Vols Big Play Tracker 2024 (Updated after Miss State)

#1
mrmax86

mrmax86

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#1
As many of you know, I am a big fan of making trackers. I had great expectations for our ability to connect on deep bombs last season, but we ended up falling short of my expectations.

This season, I am confident we will not be as dependent on bombs, but instead will be methodical and break off big chunk plays. For that reason, this year, I plan on tracking:
  1. Rushes of 15+ yards
  2. Passes of 20+ yards
  3. Any Touchdown of 10+ yards
  4. Kick Returns past the UT 40 yard line
  5. Punt Returns of 20+ yards
  6. Sacks/TFLs of 5+ yards
  7. Defensive Turnovers (INT, Fumble Recoveries, 4th down stops)
  8. Special Teams Turnovers
  9. Punts inside 5
  10. Field Goals of 50+ Yards
Please select the game below to be taken to the game data:










Please select the image below to be taken to combined plays in the below categories:

Big Pass Plays

Big Rush Plays

Turnovers

Defensive Big Plays

Big Kick and Punt Returns

Big Scoring Plays

Big Play Rushes
Dylan Sampson - 14
Desean Bishop - 8
Nico Iamaleava - 4
Peyton Lewis - 3
Gaston Moore - 1
Jake Merklinger - 1

Big Play Passes
Nico Iamaleava - 33
Gaston Moore - 3

Big Play Receptions
Dont'e Thornton Jr. - 8
Bru McCoy III - 7
Squirrel White - 6
Chris Brazzell II - 5
Miles Kitselman - 4
Holden Staes - 2
Chas Nimrod - 2
Mike Matthews - 1
Dylan Sampson - 1

Kick Returns Past the 40 Yard Line
Mike Matthews - 1

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Boo Carter - 4
Squirrel White - 3
Jermod McCoy - 1

Punts Inside 5 Yard Line
Jackson Ross - 2

Field Goals of 50+ Yards
Max Gilbert - 1

Sacks (5+ yards)
Omar Norman-Lott - 4.5
James Pearce - 3
Tyre West - 1
Jakobe Thomas - 1
Jaxson Moi - 1
Boo Carter - 1
Dominic Bailey - 1
Omari Thomas - 1
Bryson Eason - 1
Jayson Jenkins - 0.5

TFLs (5+ yards)
Bryson Eason - 2.5
Joshua Josephs - 1
Keenan Pili - 1
Boo Carter - 1
Elijah Simmons - 1
Omari Thomas - 1
Jakobe Thomas - 1
Dominic Bailey - 1
Kalib Perry - 0.5

Safeties Forced
James Pearce - 1
Jayson Jenkins - 1

Fumbles Forced
Joshua Josephs - 2
James Pearce - 1
Tyre West - 1
Dominic Bailey - 1
Jayson Jenkins - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Jeremiah Telander - 3
Joshua Josephs - 2
James Pearce - 1
Dominic Bailey - 1
Jakobe Thomas - 1

Interceptions
Will Brooks - 3
Jermod McCoy - 2
Arion Carter - 1
Andre Turrentine - 1
Boo Carter - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1

Onside Kick Recovery
Jeremiah Telander - 1

Turnover on Downs Tackles/PBU
Jermod McCoy - 3
Rickey Gibson - 2.5
Dominick Bailey - 1
Jeremiah Telander - 1
Boo Carter - 1
Jacob Thomas - 1
Keenan Pili - 0.5
Tyre West - 0.5
Jalen Smith - 0.5
 
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#2
#2
First off, I like this. BUT can you put an aggregate total at the top to track to? Easy now, but by mid season it would be nice to just see the totals and not go through the table. Yess I know, I’m lazy
 
