Sports Editor David Cobb covered UT’s game against South Carolina on Saturday. He assessed grades for each position based on the group’s performance in the Vols’ 23-21 win over the Gamecocks.
Quarterbacks: B+
Justin Worley’s smile said it all in the moments after UT’s 23-21 win over South Carolina on Saturday. The junior quarterback won the starting job in fall camp but has been a constant target of scrutiny since. In UT’s last two games against Georgia and South Carolina, he has evolved into an efficient game manager by avoiding interceptions in both contests.
Running backs: B+
Marlin Lane and Rajion Neal struggled to travel vertically most of the second half because of a stout South Carolina defensive front seven that features All-American Jadeveon Clowney. When it mattered most though, Lane fought for 14 yards on UT’s last actual play to turn Michael Palardy’s game-winning field goal into a chip shot.
Wide Receivers: A
Alton Howard proved his playmaking ability for a second straight game and freshman Marquez North etched his place into UT highlight lore. North’s two fourth quarter catches each put the Vols in field goal range and required inordinate athleticism, strength and concentration. His grab on UT’s final possession landed him on SportsCenter’s Top 10.
Offensive line: B
Clowney flexed his muscles against a solid UT offensive line in the first half. His 2.5 tackles for loss are a season-high. The Gamecocks prevented the Vols’ run game from attaining consistency for much of the game, but the offensive line did provide Worley with just enough time to make a handful of critical throws.
Defensive line: A-
With the exception of two third quarter runs by Connor Shaw, this unit effectively bottled up the shifty Gamecocks quarterback, sacking him four times and pressuring him to coincide with a solid effort by the rest of the defense to negate South Carolina’s passing game.
Linebackers: A-
The middle of UT’s defense did its part to contain Shaw and hold the Gamecocks at bay, especially late in the fourth quarter when stops were a necessity. Running back Mike Davis did break free on a couple of occasions, but this unit did nothing to detract from a clutch performance by a much-improved defense.
Secondary: A
South Carolina’s Damiere Byrd beat UT corner Justin Coleman in a 1-on-1 matchup on the first play of the second quarter for a 76-yard touchdown. The play accounted for nearly half of Shaw’s passing yards though, as the UT secondary continued to put the woes of 2012 behind itself.
Special teams: A
Palardy had this to say about his coach following his game-winning field goal: “The confidence that he has instilled in me is unbearable and unbreakable, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me, and I know I couldn’t do it without him.” Under Jones, Palardy has turned from a liability into a critical weapon as a kickoff specialist, punter and placekicker for UT, and that was evident Saturday as the senior booted three field goals, including the 19-yard game-winner.
Game 7 GPA: The Vols earn a 3.62 Football GPA for their performance against South Carolina.
Season GPA: UT possesses a 2.96 Football GPA for the season after Saturday’s game.
