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Tennessee football vs. UT-Martin: 10 keys to the game between Vols and Skyhawks

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Penalties

Here’s a third straight key that benefitted Tennessee football last week but UT-Martin could turn the tide on based on what has happened this year overall. The Vols beat Alabama because the Tide committed 17 penalties for 130 yards. They were saved by a late pass interference penalty on 4th and 5 when trailing 49-42.

However, for the year, the Vols have committed eight penalties a game for 72 yards. That puts them at No. 117 and No. 121 in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game in the nation, which is a bad combination. Sure, Josh Heupel’s tempo is part of it, but it’s still a problem.

Unfortunately for UT-Martin, they aren’t much better. The Skyhawks commit just over seven and a half penalties per game, No. 100 in the nation among FCS teams, for 68.5 yards per game, No. 97. The Vols seem to be getting better, though, committing six for just 39 yards last week.

Can UT-Martin turn the tide on this? Coming off a bye, they may have an advantage, and it’s hard to think the Vols could keep up those limited penalties two weeks in a row. Right now, this is a factor that’s even, which heavily favors the Vols, but if UT-Martin can make this an advantage, they’re one step closer to making this interesting.

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