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Tennessee Football: 3 Takeaways from the Win vs Kentucky

By Stetson Marlin

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Jordan Murphy #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Jordan Murphy #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats shakes hands with head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats shakes hands with head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

#1 – Offensive Line shines

What a game the Volunteers offensive line had on Saturday. Just a week removed from losing their star lineman, Trey Smith, the Tennessee Volunteers offensive line showed out against a very good Kentucky defense.

The Wildcat defense had only allowed more than 20 points once before Saturday’s matchup, but the Volunteers put up 24 behind a great performance from the offensive line.

The Volunteers ended up with 412 total yards of offense, including 215 rushing yards. The Volunteers were just the second team to rush for over 200 yards against this Kentucky defense, with the other team being Georgia last Saturday.

Not only were the Volunteers able to establish a great run game behind the offensive line, but they were also able to buy Jarrett Guarantano time in the pocket. Guarantano was sacked just one time on Saturday. Guarantano played one of his best games of the season behind a solid game from the Volunteers offensive line.

The one drive that stuck out to me for the offense was the one right before the half. Many fans thought the Volunteers would play it conservative and take the 10-point lead into halftime. After Ty Chandler picked up a 14-yard gain, the Volunteers knew they could score.

The next two plays from Guarantano and the offensive line were probably the best I have seen all year. Instead of Guarantano trying to force it into the end zone with 13 seconds left, he found Marquez Callaway across the middle of the field for a 17-yard gain, setting up the final play of the half.

On this play, the pocket awareness from Guarantano and the blocking from the offensive line set up this Hail Mary pass to Callaway at the halftime buzzer to give the Volunteers the 17-0 lead going into halftime.

The playcalling also helped the Volunteers offensive line shine all game long.

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