Tennessee football got back in the win column Saturday evening, knocking off New Mexico State 42-9 at Neyland Stadium. The Vols did not come out overly sharp but still rolled to a victory in their final non conference game of the regular season.
If you need a reminder on how Pro Football Focus works, read the opening of the Syracuse grades.
Let’s see how the Vols graded out.
Elite grade = 90-100, All-Conference = 85-89, Starter = 70-84, Backup = 60-69, Replaceable = 60 >
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Offensive Grades (minimum 13 plays — 20% of offensive plays)
LT Lance Heard — 87.4 (57 plays)
WR Braylon Staley — 77.2 (34 plays)
RT David Sanders — 76.7 (57 plays)
QB Joey Aguilar — 75.1 (58 plays)
WR Chris Brazzell — 71.2 (57 plays)
RB DeSean Bishop — 69.6 (32 plays)
OG Wendell Moe Jr — 66.7 (47 plays)
C Sam Pendleton — 65.7 (45 plays)
RB Peyton Lewis — 65.0 (16 plays)
OG Sham Umarov — 61.1 (57 plays)
TE Miles Kitselman — 59.8 (24 plays)
TE Ethan Davis — 59.1 (39 plays)
WR Mike Matthews — 58.9 (54 plays)
WR Radarious Jackson — 55.1 (16 plays)
C William Satterwhite — 53.6 (20 plays)
Both of Tennessee’s starting offensive tackles turned in really strong performances in the win with Lance Heard earning the Vols’ highest offensive grade and David Sanders also grading out well against the Aggies.
Tennessee’s receiver grades largely matched with the stat sheet with both Braylon Staley and Chris Brazzell grading out well and Mike Matthews earning a lackluster grade after catching just three passes for 29 yards.
The running back snap distribution was a bit odd for a November non conference game against New Mexico State. DeSean Bishop nearly half of Tennessee’s offensive snaps while Peyton Lewis totaled 16, Star Thomas totaled nine, Justin Baker totaled five and Daune Morris totaled four.
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Defensive Grades (minimum 17 plays — 20% of defensive plays)
DE Dominic Bailey — 87.7 (35 plays)
CB Colton Hood — 81.6 (67 plays)
CB Ty Redmond — 80.3 (47 plays)
LB Edwin Spillman — 75.1 (31 plays)
CB William Wright — 74.6 (26 plays)
DT Daevin Hobbs — 69.8 (39 plays)
STAR Jaylen McMurray — 69.3 (64 plays)
LB Jaedon Harmon — 67.3 (24 plays)
DE Tyre West — 67.3 (21 plays)
S Dylan Lewis — 66.9 (18 plays)
S Edrees Farooq — 66.7 (47 plays)
DT Bryson Eason — 64.3 (21 plays)
LB Ben Bolton — 64.1 (30 plays)
S Andre Turrentine — 62.8 (50 plays)
LEO Kellen Lindstrom — 59.7 (26 plays)
LB Jeremiah Telander — 59.7 (24 plays)
DE Tyree Weathersby — 59.2 (20 plays)
LB Jadon Perlotte — 58.7 (38 plays)
S Kaleb Beasley — 58.4 (55 plays)
DT Jaxson Moi — 58.1 (24 plays)
LEO Caleb Herring — 56.3 (49 plays)
DT Nathan Robinson — 55.4 (28 plays)
CB Timothy Merritt — 48.8 (18 plays)
Tennessee’s starting cornerbacks led the way for the Vols’ defense as Colton Hood and Ty Redmond graded out as two of the three best defenders according to PFF. It was, however, a bit puzzling or worrisome that Hood played 67 snaps in a 33-point game.
I was truly shocked that Jadon Perlotte’s grade was so low. Watching the game live, I thought Perlotte turned in a really strong performance. He did have a personal foul and blew a zone coverage on New Mexico State’s lone first half scoring drive so maybe that tanked his grade.
A few extra grades: Montrell Brady earned a 56.9 grade in 15 snaps, Mariyon Dye earned a 50.2 grade in 14 plays, Ethan Utley earned a 61.1 grade in 12 plays and Brenden Anes earned a 78.6 grade in nine snaps and Carson Gentle earned a 73.2 grade in seven snaps.
