This was never really a contest, and nobody expected it to be one, but Tennessee football still needed a few plays to make sure of that. The Vols got off to a fast start with a lot of big moments to make sure they rebounded from their heartbreaking loss to the Georgia Bulldogs last week. These were the key moments and turning points in their win over UAB.

12-yard pass to Braylon Staley on first drive after holding call

A random completion won’t usually make the highlight reel, but the Vols were in danger of only getting a field goal on their first drive. When you’re trying to set the tone with a blowout win, that’s the last thing you want. However, a holding call brought up a 1st and 18 for them. Joey Aguilar countered, though, with a 12-yard pass to Braylon Staley to set up a manageable second down, and the Vols reached the end zone three plays later.

39-yard TD pass Milke Matthews

The biggest highlight of the game was right here. Tennessee football got the ball back after leading 7-0, and it only took them two plays to complete a 50-yard drive. Joey Aguilar threw a beautiful deep ball to Mike Matthews, which Matthews then hauled in for his second touchdown reception of the year. It put the Vols in control up 14-0.

Defensive stand after interception

On the Vols’ third drive, a Joey Aguilar interception gave UAB the chance to make it a one-score game with the ball at midfield. However, the defense got a stand, forcing a three-and-out, making sure UT stayed in control. Boo Carter then had a 34-yard punt return to set the Vols up at the 50-yard line, and they cashed in by scoring a touchdown, the first of four straight drives in which they reached the end zone.

UAB defensive pass interference saves drive

After the Blazers scored for the first time, the Vols got the ball up 28-7. A penalty made it 1st and 25, and UT may have had to punt to put UAB back in it. However, on 3rd and long, the Blazers drew a defensive pass interference that kept Tennessee football on the field. They took advantage of that and completed the drive with a touchdown, which included a fourth down conversion.

Defense stops UAB on 4th and 3

Up 35-7, UAB went for it on 4th and 3 late in the first half. The Vols’ defense stopped them, and in the final two minutes of the second quarter, they marched down the field for a touchdown to go up 42-7. It put them in complete control and allowed them to begin pulling their starters after they kicked the ball off to start the second half.