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Tennessee football 2021 highlights: Top 10 plays of the season

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Alontae Taylor 56-yard interception return touchdown at Kentucky

No pick-six was a bigger deal than Alontae Taylor’s at the Kentucky Wildcats. After Jabari Small’s 37-yard touchdown run, Tennessee football was clinging to a 31-28 lead. However, it was a shootout, and all signs point to Kentucky going down and scoring again.

Taylor made sure that wouldn’t happen. Kentucky had driven to the UT 47-yard line and was threatening again, but on 2nd and 10, Taylor jumped a pass from Will Levis and picked it off. He just stayed in bounds and ran it back 56 yards for a touchdown.

Other defensive backs had impressive picks this year that could have made a difference, particularly in the Music City Bowl. Kamal Hadden had a huge one in that game, and Byron Young, whose sacks were crucial against Kentucky, also had a key one on a great call by Tim Banks.

Trevon Flowers also had an interception against Purdue, but his most impressive one came against Ole Miss. He became the first player all year to pick off Matt Corral with the play he made while Corral threw it under pressure.

All of these were the key interceptions in what turned out to be one-score games, but Taylor’s pick is the only one that made a difference, as Tennessee football actually beat Kentucky 45-42. Add in the fact that he ran it back for a score, and it belongs up here.

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