The Big Picture: Tennessee put together its most complete performance of the season and got its first Southeastern Conference win. Nick Stephens continues to give the Vols reliable quarterback play, Lennon Creer continues to make a case for increased playing time and Eric Berry continues to construct a legacy as one of the greatest ever to wear a Tennessee uniform.
GAME BALLS
Offense: I’ll go with Lennon Creer, who carried it 12 straight times on the Vols’ final possession of the game, which resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run. It was the first chance to see Creer in extended action, and he ran with both speed and toughness. Maybe someone else will get the “hot foot” next week, but it’s hard not to make a case that Creer needs a major role in the offense.
Defense: Yet again, Eric Berry. You’d like to spread the wealth but Berry continues to be the best player on the field for Tennessee on a weekly basis. His 72-yard interception return for a touchdown was tremendous.
Special Teams: Dennis Rogan made a strong 40-yard kickoff return to open the second half and set up Tennessee for a 53-yard drive that ended with Montario Hardesty’s 1-yard touchdown.
ANALYSIS
Offense (6/10)
Grading on a curve? Perhaps. But Tennessee committed no turnovers, ran the ball well to close out a game and made enough plays downfield to keep Mississippi State from bottling up the Vols’ running offense.
That’s not a tremendous accomplishment, but given the struggles of the Vols through the first six games, it’s a substantial one.
The offense looks completely different with Nick Stephens at quarterback than it did with Jonathan Crompton. It looks much more like the offense Dave Clawson ran at Richmond. No one’s saying it outright, but it’s obvious to me Crompton was not capable mentally of running Clawson’s scheme. The Vols had to stick in bland two-receiver sets as a result, and paid the price by presenting an attack that was very easy to scheme against from the opposition’s standpoint.
Stephens still isn’t great, but he’s getting the job done. He also hasn’t thrown an interception through his first three starts. He and Denarius Moore comprise an electric combination on deep balls, but it’s time to start getting Moore more overall touches.
The running game, as mentioned earlier, took a step forward. Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and Creer each made a play for 10-plus yards during the course of the ballgame. I still think Creer’s the best runner, but the Vols are better off splitting time among all three than not playing Creer at all.
Gerald Jones’ injury is a huge concern for the wide receiving corps. Aside from Moore and perhaps Lucas Taylor, no one else has been a consistent playmaker this season. Might this actually create more chances for Brandon Warren, or is that just false hope at this point?
Defense (9/10)
Lost points for a few third-and-longs where Mississippi State made Tennessee look inept, but all in all it was a strong effort by the Vols. It’s hard to argue with five sacks, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions returned for touchdowns and just three points allowed. Tennessee has given up just one offensive TD all season at home, and that was at Florida.
Phillip Fulmer indicated that Walter Fisher should be ready for Alabama, which improves UT’s defensive tackle depth. Andre Mathis played early against Mississippi State, ostensibly giving the Vols four options at tackle.
Ellix Wilson continues to have a fine season at linebacker, while Rico McCoy continues to be noticeably absent from the postgame stat sheet.
Tennessee has the type of talent on secondary to give John Parker Wilson fits. That’s the key matchup this week.
Special Teams (4/10)
Nothing great but nothing awful, either. Daniel Lincoln’s inconsistency on very viable field goals continues. This time he missed a 34-yarder. Keep in mind Lincoln was as regular as the mail for most of last year. What’s the difference?
Britton Colquitt shanked one punt for 26 yards, but still finished with a 44-yard average.
Dennis Rogan’s kickoff return was a big play. Maybe Jones’ injury gives Berry a chance on kicks and punts?
Coaching (9/10)
Not a lot to criticize. The Vols gave all three running backs a chance, continued to showcase more of the offense with Nick Stephens under center, and defensively contained Mississippi State. Moving John Chavis to the coaching box seemed to make a major difference. Tennessee committed only one penalty. That kind of execution must carry over to next week.
Overall (8/10)
Tennessee’s best all-around game of the season. It will take an even better effort to beat Alabama.