Justin Worley postgame evaluation: Senior has career day against Chattanooga
By Jason Hall
Published:
Justin Worley recorded a career-best five touchdowns in Tennessee’s 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday. Worley threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-24 passing. He added two more scores on a pair of goal line QB keepers in the second and third quarters.
The senior quarterback bounced back from a disappointing three turnover game against Florida in Week 6. Worley’s performance shouldn’t come as a surprise, given his emergence as a solid quarterback this season and Tennessee’s favorable matchup.
Saturday’s game against FCS Chattanooga provided Worley with a confidence booster heading into a Week 8 game against Ole Miss. The Rebels field one of the nation’s top defenses and will bring constant pressure facing a struggling Tennessee offensive line. Though Tennessee will be considered the underdog, its better for Worley to come off a strong performance than the one seen in Week 6.
Worley showed the poise and confidence displayed in games leading up to the Florida matchup. However, Tennessee’s offensive line continued to be incapable of providing protection, allowing five sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Worley’s play this season is all the more impressive given his teammates’ struggles in the trenches. Tennessee will need to improve facing Ole Miss’ talented front seven and a secondary that will capitalize on mistakes.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
