Vols Punish Mocs, 45-10
It was homecoming on the hill on Saturday afternoon and, after losing three straight games, big brother took its frustration out on little brother. It started early, after the Mocs first drive went nowhere they were forced to punt. Vols punt return man, Cameron Sutton, returned the punt 42 yards down to the Mocs 38-yard line. Eight plays later Justin Worley found Marquez North in the back corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown.
“I thought we did what we needed to, to win the game tonight.” Butch Jones said after his team’s big victory. He added “We got back to playing Tennessee football.” referencing the Vols one penalty for the entire game.
With injuries to the Tennessee backfield, Derrell Scott, the true freshman from Havelock, NC would see his first playing time of his short Tennessee career. He would end the game with 9 carries for 42 yards. “Derrell Scott and Justus Pickett gave us some quality reps today.” Jones exclaimed. Justus Pickett, a Maryland Terrapin transfer, finished with 27 yards on 10 carries.
Junior wide receiver, Johnathon Johnson, had a breakout game for the Volunteers. Johnson would finish the game with 3 catches for 46 yards but made the most of his 3 catches with 2 touchdowns on the evening. “Johnathon is just so consistent” Jones added “He doesn’t say two words and does everything the coaches tell him.”
The Vols would take a 24-3 lead into the half, but perhaps it was the play after the half that had the crowd the most excited. Freshman Evan Berry, brother of former Vol All- American Eric Berry, returned the opening 2nd half kickoff 68 yards ending with him leaping over a Chattanooga Moc at the Mocs 19-yard line. Two plays later, Worley found Johnson wide open in the end zone for Tennessee’s fourth touchdown of the game and led 31-3.
Jones praised his freshman return man saying “He did a great job” Jones added “Evan has another element of speed and he has great confidence.”
The Volunteer offensive line struggled again giving up 5 sacks while the running game only amassed 123 yards on 42 tries. Jones says it may not always be the line though, “Sometimes it is a back not picking up protection, but to the naked eye it’s easy to blame the line.”
Despite not having ample time, Justin Worley would finish the game 19 of 24 for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. All SEC performer and leader of the defense, A.J. Johnson, led all tackler for the contest with 9 tackles including one for loss. Local product, Trevor Wright, who played his high school ball at nearby Greeneville High School, led the Mocs with 9 tackles as well from his corner position.
Tennessee (3-3) travels to Oxford, Mississippi next week to take on the #3 Ole Miss Rebels. Kickoff is set for 7p.m. on ESPN2.
