Tennessee Football squeaked by Austin Peay in their home opener, which has left Vols fans uncertain about the future.
The Volunteers welcomed Austin Peay to Neyland Stadium in what should’ve been a blowout ended up being much closer than expected. The game didn’t start on time due to weather, but kicked off just 30 minutes after expected. Neyland Stadium was a packed house and once again was completely sold out. Let’s dive into three key takeaways from the game and how the Volunteers can improve heading into Florida week.
3. Joe Milton III’s Accuracy
I have one word for Joe Milton’s “bad game”… overreaction. There’s no denying that Joe Milton struggled at the beginning of the game. Still, everyone saying the season is over and completely doubting him is entirely wrong.
According to UT Sports:
"“Quarterback Joe Milton III shook off a 1-for-7 first quarter through the air, completing 11 straight passes in the second frame to help his team grab its first lead. He finished the night 21-of-33 for 228 yards passing with two touchdowns and also added a rushing score. Wide receiver Ramel Keyton (five yards) and tight end McCallan Castles (43 yards) were Milton’s targets on the TD tosses.”"
While he may have struggled in the beginning, he finished strong. Once he started getting into the swing of things, he tore apart the Austin Peay defense. Joe Milton III has all of the skills to be the best quarterback in the country, and he continues to show glimpses of that; it’s only a matter of time until he puts all four quarters together.
2. The Volunteer Defense was Unstoppable.
The defense was led by senior LB Aaron Beasley, who was all over the field last weekend, making play after play. Beasley had nine tackles, and eight of them were solo tackles. He also ended up with a career-high five tackles for loss, two of them being sacks. This was the most by a Volunteer defender in a single game since 2004.
Kamal Hadden and Warren Burrell recorded takeaways with an interception and fumble recovery, respectively. Hadden also had three pass breakups, and the Vols defense again looked unstoppable.
The Tennessee Football defense continues to lead in almost every defensive stat:
- TFLs per game – 1st FBS (12.5)
- Sacks per game – T1st FBS (5.5)
- Total sacks – T1st FBS (11)
- Total TFLs – 2nd FBS (25)
- Aaron Beasley – 1st FBS TFLs (6)
1. Josh Heupel’s Playbook
I believe that Heupel has shown only a tiny glimpse of his entire playbook. Tennessee football has played against two far inferior opponents, and there’s no reason that Josh Heupel would flex his entire mastermind of a playbook for the whole country.
Many fans are starting to get restless, wondering where the high-powered 100 points a game offense went, but that’s precisely what Heupel wants every other team in the SEC to think. I think there will be an offensive explosion next Saturday against Florida, but time will only tell.
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