Tennessee football did not turn in its most polished performance but still coasted past New Mexico State 42-9 on Saturday evening at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols improve to 7-3 (3-3 SEC) with the win ahead of a pair of rivalry matchups to conclude the regular season. Here’s four quick takeaways on the win.
Joey Aguilar’s Interception Issue Continues
By its standards, Tennessee’s offense played very poorly in the first half against New Mexico State. The Vols scored on three of their seven drives. Two of those drives ended with Joey Aguilar interceptions.
Aguilar’s first interception came on the game’s opening drive when Jamall Thompson Jr. and Miles Kitselman met at the ball at the same time and Thompson came away with the ball. Then in the second quarter, Aguilar sailed a pass over the middle that Bernock Iya intercepted. There seemed to be miscommunication between Aguilar and freshman receiver Radarious Jackson on the second interception.
The redshirt senior quarterback has now turned it over five times in the last two games including four interceptions. With two games remaining this season, Aguilar has already thrown 10 interceptions. Non Tennessee quarterback under Heupel had thrown more than six interceptions in a single season.
Aguilar came to Tennessee with a reputation of putting the ball in harm’s way. The issue has gotten worse as the season’s progressed and is highly important the next two weeks against Florida and Vanderbilt.
Pair Of Freshman Defenders Impresss
Combine a lopsided win with a number of players missing the game due to injury and a number of freshmen Tennessee defenders earned playing time against the Aggies.
But two of the best performances came from cornerback Ty Redmond and linebacker Jadon Perlotte—two defenders who play meaningful snaps every game. Redmond made his most impressive play of the season when he jumped a slant route and intercepted a Logan Fife pass.
one thing led to another
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Redmond ended the game with five tackles and a pass breakup to go along with an interception. Perhaps the best sequence of the game for Tennessee’s young defenders came in the second quarter. Redmond made a nice tackle on a Fife scramble that saved what would have been a decent sized gain. Perlotte blew up a screen pass for a loss on the next play and then Redmond broke up a back shoulder throw to get off the field on third down.
Perlotte continues to play more and better as the season progresses. He finished the night with five tackles, all of which were solo, including one for a loss. The true freshman was consistently around the ball.
More From RTI: Tennessee Defensive Back Boo Carter Out Against New Mexico State
Tennessee Uses Run Game To Put Game Away In Third Quarter
Leading 21-3 at halftime, the game was practically over with New Mexico State showing little ability to move the football and score against Tennessee. But the Vols used back-to-back touchdown drives to truly put the game away in the third quarter.
Tennessee opened the half with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Seven of the 11 plays on the drive were rushing plays. The Vols extended their lead on their ensuring drive, going 60 yards on 10 plays. Tennessee once again leaned on the run, running it seven times including a two-yard Peyton Lewis score that found the end zone.
The Vols did catch a major break on the second drive. Tennessee threw a short crosser to Chris Brazzell on third-and-18 that ended up well short of the sticks. However, an Aggie defender took him down by the facemask to extend the drive.
The game was well in hand at 35-3 before Tennessee closed the second half with a 35-yard pick six from William Wright.
Backup Quarterback Watch
The relatively poor first half offensive performance meant that Aguilar played deeper into the game than expected in this game. Tennessee put Aguilar back out for one play to begin the fourth quarter so he could extend his streak of over 200 yards to 34 games.
Jake Merklinger came in on second-and-three but the Vols still went three-and-out. He completed a pass for a loss of two yards and then short hopped a throw over the middle on third down.
George MacIntyre came in for the ensuing drive, completing a short pass to tight end Cole Harrison for 17 yards on his first play in the game. Tennessee ran the ball for zero yards over the next two plays before MacIntyre’s deep ball was incomplete on third down.
MacIntyre and Tennessee’s offense took the field again with 1:20 left in the game. The Vols ran the ball on three straight plays to end the game.
It was a small sample size for both quarterbacks which was a disappointing aspect of Tennessee’s lopsided win.
