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TENN |
VANDY |
No. 9 Tennessee routs Vanderbilt 56-0 in rain for 10th win
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Josh Heupel walked into a mess at Tennessee with players running for the transfer portal after the university fired the previous coach and nine others in January 2021.
Now Heupel and his Vols can point to a very quick turnaround with the promise of much more to come.
Jaylen Wright ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns on five carries, with Jabari Small running for two more scores as ninth-ranked Tennessee never trailed in routing in-state rival Vanderbilt 56-0 on a rainy Saturday night.
The Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference ) rebounded from losing two of their last three games to clinch their first 10-win regular season since 2003 in Heupel's second season, and first overall since 2007. The losses dropped the Vols from first in the inaugural College Football Playoff ranking to 10th.
Heupel noted more than 30 players left Tennessee as he arrived, and the coach applauded the group that chose to stay and buy into what he and his staff wanted. The Volunteers remain ''far from perfect'' right now.
''We've turned this program in the right direction,'' Heupel said. ''The future is bright.''
Tennessee won its fourth straight, and this was never in doubt as the Vols led 21-0 at halftime and added 21 more in the third for their first shutout in this rivalry since a 48-0 win in 2003.
Wright scored on runs of 50 and 83 yards, while Small ran for a 48-yarder. Dylan Sampson added an 80-yarder in the fourth as Tennessee ran for six TDs. It was the first time Tennessee had two TD runs of 80 yards or longer in the same game.
''When I saw the hole, I just hit it,'' Wright said.
The Vols ran for more yards (362) than Vanderbilt managed in total offense (254).
Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6) missed becoming bowl eligible in coach Clark Lea's second season. The Commodores' had their a two-game SEC winning streak snapped. That streak ended a 26-game league skid that started in 2019. They also more than doubled their two-win total of last year.
''We're disappointed right now, and tonight was painful,'' Lea said. ''I hurt for our team. I hurt for our fans. I hurt for our program to make the strides that we've made, we wanted the chance to extend our season. We fell short.''
Joe Milton got his first start of the season and third since transferring from Michigan last year, replacing Hendon Hooker, who rooted on his roommate from the sideline despite tearing his left ACL last week. Milton hit his first three passes, including a 61-yarder to Jalin Hyatt to set up Small's first TD on a 3-yard TD run.
''When he got hurt and went down, it's really just playing for him,'' Milton said of Hooker.
Milton finished with 147 yards passing for his most at Tennessee with his only TD a 7-yarder to Walker Merrill in the third.
Dee Williams returned a punt 73 yards to put Tennessee up 21-0 midway through the second quarter, grabbing at his left hamstring after crossing the goal line before dancing in celebration.
THE TAKEAWAY
Tennessee: The Vols came in as the nation's top offense in both yards and points. With the rain, they showed they could score just as quickly on the ground as through the air with four TDs of 48 yards or longer. Five TD drives took 55 seconds or less with the longest of those the game's first posessesion.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores started Mike Wright, who led them to wins over Kentucky and Florida. But he struggled to throw against a Tennessee defense that gave up 453 yards passing last week. Freshman AJ Swann, who missed those games with an unspecified injury, took over in the third and threw for 79 yards, but was incomplete on a fourth-down throw into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Lea said Wright returned late to help protect Swann.
STRONG ARM
Milton's strong arm was on display all night. He had chances to put the Volunteers up by more. He overthrew several open receivers, including at least three that would've been touchdowns.
UP NEXT
Tennessee waits and hopes for a berth in either the Sugar or Orange Bowl.
