The Vols jumped out to a 17-0 first quarter lead and held off Syracuse 45-26 in their season opener.
Tennessee scored early and often. Max Gilbert hit a 34-yard field goal on the opening drive, then Peyton Lewis punched in a 2-yard touchdown to cap an 85-yard march. The defense got in on the action when Nathan Robinson forced a fumble that Colton Hood returned 22 yards for a touchdown.
Syracuse cut it to 17-7 early in the second quarter, but Joey Aguilar answered immediately with a 73-yard bomb to Braylon Staley. After the Orange made it 24-14, DeSean Bishop broke loose for 47 yards to set up his own 1-yard scoring run, putting Tennessee up 31-14 at halftime.
The Vols kept rolling in the third quarter. Jalen McMurray tipped a pass that Jeremiah Telander picked off, leading to Aguilar’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Star Thomas.
Syracuse fought back with two rushing touchdowns to make it 38-26 early in the fourth, but Tennessee sealed it with Aguilar’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Miles Kitselman. The defense finished the job with a fourth-down stop at their own 4-yard line.
Aguilar threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-28 passing. Thomas rushed for 92 yards and caught a touchdown, while Bishop added 82 yards rushing. Tennessee racked up 493 total yards and went 5-for-5 in the red zone.
On defense, Arion Carter led with nine tackles, including a sack. The Vols recorded five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Tennessee opens at home next Saturday against ETSU at 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Source: UT Sports
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