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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 65-24 win vs. UT-Martin

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 22, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during the first quarter against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during the first quarter against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks 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 /

2. Penalties were a concern once again.

Last week, Tennessee football beat Alabama because the Vols came out victorious in the penalty game. That was a key going in, as both teams were outside of the top 100 in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game, but the Vols only had six penalties for 39 yards while Alabama had 17 penalties for 130 yards. They were better.

Well, the issues with penalties on Rocky Top returned in this one, and it wasn’t just when they pulled the starters. The Vols surrendered 50 yards on seven penalties in just the first half. They had 13 penalties for 109 yards for the game, allowing UT-Martin to drive down the field on them five times in the second half thanks to those issues.

Doneiko Slaughter was lucky it wasn’t worse, as he just missed a targeting penalty that could’ve gone either way with a hit he laid on Colton Dowell in the second half. The Vols can’t afford to lose anymore defensive backs for the next game, so that could’ve been crucial.

Kentucky likes to win games ugly, so forcing Tennessee football to commit lots of penalties will be a focus of theirs. UT simply can’t afford those mistakes at Georgia. As a result, they really have to clean up those issues before returning to SEC play in a week.

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