Obviously, dominating the Chattanooga Mocs won’t tell us a lot about Tennessee Football, but winning 69-3 is pretty impressive for the Vols. Given the different levels, UT’s successes in the trenches or the running game can be thrown out the window. However, we did learn some other things. Here are five takeaways from the Vols’ victory.
Nico Iamaleava can make every throw
We pretty much had an idea this was the case, but it wasn’t really on display in the Citrus Bowl last year when Tennessee Football beat the Iowa Hawkeyes because of their defensive coverage. In this game, though, Iamaleava had multiple touchdown passes over the middle and worked the sidelines. His deep ball was on point.
Welcome back injured wideouts
Dont’e Thornton and Bru McCoy both suffered season-ending injuries last year, and Tennessee Football seemed dead-set on getting them the ball to make up for that. Thornton had three catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and McCoy had six catches for 88 yards. The wideouts in general stole the show more than the slot, as Chris Brazzell II had five catches for 59 yards.
Pass protection an issue for Tennessee Football
Ignoring this fact doesn’t make it untrue. It was real in the Citrus Bowl and is still real. Lance Heard missed a block that got Iamaleva sacked, Andrej Karic and Dylan Sampson picked up a chop block, and John Campbell Jr. had a holding penalty early. This was only against Chattanooga. What will they do in the SEC?
The backup quarterback should be obvious
Gaston Moore started the second half and played most of the minutes, completing 7-of-12 passes for 69 yards. However, he also threw an interception and then missed a touchdown pass. Jake Merklinger came in and then completed all four of his attempts for 35 yards. While the running game carried UT in the second half, it’s very clear that Merklinger, the blue chip recruit, should back up Iamaleava.
Special teams a huge advantage for Tennessee Football
Jackson Ross did have a bad punt, but we know he’s going to be fine. Max Gilbert is picking up where Charles Campbell left off at place kicker, as he hit both attempts, including a 42-yarder, rare for a first-time starter at the position. Then UT had a blocked punt for a touchdown, Squirrel White had a 20-yard punt return, and Cameron Seldon had a 35-yard kickoff return.
