There were a plethora of Vols honored at Tennessee’s Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 19.
One of those honored was quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
In his final game at Neyland Stadium, the Alpharetta, Georgia native picked up more than 400 combined yards and had five total touchdowns en route to the Vols big 63-37 win over Missouri.
“I just wanted to come out and win and do whatever it took to do to win,” Dobbs said after the game. “I don’t think there’s any extra incentive in any game. Every single game I approach I know I’m going to play hard and do the things I need to put this team in a position to win.
“I was able to have a productive day through the air and on the ground and the numbers showed. I was just thankful to finish out my last game at Neyland strong, especially with a victory.”
Dobbs was nearly a one-man show on Saturday. After Missouri ran down the field to score on the first drive of the game, but Dobbs and company responded on their first offensive drive with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings – the duo’s sixth connection this season.
The Dobbs-Jennings connection continued into the second half as Dobbs threw another strike to Jennings in the third quarter — a five-yard touchdown after Micah Abernathy picked off Drew Locke on the first pass of the second half.
The second quarter showed a poised Dobbs throwing a perfect 57-yard strike right in Josh Malone’s breadbasket. After Locke scored halfway through the second quarter and Alvin Kamara tacked on a four-yard score later in the same quarter, the Vols took a 21-13 lead into the locker room.
“My goal was to just take advantage of what the defense was giving,” Dobbs said. “In the first half, we were able to hit some big plays in the air with Jauan running a great route on a go ball and Josh (Malone) running a great double move.”
Missouri added a one-yard score with 8:51 left in the third quarter, but Dobbs then put the game in his hands.
On the next drive, Dobbs broke multiple tackles on a 30-yard score to give the Vols a 35-27 cushion.
After a Missouri field goal early in the fourth, Dobbs took off for the longest touchdown run of his career — a 70-yard scurry that left defenders in the dust.
Although Missouri threw a 50-yard score midway through the fourth, Tennessee did not need any extra help in their 63-37 win.
Dobbs finished with 223 passing yards and three touchdowns and 190 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Dobbs was only sacked once but didn’t have a single turnover — along with the rest of the Vols.
“I didn’t expect anything else from him (Dobbs),” offensive lineman Brett Kendrick said. “He’s a huge competitor. He’s been one of my best friends since he has been here. He was talking all week about how this isn’t our last game. He was excited to come out and play.
“I can’t be more proud of him.”
With Dobbs making up 413 of Tennessee’s 609 total yards, there was not much room left for the other Vol players.
But running backs Kamara and John Kelly were able to have a successful day. Kamara ran the ball 12 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns while Kelly had 103 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Meanwhile Missouri, who entered Saturday’s game with the second-highest total offense in the SEC, racked up 743 total yards — the highest total ever allowed by Tennessee.
Missouri’s freshman running back Damarea Crockett racked up 225 yards against the Vols, breaking the Tigers (3-8, 1-6 SEC) all-time single-game and season freshman rushing records.
Locke went 21-for-43 passing for 323 yards and a pair of touchdowns and interceptions.
With Florida beating LSU and clinching the SEC East, the Vols will face Vanderbilt next week at 7:30 p.m. ET with hopes of possibly clinching a New Year’s Eve bowl.
But head coach Butch Jones said that the Vols are just focused on being 1-0 and that the team didn’t pay any attention to the Florida win.
“(We) didn’t handle it any way,” Jones said. “The only thing that matters is being 1-0 this week and control, and that’s winning the football game. We never addressed it one single time, and I think when you look at it, our character was displayed once again with our players.
“Nothing changes. 1-0. We have an opportunity to win nine games. We know that we have two guaranteed opportunities left, and that’s what it is. It’s an honor and a privilege to coach here.”