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#4
#4
VFLCodyGBO said:
First off, I like this. BUT can you put an aggregate total at the top to track to? Easy now, but by mid season it would be nice to just see the totals and not go through the table. Yess I know, I’m lazy
Click to expand...
Like this?
  1. Rushes of 15+ yards
    1. Dylan Sampson - 2
    2. Desean Bishop - 2
  2. Passes of 20+ yards
    1. Nico Iamaleava - 5
  3. Kick Returns of 40+ yards
    1. None Yet
  4. Punt Returns of 20+ yards
    1. Squirrel White - 1
  5. Defensive Turnovers
    1. Fumbles Forced
      1. Tyre West - 1
    2. Fumbles Recovered
      1. Joshua Josephs - 1
  6. Special Teams Turnovers
    1. Blocked Punts/Kicks
      1. Jordan Ross - 1
    2. Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
      1. Jordan Ross - 1
 
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#5
#5
VFLCodyGBO said:
First off, I like this. BUT can you put an aggregate total at the top to track to? Easy now, but by mid season it would be nice to just see the totals and not go through the table. Yess I know, I’m lazy
Click to expand...
Or like this?

Rushes of 15+ yards
Dylan Sampson - 2
Desean Bishop - 2

Passes of 20+ yards
Nico Iamaleava - 5

Kick Returns of 40+ yards
None Yet

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Squirrel White - 1

Fumbles Forced
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Joshua Josephs - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1
 
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#6
#6
mrmax86 said:
Or like this?

Rushes of 15+ yards
Dylan Sampson - 2
Desean Bishop - 2

Passes of 20+ yards
Nico Iamaleava - 5

Kick Returns of 40+ yards
None Yet

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Squirrel White - 1

Fumbles Forced
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Joshua Josephs - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1
Click to expand...
Thanks for the votes. I added it using this template.
 
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#8
#8
mrmax86 said:
As many of you know, I am a big fan of making trackers. I had great expectations for our ability to connect on deep bombs last season, but we ended up falling short of my expectations.

This season, I am confident we will not be as dependent on bombs, but instead will be methodical and break off big chunks. For that reason, this year, I plan on tracking:
  1. Rushes of 15+ yards
  2. Passes of 20+ yards
  3. Kick Returns of 40+ yards
  4. Punt Returns of 20+ yards
  5. Sacks
  6. Defensive Turnovers
  7. Special Teams Turnovers
Click the Down/Dist to view the video of the play. Aggregate Stats at the bottom.

OppQTimeDown/DistYdPlayFromToYdsResult/Notes
UTC19:471st & 10Op 38TurnoverWestJosephs0Fumble Recovery
UTC19:001st & 10Op 21RushSampson171st & Goal
UTC17:574th & 4UT 21Punt ReturnWhite20
UTC17:441st & 10UT 41PassIamaleavaBrazzell23
UTC17:261st & 10Op 36PassIamaleavaThornton36Touchdown
UTC15:011st & 10UT 21PassIamaleavaThornton5951.2 Air Yards
UTC214:291st & 10Op 40PassIamaleavaMcCoy371st & Goal
UTC211:072nd & 8UT 35PassIamaleavaMcCoy24
UTC210:383rd & 3Op 34RushBishop241st & Goal
UTC26:591st & 10UT 39RushSampson561st & Goal
UTC22:531st & 10Op 43SackWest-5
UTC31:201st & 10Op 22RushBishop22Touchdown
UTC41:174th & 1Op 49TurnoverRossRoss38Blocked Punt
Fumble Recovery
Touchdown
Rushes of 15+ yards
Dylan Sampson - 2
Desean Bishop - 2

Passes of 20+ yards
Nico Iamaleava - 5

Receptions of 20+ yards
Chris Brazzell II - 1
Bru McCoy III - 2
Dont'e Thornton Jr. - 2

Kick Returns of 40+ yards
None Yet

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Squirrel White - 1

Sacks
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Forced
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Joshua Josephs - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1
Click to expand...
Yet another fine example of why the VN forum is so great, and incomparable.
 
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#9
#9
First, mrmax86, thank you for taking the time to make your "hobby" something that we all benefit from. That's just about the definition of community! Can't wait to follow your figures week to week.

Let me use your thread (because of the kinds of minds it will attract) to throw out some ideas for people smarter than me to critique, update, or opine about.

1) Maybe 20 years ago, in the NFL, the "key" statistic which most often coincided with winning was Yards Per Passing Attempt. Is that still true, or are other stats now more predictive of winning?

