London Vol
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GAME 6 – ARKANSAS
A week ago, this game was predictable as a routine win then Sam Pittman was sacked and Bobby Petrino was appointed. You just knew last night’s game was now anything but predictable and I felt that the biggest winner of the night was going to be my Cardiologist who was about to get richer.
When the game is dissected this week there will be more questions than answers as everybody tries to predict what this game means for this season going forward. I know it’s important not to gloss over that there are some serious deficiencies in the 2025 Defense, particularly at Linebacker and Safety, but it is also important to remember that ANY SEC win is a quality win and Tennessee are now 5-1 (2-1) and they are still in control of their own destiny.
QUARTERBACKS B+
Another good night from Joey Aguilar, 221 yards 1 TD and 0 INTs are good numbers and how can you not love this guy’s efforts 'for the cause' especially those 59 yards Rushing, although I do wish he would slide more instead of taking so many big hits. It should also be noted that he overthrew on successive passes for TDs immediately after the first turnover and inexplicably nearly threw an INT when falling down. But there’s Aguilar in a nutshell, but the good far outweighs the bad.
RUNNING BACKS A+
You really cannot ask for much more than 264 yards from the RBs with DeSean Bishop having a career day with 146 yards at over 10 yards a pop. This is the second consecutive game that Bishop has been proven to be the primary Running Back for the men in Orange. A mention should also be made of Peyton Lewis who had 2 TD`s and then “iced the game” with a power run at the end.
WIDE RECEIVERS B
In every walk of life you have bad days, but the really important thing is how do you respond to those? so, just reflect on Braylon Staleys performance. Last week he didn’t only have some bad moments but there were enough bad moments for a whole season. But he didn’t drop his head and hide but posted 109 yards on 6 catches, well done young man. Another who didn’t hide after missing out on a TD early on when he seemed to stumble was Mike Matthews, who had 46 yards on 3 catches.
TIGHT ENDS A-
This department had one contributor, but fortunately that one had a very good game. Miles Kitselman had 5 catches for 56 yards and as normal he made many great blocks for both Pass Protection and Run Offense. Tennessee were lucky to get an extra year from him, thank you Diego Pavia.
OFFENSIVE LINE B+
This is the best O`Line for some years and they continue to give Aguilar enough time to ‘do his thing’ and 0 Sacks and 1 QBH speaks volumes for this. Then when the RBs run for so many yards “the big uglies” should receive some recognition. Finally, what a push from the left side of the O`Line to close out the game and save us all from a “hide behind the sofa” last 90 seconds. However, I need to reduce their grade after a few penalties including a “snap infraction”, there’s no limit to Tennessee’s exotic ways to shoot themselves in the foot it seems, often at bad moments in the game.
DEFENSIVE LINE C+
Despite being overrun early on they did improve markedly in the second half, and the grade is much higher due to the elite DEs. Joshua Josephs 1 FF last night and Caleb Herring have been excellent this season, but now Jordan Ross has had his breakout game as well with 1 ½ SACKs and was involved in 2 FFs. It was also good to see Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs both having highlight moments and hopefully as they get fitter then this unit will improve, as the schedule doesn’t get any easier.
LINEBACKERS E-
Unless things improve here the season could very well be derailed. Sorry again Jeremiah Telander but he looked slow and out of position on numerous occasions. Arion Carter has got huge stats this season and plays with passion, but he does not still seem to dominate the space in the middle as much as I would hope he would. Edwin Spillman was unfortunate to get the “targeting” penalty as in real time this incident is much harder to avoid, but it must be said on more than one occasion he was close to being “yellow flagged” by playing recklessly, it is important to play with passion but controlled passion. I also include Boo Carter here as he is not delivering the high-level performances his reputation suggests he is capable of. Nice to see Jadon Perlotte contributing, we are going to need some new blood next season or more accurately, this season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS D
Colton Hood continues to be the only bright light in the Secondary and that light is very bright especially as Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson have been missing all season., There was one particular PBU that saved the Vols literally 4 points and if you’re not sure how important that was go and have another look at the final score. Like the LBs the Safety’s are simply poor this year and I have little hope they will improve.
BIG MOMENT
The first Big Moment may not be high on most peoples list but in my opinion the 50-yard Field Goal just after half time after the drive stalled allowed Tennessee to take the lead for the first time. But it was also the first ‘pressure kick’ that Max Gilbert has made since Georgia and I suspect he will be needed later in the season.
My other Big Moment was whatever was said and what adjustments were made at half-time as they were critical for the win. There will be a lot negativity about what Alabama might do to the Defense next week and yes it might be bad, but in-game and half-time adjustments are a big part of successful teams.
Please post your comments good or bad as I enjoy the discussion and tick “Like” if you like the article as it’s the only way I can fathom if its people enjoy the read.
