Tennessee has made a strong statement ahead of its 2015 season, showcasing its young talent in full force in Friday’s 45-28 win over Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl. It’s the Volunteers’ first winning season since 2009 and first bowl win since 2007.
2015 Taxslayer Bowl results: Tennessee blows out Iowa, 45-28
The Volunteers have announced their presence as potential SEC East contenders next season.
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Tennessee opened the game with four unanswered touchdowns, and entered halftime with a 35-7 lead thanks to two scores each from Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd. Iowa, meanwhile, attempted to use both Jake Rudock and C.J. Beathard at quarterback. It did not work: The two combined to complete 6 of 15 passes for 85 yards in the first half.
The second half wasn't much better for the Hawkeyes, who couldn't claw their way back into the game. Dobbs stretched the lead up to 42-7 a few minutes after halftime, and that was that. Iowa was able to pull back three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one on a Mark Weisman run and two on passes from Beathard to Ray Hamilton and Matt Vandeberg. It made the final score look more respectable, but the game was never in doubt.
Dobbs finished the game 16-of-21 for 129 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he rushed for 76 yards and two scores. Hurd was the Vols' leading rusher, going for 122 yards on 16 carries, and Von Pearson was the leading receiver with seven catches for 75 yards and a score. Vic Wharton also caught a touchdown pass for Tennessee.
Beathard got the majority of the work for Iowa, but Rudock did see a good number of snaps. The two combined to go 15-of-31 for 177 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Jordan Canzeri was probably the most productive player for Iowa, rushing for 120 yards on 12 carries, but Weisman was the one who picked up both rushing touchdowns.
The win sets Tennessee up for what could be an interesting 2015. The Volunteers lose just three starters from this year’s squad, which saw 23 freshmen play and 11 start. After bringing in the seventh-best recruiting class in the country in 2014, Tennessee is on track to bring in a top-five class this season. The talent is growing in Knoxville, and Friday looked like a preview of what’s to come for the program.
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