London Vol
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UT MARTIN GRADES
Another hurdle has been safely negotiated; that’s 7 fences cleared with 5 (at least) to go. As I mentioned in the review article, I was so impressed by the professionalism of Tennessee as they clinically dealt with what was basically a no-win game. Get ahead early, sit your starters by halftime and try to avoid any injuries or suspensions for next week (are you reading Doneiko Slaughter?). All of these were achieved. So, back to last night and let’s award some grades:
QUARTERBACKS A+
When you throw for 495 yards, 5 TDs and only 1 INT (which was the last play from the 4th string Quarterback), this grade is deserved. Hendon Hooker posted 18-24, 276 yards at 15.3ypc, 3 TDs and 0 INTs and that was all before halftime. Enjoy this season as people will talk about what he is achieving for years and years. He is also apparently making such a strong run for the Heisman that his main competition CJ Stroud at Ohio State stayed in their game against Iowa right to the end allowing him two TDs in the last quarter to pad his stats in a not so close 54-10 win.
Joe Milton III did well again. I know he has his detractors but, on this season alone, he has almost been faultless. Is there a better back up in the country? His stats were 4-7, 135 yards 1TD and 0 INTs and this is with the backups and not the 1st team. Regarding Princeton Fant, go to Tight Ends.
RUNNING BACKS C-
201 yards is none too shabby, but when you drill down to the actual Running backs, they combined for 35 carries for 138 yards which is only 3.9 ypc, this is hardly earth shattering against an FCS team. Dylan Sampson did break one for 45 yards but deduct that from the overall total and the other 34 carries were even less impressive. Regarding Princeton Fant, go to Tight Ends
WIDE RECEIVERS A+
If the Quarterbacks had such a good day, then you can be sure, so did the Wide Receivers. Jalin Hyatt showed he is “for real” with 174 yards in only one half. When Cedric Tillman gets back, probably new week, he could be even better. What was also noticeable was the variety of receptions, he came back for an underthrown pass, he took a pass in the flat, broke two tackles and waltzed into the endzone and he duped the secondary on the Princeton Fant pass for the 66-yard touchdown. Plenty of tape for NFL scouts to watch there. This was also the night that Squirrel White “broke out” with 5 catches for 122 yards. This augurs well particularly for next year when I suspect, we lose Tillman and Hyatt at least. But the WR I’m most pleased for is Ramel Keyton, who again produced in the absence of Tillman, with 5 catches for 77 yards. But most of all his 2 touchdowns are his first this season. He has rarely been in the starting line-up, yet has never jumped in to the transfer portal, he deserves his time in the spotlight.
TIGHT ENDS A+
I have so wanted to be able to give this grade this season to the Tight Ends but they have been somewhat underwhelming. Not last night, Princeton Fant had 2 rushing touchdowns, a 66-yard passing touchdown and a tantalising drop for a certain receiving touchdown, which in Baseball terms would have been “the cycle”. To be so versatile nowadays can earn you a fortune in the NFL, just look how valuable Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson are to their offenses. Get last night on tape young man and send it to all 32 teams NFL teams, you could make some serious money next year.
OFFENSIVE LINE B
Whilst the quarterbacks had plenty of time for their plays to develop, I did not see many good running lanes, I should be satisfied with the fact that all of them seem to be healthy after the game.
DEFENSIVE LINE A-
As every week the Defensive Line restricted the opponents running game, this week it was for a paltry 2.6 yards per carry. The reason why I marked them down, was the lack of pass rush resulting in only 2 sacks and 4 QBHs. One positive though was the performance of Tyre West, 1 sack and 1 QBH, each week he seems to become more visible, so hopefully he will have a strong finish to the season.
LINEBACKERS B+
Not a bad day at the office, but the star of the show here was another of our backups (I have already mentioned Milton and Keyton), Solon Page! It was unusual for him to play most of the game and he came up with 1 sack and 2 TFLs. Another who has stayed loyal to the University.
DEFENSIVE BACKS D
After conceding 316 yards to UT Martin, I think we all know now that for this season our Cornerbacks are what they are. It will need the Offense to keep scoring at their record levels, for this year to get even better than it has been already. It was a shame than Brandon Turnage had a heavy fall against the endzone wall as he did start the game quite brightly and Trevon Flowers, and to a lesser extent Doneiko Slaughter, played well enough to stop the grade being lower. Let’s hope Kamal Hadden, Christian Charles and Tank McCullough return for the rest of the season.
CHASE MCGRATH
I noticed that Chase missed a 46-yard field goal, and for this, I think he should be replaced immediately. If he can miss when there is no pressure what ever would he be like if the game and the season was on the line against an elite team? Sorry America, English humour.
