Quarterbacks
Daniel: He made a few questionable throws and had some accuracy issues, but there’s no denying that this offense is substantially more dynamic with Dobbs in at quarterback. He put up some massive numbers, including 301 passing yards, 171 yards on the ground and accounted for five total touchdowns. He’s a playmaker and a galvanizing force for this offense. The Vols’ offense looks more like the dynamic product that Jones put on the field at previous stops when Dobbs is at the helm. His poise in the two-minute drill must be noted as well. He did make an ill-advised throw into coverage that was intercepted with 10:51 left in the game. He missed some open guys and had a few inaccurate balls. Some of that bad is just going to come with the good with Dobbs at this point in his career. But he’s the Vols’ quarterback of the present and quite possibly the future at this point and he put them one step closer to bowl eligibility last night. Grade: A-
Houston: This was truly a record-breaking performance by Joshua Dobbs. He put this team on his back and carried them – both literally and figuratively – to victory. His 166 yards rushing were the most ever by a Tennessee quarterback and he became the first quarterback in UT history to rush for over 100 yards while also throwing for over 300. As impressive as his runs were – and they were – it was his ability to complete deep passes over the middle of the field in the 3rd and 4th quarters that proved to be the difference in this game. Dobbs proved against South Carolina that he isn’t just an athlete playing quarterback, but rather a true quarterback with the ability to beat you with his arm and his legs. Grade: A
Reed: It’s safe to say there’s no quarterback controversy in Knoxville. Dobbs accounted for 467 total yards – the most by a Vol QB against an SEC team since Peyton Manning threw for over 500 yards against Kentucky in 1997. His 166 rushing yards set a school record for quarterbacks and he accounted for five touchdowns and just one turnover. He made several big throws in pressure situations and his 36-yard touchdown run before the half was spectacular. More than anything, his composure under pressure was immensely impressive. Vol quarterbacks have wilted under pressure the last few seasons – Dobbs was at his best when the pressure was at its highest. What’s even crazier? He’s got tons of room to grow and develop. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the SEC. Grade: A+
Average Grade: A
