In these type of games against FCS programs, lots of players earn recognition for their performance. Tennessee football lit it up against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers Saturday, setting a scoring record with 72 points at Neyland Stadium. A lot of Vols stood out, but who had the biggest impact. Here are the five torchbearers from UT’s victory.
Joshua Josephs
Funny enough, the defense could have been a good bit better in this game, but Joshua Josephs showed everybody why he’s the primary edge rusher to succeed James Pearce Jr. this year. Josephs had a sack and a pass deflection and was crucial to the Vols staying in control against ETSU while their offense needed time to get things going.
Star Thomas
DeSean Bishop did have 68 yards on just three carries while Star Thomas had 69 yards on 12 carries, but in terms of consistent running, Thomas showed that he is the best running back Tennessee football has right now. He found the end zone three times in the first half alone. Peyton Lewis will likely be better as the year goes on, but right now, Thomas is easily the No. 1 ball-carrier.
Boo Carter
Despite all of his offseason issues, Boo Carter showed why Josh Heupel kept him on the team. He had punt returns of 16, 34 and 39 yards that set up a field goal and two touchdowns respectively. It was a superb performance. Carter was also much better in coverage this week at the star position, although that could be skewed since he was playing ETSU.
Chris Brazzell II
Both Mike Matthews and Chris Brazzell II went over 100 yards, and Matthews had an epic 53-yard touchdown reception in which he caught a jump-ball that Joey Aguilar just threw up. However, Brazzell was the more productive receiver for Tennessee football, catching nine passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, one from Aguilar and the other from Jake Merklinger.
Joey Aguilar
In just one half of play, Aguilar completed 23 of 31 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Merklinger and Georgia MacIntyre were also elite against this Bucs defense, but Aguilar showed a greater command of the Tennessee football offense once again than Nico Iamaleava or Joe Milton III did, which is a lot of cause for excitement going forward.
