Tennessee safety Will Brooks just keeps making plays. Walk-on? He certainly hasn’t played like it this season.
The senior notched a key takeaway with an interception and a 67-yard return in the third quarter as the Vols beat Kentucky 28-18 in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. The play marked the third time this season that Brooks has forced a crucial turnover, as Brooks’ previous interceptions came against No. 24 NC State via a pick-six and No. 7 Alabama, which sealed the game against the Crimson Tide.
“We set a goal just to get three turnovers a game,” Brooks said. “And winning the turnover battle was just a huge part in winning games. So that’s like our main focus throughout the week just in our preparation. Everything we’re doing, we’re always thinking about getting the ball. So I think that’s kind of why we’ve been able to come up with so many turnovers.
The Vols have forced 14 turnovers this season, which is tied for sixth best in the SEC. Brooks looked primed to score for the second time this season before he was run down by the Wildcats following his interception.
“I thought I might be able to take it all the way back,” Brooks said. “I kind of got a little gassed at the end and got caught, but the overall season, it’s been really great just to be able to go out there and play with my brothers to my side. We’ve been able to execute at a high level and play really well together. So it’s just been a lot of fun to go out there every single day with these guys plays.”
Tennessee ranks second in the SEC in total defense with 271 yards allowed per game. The Vols are also second in the conference with 12 points allowed per game. Only Texas has been better in both categories.
Tennessee has held its opponent under 20 points in nine straight games, dating back to the 35-0 shutout win over Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. It marks the first time UT has accomplished the feat in its first eight games of a season since doing so in all 11 games of the 1966 season. The Vols have been even more dominant in the first half.
Over the last nine games, also going back to the Citrus Bowl, Tennessee has allowed just 26 points in the first half, which have consisted of four field goals, two touchdowns and two extra points. Saturday marked the first time in that nine-game span the Volunteers gave up multiple first-half scores.
Thanks mostly to their defense – and Brooks, the Vols looked primed for a good position in the upcoming College Football Playoff rankings, which will be announced on Tuesday.
