Ad Disclosure
Joe Milton panic: Tennessee fans and media members react to Vols’ lackluster first half
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Joe Milton III took over as Tennessee’s starting quarterback after Hendon Hooker went to the NFL this past offseason.
Fans will remember there was a time when Milton, not Hooker, won Tennessee’s starting QB job after a preseason competition. However, it didn’t take long for Hooker to take over and have a great deal of success.
At halftime on Saturday against FCS foe Austin Peay, Milton started the game 1-for-8 passing for 11 yards. The Vols were tied with the Governors 6-6 late in the second quarter before scoring late and taking a 13-6 lead into halftime.
It was an embarrassing effort all around on Rocky Top, and Milton drew most of the blame for that fact on social media:
Joe Milton can throw a ball 1000 yds but dude has very minimal accuracy. It doesn't matter how far you can throw something if you can't hit your target. @Vol_Football @Vol_Sports
— Brynell Middleton (@_brynell_) September 9, 2023
Joe Milton 1/8 for 11 yards with 8 minutes to go in the 2nd qtr. ?
— Chris Hayes (@CoachHayesHudl) September 9, 2023
Is Joe Milton going to get benched right after the announcement of his McDonalds meal? pic.twitter.com/A5xv4AAfT4
— AA Revamped (@RevampedAA) September 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/ya_boy_ben10/status/1700639775286517804
https://twitter.com/5cAustin/status/1700639540963139912
Time to sit Joe Milton. He is throwing over the mountains again!! #GoVols
— Pipe Hitter (@ShaggyR95723931) September 9, 2023
BENCH JOE MILTON
— chug (@chuggernautt_) September 9, 2023
Tennessee fans thought Joe Milton was magically going to develop touch and accuracy at 23 years old
— / (@157Gale) September 9, 2023
I’m not kidding. Joe Milton ain’t the guy.
— Vol Fan Jeff (@JTRock21) September 9, 2023
I need Joe Milton to rise above my expectations, and I assure you they were never high.
— Peerless Poff (@JBPDayton) September 9, 2023
There’s obviously still plenty of time for the Vols (and Milton) to turn things around. But questions will abound as to whether Milton is the right QB for the future or not.
Freshman Nico Iamaleava, a former 5-star recruit, is waiting in the wings and will likely get an increasing amount of attention moving forward.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
