Tennessee’s coaching staff raved about freshman Josh Malone as the season has progressed. Malone has all the talent in the world, but he had to learn how to take his talent and combine that with great technique.

That hard work paid off Saturday night against Alabama, when Malone reeled in the first touchdown of his young career for Tennessee’s first score of the game.

“I had a one-on-one matchup with, I believe, Tony Brown, and Dobbs just went with the matchup and just threw the ball up and let me make the play,” Malone told the Tennessean newspaper in Nashville. “I put myself in position to make the catch a lot easier.”

The flu bug hit Tennessee rather hard last week, including Malone, who had flu-like symptoms, and the freshman’s nine-yard score was his only reception of the game. He’s third among Tennessee wide receivers with 218 yards on 20 receptions and is averaging 27.3 yards per game.

Malone had a stellar prep senior season, and he certainly entered his collegiate career with high expectations. Jones told members of the media that he anticipated the former five-star prospect’s touchdown leading up to Saturday’s game.

“We have been waiting for it to happen, and it came at a critical situation on third and goal,” Jones told The Tennessean.

Tennessee fans and Jones alike are anticipating more touchdowns from Malone, who is just one of several young talented freshmen who will help rebuild the Volunteers’ program.