Joey Aguilar stepped to the right, rolled left then heaved the ball toward the Tennessee football goal line. Mike Matthews was accommodating. He leaped inside the 5-yard line and sauntered into the Checkerboard end zone for a 53-yard touchdown that padded Tennessee lead to 41 points en route to a ridiculous 72-17 victory Saturday over East Tennessee State at Neyland Stadium.
The 17th-ranked Vols (2-0) had no trouble disposing of an ETSU team (1-1) that felt good about itself after a one-sided season-opening victory over Murray State. How dominant was Tennessee? The Vols had a 427 to 72 total yards advantage at halftime and a 23-3 edge in first downs as Tennessee led 48-7 at the break. UT finished with a mind-blowing 717 total yards.
How dominant was Tennessee football? Coach Josh Heupel, who usually sticks with his starters for the start of the third quarter regardless of the score, emptied his bench early. Most of the offensive starters didn’t play a snap in the second half.
One ETSU touchdown came after a UT fumble at its own 5-yard line. The other ETSU touchdown came in the final minutes.
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While ETSU was clearly outmanned, that didn’t detract from the fact that Aguilar was impressive – again. He hit 23 of 31 passes (with three drops) in the first half for 288 yards and two scores. He was accurate, confident, poised and in total command of the offense. He doesn’t look like a guy who missed spring training after transferring from UCLA.
Aguilar has emerged from being a question mark to unquestionably a quarterback who can win in the SEC. Does that mean he’s in the top eight among his league colleagues? That remains to be seen. But he already appears to be an upgrade over Nico Iamaleava.
Aguilar also got some help from his wideouts. Chris Brazzel enjoyed his best day as a Vol with nine catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Matthews, who disappointed as a five-star a year ago, had six catches for 111 yards and two scores. While a limited sample size, Tennessee’s offense has shown great balance, a unit that can hurt you with the pass or the run.
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Here are four other observations coming out of the ETSU game.
Vols might have best RB room in SEC
Tennessee has an outstanding trio of running backs, perhaps the best running back room in the SEC. DeSean Bishop, a former walk-on, has refined his body and refined his production. He had just three carries against ETSU, but averaged 22.7 yards per rush. Star Thomas, the Duke transfer, had 12 carries for 69 yards and three touchdowns. He has led UT in rushing in back-to-back games. Is there another SEC team that has a third-team back that could put up those numbers? Peyton Lewis had another touchdown run, powering in from a yard out.
Heupel won’t lose to a Georgia State
You don’t have to worry about another Georgia State type upset with Heupel at the helm. Heupel has beaten lesser opponents by scores of 69-3, 71-0, 56-0, 59-3, 59-10, 63-6, 65-24, 56-0 and 60-14. And 72-17. The lone close call was a 30-13 victory over Austin Peay when quarterback Joe Milton couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Tennessee football came ready to play against ETSU, leading 24-0 after the first quarter. Heupel makes games like ETSU fun for the players, for the team, and, to a degree, for the fans. There’s little chance UT will slip up against a lower-level opponent under Heupel.
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Carter electric as punt returner
Boo Carter led the SEC in punt returns last year. He might do it again this year. Carter, who was in UT’s doghouse for indiscretions during the offseason, averaged 23.5 yards on 4 punt returns. He had returns of 16, 34 and 39 yards, displaying remarkable open field skills. Imagine how Carter could help the Tennessee football offense at wide receiver by taking a flanker screen and ripping through the secondary.
Local players get on board for ETSU
If not for Knoxville area products, Tennessee football would’ve beaten the Bucs even worse. Tight end Taharian Sudderth of Alcoa scored ETSU’s first touchdown on a 5-yard shovel pass. Kicker Ewan Johnson of South-Doyle made a 41-yard field goal and two extra points. I’m not a big fan of Tennessee playing FCS teams, but it is nice to see local players have a highlight at Neyland Stadium.
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