Tennessee struggled to get a consistent passing game going in the first half and decided to lean on its run game. Though they were without their two workhorse running backs, Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small, they still had a more-than-capable back in the backfield: Dylan Sampson.
Sampson has flashed a lot of potential during his limited action over the past two seasons in Knoxville, Tennessee. He’s assumed the starting role heading into next season and had a strong opening statement in the Citrus Bowl. Sampson had 20 carries for 133 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Running backs coach Jerry Mack has done a strong job of preparing his backs for action, and Sampson looked the part.
He bounced off contact well, extending several runs with sheer physicality. His counterpart, freshman running back Cameron Seldon, also had an impressive afternoon, but it’s clear that Sampson will be the workhorse for this squad moving forward. After speculation for the past two offseason that he was unhappy with his role, Sampson has assumed the No. 1 role and likely won’t look back.
Poor, poor Iowa. The Brian Ferentz Era of offensive futility was on display one more time in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl as the Hawkeyes were shut out 35-0 against the Tennessee Volunteers. Things were so bad for Iowa that ESPN analyst Brock Osweiler was pleading for mercy at the end of the game.
Leading by those 35 points and with backups in the game, Tennessee was still trying to go for the endzone, running a play from the shotgun on 4th and 5 inside the 10 with just 38 seconds to play. After Iowa jumped offside, Tennessee went for the endzone again, this time with a run up the middle. After the play registered a first down but not a touchdown, the Vols finally let the clock hit triple zeros to end the game.
