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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 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) and defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (14) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) and defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (14) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Faurot Field. Columbia, Mo.. Saturday, Oct. 2. 62. Game: 5. 24. 822. 839

Rank: 2

One week before facing South Carolina, Tennessee football had the win that let everybody know they were a different program under Josh Heupel. The Vols were visiting the Missouri Tigers with a 2-2 record after suffering a blowout loss to the Florida Gators the previous week, and again, that Pitt loss meant they still didn’t yet have a path to six wins.

Upsetting Mizzou and Eliah Drinkwitz in their house would do that, but nobody thought they could. Mizzou was 2-2 as well but suffered close losses to the Kentucky Wildcats and Boston College Eagles. They should have won both.

None of that mattered. In the coming-out party that solidified Hendon Hooker as the starter, Tennessee football scored touchdowns on their first five offensive possessions. They were up 28-3 in the first quarter and 45-10 at halftime. In the second half, they opened with a field goal and a touchdown to score on their first nine offensive possessions.

Hooker was the star with 80 rushing yards, 225 passing yards and four total touchdowns, but Tiyon Evans was right there with him with 156 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a 92-yard score. Velus Jones Jr., Cedric Tillman and JaVonta Payton all had scores.

On defense, Jeremy Banks had a sack and a pick, and Jaylen McCollough had a pick. Such a dominating performance was the confidence boost this team needed, and it immediately changed the outlook for Josh Heupel’s first season.

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