Tennessee’s defense quickly turned the lights off on the Golden Flashes, who had a bronze gleam, against the Vols on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee gave up 112 total yards, 58 passing yards and 54 rushing yards against Kent State. That’s even more impressive considering the Vols began wholesale substitutions in the second quarter while leading 37-0 before eventually topping the Golden Flashes 65-0 at halftime and 71-0 for the final score. How good were the Vols in the first quarter, in which they practically won the game? Let’s dive in.
Linebacker Keenan Pili registered a sack that ended Kent State’s first drive. The Vols forced a safety on Kent State’s second possession. The game was pretty much decided right then. The Golden Flashes couldn’t ever get anything going consistently against the Vols’ deep, talented defense, which constantly harassed whatever ball carrier was in their sights. The Vols’ 37-0 is a new Tennessee record. The Vols’ 65-0 lead at halftime is a modern era Tennessee record. The modern era is considered to begin in 1937.
Pili is proving to be one of the Vols’ best defenders this season with his ability to deliver hammering hits as he covers the field from sideline-to-sideline with surprising speed and anticipation to close on ball carriers at an astonishing rate. Pili missed the vast majority of the season in 2023 after he suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the first game of the year.
Kent State didn’t help themselves with their inability to consistently deliver the ball to the quarterback in their shotgun formation. That, obviously, led to some issues against a much more talented opponent. However, the Golden Flashes could have shined their brightest and still not have done much against the Vols on Saturday in Neyland Stadium. It just wasn’t their day. That’s a massive understatement.
Against the Golden Flashes, the Vols were so dominant, it was hard to truly learn anything about Tennessee’s defense on Saturday. While the same could be said for the Vols’ offense, the talent deficit was even more apparent when Kent State had the ball. All joking aside, the Golden Flashes only chance to cover the 49.5-point spread would have been to take a knee on every down and hope their punter could distance the Vols from their own goalie. Tennessee could have scored well over 100 points if it decided to on Saturday.
Tennessee was bigger, stronger, faster, more physical and add any other positive attribute you want to throw their way. Things won’t be as easy against Oklahoma next week in the Vols’ first SEC game and first true road game.
With Tennessee coach Josh Heupel returning to Oklahoma, where he won a national championship as the Sooners’ starting quarterback, the Vols’ defenders will have more to play for than just another victory. They’ll have their coach to play for.
Tennessee’s players should be lauded for attacking Kent State as they did, which shows just how mature and focused the Vols are. There’s no reason that Tennessee’s players won’t carry that into the “Heup Bowl” against Oklahoma on Saturday.
The most amazing aspect of the Vols’ defense is their depth, which has overshadowed EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr., who some projected as the No. 1 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Somehow, one of the best players in the nation seems like just another dude. That won’t last.
It’s just a matter of time until Pearce breaks loose. He’s a game changer. There’s just one problem. The Vols have hammered every opponent they’ve played this season. They don’t need the game to change at all to make the College Football Playoffs and, potentially, win the national championship.
