Defensive Line
Nathanael: A+
I can’t say enough how impressed I was with Tennessee’s front seven on Saturday. They packed their lunch pail and came ready to play, and it started with the Vols’ defensive line. Shy Tuttle, Kyle Phillips, Alexis Johnson, and even backup Emmit Gooden all made plays and helped contain a strong Kentucky rushing attack. Phillips, Tuttle, and Gooden all had half a tackle for loss apiece, and the defensive line was crucial in UT containing Kentucky’s run game to just 2.2 yards per carry. They got good pass pressure as well, and Shy Tuttle once again made a big play on special teams. He blocked Kentucky’s short field goal attempt, giving him two blocked kicks on the season.
Ben: A
Shy Tuttle and Kyle Phillips played tremendous football against a potent Kentucky running game led by Benny Snell. The D-line struggled to get off blocks against South Carolina. Against Kentucky, the Vols dominated a physical Cats’ O-line up front. Tennessee held Kentucky to just 77 rushing yards, which is just the second time this season the Cats have been held to under 80 yards on the ground. Tuttle even blocked a key 30-yard field goal attempt, the third of his career.
