3 tackles, 1 FF
Big plays become the deciding factor in a game where nobody did that much to stand out. Trevon Flowers certainly fit that mold for Tennessee football. He was the third-highest grade player from PFF on the day, behind two other defenders, and defensive players are mostly the only ones who can really warrant much consideration for this list.
Although the Vols had two busted coverages, they never really got beat over the top for the most part in this game, and when they did, it wasn’t really Flowers’ fault. That alone is enough to say he belongs on this list, as he was part of Georgia still having to move the ball to score.
More importantly, though, Flowers was part of a big play that kept the Vols in the game. He forced that fumble on Branson Robinson that Bryson Eason recovered. Remember, he and the defense had every reason to quit playing at that time, as Jaylen Wright had just fumbled in the fourth quarter with them trailing 27-6.
Now, there was help from the rain when he forced that fumble, but you have to give him credit for that play and his consistency throughout the game. He’s the most experienced player on the defense for a reason, and if the Vols ever meet Georgia again, his impact could be huge.