GO VOLS
Another hurdle has been safely negotiated; that’s 7 fences cleared with 5 (at least) to go. As I mentioned in the review article, I was so impressed by the professionalism of Tennessee as they clinically dealt with what was basically a no-win game. Get ahead early, sit your starters by halftime and try to avoid any injuries or suspensions for next week (are you reading Doneiko Slaughter?). All of these were achieved. So, back to last night and let’s award some grades:
QUARTERBACKS A+
When you throw for 495 yards, 5 TDs and only 1 INT (which was the last play from the 4th string Quarterback), this grade is deserved. Hendon Hooker posted 18-24, 276 yards at 15.3ypc, 3 TDs and 0 INTs and that was all before halftime. Enjoy this season as people will talk about what he is achieving for years and years. He is also apparently making such a strong run for the Heisman that his main competition CJ Stroud at Ohio State stayed in their game against Iowa right to the end allowing him two TDs in the last quarter to pad his stats in a not so close 54-10 win.
Joe Milton III did well again. I know he has his detractors but, on this season alone, he has almost been faultless. Is there a better back up in the country? His stats were 4-7, 135 yards 1TD and 0 INTs and this is with the backups and not the 1st team. Regarding Princeton Fant, go to Tight Ends.
RUNNING BACKS C-
201 yards is none too shabby, but when you drill down to the actual Running backs, they combined for 35 carries for 138 yards which is only 3.9 ypc, this is hardly earth shattering against an FCS team. Dylan Sampson did break one for 45 yards but deduct that from the overall total and the other 34 carries were even less impressive. Regarding Princeton Fant, go to Tight Ends
WIDE RECEIVERS A+
If the Quarterbacks had such a good day, then you can be sure, so did the Wide Receivers. Jalin Hyatt showed he is “for real” with 174 yards in only one half. When Cedric Tillman gets back, probably new week, he could be even better. What was also noticeable was the variety of receptions, he came back for an underthrown pass, he took a pass in the flat, broke two tackles and waltzed into the endzone and he duped the secondary on the Princeton Fant pass for the 66-yard touchdown. Plenty of tape for NFL scouts to watch there. This was also the night that Squirrel White “broke out” with 5 catches for 122 yards. This augurs well particularly for next year when I suspect, we lose Tillman and Hyatt at least. But the WR I’m most pleased for is Ramel Keyton, who again produced in the absence of Tillman, with 5 catches for 77 yards. But most of all his 2 touchdowns are his first this season. He has rarely been in the starting line-up, yet has never jumped in to the transfer portal, he deserves his time in the spotlight.
TIGHT ENDS A+
I have so wanted to be able to give this grade this season to the Tight Ends but they have been somewhat underwhelming. Not last night, Princeton Fant had 2 rushing touchdowns, a 66-yard passing touchdown and a tantalising drop for a certain receiving touchdown, which in Baseball terms would have been “the cycle”. To be so versatile nowadays can earn you a fortune in the NFL, just look how valuable Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson are to their offenses. Get last night on tape young man and send it to all 32 teams NFL teams, you could make some serious money next year.
OFFENSIVE LINE B
Whilst the quarterbacks had plenty of time for their plays to develop, I did not see many good running lanes, I should be satisfied with the fact that all of them seem to be healthy after the game.
DEFENSIVE LINE A-
As every week the Defensive Line restricted the opponents running game, this week it was for a paltry 2.6 yards per carry. The reason why I marked them down, was the lack of pass rush resulting in only 2 sacks and 4 QBHs. One positive though was the performance of Tyre West, 1 sack and 1 QBH, each week he seems to become more visible, so hopefully he will have a strong finish to the season.
LINEBACKERS B+
Not a bad day at the office, but the star of the show here was another of our backups (I have already mentioned Milton and Keyton), Solon Page! It was unusual for him to play most of the game and he came up with 1 sack and 2 TFLs. Another who has stayed loyal to the University.
DEFENSIVE BACKS D
After conceding 316 yards to UT Martin, I think we all know now that for this season our Cornerbacks are what they are. It will need the Offense to keep scoring at their record levels, for this year to get even better than it has been already. It was a shame than Brandon Turnage had a heavy fall against the endzone wall as he did start the game quite brightly and Trevon Flowers, and to a lesser extent Doneiko Slaughter, played well enough to stop the grade being lower. Let’s hope Kamal Hadden, Christian Charles and Tank McCullough return for the rest of the season.
CHASE MCGRATH
I noticed that Chase missed a 46-yard field goal, and for this, I think he should be replaced immediately. If he can miss when there is no pressure what ever would he be like if the game and the season was on the line against an elite team? Sorry America, English humour.
GO VOLS
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