Tennessee Vols showed a lot of trust in a true freshman on two of the biggest plays of the game against Mississippi State
There are quite a few plays from the win over Mississippi State that the Tennessee Vols would like to have back. Tennessee made some mistakes in the 41-34 overtime win over the Bulldogs. From drops to missed tackles to untimely penalties, there quite a few miscues from the Volunteers. But in the biggest moments of […]
There are quite a few plays from the win over Mississippi State that the Tennessee Vols would like to have back.
Tennessee made some mistakes in the 41-34 overtime win over the Bulldogs. From drops to missed tackles to untimely penalties, there quite a few miscues from the Volunteers.
But in the biggest moments of the game — late in the fourth quarter and in overtime — Tennessee made the plays that needed to be made in order to win the game.
And a true freshman tight end was one of the players on the field for a couple of those key plays.
Vols true freshman Jack Van Dorselaer played important snaps against Mississippi State
Vols true freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer, a four-star recruit in the 2025 class, played just seven snaps in the win against Mississippi State.
Two of those snaps, though, came on two of Tennessee’s biggest plays of the game.
Van Dorselaer made a key block on quarterback Joey Aguilar’s game-tying touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. The Texas native also made an important block on running back DeSean Bishop’s go-ahead touchdown run on the first play in overtime.
It can be tough for a true freshman tight end to see the field. But with junior tight end Ethan Davis out due to injury, the Vols needed a young tight end to step up during some critical moments in the game. And Van Dorselaer was ready for the moment.
Van Dorselaer’s blocks won’t show up in the box score, but they were a big reason why Tennessee was able to leave Starkville with a win.
Credit to Tennessee’s staff for believing in their young talent. Just because a player is young, doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to contribute. Van Dorselaer stayed ready, met the moment, and helped his team get a win.
Tennessee Volunteers News
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Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby said that his team “gave” 14 points to the Tennessee Vols on Saturday night in Starkville. Lebby’s comment was in reference to the two defensive touchdowns that Tennessee scored in the Vols’ 41-34 overtime win over the Bulldogs. The second-year Mississippi State head coach suggested that the game […]
