Spencer Rattler sailed a pass right into Kamal Hadden’s arms and the senior corner strutted into the end zone for a game changing pick six. The play marked a complete 180 from Tennessee’s loss at South Carolina a season ago as the Vols manhandled the Gamecocks on their way to a 41-20 victory.
Here’s four quick takeaways on Tennessee football’s huge SEC win.
Game Changing Play Highlights Dominant Second Quarter For Tennessee’s Defense
Tennessee football has often won despite its defense in the Josh Heupel era. But it was the Vols’ defense that changed the game with a dominant second quarter performance.
South Carolina had five second half drives. The first three went: turnover on downs, three-and-out, three-and-out. The only downside for Tennessee was that they didn’t do a ton to capitalize on the strong defensive play, scoring just three points following the three possessions.
Tennessee’s defense decided to take the scoring into its own hands. Facing third-and-22, South Carolina stayed aggressive looking to push the ball down the field. James Pearce Jr. pressured Spencer Rattler and Rattler’s throw sailed over his receiver’s head and right into the arms of the much maligned Kamal Hadden who strutted into the end zone for a 28-yard pick six.
Kamal Hadden hit the Prime Time Shuffle after the Pick-Six ⚡️ @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/j1MgfVCh4M
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 1, 2023
The play changed the entire vibe of the game but the job wasn’t done for Tennessee’s defense in the first half. Unsportsmanlike conduct pushed Tennessee back on the kickoff and Josh Turbyville booted the ball out of bounds giving South Carolina the ball at midfield.
After an eight-yard gain on first down, Pearce and Dominic Bailey teamed up to sack Rattler. When Rattler’s third down pass fell incomplete, the Gamecocks punted and Tennessee kneed out the clock.
A pick six and dominant second quarter performance from Tennessee’s defense changed the game.
Quick Start For Both Offenses In The Second Half
Tennessee took all the momentum into halftime with Kamal Hadden’s pick six and its offense kept it going to start the second half.
The Vols ran the ball effectively in the first half but got a little pass happy in the second quarter. That changed on the first drive of the second half.
Tennessee ran the ball on 10 of 11 plays (one being a Milton scramble) before facing third-and-goal at the six-yard line. When Jacob Warren hauled in Milton’s pass for a touchdown, Tennessee led 31-10 and the game looked all but over.
South Carolina said not so fast. After running for 43 yards on 17 attempts in the first half, Mario Anderson went 75 yards on the Gamecocks’ first offensive play of the second half. Safety Wesley Walker took a poor angle and South Carolina made Tennessee pay.
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Elite Third Down Defense From Tennessee
South Carolina converted eight-of-11 third downs a season ago against Tennessee.
But the Vols’ defense stepped up on third downs against South Carolina, getting off the field consistently. The Gamecocks went two-of-14 on third downs Saturday night.
Tennessee pass rush consistently was in South Carolina’s back field, tallying six sacks in the win. Rattler was elusive enough to avoid some pressure and make a few plays off script but the Vols were overall solid at keeping him in the pocket.
With South Carolina’s lack of running game, it was clear that getting off the field on third down was going to be a big part of the game. Tennessee’s defense delivered in a way they were far from doing a season ago.
The Vols were solid on fourth down too. South Carolina converted both of its fourth down attempts a season ago. They went two-of-five on fourth down Saturday night in Knoxville.
Tennessee Leans On Its Run Game
Tennessee’s ability to run the football was a big talking point entering the game due to South Carolina’s struggles stopping it this season.
The Vols didn’t gash the Gamecocks on the ground but they did move the ball on the ground consistently which allowed Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle to put less on Milton’s shoulders.
Tennessee totaled 238 rushing yards on 40 carries as they averaged over six yards per carry. Jaylen Wright was the bell cow back for Tennessee and he set the tone early when he opened the game’s scoring with a 42-yard touchdown run. The junior back was fantastic throughout the game, totaling 123 yards.
Jabari Small added 59 yards and Dylan Sampson added 49 yards (and 42 more receiving yards).
Not only was Tennessee overall effective running the football, they had big run plays in big moments. The Vols converted multiple third-and-intermediates and another third-and-long by running the football and catching South Carolina unaware.
Milton was far from perfect against South Carolina, tossing two interceptions, but Tennessee’s run game made it much easier on the Vols’ offense. Kudos to Tennessee’s offensive line too. With Cooper Mays back they had their best. game of the season.
