Tennessee football’s turning points in 56-0 win at Vanderbilt
Normally, there are a few plays even in a blowout that, but for those plays, could have resulted in a closer game. That wasn’t the case for Tennessee football in their 56-0 win at the Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday. The Vols were going to dominate that no matter what. However, some plays broke it open. These were the turning points from that outing.
Joe Milton III to 61-yard pass to Jalin Hyatt
On his first drive as a starter, Joe Milton III had a lot of pressure to replace Hendon Hooker. While he did struggle for much of the game, he delivered here, as he connected with Jalin Hyatt on a beautiful deep pass to set up a Jabari Small touchdown run and put the Vols up 7-0.
Vols’ defense stops Vanderbilt on their first offensive drive
Given what happened in their 63-38 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road, allowing nine touchdowns on 10 possessions, Tennessee football needed a stop for some momentum. They got it right after going up 7-0, and forcing Vandy to punt there was enough for their defense to get more confident, and dominate, the rest of the game.
Two fourth down conversions results in touchdown on Vols’ third drive
After punting on their second drive, the Vols were moving the ball on their third drive. However, they hit a snag on a 4th and 4 at the Vanderbilt 30. Milton hit Ramel Keyton for a 23-yard gain. That set up a 1st and goal, which eventually became 4th and goal from the one-yard line. Princeton Fant then punched it in on a second effort to put UT up 14-0.
Joseph Bulovas of Vanderbilt misses 39-yard field goal
Vanderbilt started driving once down 14-0 and could have made it a game. Just after they reached the red zone, though, Tennessee football’s defense managed to stiffen. They forced Vanderbilt to kick a field goal, which they missed. Although they were still up 14-0, that kept them in control in the first half.
Dee Williams 73-yard punt return for a touchdown
In spite of the defensive play, UT was still clinging to a two-score lead early in the second quarter. However, Dee Williams finally broke it open with a punt return for a touchdown, something he had been close to doing for weeks, to put the Vols up three scores.
Vanderbilt stopped on 4th and 2 to open second half
Down only 21-0 and getting the ball to start the second half, Vanderbilt could’ve gotten a spark with a great opening drive. They got to midfield and brought it to 4th and 2. However, they were unable to convert, and Jabari Small cashed in with a 52-yard touchdown run two plays later.
Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 56-0 win at Vanderbilt. dark
All the big plays from the running backs, including the long touchdown runs by Small, Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson, weren’t crucial to the game. Tennessee football already had it in hand when those happened. The same was true when Milton threw his touchdown pass to Walker Merrill. This game was a blowout and over once all of those plays happened.