2) In defensive series in which there was a tackle for loss, how many still yielded a first down or a touchdown on that series of downs?
In Heupel's/Banks' first seasons, we were outstanding in tackles for loss--but we were still susceptible to yielding first downs, even on third-and-longs. I don't know if TFL is a permanent part of the staff's philosophy, or was a necessary but temporary accommodation to our early lack of depth and skilled personnel. But I'm thinking there's something significant there to be tracked, as we compare previous seasons to current production.

3) Is overall turnover ratio (+/-) still considered a key, predictive statistic?
I heard someone say that last season our RBs did not have one fumble (or maybe they meant lost fumble). Is that true?
I wonder if our QBs suffer more fumbles than average, and if that's just a feature of this offense, or a reflection of offensive line performance + QB decision making?

Stats can reveal truths by examining isolated data, but it's always at the loss of the full, systemic picture. At the end of the day, sometimes the lesser team can win on intangibles like focus and desire. And that's really why we love sports. It gives hope to all of us who aren't the best or brightest or wealthiest, whose numbers will never add up, that we can still prevail and live meaningful lives worth passing on.
 
#10
#10
mrmax86 said:
Should I include sacks?
Click to expand...
I'm thinking that's worth exploring a little deeper. For starters, what is the significance of a sack in relation to the game's outcome?

A sack is always a tackle for loss, and (preemptively) an incomplete pass. But if, on the following play, the offense gets a first down or a touchdown, then the sack had zero significance, game-wise.

Sure, there is a psychological impact on the QB, his pass protection, and maybe the play caller. But unless that psychological impact results in reduced productivity, is it not meaningless?

A hurry is significant only if it results in an incomplete pass or an interception.

QB pressure is significant only if it results in an incomplete pass, interception, or a minimal gain. We all remember that season when our defense put great pressure on QBs... who then escaped the pocket and ran for a first down.

Another result from an effective pass rush can be off-sides penalties, usually by an offensive tackle. It's a loss of yardage, but not a loss of down. So again, it's only significant in the series of downs if it leads to a punt or turnover.

Thinking about how to show this, maybe it needs a scatter plot with event lines to track the response. But whatever, the X-axis would have to be calibrated to each play from scrimmage.

Following each event line---a sack (one color line), a hurry (different color line), or an offensive off-sides penalty (different color line)---is there a drop-off in pass attempts, and in the length of the passes completed (minus yardage after the catch)? I think that's the key factor that would reveal actual significance.

You'd also need to indicate punts on this graph, so lots of factors that are interrelated, but of differing values.

It's a fascinating problem for this old graphic designer who has a special appreciation for Edward Tufte. But chores are calling and I'm sure people with math skills have long ago solved these problems.
----
To anyone who read this far, I hope indulging this mental exercise was worth it. Critique is welcome. After all, that's what the 6 days between games are for... to keep thinking about the game!
 
Last edited:
#12
#12
BruisedOrange said:
First, mrmax86, thank you for taking the time to make your "hobby" something that we all benefit from. That's just about the definition of community! Can't wait to follow your figures week to week.

Let me use your thread (because of the kinds of minds it will attract) to throw out some ideas for people smarter than me to critique, update, or opine about.

1) Maybe 20 years ago, in the NFL, the "key" statistic which most often coincided with winning was Yards Per Passing Attempt. Is that still true, or are other stats now more predictive of winning?

2) In defensive series in which there was a tackle for loss, how many still yielded a first down or a touchdown on that series of downs?
In Heupel's/Banks' first seasons, we were outstanding in tackles for loss--but we were still susceptible to yielding first downs, even on third-and-longs. I don't know if TFL is a permanent part of the staff's philosophy, or was a necessary but temporary accommodation to our early lack of depth and skilled personnel. But I'm thinking there's something significant there to be tracked, as we compare previous seasons to current production.

3) Is overall turnover ratio (+/-) still considered a key, predictive statistic?
I heard someone say that last season our RBs did not have one fumble (or maybe they meant lost fumble). Is that true?
I wonder if our QBs suffer more fumbles than average, and if that's just a feature of this offense, or a reflection of offensive line performance + QB decision making?

