Tennessee offensive line paves way for Vols upset over Kentucky

Tennessee got a big win over rival Kentucky in large part because of the play of the offensive line. We break it all down Inside the Trenches.

Tennessee and its fans have it had rough for the better part of the last decade as they’ve fallen from SEC contender to SEC laughingstock. But there were signs of progress under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt against No. 11 Kentucky on Saturday when the Vols knocked off the Wildcats and it all starts with the offensive line.

There were many responsible for the win, but let’s focus on the Tennessee offensive line that is playing without its best player, Trey Smith, but was vital to the success on Saturday night. Jahmir Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Nathan Niehaus, Marcus Tatum and Drew Richmond should get game balls for their work. The offensive lines of years past for the Vols have been labeled soft and not able to handle SEC defenses but that wasn’t the case Saturday as we saw them dominate one of the best defenses in the SEC.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano had an efficient game going 12/20 for 197 yards and two touchdowns, as he was able to be in a clean pocket and step up to make the right throws. The team also had 215 yards on the ground as the line was able to create lanes for tailbacks Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan. They even churned out 59 yards when receiver Jordan Murphy got his hands on the ball. This the best rushing performance they have had all season and it is the most rushing yards they have had against a power 5 opponent this season.

The offensive line was able to play together and work as a unit to play with more physicality and toughness than the opposition. They were able to contain All-American candidate Josh Allen to just one sack but he was not a factor in the game. What was most impressive by the line was the interior that was able to move defensive tackles and get to the second level to make key blocks on linebackers for explosive runs. Richmond and Tatum were able to seal off the edges from the typical strong pass rush of the Wildcats.

This game showed everything we needed to see from Tennessee to believe in Pruitt’s rebuild. It’s not going to happen overnight, but if Tennessee can win in the trenches and bring in skill players to dominate on the perimeter, the Vols will be that much closer to being competitive again in the SEC.