WATCH: Jabari Small runs for 37-yard touchdown to give Tennessee lead

Tennessee running back Jabari Small broke a tackle and ran in for a 37-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give Tennessee the lead over Kentucky 30-28. The play was only Small’s second carry of the game, as the Tennessee offense has scored quickly with the football all game long.

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Jabari Small touchdown to take lead

As the high tempo offense of Tennessee continued to put up points against Kentucky on Saturday, running back Jabari Small broke another huge play for a touchdown. On a designed run to the weak side of the line, Tennessee’s blocking sealed the defensive line to the inside and opened the edge for Small.

The potential option handoff froze the Kentucky linebacker that was unblocked and Small burst past the line. Once in the open field, Small made a quick move to shake the final defender and score the big touchdown.

None of Tennessee’s first seven possessions of the game lasted for longer than three minutes, as the high-tempo offense got started quickly. After opening the game with two touchdowns in the first quarter with only 37 seconds of possession, the Volunteers offense kept pressing Kentucky’s defense.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker completed just 13 passes through the time of Small’s rushing touchdown, but managed an impressive 273 yards and three touchdowns.

Tennessee scores touchdown on first play

Opening the game with a bang, Tennessee ran a wide receiver screen pass on the first play from scrimmage to JaVonta Payton. After faking a handoff, Hooker put the ball in Payton’s hands and with some good blocking in front of him he sprinted past the entire defense to begin the game with a 75-yard touchdown.

Kentucky responded on their first drive of the game with significantly more plays, using 14 plays to drive 75 yards of their own for a touchdown to tie the game. Tennessee then wasted no time striking back again, as Hooker completed another monster touchdown pass to give Tennessee the 14-7 lead as the first quarter expired. Tennessee led despite only possessing the football for 37 seconds of the entire quarter.

Tennessee’s offense is one of the most high-powered and quickest in the nation, as they average over 37 points per game. The Volunteer’s speed at which they get back to the line of scrimmage and run plays has built them a reputation as difficult to defend.

After blowing out Missouri and South Carolina, the Volunteers have had a rough set of losses to Ole Miss and Alabama. They entered the game against No. 18 Kentucky with a 4-4 record and their eyes on the upset.