Tennessee football’s top five performers in 44-6 win vs. Kentucky
Defensive back. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Junior. Doneiko Slaughter. 1. player
1 tackle; 1 INT
Jaylen McCollough’s return resulted in moving Doneiko Slaughter away from safety. However, with Christian Charles and Kamal Hadden still not ready to go, and with Warren Burrell out for the season, Tennessee football tried Slaughter out at cornerback. It raised questions as to why Tim Banks and Josh Heupel haven’t kept him there all year.
With McCollough back to provide more security at safety, Slaughter stepped in and thrived at cornerback. He was a huge deal Kentucky’s passing attack was shut down, and he made arguably the turning point play of the game. Kentucky, trailing 20-6, was driving with a chance to make it a one-score game in the second half.
However, Slaughter then laid a huge hit on Dane Key as he almost caught a pass over the middle, forcing the ball to pop up in the air. Juwan Mitchell, who deserves a shoutout, came down with the interception and returned it 48 yards the other way to past midfield.
That wasn’t all, though. Slaughter then came down with an interception of his own in the second half. He was the star of a secondary that played amazing. Brandon Turnage started at cornerback opposite Slaughter and deserves a shoutout too, as he was part of the shut down defense and had an interception on his own.
Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 44-6 win vs. Kentucky. dark
Other players who deserve mentions are Jaylen Wright, who had seven carries for 73 yards and a score, Princeton Fant, who had a touchdown run and an 11-yard reception, McCollough for his return and security, and Trevon Flowers, who also was huge at safety and had a pass deflection. However, Slaughter was Tennessee football’s star on the night.