KNOXVILLE, Tenn — The Tennessee Volunteers dominated the UConn Huskies in Neyland on Saturday, 59-3.
It didn't take long for the Vols to capture a lead. Just 33 seconds into the game, running back Jaylen Wright rushed for an 82-yard touchdown for the 7-0 lead. That tied for the ninth-longest rush in Tennessee history.
Wright is only the second running back in UT history with multiple 80+ yard rushing touchdowns, joining LaMarcus Coker. Wright had an 83-yard rushing touchdown against Vanderbilt last season. He'd eventually topped 100 yards in the game for the sixth time this season, becoming the first Vols running back to do so since Jalen Hurd in 2105.
After the Vols defense forced a three-and-out, the offense couldn't score again. UConn got the ball and drove it down the field thanks to a 34-yard gain on a trick play and multiple defensive penalties on the Vols. UT held the Huskies out of the endzone despite UConn getting down to the Tennessee one-yard line.
The Vols only let up a field goal, making the score 7-3.
Tennessee found the endzone again on another big play. It was the longest completion of the season, as quarterback Joe Milton found wide receiver Ramel Keyton for a 60-yard score, The Vols took a 14-3 lead.
With the touchdown pass from Joe Milton, it made the 13th straight game he has thrown a TD pass. That is tied for the third-longest streak in UT history with Tony Robinson, only behind Heath Shuler with 18 and Hendon Hooker with 20.
UConn was driving again on their next offensive drive but was met with the decision on whether to go for it on fourth down with five yards to gain from UT's 39-yard line. They elected to go for it, but STAR Tamarion McDonald made a tackle well short of the line to gain to give the Vols the ball back.
UT didn't take long before scoring another touchdown. Milton scored on a six-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 21-3.
The big plays kept coming. Milton found wide receiver Squirrel White for an 82-yard touchdown. That is tied for the seventh-longest passing touchdown in Vols history. It put UT up 28-3.
UConn fumbled on their next drive and the Vols scooped and scored it for a touchdown. Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally stripped the ball and defensive lineman Tyler Baron housed it 28 yards for the 35-3 lead. That would be the score at halftime.
On the first play of the second half, the Vols defense struck again. Safety Jaylen McCollough scored on an interception returned for a touchdown to give UT a 42-3 lead.
On the next drive for UConn, Tennessee scored on another pick-six. Linebacker Aaron Beasley returned one to the house to make it 49-3. The three defensive touchdowns are the most by Tennessee in school history. The two interceptions for a touchdown tied a school record for most in a game, which has happened a few times but most recently in 2013.
In the third quarter, backup quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw his first touchdown pass of his career. He threw a 14-yard strike to tight end McCallan Castles for the 56-3 lead.
Tennessee improves to 7-2 overall on the season. They get back to SEC play next Saturday against Missouri. Game time for that road matchup will be announced on Sunday.
