and Velus Jones Jr. while running for one. Tiyon Evans ran for 119 yards. Jones had over 100 receiving, and Brandon Turnage, starting in place of Theo Jackson, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors with 14 tackles.

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