Running Backs
Daniel: Jalen Hurd was simply too big, too fast and too physical for Iowa. The freshman only needed 16 carries to pile up 122 yards and two touchdowns. He looked like a man among boys on his 29-yard touchdown, brushing aside Hawkeye defenders on his way to the end zone. Marlin Lane gave the Vols a few good carries, but it was, surprisingly, his 49-yard pass to Vic Wharton on a halfback pass that was maybe the play of the game. Devrin Young also finished his career out well with a few nice carries in relief. It was one of the more complete efforts from this group all year. Grade: A+
Houston: Jalen Hurd had his best outing of the season with 16 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns, and would have had much bigger numbers had he played more than a handful of snaps after halftime. Marlin Lane ran hard, but his biggest play came in the passing game when he took a lateral from Dobbs and threw an absolute strike to a streaking Vic Wharton for a 49-yard score that blew the game wide open. Devrin Young got a few carries as well, one of which was a nifty sprint around the edge that led to a first down. But the real story of the day was Jalen Hurd. Hurd will now enter the 2015 season with a lot of hype after his performance against the Hawkeyes, and, if he can run as well as he did in this game, will have a chance to earn a lot of national attention. This game was a huge stepping stone for Tennessee’s ground attack. Grade: A+
Reed: Jalen Hurd had himself a statement game with 16 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He punished Hawkeye defenders all game long and could have put up even bigger numbers had the game not been wrapped up early in the second half. It was nice to see Devrin Young, back from a rib injury, finish his career with several nice touches. Marlin Lane didn’t have a great day on the ground but he did have a beautiful touchdown pass to close his Vol career out in style. Overall, a Vol rushing attack that was flat out abysmal to start the year finished the season strong. Grade: A+
Average Grade: A+
