Vols Rushing Game too Much for Virginia

On a record-setting day in Nashville, TN, the Tennessee Volunteers put up, not only a defensive display but a rushing one as well. Before 69,507 fans, the largest crowd for a sporting event in Nissan Stadium history, Josh Heupel’s team ran away with a dominant 49-13 victory in the season opener. Led by Dylan Sampson’s four touchdowns, three of them on the ground, and Jaylen Wright’s 115 yards rushing, the Vols gained 287 yards on the ground while accumulating 499 yards of total offense. Quarterback, Joe Milton III threw for 201 yards while completing 21 of 30 passes, two of them for touchdowns, and rushed for two more. Milton improved his active streak without throwing an interception to 257 consecutive passing attempts (83 at Michigan, 174 at Tennessee).

The Vols defense also came to play as they held the Cavaliers to 201 total yards allowing only 106 yards in the air. They only allowed Virginia to execute on 5 of 18 first downs while collecting. four sacks in the game. Both James Pearce Jr. and Tyler Baron recorded two sacks apiece while both also had 2 tackles and an assist.

Tennessee didn’t waste any time as they started the scoring on the opening drive. After Dee Williams took the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to the Tennessee 38-yard line, the Volunteers drove 62 yards on seven plays capped by a 9-yard TD pass from Milton to Sampson for a 7-0 lead. It wouldn’t be until 4:45 was left in the second quarter that either team would score. The Vols capped off a four-minute and 48-second drive when they went 90 yards on 15 plays that concluded on a three-yard touchdown run by Sampson. Virginia would get a 30-yard field goal by Will Bettridge with 1:46 left in the half but Tennessee still had one more drive left. Starting at their own 25-yard line the Vols put together an incredible drive highlighted by Wright rushing for 37 yards and Milton capping it off with a one-yard run to make it 21-3 at half.

After a three and out for the Cavaliers to start the second half the Vols once again scored quickly to put the game away. This time they started from their own 23-yard line and 10 plays later it was Milton again from the one-yard line. Charles Campbell who was 7 for 7 in extra points on the day kicked this one thru the uprights for a 28-3 lead. Tennessee would go on to score 21 more points on their way to their first victory of the year.

The Volunteers(1-0) will host the Governors of Austin Peay(0-1) at 4 PM Saturday at Neyland Stadium before going on to play the Florida Gators the following week. Austin Peay is coming off a 49-23 loss to Southern IL.