KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 15 Tennessee had no issues in the season opener on Saturday against Chattanooga inside Neyland Stadium, winning 69-3.
The Vols marched down the field after receiving the opening kickoff. In less than four minutes, UT went 65 yards and scored a touchdown off a one-yard Dylan Sampson run. He compiled 37 yards on the drive.
Wide receiver Bru McCoy returned for UT following his season-ending fracture dislocation to his ankle last year. He caught a pass and had a rush on the first drive.
On Chattanooga's first drive, the Vols forced a fumble and recovered it. Tyree West caused the fumble on a rush and Joshua Joesphs recovered it at the Mocs’ 36-yard line.
Four plays later, Tennessee found the endzone again. Nico Iamaleava found Ethan Davis for a four-yard touchdown pass and catch to make the score 13-0. McCoy had two receptions on the drive for 15 yards and Sampson had a 17-yard run.
Tennessee forced a three and out on defense and then Squirrel White returned the ensuing punt 20 yards to UT’s 41-yard line. Then UT scored quickly again. Iamaleava found Chris Brazzell for a 23-yard completion. Then he found Donte Thornton for a 36-yard touchdown on the following play.
UT jumped out to a 21-0 lead as Iamaleava started eight for eight for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
After the Vols forced another defensive stop, UT faced a third down. Iamaleava responded by firing a 59-yard pass to Thornton to get UT to the red zone. UT would settle for a 36-yard field goal from Max Gilbert that put Tennessee up 24-0.
Tennessee got up 31-0 in the first minute of the second quarter. Sampson scored the touchdown from three yards out. The play of the drive was a pass from Iamaleava to McCoy that went for 37 yards.
Tennessee went up 38-0 on a pass from Iamaleava to Thornton. The 10-yard pass and catch put Thornton over the 100-yard mark for the game.
The points kept coming for UT. Sampson scored another rushing touchdown from five yards out following a 56-yard run on the play before. The two-play drive put UT up 45-0.
That would be the score at halftime. Iamaleava set the Tennessee record for most passing yards in a half by a UT quarterback. The record was previously set by Tyler Bray in 2012 against Troy with 313. Iamaleava had 314.
DeSean Bishop, a Karns High School graduate, scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. The local product put Tennessee up 55-3 on a 22-yard dash.
Khalifa Keith scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving Tennessee a 62-3 lead.
In the final seconds of the game, Jordan Ross blocked a punt, running it back for a last-minute touchdown. Making the final score 69-3 Tennessee.
The Vols play No. 24 NC State for a top-25 matchup in Charlotte next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
