London Vol
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GAME 7 – FLORIDA 12 OCTOBER 2024
Last night I thought I had gone to the Cinema to watch the classic film Groundhog Day. For those who have not seen this film it is where every morning Bill Murray wakes up only to find that today is the same as yesterday. Well, watching last night’s game was uncannily the same as Arkansas and Florida where the Offense was just awful in almost every aspect and then the Defense heroically kept the Vols in the game time after time. But just like the film, in the end it had a happy ending and Tennessee, like Bill Murray have the chance to move on to better things and there is very little better in College Football. than beating Alabama. LIGHT THE CIGARS
So, here’s this week’s grades:
QUARTERBACKS C
In England we often call a game of soccer “a game of two halves” well last night this could not describe the game any better.
The first half Nico Iamaleava was just as bad as the previous two games against Arkansas and Florida. He was inaccurate (which included missing badly on 3 long passes that were certain TDs), he was indecisive, (he was holding the ball too long), and he made bad decisions (he threw a bad INT, a throw that at best was into double coverage). This resulted remarkably in a third consecutive game without scoring in the 1st half. Then he perhaps reached rock bottom when he hurt his hip so all those clambering for Gaston Moore to replace him got their wish only for him to throw as bad a pass as Nico has done all season. At that moment we all realised that Tennessee’s season is firmly on the shoulders of Iamaleava. As I say that moment was hopefully rock bottom because to his credit he “gutted it out” by returning to the battle and the ugly duckling starting to morph into the beautiful white swan we all thought we had.
The second half Sometimes it needs a spark, it needs a moment, it needs a play and your whole night changes, that is one of the charms of sport and Nico’s moment was an unscheduled 27-yard scramble, the next play he completed a 55-yard bomb to Donte Thornton and the next play after that was a TD. From that moment he was almost flawless including a great pass for the Chris Brazzell TD. I have a feeling that Nico has now weathered his own personal storm, and he could have a big rest of the season and harness good QB play with this Defense and with the Vols sitting pretty at 6-1, then all goals for this season are still on the table.
RUNNING BACKS B+
Dylan Sampson has long been our best offensive weapon and last night he did not disappoint running for 139 yards at 5.5 ypc and again he was ably backed up by DeSean Bishop who ran for 36 yards at 7,3 ypc There is no A grade today because of the Sampson fumble on the first drive when it looked like it could have been very costly. But when it comes to “the money time” of the game it was No 6 who delivered including another 2 TDs.
WIDE RECEIVERS C
For long parts of the game, it was an ugly performance for the WRs with a variety of drops. But the aforementioned TD catch from Brazzell and a long completion (shock) to Donte Thornton redeemed this unit. I must say that I thought Bru McCoy was our best Receiver snaring 6 catches for 80 yards, it was his best day this season. I admire Squirrels’ toughness, but he is clearly playing injured, and his drops are hurting the team, better let others take his place until his is fit.
TIGHT ENDS C
Nothing much to boast about in receiving but their assignments supporting the O`Line with blocking duties made them more solid (see next section).
OFFENSIVE LINE B
A much better performance by the O`Line and the first half SACKS were more down to Iamaleava`s indecision in my opinion. Let’s hope the bye week will allow them to get healthier and have a better second half to the season than the first. I did mark down their grade after another holding call by John Campbell straight after the Jermod McCoy INT.
DEFENSIVE LINE A+
What another top performance from the D`Line (it feels that this statement is cut and pasted every week). It’s quite extraordinary the stress this department is put under each week as they just hang in there making crucial plays at crucial times giving the Offense chance after chance to come to the party. To think that the most any opposition has scored against the Vols this season is 19 points (and 7 of those were conceded at Arkansas) shows there is NO other Defense I would rather have in the country this season to represent me. They were, quite frankly all heroes, but I will mention James Pearce again who was influential all game long recording 1½ SACKS, 1½ TFLs and 3 QH and his partner in crime Joshua Josephs also had 3 QH.