Vanderbilt begins work on finalizing Lea's next recruiting class after more than doubling last year's two-win total.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 17 | 17 |
Rushing | 9 | 10 |
Passing | 5 | 5 |
Penalty | 3 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-7 | 3-17 |
4th Down Conv | 2-3 | 0-4 |
Total Net Yards | 513 | 254 |
Total Plays | 53 | 77 |
Avg Gain | 9.7 | 3.3 |
Net Yards Rushing | 362 | 147 |
Rush Attempts | 31 | 47 |
Avg Rush Yards | 11.7 | 3.1 |
Yards Passing | 151 | 107 |
Comp. - Att. | 12-22 | 18-30 |
Yards Per Pass | 6.9 | 2.7 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-35 | 6-60 |
Touchdowns | 8 | 0 |
Rushing TDs | 6 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Other | 1 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-0 | 3-1 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 4-32.5 | 8-42.1 |
Return Yards | 116 | 0 |
Punts - Returns | 4-116 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. Milton III
7 QB
|
J. Milton III | 11/21 | 147 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Moore
13 QB
|
G. Moore | 1/1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Wright
20 RB
|
J. Wright | 5 | 160 | 2 | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Sampson
24 RB
|
D. Sampson | 12 | 131 | 1 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Small
2 RB
|
J. Small | 11 | 79 | 2 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Fant
88 TE
|
P. Fant | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Hyatt
11 WR
|
J. Hyatt | 5 | 3 | 86 | 0 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Keyton
80 WR
|
R. Keyton | 4 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. White
10 WR
|
S. White | 9 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Merrill
19 WR
|
W. Merrill | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Salmon
89 TE
|
H. Salmon | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Fant
88 TE
|
P. Fant | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
R. Harrison
30 DL
|
R. Harrison | 2-0 | 2.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. McGrath
40 K
|
C. McGrath | 0/0 | 0 | 8/8 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
P. Brooks
37 P
|
P. Brooks | 4 | 32.5 | 1 | 36 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Williams 3 DB
|
D. Williams | 3 | 32.0 | 73 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. White 10 WR
|
S. White | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
R. Davis
2 RB
|
R. Davis | 21 | 60 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Wright
5 QB
|
M. Wright | 8 | 50 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Smith
4 RB
|
P. Smith | 7 | 27 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hayball
45 P
|
M. Hayball | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Lutz
39 RB
|
C. Lutz | 3 | 12 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McGowan
16 WR
|
J. McGowan | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Swann
13 QB
|
A. Swann | 3 | -21 | 0 | -4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
W. Sheppard
14 WR
|
W. Sheppard | 11 | 6 | 48 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McGowan
16 WR
|
J. McGowan | 3 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Davis
2 RB
|
R. Davis | 6 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bresnahan
86 TE
|
B. Bresnahan | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Schoenwald
10 TE
|
G. Schoenwald | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Carter
83 WR
|
G. Carter | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ball
84 TE
|
J. Ball | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Smith
4 RB
|
P. Smith | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Bulovas
36 K
|
J. Bulovas | 0/1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Hayball
45 P
|
M. Hayball | 8 | 42.1 | 2 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. McGowan
16 WR
|
J. McGowan | 2 | 38.0 | 42 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Lutz
39 RB
|
C. Lutz | 1 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Patterson
42 LB
|
L. Patterson | 1 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Spence
89 TE
|
C. Spence | 1 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | TENN 25 | 0:55 | 4 | 75 | TD |
8:46 | TENN 12 | 1:06 | 5 | 21 | Punt |
5:55 | TENN 24 | 3:58 | 11 | 76 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:48 | TENN 21 | 1:31 | 5 | 19 | Punt |
6:31 | TENN 49 | 1:09 | 5 | 22 | Downs |
1:11 | TENN 2 | 1:11 | 4 | 17 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:55 | TENN 50 | 0:29 | 2 | 50 | TD |
10:57 | VANDY 50 | 0:14 | 2 | 50 | TD |
7:08 | VANDY 49 | 2:15 | 7 | 49 | TD |
0:51 | TENN 35 | 0:56 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:28 | TENN 17 | 0:12 | 1 | 83 | TD |
7:54 | TENN 20 | 0:13 | 1 | 80 | TD |
5:35 | VANDY 44 | 2:06 | 3 | -12 | Punt |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:05 | VANDY 21 | 5:19 | 9 | 27 | Punt |
