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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 52-49 win vs. Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) makes a catch during Tennessee's game against Alabama in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Kns Ut Bama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) makes a catch during Tennessee's game against Alabama in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Kns Ut Bama Football Bp /
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Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Jalin Hyatt. 1. player. 839. Scouting Report. Junior. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver

6 receptions, 207 yards; 5 TDs

This is no surprise. Hendon Hooker was elite for Tennessee football, but Jalin Hyatt was historically great. In the Vols’ only other win against a team coached by Nick Saban, Kelley Washington set a school record with 256 receiving yards. That was back in 2001 when Saban was leading the LSU Tigers.

On Saturday, Hyatt set his own school record, five receiving touchdowns, against a Saban-led team. Many of the scores were great designs by Josh Heupel, but Hyatt still had to come through and beat the coverage, and that’s what he did time and time again.

It started on the Vols’ second offensive drive. After moving to the 36, Heupel called a brilliant play with Hyatt in motion, sending him down the left sideline for a score in which he beat everybody. Then, on his second score, Heupel sent Hyatt in motion after the snap to the other side of the backfield, and Hooker hit him for a short pass that he took into the end zone.

After it was tied at 28 in the second half, Hooker responded by throwing a deep ball to Hyatt, who just beat his man on the outside for a 60-yard score. Then, pinned on their own six, Hyatt caught a nine-yard pass for some breathing room. He then split the seams two players later over the middle of the field for a 78-yard score.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 52-49 win vs. Alabama. dark

Proving he doesn’t just make plays in open space, Hyatt’s final score was an 13-yard grab over the middle in which he had to hold onto the ball. Without Cedric Tillman and with Alabama keying in on the wideouts, Hyatt was going to be crucial. He stepped up and delivered for Tennessee football in a big way.

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