All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 34-27 OT win at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass defended by Pittsburgh linebacker Shayne Simon (32) during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03205
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass defended by Pittsburgh linebacker Shayne Simon (32) during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03205 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda (2) runs the ball during the second half of a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Tennessee defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03455
Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda (2) runs the ball during the second half of a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Tennessee defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03455 /

4. Run game went the opposite way.

Despite the physical play of Jabari Small, Tennessee football lost the rushing battle. Nobody saw this coming after the opener. The Vols had over 200 yards of total offense and gave up just 76, less than two yards a carry. On the other side, Pitt averaged under three yards a carry while the West Virginia Mountaineers had 190 yards on the ground.

Well, it was the opposite here. Pitt had 141 yards on the ground, and that would have been a lot higher without the sacks the Vols got. Israel Abanikanda led the way with 25 carries for 154 yards. He had a 76-yard touchdown run early, which helped Pitt build its 10-0 lead.

Meanwhile, the Vols had just 91 yards on 35 carries. Yes, Hendon Hooker being sacked three times had something to do with that, but taking those away wouldn’t save their rushing performance. Pitt was just able to win the game on the ground, and that’s something nobody saw coming.

To be fair, this may not be a big concern, as outside of Pitt’s one run, the Vols were solid against them. Meanwhile, schematically, the Vols didn’t really need to generate too much of a rushing attack, and three plays were just those one-yard gains by Small, which was all they needed. Still, it’s shocking the Vols won amidst this difference.

Home/Vols Football