But my man on the match was the one wearing the shirt marked “Lane Discipline”. To beat Alabama it is simple you need to restrict Jalen Milroe from running thus forcing him into a passing game that he always gives you a chance that he will self-destruct and last night he didn’t disappoint. To do this it is imperative that the front seven work together, in short Lane Discipline. So how did he do? 14 rushes for a Net 11 yards. There is the victory right there.
LINEBACKERS A-
Keenan Pili will be loss every game this season, but Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander, Jalen Smith and Kalib Perry did a stout job without Pili. They should also get credit for Alabama rushing for only 75 yards at only 2.2 yards a pop. William Inge is clearly a great asset to the coaching staff. Let’s hope we see more of Edwin Spillman when he is fit later this season as he is also a real gamer.
DEFENSIVE BACKS A
What a performance from the DB`s (cut and paste again). Jermod McCoy again proved he is an elite talent at CB I thought for a fleeting moment that Sauce Gardner was wearing the No 3 jersey the way he turned his head and one handedly INT. Rickey Gibson and Boo Carter both had immense games again and to think, these three are all eligible next season. But how can I not mention everybody’s Cinderella, Will Brooks (hands up who felt trepidation when we heard that Brooks had won the starting Safety job, well I will admit to it). I thought his match turning 85-yard INT against NC State was his crowning glory, but I was wrong again. Not only was he time and time again the last line of defense early on as Tennessee struggled to stay in the game, but he anticipated brilliantly the underneath pass, broke on the play and closed the deal. Please note Ryan Williams the prodigious 17-year-old only gained 73 yards on 20 targets.
I would also like to say I was pleased that Nico and the play calling staff did not get disillusioned with the lack of downfield completions and persisted with letting it rip and in the end the two big completions were pivotal. The completions will improve, and it also stops the opposing Defense from stacking the box and stopping Dylan doing his thing.
Please feel free to post your comments, likes or dislikes, its the only way I know if the articles are of any use.
GO VOLS
Last night I thought I had gone to the Cinema to watch the classic film Groundhog Day. For those who have not seen this film it is where every morning Bill Murray wakes up only to find that today is the same as yesterday. Well, watching last night’s game was uncannily the same as Arkansas and Florida where the Offense was just awful in almost every aspect and then the Defense heroically kept the Vols in the game time after time. But just like the film, in the end it had a happy ending and Tennessee, like Bill Murray have the chance to move on to better things and there is very little better in College Football. than beating Alabama. LIGHT THE CIGARS
So, here’s this week’s grades:
QUARTERBACKS C
In England we often call a game of soccer “a game of two halves” well last night this could not describe the game any better.
The first half Nico Iamaleava was just as bad as the previous two games against Arkansas and Florida. He was inaccurate (which included missing badly on 3 long passes that were certain TDs), he was indecisive, (he was holding the ball too long), and he made bad decisions (he threw a bad INT, a throw that at best was into double coverage). This resulted remarkably in a third consecutive game without scoring in the 1st half. Then he perhaps reached rock bottom when he hurt his hip so all those clambering for Gaston Moore to replace him got their wish only for him to throw as bad a pass as Nico has done all season. At that moment we all realised that Tennessee’s season is firmly on the shoulders of Iamaleava. As I say that moment was hopefully rock bottom because to his credit he “gutted it out” by returning to the battle and the ugly duckling starting to morph into the beautiful white swan we all thought we had.
The second half Sometimes it needs a spark, it needs a moment, it needs a play and your whole night changes, that is one of the charms of sport and Nico’s moment was an unscheduled 27-yard scramble, the next play he completed a 55-yard bomb to Donte Thornton and the next play after that was a TD. From that moment he was almost flawless including a great pass for the Chris Brazzell TD. I have a feeling that Nico has now weathered his own personal storm, and he could have a big rest of the season and harness good QB play with this Defense and with the Vols sitting pretty at 6-1, then all goals for this season are still on the table.
