There are lots of key reasons Tennessee football lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime on Saturday, but plenty of players were the reason for the Vols being in the game as well. Some of the torchbearers in this one are also partially at fault for UT losing. Here are the five best performers in the Vols’ 44-41 overtime loss at Neyland Stadium.
Dominic Bailey, DL
This one could go to the entire defensive line, as they played their hearts out despite multiple injuries. Tyre West, Bryson Eason and Tyree Weathersby all deserve shoutouts. However, Dominic Bailey was the best, coming away with five tackles and a sack. The unit did a superb job getting pressure around the edges, and that was largely due to the push of guys on the line like Bailey.
Lance Heard, OL
The Tennessee football offensive line did a superb job protecting Joey Aguilar for most of the game, and they all deserve credit, but there were multiple penalties by the interior offensive line. Most of the credit goes to the tackles, and as the blindside tackle, Lance Heard is the star of the group. He was a huge part of the passing game being successful.
Caleb Herring, EDGE
Joshua Josephs had a strip-sack, and Jordan Ross had a tackle for a loss and pass deflection, but Caleb Herring was the star of the edge rushers. Herring finished the game with two and a half tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks and four tackles, three of which were solo. He cashed in on the push UT’s defensive line got up front all game.
Chris Brazzell II, WR
Braylon Staley deserves a shoutout with nine catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, and Mike Matthews’ speed helped stretch the field, but Chris Brazzell II was the star at receiver, coming away with six catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns. He had two scores on jump-balls thrown up to him, so he deserves a ton of credit for his help with the Tennessee football passing attack.
Joey Aguilar, QB
Sure, he threw two interceptions and missed on a couple of throws, but one of the picks wasn’t his fault, and for the most part, Joey Aguilar was superb. He finished the game 24-of-36 for 371 yards and four touchdowns, and his moxy and leadership allowed the Tennessee football passing game to thrive. Aguilar also did his part to set up what should have been a game-winning drive in regulation.
