Perhaps more than any team Josh Heupel has ever coach, This Tennessee Football program keeps finding different ways to win. With that comes different stars, and there were lots of standout Vols Saturday night in Lexington, Ky., at Kroger Field. Here are the UT torchbearers, the top five players in Rocky Top’s 33-27 win at the Kentucky Wildcats.
5. Charles Campbell
Luck had a huge part to do with this, as Charles Campbell had one field goal hit the upright and bounce in. However, at the end of the day, he hit four field goals, including a crucial 49-yarder. This kept the Vols in the lead late in the game when Kentucky was making a push, and it also dictated strategy for both teams. With UK’s Alex Raynor missing a field goal, it was a huge difference.
4. Jaylen Wright
By far the Vols’ most complete back this year, Jaylen Wright proved his worth on the opening drive. He had an epic 52-yard touchdown run that was the catalyst for him finishing with 120 yards and that score on 11 carries. Wright’s vision, cuts, speed and power are all superb, and he did it against a very good Kentucky defensive line.
3. Dylan Sampson
While Wright delivered for Tennessee Football in the first half, Dylan Sampson delivered for them late. Sampson finished with 17 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown and four catches for 39 yards. He had at least three first downs where he should’ve been stopped behind the line of scrimmage but single-handedly turned them into gains. Simply put, this was his breakout game.
2. Omarr Norman-Lott
Pressure on the edges wasn’t there the way it usually is, largely because Kentucky got away with multiple holds, but the interior of the defensive line was perfect. Omari Thomas did his part, but Omarr Norman-Lott was the star, playing the most snaps and coming away with a sack and an assist on another tackle for a loss. He anchored a unit that held superstar back Ray Davis to under two yards a carry.
1. Joe Milton III
By using his legs, Joe Milton III has added a new element to the Tennessee Football offense and is all of a sudden a much more dangerous quarterback. He finished this game 18-of-21 for 228 yards and a touchdown with 26 yards rushing. Dont’e Thornton’s arrival helped him, and he still holds the ball too long at times, but Milton has found exactly what he needs to do to be effective.