GO VOLS
A week ago, this game was predictable as a routine win then Sam Pittman was sacked and Bobby Petrino was appointed. You just knew last night’s game was now anything but predictable and I felt that the biggest winner of the night was going to be my Cardiologist who was about to get richer.
When the game is dissected this week there will be more questions than answers as everybody tries to predict what this game means for this season going forward. I know it’s important not to gloss over that there are some serious deficiencies in the 2025 Defense, particularly at Linebacker and Safety, but it is also important to remember that ANY SEC win is a quality win and Tennessee are now 5-1 (2-1) and they are still in control of their own destiny.
QUARTERBACKS B+
Another good night from Joey Aguilar, 221 yards 1 TD and 0 INTs are good numbers and how can you not love this guy’s efforts 'for the cause' especially those 59 yards Rushing, although I do wish he would slide more instead of taking so many big hits. It should also be noted that he overthrew on successive passes for TDs immediately after the first turnover and inexplicably nearly threw an INT when falling down. But there’s Aguilar in a nutshell, but the good far outweighs the bad.
RUNNING BACKS A+
You really cannot ask for much more than 264 yards from the RBs with DeSean Bishop having a career day with 146 yards at over 10 yards a pop. This is the second consecutive game that Bishop has been proven to be the primary Running Back for the men in Orange. A mention should also be made of Peyton Lewis who had 2 TD`s and then “iced the game” with a power run at the end.
WIDE RECEIVERS B
In every walk of life you have bad days, but the really important thing is how do you respond to those? so, just reflect on Braylon Staleys performance. Last week he didn’t only have some bad moments but there were enough bad moments for a whole season. But he didn’t drop his head and hide but posted 109 yards on 6 catches, well done young man. Another who didn’t hide after missing out on a TD early on when he seemed to stumble was Mike Matthews, who had 46 yards on 3 catches.
TIGHT ENDS A-
This department had one contributor, but fortunately that one had a very good game. Miles Kitselman had 5 catches for 56 yards and as normal he made many great blocks for both Pass Protection and Run Offense. Tennessee were lucky to get an extra year from him, thank you Diego Pavia.
OFFENSIVE LINE B+
This is the best O`Line for some years and they continue to give Aguilar enough time to ‘do his thing’ and 0 Sacks and 1 QBH speaks volumes for this. Then when the RBs run for so many yards “the big uglies” should receive some recognition. Finally, what a push from the left side of the O`Line to close out the game and save us all from a “hide behind the sofa” last 90 seconds. However, I need to reduce their grade after a few penalties including a “snap infraction”, there’s no limit to Tennessee’s exotic ways to shoot themselves in the foot it seems, often at bad moments in the game.
DEFENSIVE LINE C+
Despite being overrun early on they did improve markedly in the second half, and the grade is much higher due to the elite DEs. Joshua Josephs 1 FF last night and Caleb Herring have been excellent this season, but now Jordan Ross has had his breakout game as well with 1 ½ SACKs and was involved in 2 FFs. It was also good to see Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs both having highlight moments and hopefully as they get fitter then this unit will improve, as the schedule doesn’t get any easier.
LINEBACKERS E-
Unless things improve here the season could very well be derailed. Sorry again Jeremiah Telander but he looked slow and out of position on numerous occasions. Arion Carter has got huge stats this season and plays with passion, but he does not still seem to dominate the space in the middle as much as I would hope he would. Edwin Spillman was unfortunate to get the “targeting” penalty as in real time this incident is much harder to avoid, but it must be said on more than one occasion he was close to being “yellow flagged” by playing recklessly, it is important to play with passion but controlled passion. I also include Boo Carter here as he is not delivering the high-level performances his reputation suggests he is capable of. Nice to see Jadon Perlotte contributing, we are going to need some new blood next season or more accurately, this season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS D
Colton Hood continues to be the only bright light in the Secondary and that light is very bright especially as Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson have been missing all season., There was one particular PBU that saved the Vols literally 4 points and if you’re not sure how important that was go and have another look at the final score. Like the LBs the Safety’s are simply poor this year and I have little hope they will improve.
BIG MOMENT
The first Big Moment may not be high on most peoples list but in my opinion the 50-yard Field Goal just after half time after the drive stalled allowed Tennessee to take the lead for the first time. But it was also the first ‘pressure kick’ that Max Gilbert has made since Georgia and I suspect he will be needed later in the season.
My other Big Moment was whatever was said and what adjustments were made at half-time as they were critical for the win. There will be a lot negativity about what Alabama might do to the Defense next week and yes it might be bad, but in-game and half-time adjustments are a big part of successful teams.
Please post your comments good or bad as I enjoy the discussion and tick “Like” if you like the article as it’s the only way I can fathom if its people enjoy the read.
GO VOLS
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