Key Vols player makes huge statement after Tennessee's win against Virginia
The Tennessee Vols' win against the Virginia Cavaliers in Nashville on Saturday probably looked a little different than many folks expected. Tennessee cruised against the Cavaliers, winning 49-13 in front of a record setting crowd at Nissan Stadium. The Vols totaled 499 yards of offense with most of those yards coming on the ground. Tennessee […]
The Tennessee Vols' win against the Virginia Cavaliers in Nashville on Saturday probably looked a little different than many folks expected.
Tennessee cruised against the Cavaliers, winning 49-13 in front of a record setting crowd at Nissan Stadium.
The Vols totaled 499 yards of offense with most of those yards coming on the ground.
Tennessee totaled 287 rushing yards against Virginia compared to 212 passing yards. The Vols were able to win the game on the ground instead of doing most of their damage through the air, essentially shattering the idea that UT operates a "pass-happy offense".
Junior running back Jaylen Wright led the Vols with 115 rushing yards. Sophomore running back Dylan Sampson also had a big day by scoring four touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving) to go along with 52 rushing yards. Senior running back Jabari Small chipped in 67 rushing yards on 13 carries (5.2 yards per carry), while redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton contributed 33 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
After the game, Wright told reporters that Tennessee has the best running back room in the nation.
"Like I've said a million times, we all put in work," said Wright after Tennessee's season-opening win. "We're all like brothers, man. We're all gonna eat. I've been saying this. We're the best (running back) group in the nation. It's gonna show. And we're going to keep showing it. Just [keep] putting in that work."
Tennessee's offense is going to score a lot of points again this season, but those points might be score a bit differently than they were last season. Part of that is different personnel. The bigger part of it, however, is that it's likely that opposing defenses will start playing their safeties deeper (more often) in an effort to limit big plays. Essentially, defenses are going to dare the Vols to beat them on the ground. And Tennessee's extremely talented running back room is confident that they can carry the load.
It worked against Virginia, a team with a solid defensive line. And it sounds like Wright and the rest of UT's running backs believe they can do damage against any defense in the nation. And that's important because Tennessee's running backs are going to have to find a way to have success against programs like Alabama and Georgia if the Vols are going to going to reach their championship goals this season.
Vols QB Joe Milton shows leadership skills by subtly sending a strong message to his teammates
Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton showed his elite leadership skills by subtly sending a strong message to his teammates
