Former Alabama quarterback accurately criticizes the Vols for the poor play call that cost the Crimson Tide the game.
In UT’s 34-20 defeat to the Crimson Tide this past weekend, former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy criticized the Tennessee Vols for a particular play call that radically changed the outcome of the game.
on the game’s analysis on Always College Football, McElroy identified a significant turning moment in the game as the Vols’ fourth down try on their second drive of the second half.
Tennessee was holding on to a 20-17 lead at the moment. The Tennessee Vols really needed to get back into the game on that drive.
The Vols set up in a shotgun formation on fourth-and-one (with the ball close to midfield) and threw to their shortest running back, Dylan Sampson, who is one of Tennessee’s three major running backs. Sampson’s attempt to gain the first down was foiled by Alabama’s defense’s penetration.
McElroy acknowledged that he supported Josh Heupel’s choice to pursue it. He didn’t, however, enjoy the play call.
“I don’t have a problem going for it on fourth-and-one at your own 47,” McElroy said. But I object to the fact that they gave Dylan Sampson the ball. Not in my case. This is how I would proceed. Now, the view is 20/20. They failed several times with the fourth and short. Tell me this: What have we learned over the past few years from watching the Philadelphia Eagles? Which play has no end? That would be an offensive player shoving the quarterback during a quarterback sneak. Six foot five and 240 pounds is your quarterback. They should seriously consider throwing the ball to Milton in situations involving quarterback sneaks, fourth-and-short plays, and third-and-short plays.”
McElroy said, “They need to install the tush-push play.” “Because nobody has found a way to stop that yet — especially when you have a strong, physical capable quarterback.”
There’s little question that the Vols should be going under center in such short yardage scenarios rather than effectively turning a fourth-and-one into a fourth-and-five. This can be accomplished with a variety of routes, including the tush push, a typical quarterback sneak, or passing it off to a larger running back.
The goal may be to open up more space for a playmaker to make a play, but in this instance, the Vols made it harder for their offensive line to sustain blocks by forcing Sampson—who ought to have been replaced by a bigger running back because Tennessee used up most of the play clock on that play—to run several yards before reaching the line of scrimmage. It was just a really poor play selection.
It took a team effort for Tennessee to falter against Alabama in the second half. Not helping was the awful calling (the Vols led at halftime despite the appallingly biased first half officiating). But in the end, bad play calling and execution caused Tennessee to lose the advantage in the third quarter.
The Volunteers have a difficult road game against Kentucky this week, so in addition to game preparing, they should definitely conduct some self-scouting. If not, they run the risk of repeating their blunders in a crucial SEC game.
