Week two SEC football reactions
Although week two lacked the marquee matchups that week one featured, it was nonetheless exciting and informative about teams from around the SEC. With another week past, here were some of the takeaways from the SEC during week two.
BRISTOL,TN - SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 - Quarterback Josh Dobbs #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo By Ruth Dudley/Tennessee Athletics
Week two is in the books and we now know a bit more about the teams around the country. Coaches say that teams make the most improvement between weeks one and two, and after a boatload of overreactions from week one, there were many teams in need of some improving.
The Vols can respond to adversity
Welcome back to any of those who hopped off of the Tennessee Hype Train last week!
The Vols played Virginia Tech last Saturday in the Battle at Bristol, also known as “College Football’s Biggest Game Ever.” Tennessee was victorious, 45-24.
After falling behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter, there were undoubtedly many who entered full-on panic mode. However, on the first play of the second quarter, Hokie quarterback Jerod Evans fumbled the ball on a botched exchange. Micah Abernathy (who recovered a program-record three fumbles) landed on the loose ball. The Vols wasted no time capitalizing on the mistake, as Joshua Dobbs threw a beautiful fade to Jauan Jenning for a five-yard touchdown.
From then on, it was all Tennessee.
The Vols began playing at the level many expected them to play at heading into the season. After falling behind 14-0, Tennessee responded by going on a 45-3 run to end any hopes Virginia Tech had of winning.
Saturday’s performance should give the Vol faithful hope for one reason—it showed that Team 120 is capable of responding in the face of adversity. Instead, the team refused to back down, kept the energy level up (thanks in large part to Sheriron Jones) and trusted their preparation. And it paid off.
Assuming week three’s game against the Ohio Bobcats goes according to plan, a colossal SEC East showdown between Tennessee and Florida is certainly on every fan’s mind.
Florida’s defense is elite
Speaking of the Gators, Florida absolutely crushed Kentucky in the Swamp. The win marked the Gators’ 30th-consecutive victory over the Wildcats, meaning the last time Kentucky finished with a win in this series was in 1986.
Quarterback Luke Del Rio looked the part of a very capable starter, particularly on his 78-yard touchdown completion to Antonio Callaway.
The true show-stealing performance, though, came from the defense.
The Florida defense held Kentucky to just 48 plays and 149 yards. The Wildcats as a team went three-for-14 through the air for 55 yards and three interceptions. Stanley “Boom” Williams was held to just 66 yards rushing. And to top it off, the Gators possessed the ball for a whopping 37 minutes and 26 seconds.
That is what dominance looks like.
I know what everyone is thinking — this was expected considering the state of Kentucky football. But, after Florida’s lackluster performance against Massachusetts last week, the team needed to rebound in a big way. If the Gators continue to play the way they did in week two, they will be a serious contender to make it to the SEC Championship Game.
LSU is Better with Danny Etling at QB
Well, perhaps LSU finally found a quarterback who is competent enough to stay out of the rest of the team’s way.
After an entire offseason of fans and media (including myself) picking LSU to win the SEC West, complete with a much- improved Brandon Harris, the Tigers start to the season has been very disappointing.
Harris and the offense (minus Leonard Fournette) looked awful against Wisconsin in week one, which is the primary reason the Tigers lost to begin the season.
Things didn’t go much better for Harris in week two. LSU returned home to Death Valley to face a Jacksonville State team that should have been outclassed and overpowered in every way. However, in their first two drives, the Tigers went three-and-out twice, totaling just seven yards. Harris himself went one-for-four on those drives.
It was at this point that the LSU coaching staff decided to make a quarterback switch. Brandon Harris was benched and Purdue transfer Danny Etling was given an opportunity.
Etling then led the Tigers to three consecutive touchdown drives. In fewer than twenty plays, Etling had led the offense to more success and more points than Harris had in an entire game.
Yes, it was against Jacksonville State, but Harris didn’t look good at all. Etling did. It’s unfortunate for Harris, but the Tigers are simply better with Etling under center.
Edited by David Bradford
Featured image by Ruth Dudley
Adam is the Assistant Sports Editor for the Tennessee Journalist and a Junior at UT. Most of his free time is spent watching sports, listening to good music, and enjoying life. If you wish to contact him, you can email him at amillike@vols.utk.edu, follow him on Twitter, @AdamMilliken14, or find him at https://www.linkedin.com/pub/adam-milliken/109/a89/a32.
