One play showed that it's time for the Joe Milton narrative to change
Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton has dealt with a significant amount of criticism this season despite UT's 6-2 record through the first eight games of the season. (The Vols' 6-2 record through eight games is their second best record through eight games since the 2006 season.) Milton has had some moments he'd like back, but […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton has dealt with a significant amount of criticism this season despite UT's 6-2 record through the first eight games of the season.
(The Vols' 6-2 record through eight games is their second best record through eight games since the 2006 season.)
Milton has had some moments he'd like back, but he's helped engineer one of the best starts to a season that Tennessee's had in almost two decades.
A lot of the criticism has centered on Milton's ability to improvise. There was a stretch of games in September where Milton barely ran (he totaled 25 yards in four games from September 9 to September 30). Instead of escaping the pocket, Milton was taking sacks and/or throwing some ill-advised passes.
We now know — thanks to Vols head coach Josh Heupel — that Milton wasn't running as much during that stretch due to some unreported injuries.
Now that Milton is healthier, and becoming more comfortable in this version of Tennessee's offense (which includes a new offensive coordinator, new playmakers, and some new concepts), we're starting to see who the Florida native truly is as a quarterback.
Over the last two games, against tough SEC opponents (Alabama and Kentucky, on the road), Milton has completed 46-of-62 passes (74 percent completion percentage) for 499 yards, and three touchdowns. He's also rushed for 85 yards during those two games.
Those are pretty solid numbers that should thrill Tennessee fans — especially in conference road games.
But if those numbers aren't enough to change the narrative about Milton — that he's somehow a subpar SEC quarterback — then one play from Tennessee's win against Kentucky should do the trick.
In the play below, things quickly break down for the Vols' offense. Milton, however, escapes the pocket, eludes pressure, directs wide receiver Dont'e Thornton back to the middle of the field, and throws a dime across his body just out of reach of the defender.
That's a special play. When Patrick Mahomes makes that play, it's plastered all over social media. Now, I'm not suggesting that Milton is Mahomes — I'm not sure anyone on the planet is Mahomes — but it's obvious from that play (and he made a couple of similar plays against the Wildcats, so it wasn't just a one-time deal) that Milton has some elite abilities in his tool box.
Milton is becoming more confident now that he's healthy and he can play "his game". And his chemistry with Tennessee's wide receivers is obviously improving.
The Vols haven't been lights out on offense this season like they were last season. But they're still finding a way to have a great season so far. And it seems like the offense is finally finding its way. With the calendar about to flip to November, the Vols' might be peaking at just the right time.
