Vols remain unbeaten at home, trample Mizzou 66-24
By Tom Mabry, Knoxville Daily Sun - UT Football Writer
November 13, 2022, 10:42 a.m.
Image by Tom Mabry |
Senior Day proved to be excellent for the 2022 Edition of the Tennessee football squad, but not without a bit a drama. The number 5 Vols shook off their defeat at Georgia to score the final 38 points in a 66-24 record setting win over SEC East foe Missouri. An announced crowd of 101, 915 and a national television audience watched as Tennessee won its eighth home game of the season, the first unbeaten home season since 2007.
The Vols started out strong with a touchdown on their first possession after a Mizzou three and out. The seven play drive covered 91 yards with Jabari Small scoring the touchdown on a 10 yard run. Chase McGrath added the EP for a 7-0 lead. Missouri countered with a four yard Luther Burden touchdown after Tennessee was called for a penalty which took a field goal off the books. Harrison Mevis added the point after and the first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie.
The second quarter doldrums which had plagued Tennessee offense weren’t existent in this contest. Hendon Hooker, Princeton Fant and Jaylin Wright scored TDs for Tennessee. Not to be denied, the Tigers put 10 on the board themselves, most notably a surprise 43 yard pass from quarterback Brady Cook to wideout Tauskie Dove on a fourth and one which Tennessee actually had covered. The half ended with the score 28-17, befitting the Vols status as a 20 point favorite.
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The third quarter found Missouri inching uncomfortably close to the Vols. After the Vols offense failed to move the ball and punted, Missouri used eight plays to score again, Dominic Lovett catching a beautiful 38 yards pass from Cook to cut the lead to 28-24. Was an upset in the making?
Well, no. One of the remarkable abilities of this Tennessee team is to put points on the board quickly with a complimentary increase in defensive pressure. This game was a microcosm of those qualities. The Vols quickly jumped back to an eleven point lead in two plays. Star receiver Jalin Hyatt scored on a nifty 68 yard wheel route catch and run, making the score 35-24. After that score, Hooker led drives that resulted in another Fant score, another Wright score and a McGrath field goal. The defense stiffened and allowed no points. Within a quarter of playing time, Tennessee had turned a nail biter into a rout. As with many of Tennessee’s recent opponents, Missouri’s sidelines was visibly stunned. A four point deficit was now a 28 point deficit with 7:54 left to play.
After yet another Jack Stonehouse punt (as Missouri bewilderingly continued to run the ball while increasingly behind), Tennessee inserted crowd favorite Joe Milton III into the lineup at quarterback. To the delight of the fans who remained, he delivered in two plays. After an eight yard run, Milton flicked a pass to reliable wideout Ramel Keyton for a 46 yard TD. Missouri lost its will and punted yet again, setting the Vols up to score one more time on a Dylan Sampson two yard run.
Image by Tom Mabry |
Image by Tom Mabry |
Sampson had a breakout game, gaining 98 yards on 8 carries and helping give Tennessee a third and fourth quarter spark. Hooker kept his Heisman hopes alive with a 355 yard passing performance, 50 yards rushing and a score - with no turnovers. Hyatt led the Tennessee receiving corps with seven catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Baron led the defense with four tackles and a sack.
Quarterback Cook was the bright spot for Missouri, with 323 total yards - rushing for 106 on sixteen carries and passing for 217 yards. The Tigers’ self described mantra of close losses leading to close wins then to large wins was shattered on this chilly afternoon at Neyland Stadium.
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The Vols record 724 total yards in this game and sixty six points are certain to impress in the College Football playoff run. Tennessee is now 9-1 with two remaining road games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt. The unthinkable at the beginning of this remarkable season - a national championship - is still possible. As Hooker conducted the band after the game, continuing a Peyton Manning tradition, the Vols are firmly back on the national stage.
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GAME NOTES
*Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz was awarded a two year extension to his contract in early November with an eventual $2 million dollar yearly raise. Since that time, his team lost to Kentucky and Tennessee by a combined 45 points. Drinkwitz now earns more money than Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel. Missouri is now 4-6 on the year. Tennessee has a legitimate shot at the national Championship. Let that sink in.
*The fans’ mood for the noon kickoff was upbeat despite the pregame rain and forecast for dropping temperatures during the game. Heupel says says Tennessee has the most loyal and vociferous fan base in college football. He may very well be correct in his assessment.
*Star receiver Jalin Hyatt inexplicably dropped two easy catches in the second quarter before his third quarter heroics. Hendon Hooker continued to target him despite the miscues. This resilience and confidence befits this team.
*STATS OF THE DAY: 703,726 fans watched Tennessee play at Neyland Stadium in the 2022 season. Up to the Missouri game, 3,126 fireworks were deployed. Finally, the Pride of the Southland Marching Band played Rocky Top a season record 326 times.
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