Let’s be honest. Akron is an awful team. They went 1-11 last year and have a new head coach this year in former Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead. The only win they have so far is in overtime against the FCS Saint Francis Red Flash. So how are we supposed to take anything Tennessee football did seriously in this game?
Well, as we get set to begin grading the Vols for their play in this game, we’ll just have to put things on a scale. However, there’s only so far you can go with that. Remember easy elective courses in high school and college? You still got grades in those classes, right?
The same principle applies here. Obviously, next week, with SEC play beginning against the Florida Gators, the grades will be a lot more legitimate. Still, you can only play who’s in front of you, and the Vols did beat Akron 63-6. Here’s a look at which units are most responsible for that win in our report card for Tennessee football from the game.
These are the Tennessee football Volunteers’ grades in their victory over the Zips.
Offensive grades part I
Quarterback: A
Hendon Hooker missed a touchdown throw to Cedric Tillman. He underthrew Jalin Hyatt on a touchdown pass. Those are the two things keeping this grade from being an A+. Hooker completed 14-of-18 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 24 yards and committing no turnovers.
Joe Milton III added to this grade, as he came in and completed 4-of-5 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Tayven Jackson completed both his attempts and had a touchdown run. This unit was extremely efficient and did everything it was supposed to do, collectively throwing for 438 yards on the day.
Running back: A-
Jabari Small went down early, and Jaylen Wright only averaged just over four yards a carry for Tennessee football. Still, the Vols’ running backs as a team had over five yards a carry, gaining 213 yards on 42 carries. Wright had 96 yards and two touchdowns. Dylan Sampson had eight carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Five different backs touched the ball.