7:40 | VANDY 31 | 1:45 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
1:57 | VANDY 36 | 6:09 | 10 | 43 | FG Miss |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:17 | VANDY 25 | 1:08 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
8:09 | VANDY 26 | 1:38 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
5:22 | VANDY 29 | 4:11 | 7 | 32 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | VANDY 43 | 2:05 | 4 | 7 | Downs |
12:26 | VANDY 25 | 1:29 | 4 | 25 | Fumble |
10:43 | VANDY 25 | 3:35 | 6 | 3 | Punt |
4:53 | VANDY 24 | 4:02 | 8 | 41 | Downs |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:55 | VANDY 30 | 3:27 | 7 | 53 | Downs |
11:16 | VANDY 25 | 3:22 | 5 | 21 | Punt |
7:41 | VANDY 25 | 2:06 | 3 | -12 | Punt |
3:29 | VANDY 19 | 3:29 | 6 | 30 | Game |
- Touchdown (4 plays, 75 yards, 0:55 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) J.Bulovas kicks 65 yards from VAN 35 to the TEN End Zone. Fair catch by J.Holiday. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 25 (15:00 - 1st) J.Small rushed to TEN 27 for 2 yards. Tackled by VAN at TEN 27. |
+9 YD | 2 & 8 - TENN 27 (14:44 - 1st) J.Milton pass complete to TEN 27. Catch made by S.White at TEN 27. Gain of 9 yards. Tackled by VAN at TEN 36. |
+61 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 36 (14:22 - 1st) J.Milton pass complete to TEN 36. Catch made by J.Hyatt at TEN 36. Gain of 61 yards. Tackled by VAN at VAN 3. |
+3 YD | 1 & Goal - VANDY 3 (14:09 - 1st) J.Small rushed to VAN End Zone for 3 yards. J.Small for 3 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (14:05 - 1st) C.McGrath extra point is good. |
- Punt (9 plays, 27 yards, 5:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (14:05 - 1st) P.Brooks kicks 63 yards from TEN 35 to the VAN 2. C.Lutz returns the kickoff. Tackled by TEN at VAN 21. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - VANDY 21 (13:59 - 1st) R.Davis rushed to VAN 28 for 7 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 28. |
+2 YD | 2 & 3 - VANDY 28 (13:25 - 1st) R.Davis rushed to VAN 30 for 2 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 30. |
+3 YD | 3 & 1 - VANDY 30 (13:04 - 1st) R.Davis rushed to VAN 33 for 3 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 33. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - VANDY 33 (12:44 - 1st) M.Wright pass complete to VAN 33. Catch made by R.Davis at VAN 33. Gain of -1 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 32. |
Penalty | 2 & 11 - VANDY 32 (12:02 - 1st) PENALTY on TEN-K.Garland Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+13 YD | 2 & 6 - VANDY 37 (11:53 - 1st) R.Davis rushed to VAN 50 for 13 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 50. |
+10 YD | 1 & 10 - VANDY 50 (11:12 - 1st) P.Smith rushed to TEN 40 for 10 yards. Tackled by TEN at TEN 40. |
-12 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 40 (10:29 - 1st) VAN rushed to VAN 48 for -12 yards. VAN FUMBLES forced by TEN. Fumble RECOVERED by VAN-M.Wright at VAN 48. Tackled by TEN at VAN 48. |
No Gain | 2 & 22 - VANDY 48 (10:07 - 1st) P.Smith rushed to VAN 48 for 0 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 48. |
No Gain | 3 & 22 - VANDY 48 (9:13 - 1st) M.Wright steps back to pass. M.Wright pass incomplete intended for W.Sheppard. |
Punt | 4 & 22 - VANDY 48 (8:57 - 1st) M.Hayball punts 44 yards to TEN 8 Center-VAN. D.Williams returned punt from the TEN 8. Tackled by VAN at TEN 12. |
- Punt (5 plays, 21 yards, 1:06 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 12 (8:46 - 1st) J.Small rushed to TEN 14 for 2 yards. Tackled by VAN at TEN 14. |
+18 YD | 2 & 8 - TENN 14 (8:29 - 1st) J.Milton pass complete to TEN 14. Catch made by J.Hyatt at TEN 14. Gain of 18 yards. Tackled by VAN at TEN 32. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - TENN 32 (8:17 - 1st) J.Milton steps back to pass. J.Milton pass incomplete intended for J.Hyatt. |
+1 YD | 2 & 10 - TENN 32 (8:12 - 1st) J.Small rushed to TEN 33 for 1 yards. Tackled by VAN at TEN 33. |
No Gain | 3 & 9 - TENN 33 (7:56 - 1st) J.Milton steps back to pass. J.Milton pass incomplete intended for S.White. |
Punt | 4 & 9 - TENN 33 (7:48 - 1st) P.Brooks punts 36 yards to VAN 31 Center-TEN. Fair catch by W.Sheppard. |
- Punt (3 plays, 2 yards, 1:45 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - VANDY 31 (7:40 - 1st) R.Davis rushed to VAN 33 for 2 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 33. |
Penalty | 2 & 8 - VANDY 33 (7:06 - 1st) PENALTY on TEN-D.Terry Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
-5 YD | 2 & 3 - VANDY 38 (6:42 - 1st) J.McGowan rushed to VAN 33 for -5 yards. Tackled by TEN at VAN 33. |
No Gain | 3 & 8 - VANDY 33 (6:20 - 1st) M.Wright steps back to pass. M.Wright pass incomplete intended for B.Bresnahan. |
Punt | 4 & 8 - VANDY 33 (6:04 - 1st) M.Hayball punts 43 yards to TEN 24 Center-VAN. Fair catch by D.Williams. |