Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ dominating season-opening 59-10 win vs. Ball State
1. New starters made the biggest splash
Amidst all the talk of depth and the usual suspects stepping up for Tennessee football in this game, the early splash plays came from guys who were penciled in as new starters this year. They were on the roster last year but as reserves, and they proved how they took that next leap.
We start with Tamarion McDonald. Yes, Aaron Beasley got the pressure, but McDonald was the one to get the interception on the first play of the game. He started at nickel as Theo Jackson’s replacement despite spending last year as a backup at safety. There was a ton of talk around him all offseason, and he delivered.
Jalin Hyatt, meanwhile, caught the touchdown pass on the very next play. Again, there was lots of talk around Hyatt, and he was clearly billed as the guy to replace Velus Jones Jr. in the slot. Despite just two catches for 28 yards, he appeared to live up to those expectations.
Later in the first half, Kamal Hadden came away with the second interception of the day. Hadden was listed as a co-starter with Christian Charles at the cornerback opposite Warren Burrell after spending last year as a backup. He did start the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers, though, and he had a pick there.
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That means Hadden has a pick in each of his first two starts with Tennessee football. Bru McCoy ‘s three catches for 42 yards and Walker Merrill’s two catches for 21 yards and a score add to this narrative. They were listed as co-starters at wideout opposite Cedric Tillman, so tons of new faces stepped up in their new roles in this one.