KNOXVILLE While Tennessee's football season went in one direction, Josh Malone's headed the other way.
In a two-game span in October, the freshman receiver recorded a career high in receiving yards against arguably the best secondary in the SEC at Ole Miss and caught the first touchdown pass of his college career against eventual SEC champion Alabama.
The Volunteers won three of four November games, but Malone caught just two passes, both against Kentucky, during that stretch as some minor injuries took their toll on the five-star recruit.
"It was very frustrating," Malone admitted after practice earlier this week. "I knew after the Ole Miss game that I could have kept building off those performances and break into the 100s (in yards in a game), but I just felt like I got slowed down. I missed a big year that I could've had.
"I wouldn't say there was a low point," he added. "I was more frustrated after the injury. I couldn't open up as much as I wanted to. I couldn't do the stuff that I was doing going through that middle stretch of the year."
The 6-foot-3, 204-pound six-game starter from the midstate finished his freshman season with 227 yards and the lone touchdown on 22 catches, but those numbers might have been higher, especially given the injuries the Vols dealt with at receiver this season, if not for some health hindrances.
The only one Malone would disclose publicly was a groin injury that began hampering him before the Alabama game, but he wore a shoulder brace most of the season and battled turf toe, too.
The increase in down time between practices in December after the grind of the regular season should help Malone.
"He's getting healthier now, so that helps," receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. "He had a turf toe, he had a groin, he had a shoulder -- he had a lot of little dings that he's never had to play through, quite frankly. He battled through it.
"The thing I love about him is he didn't really say much. 'Yeah, I had a groin (injury), and it kind of slowed me down a little bit, but I'm better.' That's him, and that's what I like about him."
Rumors surfaced earlier this month that Malone was unhappy at Tennessee, and if that was the case, the injuries likely were the biggest reason why.
"He's not going to let on to all the different nicks and bruises that he had this season," Azzanni said. "He fought through some things. He downplays, 'Oh, it's just a groin.' That's the kind of kid he is. He doesn't want to make excuses, and he's going to come out here -- and he hasn't missed one -- and practices his tail off."
Malone's frustrations likely crystalized further after he made a crucial mistake against Missouri.
The Vols were trailing 16-13 and driving inside the Tigers' 30-yard line early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Josh Dobbs threw to Malone on a slant pattern. The ball bounced off the freshman's hands into those of Missouri cornerback Kenya Dennis.
The Tigers hit on a long touchdown pass three plays later and went on to win 29-21.
"It bothered me a lot, because I knew that was just a routine play," Malone said, "and I was just trying to make something happen before I had the ball in my hands and I just didn't look it all the way in."
It was evident the last month of the season he wasn't the same player who blew up for 181 yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee's spring game in April, turned six touches into 63 yards at Georgia in September or hauled in five passes for 75 yards in Oxford.
Some time off appears to have helped Malone already this month, as he had what Azzanni called "one of his best practices" earlier this month and drew praise from head coach Butch Jones.
"Josh looked like the Josh Malone that we saw in training camp and the middle of the year," Jones said this week. "I think he's really benefited from the extra time off. He's done a great job also in the training room.
"I thought Josh had his legs about him, and you could see that his injuries are starting to heal up."
Malone said he's glad this month has allowed him "to get my body back," and he hopes he can use Tennessee's TaxSlayer Bowl meeting with Iowa to get back to the performance level he knows he can reach.
"He's been a very resilient individual as far as his injuries and everything," freshman guard Jashon Robertson said. "He battles those injuries, doesn't say a word, fights through it and does the best that he can for the team. I'm very appreciative of that, and I'm very appreciative of all the effort our freshman class has put as far as the season's gone on.
"I'm proud of what a lot of freshmen have accomplished, and I can't wait for what the future holds for our class."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.