Jalin Hyatt discusses touchdown route after ‘hiding’ behind offensive line

Missouri attempted to make Saturday’s contest with Tennessee a game, coming within four points midway through the third quarter, 28-24. That’s when the Volunteers executed the perfect play for a 68-yard pass to Jalin Hyatt for a touchdown.

Hyatt lined up in a wing-back position, just behind the left guard, and ran a flare route. To the surprise of everyone watching the game, Hyatt was left wide open, something no team should ever do. After the game, the Volunteers star discussed the play revealing that he was ‘hiding’ behind the offensive line.

“Yeah, I was hiding behind our left guard on the play,” said Hyatt. “We were just trying to get them confused with the zone that they were in. I saw the corner and followed Bru. So, it was just an easy pitch and catch for us. But I was hiding right behind the left guard on that play.

“We had that for the game plan. We had it as far as something else that we could throw out there that as far as tendencies that we had not shown them. And it worked out perfectly in how we executed; we did a good job on the play we had for that one. “

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That play call was something foreign to Hyatt. The Volunteers’ start receiver has never had to hide behind a lineman on a play. All the same, the call was a successful one resulting in a touchdown. Hyatt credits equal parts execution and play calling for success, and shouted out the play’s creator.

“I’ve never been asked to hide behind a left guard. It was definitely something different. I think that’s what threw them off. I want to give a shoutout to Mitch, coach Mitch; he’s the one that came up with the play.”

Tennessee offense keeping the teams CFP hope alive

After taking a 28-17 point lead into the half, Tennessee gave up an early second-half touchdown in Missouri. But after that, the game was all Tennessee. The Volunteers went on to score 38 unanswered points, outscoring the Tigers 38-7 in the second half and winning the game 66-24.

Saturday featured major bounce-back performances from Heisman candidate quarterback Hendon Hooker and Hyatt. Hooker passed for 355 yards completing 25 of 35 pass attempts for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Hyatt recorded seven catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.

After another impressive performance on the season, the balls have ensured that they stay squarely in the race for a College Football Playoff birth.