Tennessee football redshirt-freshman offensive lineman Jesse Perry is being rewarded for his dominant game against Florida on Saturday. Starting at right guard and playing every snap of the game at the position in the 31-11 win in The Swamp, Perry was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. He shares the award with Vanderbilt’s Isaia Glass.
PFF gave Perry a strong 68.2 grade for his night in Gainesville. He was handed an 83.2 grade in pass protection and 65.9 as a run blocker. Perry did not commit a single penalty or allow a sack of quarterback hurry.
His efforts in the pass game helped UT rack up 204 yards through the air. Quarterback Joey Aguilar had time to complete 17-of-22 passes for a touchdown and no interceptions.
On the ground, the Vols rushed for 248 yards. This was largely behind DeSean Bishop, who managed 116 yards and two touchdowns on 24 totes. Star Thomas also pitched in 71 yards and a score oin nine carries.
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Tennessee wasted no time jumping on Florida this year. The Vols conducted a beautiful opening drive after receiving the kickoff, capped off by an Ethan Davis touchdown on an Aguilar throw to the flat.
The following drive, Bishop went over the top from one yard out. He would do the same on the following possession, as well, marking his second score of the game and putting Tennessee up 21-0 early.
Despite staring down a third-and-long, Thomas bounced a run for 52 yards to get down to the one-yard line on the fourth drive. He punched it in himself on the next play to stun Florida with a 28-0 lead just minutes into the second quarter.
Florida had a chance to score afterward, but missed a kick to give Tennessee the ball back. With moments left in the first half, Josh Heupel opted to run the ball twice and kick a field goal from inside the red zone heading into the break. Max Gilbert hit the kick to give the Vols a 31-0 edge at the end of the half.
The Gators ended up scoring thanks to a field goal in the third quarter to extend their streak of not being shut out to 472 games. That is an NCAA record.
Florida would score a fourth-quarter touchdown, as well on a strike from DJ Lagway to Jadan Baugh. Tennessee would drive deep into Gators territory on the ensuing drive before letting time expire.