Stats can reveal truths by examining isolated data, but it's always at the loss of the full, systemic picture. At the end of the day, sometimes the lesser team can win on intangibles like focus and desire. And that's really why we love sports. It gives hope to all of us who aren't the best or brightest or wealthiest, whose numbers will never add up, that we can still prevail and live meaningful lives worth passing on.
Click to expand...

BruisedOrange said:
I'm thinking that's worth exploring a little deeper. For starters, what is the significance of a sack in relation to the game's outcome?

A sack is always a tackle for loss, and (preemptively) an incomplete pass. But if, on the following play, the offense gets a first down or a touchdown, then the sack had zero significance, game-wise.

Sure, there is a psychological impact on the QB, his pass protection, and maybe the play caller. But unless that psychological impact results in reduced productivity, is it not meaningless?

A hurry is significant only if it results in an incomplete pass or an interception.

QB pressure is significant only if it results in an incomplete pass, interception, or a minimal gain. We all remember that season when our defense put great pressure on QBs... who then escaped the pocket and ran for a first down.

Another result from an effective pass rush can be off-sides penalties, usually by an offensive tackle. It's a loss of yardage, but not a loss of down. So again, it's only significant in the series of downs if it leads to a punt or turnover.

Thinking about how to show this, maybe it needs a scatter plot with event lines to track the response. But whatever, the X-axis would have to be calibrated to each play from scrimmage.

Following each event line---a sack (one color line), a hurry (different color line), or an offensive off-sides penalty (different color line)---is there a drop-off in pass attempts, and in the length of the passes completed (minus yardage after the catch)? I think that's the key factor that would reveal actual significance.

You'd also need to indicate punts on this graph, so lots of factors that are interrelated, but of differing values.

It's a fascinating problem for this old graphic designer who has a special appreciation for Edward Tufte. But chores are calling and I'm sure people with math skills have long ago solved these problems.
----
To anyone who read this far, I hope indulging this mental exercise was worth it. Critique is welcome. After all, that's what the 6 days between games are for... to keep thinking about the game!
Click to expand...
I don't know that I want to go that deep here, as any big play can end up being for naught if something else fails afterward. I mostly want this to be a central location to come back to for "Hey I want to see Dont'e Thornton's big receptions", or just if you think it's cool.

I did hear something on a VQ podcast, that on 10 scoring drives, 9 of them had chunk plays. So, they, as an independent measure at least, are somewhat of a leading indicator of success. Should be exciting to track throughout this season!
 
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#15
#15
mrmax86 said:
Or like this?

Rushes of 15+ yards
Dylan Sampson - 2
Desean Bishop - 2

Passes of 20+ yards
Nico Iamaleava - 5

Kick Returns of 40+ yards
None Yet

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Squirrel White - 1

Fumbles Forced
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Joshua Josephs - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1
Click to expand...
Definitely this one
 
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#16
#16
www.rockytopinsider.com

The Play That Showed Tennessee Football's Culture In Win Over Chattanooga | Rocky Top Insider

The play that showed Tennessee football's strong culture in its season-opening blowout win over Chattanooga.
www.rockytopinsider.com www.rockytopinsider.com
Don't forget this one


Chattanooga linebacker Kobe Joseph intercepted a Gaston Moore pass at the Mocs’ 20-yard line and had nothing but green grass between him and the end zone. But reserve receiver Nathan Leacock tracked Joseph down, and along with Moore, tackled the linebacker at the 10-yard line.

“Nathan Leacock’s play — that is what you want to see as a head coach, as a receivers coach, shoot, as an AD, because that gives you a glimpse of what your football team looks like,” Tennessee receiver’s coach Kelsey Pope said. “I don’t think he had a catch at that point. As soon as the pick was thrown, he didn’t bat an eye, he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction to go stop a touchdown.
 
