Week 1 Recap and Preview of ETSU

Dylan Vogel
Sep 5, 2018 · 4 min read
Running back Tim Jordan had a breakout game for UT, totaling 118 yards on 20 carries and forcing 12 missed tackles

Breakdown of the WVU Game

Well that game could have gone better, but let’s not overreact here. Step back, take a deep breath, and move on. Yes a lot of us were wrong in thinking the Vols could upset or even hang with West Virginia, and we are taking the heat for it. But there are a lot of goods to take from this game, as much as there are bads.

The Good

The biggest highlight of the game was the emergence of Tim Jordan, one of the backs listed behind Ty Chandler to share carries with Madre London and Jeremy Banks. After Chandler went down with a head injury early, Jordan quickly picked the pace and challenged the West Virginia defense. He is a lot of the reason we put points on the board — he ran the ball in for one score and had a first down run to set up a first and goal, which ended in a Guarantano to Anderson touchdown pass. Jordan finished with 118 yards and 1 touchdwon on 20 carries, averaging 5.9 yards a carry and forcing a total of 12 missed tackles, which leads the nation.

In-game adjustments was something that was majorly refreshing to many Vols fans. It has been quite a few years since Tennessee had a coach that could make adjustments to his schemes and play calling at halftime, let alone in the middle of the first quarter. And that’s exactly what we saw this past Saturday in Charlotte. We saw the offensive line change from a zone blacking scheme to a gap blocking scheme, and we saw the 4th and goal play call that lead to the first touchdown of the Jeremy Pruitt era — a very gutsy call that will define how Pruitt will run this program.

The Bad

Before the game, we talked about how the keys to the game were get pressure on Grier, don’t give up big plays, force turnovers, and establish a strong run game. Well, Tennessee didn’t quite get any of those keys done. Grier, for most of the game, had all day to throw, allowing WVU’s receivers to get big seperation on our freshmen defensive backs and Grier to find them. At many times, the tackling from the defense was very poor, resulting in huge gains that should have been losses. Our defense was also only able to force one turnover, a fumble late in the game. And lastly, while Tim Jordan did rack up over 100 rushing yards, our offensive line could not execute enough to get a drive going most of the game. The same goes for the pass blocking, Guarantano rarely had any time to throw it down the field. All in all, Jeremy Pruitt has a lot to work on for these next two games.

Game Preview: ETSU

This Saturday, the ETSU Buccaneers are coming into Neyland Stadium to play the Volunteers. ETSU’s football program was reintroduced in 2015 after being discontinued following the 2003 season. They are coached by former Tennessee quarterback and assistant coach Randy Sanders, and coming off a 28–7 victory over Mars Hill. Coach Pruitt will be leading the Volunteers coming off a 40–14 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers, and will be looking to work out some kinks with this matchup against an FCS foe.

Offense

The Buccaneer offense looked well balanced against Mars Hill. They finished with 273 passing yards and 238 rushing yards, led by QB Logan Marchi and RB Quay Holmes. They did however fumble 3 separate times.

Defense

The ETSU defense played lights out after giving up the first score of the game to Mars Hill. They only allowed 16 rushing yards on 33 attempts, 249 passing yards on 31 attempts, and forced 2 fumbles.

Prediction

This is an FCS team Vols fans. Granted it is a good looking FCS team, nonetheless Tennessee shouldn’t have any problems with this team in Neyland Stadium come Saturday. The offensive and defensive lines will get some more valuable reps, as will this freshman secondary. Chryst should get the start, as Pruitt said was his plan no matter Guarantano’s results in the opener. Look to see Pruitt use this as a tune up game once the Vols pull away and run up the score after last week’s ugly loss.

Vols 48, Bucs 17

Dylan Vogel

Written by

Student at Chattanooga State Community College. Amateur College Sports Writer. Vol For Life. In love with my Best Friend.

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