TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Ellis just could not stop smiling.
And who could blame him?
Tennessee’s fifth-year former walk-on tight end saved his best for his last, turning in the most productive game of his career as the Volunteers routed Northwestern 45-6 in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
After catching just five passes for 43 yards this season, Ellis had three receptions for 74 yards Friday.
“I go out and I try to put everything on the line,” Ellis said, grinning after his big game. “I don’t stop till the body drops. I didn’t expect it, but it was a good day. I have a lot of thanks to owe everybody.”
The Vols can thank the Wildcats for leaving Ellis uncovered late in the first quarter, and he made them pay with a catch-and-run that gained 42 yards.
At that point, Tennessee’s offense was sputtering. The Vols have been fantastic starting games this season, but their first three drives produced just 19 yards and no points. The big catch by Ellis set up Tennessee’s first touchdown, and he had the key block to spring quarterback Josh Dobbs for the score.
“Alex deserves that more than anybody,” fifth-year senior left tackle Kyler Kerbyson said. “The work that he puts in – y’all don’t know because you’re not out there, but Alex is the first one on the field and the last one off. He doesn’t take this for granted. He came in as a walk-on and earned a scholarship. Every day he thinks about where he came from and how he’s got to work to get where he needs to be. It shows in games.
“In huge moments, when we need him and we throw him the ball, he’s going to catch it. I really believe in Alex, and I love that guy.”
Tennessee added a wrinkle to its offense with some under-center looks, and one of those plays produced a 22-yard pass down the seam to Ellis on the drive that ended in Alvin Kamara’s touchdown run that made it 17-6 late in the second quarter.
“I was just put in a position,” Ellis said. “The coaches, thankfully, trusted me. I was happy they trusted me during the plays. I just try to contribute any way possible.”
Ellis, who played football and lacrosse at Del Mar High School in Delaware, earned a scholarship last season after four years as a walk-on. The biomedical engineering major is also diabetic, and it’s a situation he has to manage on a daily basis.
“Alex played the best game of his career,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said, “and it’s fitting that he’d do so.”
That’s why he couldn’t stop smiling as reporters asked him about his fantastic finale.
“It’s definitely a surreal experience,” Ellis said. “I have to thank a lot of people. My family, most of all, and my boys on the team. They’ve always got my back. And above all, the Lord. He put me in a position.
“I never could fathom the plan that he has, and it was a pretty good plan today.”
Sutton’s subs
Tennessee played nearly the entire game without star cornerback Cameron Sutton, who left with a hamstring injury in the first quarter and did not return. Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley took snaps in Sutton’s absence.
“We knew they were going to try to attack without Cam in the game,” Moseley said, “so we just went up to each other and said, ‘Let’s do it.'”
Moseley had one of Tennessee’s four interceptions as Northwestern’s anemic passing game barely threatened the Vols.
Malik Foreman picked off a pass in the first half, but the Vols were unable to turn the good field position into points. Brian Randolph had an interception in the third quarter, and Moseley and Evan Berry nabbed the last two in the fourth.
“We really needed that,” Moseley said.
Tennessee tidbits
The Vols rotated Brett Kendrick and Mack Crowder into the game along the offensive line during the first half. Kendrick played a few series at right tackle in place of freshman Chance Hall. Crowder played both guard spots to spell Dylan Wiesman and Jashon Robertson. Derek Barnett’s second-quarter sack gave him 21 for his career, which ties Parys Haralson for fifth on the program’s career sacks list. Tennessee was penalized eight times for a season-high 90 yards. Jauan Jennings’s unsportsmanlike conduct in the first quarter forced the Vols into a 49-yard field goal attempt that was missed. Tennessee then had personal fouls for late hits on back-to-back plays on the next defensive series.