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#17
#17
WillisWG said:
www.rockytopinsider.com

The Play That Showed Tennessee Football's Culture In Win Over Chattanooga | Rocky Top Insider

The play that showed Tennessee football's strong culture in its season-opening blowout win over Chattanooga.
www.rockytopinsider.com www.rockytopinsider.com
Don't forget this one


Chattanooga linebacker Kobe Joseph intercepted a Gaston Moore pass at the Mocs’ 20-yard line and had nothing but green grass between him and the end zone. But reserve receiver Nathan Leacock tracked Joseph down, and along with Moore, tackled the linebacker at the 10-yard line.

“Nathan Leacock’s play — that is what you want to see as a head coach, as a receivers coach, shoot, as an AD, because that gives you a glimpse of what your football team looks like,” Tennessee receiver’s coach Kelsey Pope said. “I don’t think he had a catch at that point. As soon as the pick was thrown, he didn’t bat an eye, he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction to go stop a touchdown.
Click to expand...
That’s true, but I’m not sure how it qualifies since I’m not looking forward at drive results. The INT still was a big play for UTC. I completely agree that the effort our players displayed was “big”, but I’m trying to keep this objective rather than subjective.
 
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#21
#21
ZoeVol said:
I would. I would also include tackles for loss as our defense has excelled at in the last couple of years.

I really like the link to the video. That’s awesome! Thanks!
Click to expand...
What about sacks and/or TFLs of 5+ yards? I’m worried this could get “too big” if we do all sacks and/or all TFLs.

Edit: Meaning sacks of 1-4 yards wouldn’t be reported.
 
#22
#22
mrmax86 said:
That’s true, but I’m not sure how it qualifies since I’m not looking forward at drive results. The INT still was a big play for UTC. I completely agree that the effort our players displayed was “big”, but I’m trying to keep this objective rather than subjective.
Click to expand...
Subjective? A tackle that prevents a score? Not sure we have the same definition of what a big play is but it's your tracker, enjoy your project.
 
#24
#24
mrmax86 said:
As many of you know, I am a big fan of making trackers. I had great expectations for our ability to connect on deep bombs last season, but we ended up falling short of my expectations.

This season, I am confident we will not be as dependent on bombs, but instead will be methodical and break off big chunks. For that reason, this year, I plan on tracking:
  1. Rushes of 15+ yards
  2. Passes of 20+ yards
  3. Kick Returns of 40+ yards
  4. Punt Returns of 20+ yards
  5. Sacks
  6. Defensive Turnovers
  7. Special Teams Turnovers
Click the Down/Dist to view the video of the play. Aggregate Stats at the bottom.

OppQTimeDown/DistScrimPlayFromToYdsResult/Notes
UTC19:471st & 10Op38TOWestJosephs0Fumble
UTC19:001st & 10Op21RushSampson171st & Goal
UTC17:574th & 4UT21PuntWhite20
UTC17:441st & 10UT41PassIamaleavaBrazzell23
UTC17:261st & 10Op36PassIamaleavaThornton36Touchdown
UTC15:011st & 10UT21PassIamaleavaThornton5951.2 Air Yds
UTC214:291st & 10Op40PassIamaleavaMcCoy371st & Goal
UTC211:072nd & 8UT35PassIamaleavaMcCoy24
UTC210:383rd & 3Op34RushBishop241st & Goal
UTC26:591st & 10UT39RushSampson561st & Goal
UTC22:531st & 10Op43SackWest-5
UTC31:201st & 10Op22RushBishop22Touchdown
UTC41:174th & 1Op49TORossRoss38Punt Block
Fumble
Touchdown
Rushes of 15+ yards
Dylan Sampson - 2
Desean Bishop - 2

Passes of 20+ yards
Nico Iamaleava - 5

Receptions of 20+ yards
Chris Brazzell II - 1
Bru McCoy III - 2
Dont'e Thornton Jr. - 2

Kick Returns of 40+ yards
None Yet

Punt Returns of 20+ yards
Squirrel White - 1

Sacks
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Forced
Tyre West - 1

Fumbles Recovered
Joshua Josephs - 1

Blocked Punts/Kicks
Jordan Ross - 1

Blocked Punt/Kick Recovery
Jordan Ross - 1
Click to expand...
We're gonna need some first quarter scoring data. 👀
 
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