No. 8 Tennessee made their first trip to LSU in over a decade memorable as the Volunteers took an early lead and never looked back in a 40-13 victory over the No. 25 Tigers. With the win, Tennessee took his fifth straight loss in the cross-division series and marked his program’s first victory over LSU since 2005.
Star quarterback Hendon Hooker led Tennessee (5-0, 2-0 SEC) with 239 passing yards and 56 rushing yards. The club improve to his 5-0. LSU’s depleted offensive his line struggled to protect quarterback Jaden Daniels, surrendering five sacks to the Tennessee unit.
The Volunteers also capitalized on a series of LSU miscues that began on the game’s opening play when Tigers’ Jack Beck fumbled the kickoff and led to a quick Tennessee touchdown. The volunteer never looked back from there. LSU (4-2, 2-1) played Tennessee football in Tennessee just late in the first half. He led a 32-yard field goal from McGrath. on the last play of the first half.
Jabari Small scored two touchdowns and totaled 127 yards on 22 carries for the Volunteers, and midway through the fourth quarter his 49-yard skipper turned the field position around before giving Tennessee a few minutes of 2-0. Allowed a time run. .
Here are the takeaways from Tennessee’s convincing SEC road victory.
no, tilman, no problem
Tennessee played without star receiver Cedric Tillman for the second straight game as he recovered from an ankle injury sustained against Akron in Week 3. Tillman caught 64 passes for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, giving him a quick start to 2022 before injury. But the Vols got off to his 2-0 start in his SEC play without him, with other teams stepping up in his absence.
USC transfer Blue McCoy had another big game as the former five-star prospect caught seven passes for 140 yards. McCoy gained 70 yards after the catch while using his physical frame to fight for extra yards. McCoy has gained 242 yards on 12 catches in his last two games. Fellow receiver Jaylin Hyatt has also shined in Tillman’s absence. Jr. made his two runs against the Tigers, including a 45-yard bomb off a hooker that put Tennessee ahead 20-0 with 14:39 remaining in the second quarter, as he gained 63 yards on four passes. Caught a touchdown. Hyatt now has 287 receiving yards and his four touchdowns in the last three games.
LSU offensive line retreats
LSU starting left tackle Will Campbell missed the game on Friday after being hospitalized for dehydration. Campbell is only a true freshman, but he had established himself as a steady presence on the Tigers’ front line earlier this season. Then, in the second quarter, starting left guard Garrett Dellinger left the game with a knee injury.
Dillinger was already under 100% health after undergoing surgery for a broken right hand last week. The attrition up front was evident as the Tigers struggled to establish a running game and failed to defend Daniels in key moments. His three running backs for LSU, Josh Williams, John Emery Jr., and Noah Kane, totaled just 17 yards on 12 carries. The Vols outperformed LSU 263-89 in sack-adjusted rushing yards and ran Daniels all day.
Vols Victory Sets Up Earthquake Showdown
Breaking a five-game losing streak against LSU is one thing. Now Volunteers face a much tougher task of ending his 15-game losing streak against Alabama. Top-ranked Crimson Tide will be in Tennessee next week at the CBS Game of the Week as he travels to Tennessee for the SEC.
Six years ago, in a Top 10 matchup, the Volunteers were 5-1 in 9th place, but it was Butch Jones’ fourth season as coach. However, the Crimson Tide beat Tennessee 49-10 that day. Now, once again, Tennessee hosts Alabama, and both teams have a chance to contend solidly in the SEC and national title races. Tennessee may be a trendy upset pick after being shown against LSU, given the questions surrounding Heisman Trophy quarterback Bryce Young’s shoulder health.
