Volquest postgame mini-pod: Reactions from Columbus
Tennessee’s first trip to the College Football Playoff was a short one. The Vols joined the list of road teams that were blown out in the first round this weekend, falling, 42-17 to Ohio State in a game that was never competitive.
Ohio State started fast, scoring touchdowns on all three of its first quarter possessions to take a 21-0 lead.
Tennessee finally got on the board in the second quarter with a field goal and gave itself a chance with a touchdown in the final minute of the first half to cut the lead to 21-10.
Getting the ball to start the second half, Tennessee had a shot to really generate some momentum but the Vols couldn’t take advantage.
Nico Iamaleava scrambled for an initial first down to start the third quarter, but the drive stalled and Tennessee punted back to Ohio State.
The Buckeyes slammed the door on any thoughts of a comeback with an authoritative six play, 65 yard drive that Will Howard capped with second touchdown pass of the day to freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, putting the Buckeyes on top 28-10 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.
Tennessee’s chances in this one took a significant blow early on when Dylan Sampson suffered what was termed a ‘lower body injury’ after just two first quarter carries.
Sampson came back briefly in the third quarter, catching one pass for two yards.
With Sampson out DeSean Bishop (7 att, 22 yards) and freshman Peyton Lewis (10 att., 77 yards) carried the load, but mostly Josh Heupel leaned on Iamaleava’s legs to try and carry the ground game.
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Iamaleava finished the night with 20 carries for 47 yards. A chunk of those runs were on scrambles, but there were a lot of designed runs dialed up tonight as well
Iamaleava’s counterpart, Will Howard, had a tremendous bounce-back game after tossing two interceptions in Ohio State’s regular season ending loss to Michigan.
Howard hit Smith with a 37-yard strike for the first touchdown of the game and never really slowed down. Howard finished 24-of-29 for 311 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown.
Tennessee never got any real heat on Howard with its pass rush. The Vol recorded no sacks and were credited with only two quarterback hurries.
Iamaleava on the other hand was pressured all night. He was sacked four times and finished just 14-of-31 for only 104 yards. Tennessee’s longest pass completion of the game was a 21 yard reception by Bru McCoy.
