Okay, so this game was never really in doubt, but like every game, there are key moments that dictate the flow of how it’s going to go. That was no different for Tennessee football Saturday as Josh Heupel’s team beat the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers 72-17 in their home opener at Neyland Stadium to improve to 2-0. Here are the turning points from the Vols’ win.
DeSean Bishop 50-yard run to open the game
Setting a tone early is a great way to make sure you put this game away easily. A 50-yard run on the first play of the game will do that. That’s exactly what DeSean Bishop did on his first carry, and it was why he was able to finish with three carries for 68 yards. He helped Joey Aguilar settle into the offense in his first home start with that run.
Joey Aguilar touchdown pass to Chris Brazzell II
Although the touchdown pass to Mike Matthews will make the highlight reel, Aguilar’s score to give Tennessee football a 7-0 lead on the opening drive after Bishop’s 50-yard run was what really got things going for the Vols. It was a 21-yard score that came on a 3rd and 12. A field goal there could have drug out the game even more, so that score was key.
Boo Carter 34-yard punt return
On their second offensive drive, the Vols only got a field goal after a 16-yard punt return by Boo Carter. Then they forced a third straight ETSU punt, and Carter had a 34-yard punt return to help break the game open. That set up a 27-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a two-yard run from Star Thomas to break the game open.
Joshua Josephs sack
After going up 17-0 and getting the ball back, Tennessee football was forced to punt on its next offensive drive. The Bucs had the chance to cut the game to two scores when they got the ball back. That’s when Joshua Josephs stepped up. He sacked Jacolby Criswell for a nine-yard loss to kill that drive and set up the final turning point.
Boo Carter 40-yard return
Ready to deliver an encore, Carter had an epic 40-yard punt return to set up a five-yard touchdown drive for Tennessee football. That broke the game open into a 24-0 lead for the Vols at the end of the first quarter. By that point, there was no chance ETSU had of coming back and making this a game, and UT was able to pour it on the rest of the way.
