3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 FF
Bryson Eason, Jeremy Banks and Trevon Flowers had the three highest PFF grades. However, that’s only part of it. Playing consistent throughout the game and coming through with big plays helps as well, and nobody did more for Tennessee football on the big play front in this game than LaTrell Bumphus up front.
As Georgia was driving on their opening drive, Bumphus hit Daijun Edwards behind the line of scrimmage on a 1st and 10 past midfield. He forced a fumble that Tamarion McDonald ended up recovering. That was huge, as it gave the Vols early momentum, which they turned into a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
In the end, that field goal was a huge win for Georgia and really showed just how dominant they’d probably be in this game, but the Vols were always going to need big plays to have a chance, and they got that early from Bumphus. That wasn’t it either. Bumphus had another key tackle for a loss, and all of his tackles were solo.
After Omari Thomas emerged as the top defensive lineman for Tennessee football throughout the year, Bumphus finally had his moment Saturday and came through in a huge way. Wesley Walker and Doneiko Slaughter are two other defenders who deserve shoutouts for pass deflections, and other players did what they could for UT on that side, but Bumphus was the star.