Joshua Dobbs Catches TD for Tennessee, Still Down 21-7

Normally Joshua Dobbs is better known for throwing touchdown passes, but Butch Jones used a little trickery to tie things up against Texas A&M.

Things weren’t looking good for Tennessee early in their top-ten showdown at Kyle Field against Texas A&M. Joshua Dobbs coughed up a fumble early after getting hit by Myles Garrett, and the Aggies turned it into seven points as Trevor Knight connected with Christian Kirk midway through the first quarter.

Tennessee was driving, then they fumbled the ball again. The Vols defense held firm, and Dobbs did a little bit of everything to get UT into the red zone. He found Jauan Jennings for a 16-yard pass to convert one first down, had a 33-yard run for another first down, and then revealed his danger as a triple threat:

Butch Jones had Dobbs wander away from the center just in time for a trick snap to the tailback, who handed the ball to Jennings on an end-around. Jennings, who was a high-school quarterback before becoming more noted as the guy catching touchdown passes in Knoxville, lofted a ball up and over the A&M defense. The pass floated into the hands of the waiting Dobbs, who had been left completely uncovered by the Aggies.

The four-yard touchdown pass and successful PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 3:37 left in the first quarter. Texas A&M proved unfazed by the touchdown, getting two touchdowns in less than two minutes. The first came on a quick-strike six-play drive that took just 93 seconds. Then Tennessee fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, as Evan Berry was blasted:

The Aggies converted the misstep into quick points on a Trevor Knight run, and are now up 21-7 early at the end of the first quarter. Tennessee will needs more Dobbs magic to get back into this game before halftime.