Tennessee handled its business against Akron on Saturday night, dispatching the Zips 63-6. For Vols fans, it was a good way to end an exciting Week 3 slate of college football.

Now Tennessee is 3-0 heading into one of its most anticipated ballgames of the year. It is officially Florida week.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Tennessee looked good in its penultimate “gimme game” of the season, so here are 3 things I liked and 3 things I didn’t like from the Vols’ blowout victory over the Zips.

3 things I liked

Jalin Hyatt was stellar

Jalin Hyatt was the fastest guy on the field Saturday night. I’m going to stop blabbering and just let you watch him work:

Hyatt led all receivers by a considerable margin, hauling in 5 receptions for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has 3 touchdowns for the year after what was easily his most impressive game as a Vol.

Hyatt’s previous high for receiving yards in a game came in his freshman year against Alabama when he caught 2 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He’s caught more than 5 passes in a single game just once in his career – last week against Pitt. The junior speedster had 11 receptions for 73 yards in Week 2.

No matter who the opponent was, Hyatt’s night was very impressive. He’s looking dangerous early for the Vols.

Joe Milton looked like the best backup quarterback in the SEC

Joe Milton could have transferred last season and lit the world on fire. Instead, he stayed and now rides the bench, patiently waiting his turn. The live-armed former Michigan Wolverine is on a short list of the most talented backup quarterbacks not just in the SEC but in the nation.

That sounds crazy to say, especially against a squad like Akron. Milton’s problem last season was connecting on the deep pass, and he might not have missed more than 1 this season. He’s taken a step forward, that much is clear. It’s encouraging to know that if Hendon Hooker goes down, the Vols have someone they can rely on.

Here’s a a prime example. Last season this ball misses Ramel Keyton 9 times out of 10.

Milton finished 4-for-5 for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in about a quarter of work.

If nothing else, take this from his performance so far this year: All seems set for Milton to take over and competently lead Tennessee next season following Hooker’s departure.

Jeremy Banks led an inspired defensive performance

Tennessee’s defenders didn’t have to look as locked-in as they did Saturday afternoon.

OK, of course they did. Coordinator Tim Banks demands as much of them. But the entirety of Tennessee’s defense, especially Jeremy Banks, took Akron as seriously as it would Alabama or Georgia, which is the best thing you can take from a beatdown of an inferior opponent.

Banks was all over the field Saturday. He totaled 5 solo tackles with a forced fumble and a tackle for loss. This is coming from a player who has struggled to start the season. Banks has been outshined by Aaron Beasley in the middle of the field so far, but stepped up as Juwan Mitchell made his 2022 debut.

Also at the linebacker position, Elijah Herring played well with the second-team defense in the second half. The freshman fought his way to 2 sacks among his 3 tackles.

Tennessee totaled 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries and 1 fumble recovery. The Vols also allowed just 276 yards, including 35 rushing yards from the Zips.

The word of the night was “smothering.”

3 things I didn’t like

Injuries, injuries, injuries

Yeah, I hated the injuries. Don’t we all? The last thing Tennessee needs at any time is for Cedric Tillman to tear his ACL. And against Akron, of all opponents. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear that will be the case, but the point is still very much there.

Tillman, Jabari Small, Tyler Baron and Dylan Sampson were injured Saturday. None seem serious, but it still has to make any Vol fan feel queasy seeing them limp off the field.

Tennessee is not deep at running back to begin with. Small left early with what appeared to be an upper-body injury and did not return, whereas Sampson left in the third quarter with a knee or ankle injury. As of now, the only 2 backs to feel 100 percent certain about are Jaylen Wright and a freshman.

Josh Heupel spoke briefly on Tillman and Small postgame.

Jimmy Calloway’s multiple thrown punches

Jimmy Calloway likely will play next week, even after connecting on a few punches thrown at an Akron player in the second half. Does that excuse his action? Absolutely not.

Heupel briefly addressed the outburst after the game. From the looks of it, Calloway regrets his actions.

Hyatt confirmed that Calloway apologized to the entire team afterward.

Calloway has struggled to start the season. But throwing punches against any opponent, especially one on an overmatched team is simply wrong. Calloway hasn’t spoken publicly yet, but he has to control his emotions. That was disappointing to see from a veteran player who knows what is expected of him.

It remains to be seen how Tennessee’s staff handles the transgression.

Penalties could have been dialed back

It’s hard to nitpick a dominant win, but Tennessee was careless with penalties in Week 3. The Vols had 11 for 118 yards compared to Akron’s 9 for 77 yards. Tennessee had combined for 11 penalties in the 2 games heading into Saturday.

It didn’t impact the scoreboard against Akron. The game was chippy all evening, and sometimes that’s how it goes (see above), but discipline isn’t something that should take a day off. It has not been a large problem so far for Tennessee this season, but it has been a sore subject for Heupel teams in the past.

Is it a real worry? No. But it should not become a trend.