Takeaways from Vols’ loss to South Carolina
Despite being favored by almost two touchdowns, the Volunteers lost an ugly game to South Carolina. What can fans take away from the disappointing performance in Columbia?
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 29, 2016 - running back John Kelly #4 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee rolled into Columbia as heavy favorites on Saturday. Despite that, the Vols were promptly beaten and demoralized by the South Carolina Gamecocks, 24-21. With the loss, Tennessee moved to 5-3 (2-3 SEC).
The Vols are now on a three-game losing streak that has seemingly ended their chances of winning the SEC East and has officially removed them from playoff contention.
Here are a few takeaways from the Gamecocks’ surprising win.
The coaching staff has problems
Life for Tennessee has been made difficult by the gluttony of injuries it’s faced, but at a certain point, it’s time to look at the coaching staff.
The Vols have trailed in seven of their eight games this season — they’ve been down at halftime in six of those games. The pattern of slow starts could very well be a coaching issue, especially this week. The team was coming off of a bye week, and going into the easiest stretch of the schedule, needing to win out to stay alive in the SEC East. Instead, another slow start and a number of mental mistakes led to an ugly loss for the Volunteers.
In addition, the final coaching decision of the game was a bit of a head-scratcher. The Vols got the ball to the South Carolina 41-yard line, and with only seconds remaining, elected to kick a 58-yard field goal. Aaron Medley has been solid this year, but he’s never hit a field goal from further than 50 yards. Of course, attempting a deep pass as time expires isn’t a high-percentage play, either. Still, caught between a rock and a hard place, head coach Butch Jones made the wrong call.
Tennessee’s secondary has major issues
South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley was a true freshman making just his second career start on Saturday. Derek Barnett and the rest of the Tennessee defensive line got good pressure on the young passer — they even sacked Bentley six times.
When Bentley’s offensive line held and he had time to pass, however, he managed to take advantage of the Vol’s depleted secondary. Bentley went 15-for-20 for 167 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a deep bomb on a terrible miscommunication by the Tennessee defense. The Gamecocks’ quarterback was a virtual unknown coming into the game, and the Vols should have taken advantage of his inexperience. Instead, an overmatched secondary allowed the home team to snag an impressive victory.
Josh Dobbs has major issues, too
Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs seems to be a great person. As starting quarterback on an SEC team and an aerospace engineering major in the school’s Honors Program, he is perhaps the best example of a “true” student-athlete in the nation. He is also an extremely flawed player, and his flaws were certainly on display against South Carolina.
His ability to turn what should be a sack into a Tennessee gain is incredibly valuable to the team and his leadership is vital, but his passing inaccuracy and decision making has always been an issue — against the Gamecocks, he completed only 12 of his 26 passes, and he threw two interceptions.
Dobbs has been absolutely vital to Tennessee’s success over the past few seasons, including against South Carolina two years ago. Normally, his positive qualities outweigh the negative ones. Unfortunately, that was not the case in the Vols’ disappointing loss in Columbia.
John Kelly has a bright future
Sophomore running back John Kelly was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Volunteers on Saturday night. In a game full of blown coverages, bad decision-making and all-around poor play for Tennessee, Kelly had a career-high in both carries (14) and rushing yards (94). With running backs Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd both dealing with injuries, Kelly could play a vital role moving forward this season. Both Kamara and Hurd could be off to the NFL when the season ends, too, meaning that Kelly could become the full-time starter next season. He’s looked good in the limited opportunities he’s seen his first two years, and he should give Vol fans hope for the coming years.
Edited by Adam Milliken
Featured image by Donald Page, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
Quinn is an assistant sports editor for TNJN and a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Tennesse. When he's not writing, he's probably doing something else. You can follow him on Twitter (@QuinnNotCook) or e-mail him at qpilkey@vols.utk.edu.
