Every week that UT plays this season (and possibly the Titans too) I will attempt to do my own grading on the UT football team and how I think they performed in that week.
Week 1:
Running backs: B-. Hardesty broke a couple of awesome TD runs and Foster busted off some good runs as well.
Quarterback: C. Inaccurate at times and didn't respond to pressure real well. Good job, though, running the "2-minute" offense at the end.
Offensive line: D. Probably the biggest disappointment of the game. For a line that only gave up 5 sacks all year long, they looked like scrubs out there versus the Bruhins.
Wide Recievers: C+. Dropped balls continually, but made a few good plays. Gerald Jones was the class of the recieving core and probably deserves a B+.
Defensive Line: B+. I thought they got to the QB well but didnt put him into the turf enough. They disrupted his passing motion, but it didn't seem to work much at the end.
Linebackers: C. Rico McCoy, Elix Wilson, and Adam Myers-White were almost non exsistent in this game. Backup Nevin McKensie made a good play off his interception for the TD.
Secondary: B-. A+ 1st half with 4 INTs, but didn't execute in the end which led to the game going into overtime. Very soft coverage on the final UCLA drive.
Special Teams: D. While blame should not be put on Lincoln for the loss, 1 for 4 on field goals are not a good stat. The punt block for a TD was a wild mess and shouldn't have happend. The bright spot again was Gerald Jones with a few good punt and kick off returns for good yardage.
Coaching Staff: C-. Players have to execute, but play calling was a head scratcher at times. Tennessee is at their best when the run the ball. Not when they pass 41 times in a game. Foster and Hardesty were producing on the ground, but weren't given the ball more than they should have. Finally, the odd punt formation that led to a block for a TD was very confusing.
Overall Grade: D+. Should have never lost this game. Poor execution and iffy play calling led to this victory for the Bruhins. UT is a better football team, but they failed to show it on either side of the ball for 4 quarters...and 1 OT.
Players of the Game: Offense: Montario Hardesty: 12 carries 66 yards 2 TDs
Defense: Nevin McKenzie: INT returned for a TD
Special Teams: Gerald Jones: 3 K/P ret.109 yards