RUNNING BACKS B+
Dylan Sampson has long been our best offensive weapon and last night he did not disappoint running for 139 yards at 5.5 ypc and again he was ably backed up by DeSean Bishop who ran for 36 yards at 7,3 ypc There is no A grade today because of the Sampson fumble on the first drive when it looked like it could have been very costly. But when it comes to “the money time” of the game it was No 6 who delivered including another 2 TDs.
WIDE RECEIVERS C
For long parts of the game, it was an ugly performance for the WRs with a variety of drops. But the aforementioned TD catch from Brazzell and a long completion (shock) to Donte Thornton redeemed this unit. I must say that I thought Bru McCoy was our best Receiver snaring 6 catches for 80 yards, it was his best day this season. I admire Squirrels’ toughness, but he is clearly playing injured, and his drops are hurting the team, better let others take his place until his is fit.
TIGHT ENDS C
Nothing much to boast about in receiving but their assignments supporting the O`Line with blocking duties made them more solid (see next section).
OFFENSIVE LINE B
A much better performance by the O`Line and the first half SACKS were more down to Iamaleava`s indecision in my opinion. Let’s hope the bye week will allow them to get healthier and have a better second half to the season than the first. I did mark down their grade after another holding call by John Campbell straight after the Jermod McCoy INT.
DEFENSIVE LINE A+
What another top performance from the D`Line (it feels that this statement is cut and pasted every week). It’s quite extraordinary the stress this department is put under each week as they just hang in there making crucial plays at crucial times giving the Offense chance after chance to come to the party. To think that the most any opposition has scored against the Vols this season is 19 points (and 7 of those were conceded at Arkansas) shows there is NO other Defense I would rather have in the country this season to represent me. They were, quite frankly all heroes, but I will mention James Pearce again who was influential all game long recording 1½ SACKS, 1½ TFLs and 3 QH and his partner in crime Joshua Josephs also had 3 QH.
But my man on the match was the one wearing the shirt marked “Lane Discipline”. To beat Alabama it is simple you need to restrict Jalen Milroe from running thus forcing him into a passing game that he always gives you a chance that he will self-destruct and last night he didn’t disappoint. To do this it is imperative that the front seven work together, in short Lane Discipline. So how did he do? 14 rushes for a Net 11 yards. There is the victory right there.
LINEBACKERS A-
Keenan Pili will be loss every game this season, but Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander, Jalen Smith and Kalib Perry did a stout job without Pili. They should also get credit for Alabama rushing for only 75 yards at only 2.2 yards a pop. William Inge is clearly a great asset to the coaching staff. Let’s hope we see more of Edwin Spillman when he is fit later this season as he is also a real gamer.
DEFENSIVE BACKS A
What a performance from the DB`s (cut and paste again). Jermod McCoy again proved he is an elite talent at CB I thought for a fleeting moment that Sauce Gardner was wearing the No 3 jersey the way he turned his head and one handedly INT. Rickey Gibson and Boo Carter both had immense games again and to think, these three are all eligible next season. But how can I not mention everybody’s Cinderella, Will Brooks (hands up who felt trepidation when we heard that Brooks had won the starting Safety job, well I will admit to it). I thought his match turning 85-yard INT against NC State was his crowning glory, but I was wrong again. Not only was he time and time again the last line of defense early on as Tennessee struggled to stay in the game, but he anticipated brilliantly the underneath pass, broke on the play and closed the deal. Please note Ryan Williams the prodigious 17-year-old only gained 73 yards on 20 targets.
I would also like to say I was pleased that Nico and the play calling staff did not get disillusioned with the lack of downfield completions and persisted with letting it rip and in the end the two big completions were pivotal. The completions will improve, and it also stops the opposing Defense from stacking the box and stopping Dylan doing his thing.
Please feel free to post your comments, likes or dislikes, its the only way I know if the articles are of any use.
GO VOLS
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