Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 31-14 Orange Bowl win vs. Clemson

Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) and head coach Josh Heupel (left) look on after defeating the Clemson Tigers during the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) and head coach Josh Heupel (left) look on after defeating the Clemson Tigers during the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Squirrel White (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown alongside tight end Jacob Warren (87) and offensive lineman Jerome Carvin (75) during the second half of the 2022 Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Squirrel White (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown alongside tight end Jacob Warren (87) and offensive lineman Jerome Carvin (75) during the second half of the 2022 Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

4. New weapons stood out.

Everybody was freaking out about Tennessee football not having Jalin Hyatt or Cedric Tillman in this game. The biggest concern was not having Hendon Hooker to deliver them the ball. However, the Vols still managed to find new, and in some cases familiar, weapons to step up for them in place of Hyatt and Tillman.

Squirrel White was the standout star among them.  He was Milton’s favorite target coming into this game, and he replaced Hyatt in the slot. The result was him catching nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. There was one deep ball he caught, and his touchdown reception was a beautiful grab over the middle.

However, beyond White, the two wideouts who have been starting in place of Tillman all year stood out. Ramel Keyton caught four passes for 76 yards and a beautiful deep ball from Milton. He continued to prove why he is a reliable big-play wideout for the Vols.

Meanwhile, Bru Mccoy caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Keyton’s TD grab was on a beautiful deep ball by Milton. McCoy’s grab was on a pass over the middle. All of this showed Milton’s promise for the future, which is honestly the main story.