For the fourth straight week, it’s hard to separate standout Tennessee Football players on defense in a huge win for the Vols. UT shut down the Oklahoma Sooners on the road 25-15 in a game that wasn’t that close because of how dominant they were on that side of the ball. They had the help they needed on offense though. Here are the top five performers in the Vols’ huge victory.
5. Jaxson Moi
Tim Banks and Rodney Garner had been working Jaxson Moi more and more into their deep defensive line rotation, and he finally broke out on Saturday. Moi finished the game with a sack and two tackles for a loss, multiple times coming away with key plays for the Vols. It’s now safe to consider him as much a part of the rotation as anybody. Elijah Simmons, also had a tackle for a loss, but Moi gets the nod here.
4. Jayson Jenkins
The biggest play of the game for Tennessee Football came when Jayson Jenkins forced a safety in the first half. It put UT up 12-3, and then there was no way OU was coming back. Jenkins was super impressive on that safety, just beating the guard to make the tackle. He also assisted on a sack elsewhere in the game. Tyre West gets credit for also having a sack, but Jenkins was the top end.
3. Bru McCoy
Nico Iamaleava was efficient and managed the game. Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop both ran hard. Dont’e Thornton deserves credit for the touchdown grab from Iamaleava. Sampson also scored. Bru McCoy, however, was the star on offense. McCoy had four catches for 92 yards. He shed tons of tackles on one and had a deep grab on another that set up two field goals, but those kicks were huge.
2. Jermod McCoy
Rocky Top has a lockdown cornerback. Jermod McCoy set the tempo early for Tennessee Football. He killed one OU drive with an epic deflection, and on the next drive, he came away with an interception. Andre Turrentine and Will Brooks each had a deflection, Jakobe Thomas recovered a fumble, and Christian Harrison had a tackle for a loss, but McCoy was the best defensive back.
1. Joshua Josephs
James Pearce disrupted plays all night and assisted on a sack. Arion Carter had a tackle for a loss. Keenan Pili was elite in containment. However, Joshua Josephs was the star of the linebackers and edge rushers. Josephs had three solo tackles and a tackle for a loss, but he forced two fumbles and recovered one in the first half. That kept Tennessee Football in control and makes him player of the game.
