Tennessee football grades vs. Missouri: Vols offense has record-setting outing
Mike WilsonTennessee football had a record-setting offensive outing to complete an unbeaten season at Neyland Stadium for the first time since 2007.
The No. 5 Vols (9-1, 5-1 SEC) topped Missouri (4-6, 2-5) 66-24 on Saturday to finish 7-0 at home.
Here are grades from Tennessee's win:
Offense: A
The Vols racked up a program-record 724 yards of offense, blistering a Missouri defense that was allowing 304.1 yards per game entering Saturday.
Missouri's defense entered ranked fourth in the SEC in yards, passing yards, rushing yards and points allowed. Tennessee shattered all four marks before halftime, then poured it on in the second half.
The Vols burst for three quick scores after Missouri pulled within 28-24 early in the third. They went back to their best well with Hendon Hooker finding Jalin Hyatt for a long TD to start a 38-0 stretch. Freshman running back Dylan Sampson had a big outing. Tight end Princeton Fant had two receiving touchdowns, giving him seven touchdowns in five games. Hooker made sure he stayed in the Heisman picture with a four-touchdown game. Joe Milton was great in the fourth and had two long passes plays to push UT past the previous record of 718 yards against Troy in 2012.
Tennessee had its issues offensively: Hyatt had back-to-back drops before halftime, stalling a UT drive. The offensive line was putrid, at times, for the second straight game.
OUT:Cedric Tillman out for Tennessee football against Missouri with injury
Defense: C+
UT's defense was average early against the Tigers, who are offensively challenged. It closed well, shutting down the Tigers for the final 23-plus minutes and forcing a fourth-quarter fumble.
Tennessee's secondary was roasted for multiple touchdowns by Brady Cook, who only had one multi-touchdown game this season. He threw three against Abilene Christian. Brandon Turnage and Jaylen McCollough were responsible for the first touchdown, and Tamarion McDonald was torched for the second.
Special teams: C
Tennessee's special teams units had a pair of costly penalties. Aaron Beasley had the low point when he lined up over the center on a Missouri field-goal attempt, giving the Tigers a first down and setting up a touchdown. Dee Williams had a long punt return early, but it was wiped out by a block in the back.
Chase McGrath hit a 48-yard field goal on his lone attempt.
Coaching: A-
Tennessee had a sluggish end to the first half and start to the second half. Then it turned it on and returned to form in the fashion it needed coming off the loss to Georgia. The Vols have made their mark handling their business week to week. That was the case again.
Overall: B+
Tennessee reached the nine-win mark for the first time since 2016 and got the game to blowout status in the third quarter.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.