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Game Recap
If there were any doubts why the Tennessee Volunteers were heavy favorites Saturday, the team quickly laid those doubts to rest. They made easy work of the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday and carried off a 45-21 win. That result was just more of the same for Tennessee, who also won the last time these teams played (Dec. 12 of last year).
The Volunteers' offense came in ready to rumble, picking up 24 points in the first half. Vanderbilt wasn't quite able to keep up, and the score was 24-7 heading into the break. The offense for Tennessee continued to do well in the second half, scoring another 21 points to put the game away.
Tennessee's success was spearheaded by the efforts of RB Jabari Small, who rushed for two TDs and 103 yards on 15 carries, and QB Hendon Hooker, who passed for two TDs and 156 yards on 18 attempts in addition to picking up 75 yards on the ground. Tennessee's DB Theo Jackson got in on the action, too, converting a pick in the first quarter into a touchdown.
No one had a standout game offensively for Vanderbilt, but they got scores from WR Will Sheppard and RB Rocko Griffin Jr.. One of the most thrilling moments was Sheppard's 56-yard TD reception in the second quarter.
The Volunteers' victory brought them up to 7-5. The defeat dropped the Commodores' record to 2-10. With that, the East Division playoffs come to an end.
