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Rapid reaction: Iowa no match for Tennessee’s athleticism in TaxSlayer Bowl
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Quick thoughts on Tennessee’s first postseason victory under Butch Jones, a 45-28 win over Iowa in Friday’s TaxSlayer Bowl:
What it means: Tennessee picks up on-field momentum heading into the offseason for the first time in several years leading into what’s expected to be another impressive National Signing Day in Knoxville.
What I liked: Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian’s game plan against an opponent not as athletic up front or in the secondary. The Vols exploited their speed advantage to near perfection in the first half, scoring touchdowns on 5-of-6 possessions. Joshua Dobbs threw just one incompletion before intermission behind solid pass protection and accounted for two touchdowns, including a well-placed back shoulder dart to Von Pearson just inside the pylon, to equal tailback Jalen Hurd’s total.
What I didn’t like: There wasn’t much to complain about during a dominant performance other than a couple drops from Tennessee wideouts. One of the drops went off the hands of Pearson for an interception. Desmond King returned Tennessee’s only takeaway 37 yards to the Vols 31, but Iowa’s ensuing drive ended in the end zone when LaDarrell McNeil picked off CJ Beathard’s 3rd-and-Goal pass in the end zone.
Who’s the man: Hurd finished with 122 yards on 16 carries, the third time in his last five starts the five-star true freshman surpassed triple digits. Hurd ran well between the tackles and on the outside, accumulating the majority of his yards after contact.
Key Play: Marlin Lane’s 49-yard touchdown toss on a tailback pass to Vic Wharton was Iowa’s backbreaker with 1:31 left in the first quarter that gave the Vols a 21-point lead. The lead would expand to four scores before Hawkeyes fullback Mark Weisman found the end zone on a 3-yard dive on his team’s only possession that ended in points.
BEAUTIFUL call and execution and the #Vols lead 21-0! Dobbs to Lane to Wharton. https://t.co/UhB9TwEH6g
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 2, 2015
What’s next: Tennessee enters spring practice in March as a 2015 Eastern Division darkhorse with a reliable multi-threat quarterback and several key playmakers back on both sides of the football including standout pass rusher Derek Barnette. If there was ever a time for the Vols to return to prominence, it’s now.
