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Tennessee football report card in 40-13 win at LSU

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) catches a pass against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) catches a pass against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and slams him too the turf that knocks his helmet off during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and slams him too the turf that knocks his helmet off during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive grades

Defensive line: A+

Byron Young had two and a half sacks. Roman Harrison added another sack. Joshua Josephs had an early sack, and Bryson Eason was in on a sack. Yes, all five of Tennessee football’s sacks came from the defensive line, and they held LSU’s rushing attack to under two yards a carry. They stopped all three LSU fourth down attempts by stuffing the run too, so this unit was perfect.

Linebackers: A-

Linebacker play had a huge hand in stopping those fourth down runs and bringing the pressure. That combined with containing Jayden Daniels, who had only 38 yards rushing on 16 carries, is enough to put this group in the A-range. The only thing holding it back was the fact that there were some lapses in coverage.

Secondary: B+

Lapses in coverage defined the secondary. LSU did move the ball despite not scoring a lot, as Daniels threw for 300 yards. Still, the Vols stepped up when needed on the back end, and Trevon Flowers had an interception late, so the play remained above average.

Overall defensive grade: A-

An A- given this defense’s issues in the past is a huge boost, and it’s obvious they belong in the A-range. How else do you explain such an epic performance? Tennessee football held LSU to 13 points and just 355 yards from scrimmage. That’s incredible this day in age.

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