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Tennessee football report card in 38-33 win vs. Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs after catching a pass during TennesseeÕs football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs after catching a pass during TennesseeÕs football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football Bp /
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If you’re a Tennessee football team that beats the Florida Gators, it doesn’t really matter how good or bad that UF team is. After all, you didn’t just beat Florida. You beat the football gods who made a decision years ago that the Vols should never win that game, and those gods were hard at work Saturday afternoon.

The Vols nearly blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead in the game. Nonetheless, they escaped with a 38-33 victory, and now they enter their bye week 4-0. Beyond just beating the Gators, this was their second win over a ranked Power Five team this year, so somebody had to step up.

Well, in this case, plenty of players and units stepped up. Our analysis shows that the Vols actually played a great game a across the board except for a couple of key areas, one area on just one play, and those minor areas nearly cost them. Still, overall, it was a great performance. This Tennessee football’s report card against Florida.

Here are the Tennessee football Volunteers’ grades in their victory over the Gators.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) scrambles with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Florida on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) scrambles with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Florida on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924 /

Offensive grades part I

Quarterback: A

What more can you say? Hendon Hooker completed 22-of-28 passes for 349 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and he ran for 112 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Mental toughness was huge for him, as he got wrecked on a fourth down hit early in the game but then came back and directed a 99-yard scoring drive to put the Vols in front for good.

That fourth down hit, though, is part of why Hooker didn’t get an A+. He fumbled the ball there, and while it was due to poor protection, pocket presence has to be a thing. Add in the fact that he missed Jacob Warren on a clear touchdown, and those two errors just make it an A. Still, his performance was historic.

Running back: A+

Jabari Small had his breakout game with 90 yards on 19 carries, and it should have been 18 carries. A touchdown was incorrectly ruled short. He also had three catches for 32 yards and a score. Jaylen Wright had 25 rushing yards and a touchdown too, and neither player fumbled, so they did everything right for Tennessee football.

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