Tennessee’s offense looked like it was starting to wake up in the first half of its 33-14 win over Mississippi State on Saturday night. Nico Iamaleava looked as good as he did earlier in the season, showing flashes of greatness, while junior wide receiver Squirrel White scored his first touchdown of the season.
White has battled injuries throughout the season and hasn’t had nearly as much success as he had hoped, but it’s clear he and Pope have a strong bond. Squirrel has worked to overcome his injuries and struggles throughout the season to finally find the end zone in Week 11, giving the Vols a 14-7 lead over Mississippi State.
Tennessee’s wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope has the best reaction to White’s first touchdown of 2024, hugging and celebrating with the Vols receiver as he came to the sideline after the score.
Wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope gives Squirrel White a big hug after his touchdown.
Squirrel had only 17 receptions on the season for 133 yards and one touchdown coming into the Mississippi State game, but he flipped the script on Saturday night. He finished the night with three receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown.
What is even more impressive is that all of that came in the first half. Tennessee wasn’t able to throw the ball much in the second half because Gaston Moore ran the offense after Nico Iamaleava was ruled out for the second half.
Pope’s celebration could result in Squirrel’s and the entire receiver’s room’s struggles. They have struggled to catch the ball consistently in recent weeks, even when Nico puts the ball in their laps, but Squirrel did what he always does: pull through for the offense.
Despite his struggles throughout the season, White finally found the end zone and deservedly recorded his first touchdown of the season.
Squirrel and the Vols now turn to one of the top teams in the country with a trip to Athens to play the Georgia Bulldogs. This game could determine Tennessee’s College Football Playoff hopes, so they will need to be ready to play their best game of the season against the Bulldogs.
