Doug Mathews post-UK game
Blunders
- Yesterday was an ugly win….it was a win.
- UT-UK games in Lexington are usually physical ugly games.
- Just a tough place to play no matter how good the Vols have been.
- Vols defense and offense made excellent adjustments.
- Best in-game adjustments that this coaching staff has made in any game since they have been here.
- No way we win without the play of #2. Allowed Chaney to make a game plan change.
- Defensive side - it was apparent that the Vols were going to see a lot of runs. Kentucky can't throw the football.
- UK's new scheme gave Tennessee problems in aligning the defense properly in the 1st half. UK had several sets that (Trips, TE in the slot, bunch, etc) we had not seen from them on tape that created alignment issues. UK was excellent in attacking our defense.
- The Vols adjustments allowed our defense to do a better job of containment on the edges.
- Jim Chaney and the staff deserve credit for inserting #2 in the game. #18 had a bad game and made some poor decisions and poor throws.
Blunders
- Too many silly mistakes by UT in the first half.
- Bad blunders (fumbled punt snap) really hurt this team last night.
- Fumbled exchange late in the game.
- Silly penalties.
- Despite these blunders, we found a way to win the game.
- Bituli, Warrior, D Taylor, Calloway played very good games. Leadership.
- #2 looks as though he is playing without pressure. Maybe all that he has done, all that he has weathered has taken the pressure off of his back. He has responded to adversity. He looks smother and more confident in running the offense. He was the leading rusher in the game for the Vols.
- This was as physical, tough, and as hard-hitting as any football game that Tennessee has played this season or at any time in recent memory. Both teams just lined up and blocked and tackled one another.
- 7 of 9 UK drives started from their own 25 yard line or deeper. We won the game of field position.
- Other 2 drives were were short field drives- 1 of them cost us 6 points. The other set up our goal line stand. Nothing much better than making a biog stop to win a ball game. Great defensive stops stick with you because they are rare.
- What has happened to the UT punters? Punting game is close to being in the toilet.
- UK 4 of 7 passing for 25 yards and an interception.
- 3 TDs were called back and this game could have been over on any of these called back TDs. All were potential game changers. Went against the Vols. Vols dug deep and developed character.
- Played bad in some areas and played good in other areas and found a way to win.
- UK had 64 rushes for 313 yards - 7 passes - 18 rushing 1st and 10 situations. 71 UK plays 46 UT plays.
- Time of possession - UK 43 or so minutes and UT 18 or so minutes. UK had 25 more snaps than UT and each of them were very physical snaps. Speaks volumes of the players who played them and of the magnitude of the adjustments made by the staff. Saw things that this team and staff had not seen from UK and had not prepared for.
- Red Zone - UT was 3 for 3 in red zone scoring opportunities. 2 TDs and a field goal.
- Red Zone - UK was 1 of 2 in the red zone.
- UT only had 12 1st and 10 situations for the game. UK had 18 1st and 10 situations.
- Poise by this team stood out. The past 4-5 games, this team has overcome adversity and rescinded by playing with poise.
- Coaching staff has done a good job of teaching and communicating in-game with the players. Players have responded positively to adversity.
- Putting on more steam. This team is putting on more steam when called upon.
- Top notch coaching adjustments.
- Good throws from #2. 2 deep back shoulder throws.
- Very physical defensive play led by Bituli, Defensive line depth, Henry T, Warrior.
- Defense is playing up to their talent level. They are growing up. You are going to have misalignments, but players adjusted and overcame.
- Zero points given up in last 3 quarters.
- We are becoming a good defense. Playing with better leverage and physicality. Building depth.
- Pruitt made a very astute change in the punt return game, by putting 2 returners deep. Rugby style kicker was able to kick away from the returner and get hidden yardage in the roll. Putting 2 returners deep takes that option away from UK.
- #2 in the 2nd half - had 7 passing 1st and 10 plays. 2 rushing 1st and 10 play calls. #2's best half of football. His best game as a Volunteer. Outstanding back shoulder throws. We should be making more of them. His decision making was good last night.
- Our physical run game was not there. Our OL did not get push and our ball carriers did not run the ball with physicality.
- #18 at QB is going to be a quality player, but he does not understand this offensive scheme well right now. Made many poor decisions in line calls and passes.
- D Middleton blocked PAT made a difference. Result forced UK to go for a TD rather than FG at the end of the game. Puts a smile on your face.
- Play of #48 put a smile on your face. He is doing anything that he is asked to do and various positions. He made the game ending goal line stand play that won the game.
- #2 in 2nd half 5 possessions with 2 TDs. He has improved his back shoulder throw accuracy. 7 of 8 passing for 115 yards and 2 TDs. He made a couple of big runs that helped to win and seal the win. He was UT's leading rusher for the game.
- Defensively we 10 DLinemen had tackles. We rolled a lot of players into the game due to the number of snaps that we defended. JJ Peterson got some valuable minutes for our future.
- Getting to 5 and 5, 3-3 in the SDC and getting into the bowl picture is big for us. We are getting some momentum rolling for the team's future.
- We are beat top and need this off-weak to get healthy.
- UT had the ball 6 plus in the 1st quarter and gained 3 yards.
- In the 4th Quarter UT had the ball 9 plays and gained 27 yards.
- 2 quarters of the game, we ran 15 plays and gained 30 yards, had 2 turnovers and did not score a point.
- We played well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the game.
- We only had a total of 10 offensive series for the game.
- 50% of these possessions were 3 and out or less.
- Biggest plays of the game - #2 picking up the big 3rd and 10 1st down run with the end zone at our backs. #2 looks comfortable at QB.
