Postgame Mini-Pod: Tennessee handles business in blowout of Akron
This game was pretty much pointless, let’s be real. The Vols scored 35 points in the first half and never looked back, rotating ample players into the mix. In the end, it was a Tennessee 63-6 final over Akron that acted as the final dress rehearsal for Florida and SEC play next weekend.
Volquest’s Eric Cain and Austin Price shared their instant reactions to Tennessee’s lopsided victory over the Zips and in a game that pushed the Vols to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2016 campaign.
Wideout Jalin Hyatt had a career-day, tapping out with 166 yards on five receptions with two scores. His two touchdown receptions were from miles away at 48 and 57 yards. His first was on a slant over the middle where he turned on the jets to outrun the defense down the far sideline. His second was on a bomb from Hooker down the sideline.
Hendon Hooker finished the contest connecting on 14-of-18 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. The signal-caller tied Heath Shuler, Jonathan Crompton and Andy Kelly for 7th all-time in Tennessee history with 36 touchdown passes. Hooker has also thrown a touchdown pass in 15-consecutive games for the Volunteers – just one shy of Shuler’s school record.
The Tennessee defense again came to play, totaling four sacks and 11 TFLs in the win. Â Jeremy Banks led the squad with five tackles. Freshman Elijah Herring registered a pair of sacks in relief.
Eric and Austin detail the entire performance and what it means for the Volunteers next week as the SEC opener is now next on the docket. Tennessee will play host to Florida next Saturday on CBS for the 3:30 pm ET kick.
