Spencer Rattler was sacked six times, Tennessee Football ran for over 200 yards, and the Vols won their first SEC game at Neyland Stadium Saturday night by beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 41-20. They also managed to avenge last year’s loss in the process, one that cost them a shot at the College Football Playoff.
In front of an electric crowd and wearing their Dark Mode uniforms, the Vols had a red-hot start, forcing South Carolina to punt and then easily marching down the field for a score. However, things then got dicey, as South Carolina went down for a field goal, Joe Milton III threw an interception, and Rattler then ran for a touchdown.
Trailing 10-7, though, Squirrel White made a key 50-yard catch to set up the second touchdown for Tennessee Football. The Vols then unleashed their defense, and despite only a field goal on offense the rest of the half, Kamal Hadden had a pick-six to close out the half, which put them up 24-10.
UT then had a 12-play touchdown drive to take control in the second half, going up 31-10. South Carolina did answer with a touchdown drive, and Milton did throw another pick, but the Vols got a key 4th and 1 stop before then, and the defense maintained control. After the teams traded field goals, the Vols embarked on one more scoring drive at the end of the game.
Jaylen Wright led the way on the ground with 16 carries for 123 yards and a score. Jabari Small had 10 carries for 53 yards and a score. Dylan Sampson had nine carries for 49 yards. White led the way in receiving with nine catches for 104 yards, and Jacob Warren had a touchdown grab.
Milton, playing with a brace on his leg, completed 21 of 32 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. However, he was without Dont’e Thornton, and Bru McCoy went down in the second quarter with a scary leg injury, which seemed to limit what he could do down the stretch. On defense, Pearce had two sacks.
Cooper Mays returned to center for the Vols, though, after missing the first four games of the year. Hendon Hooker, now with the Detroit Lions, was in attendance as well. This was the game in which he suffered his season-ending ACL tear with UT last year, a 63-38 loss that cost them the College Football Playoff.
With the win, Tennessee Football improves to 4-1 and 1-1 in the SEC heading into their bye week. They will next face the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 14. South Carolina, meanwhile, falls to 2-3 and 1-2 in the SEC. They also have their bye after this and will next host the Florida Gators Oct. 14.
