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TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: So much for the Owls; bring on Texas
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- TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: So much for the Owls; bring on Texas
(USA TODAY NETWORK/Via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee football closed out its 2026 nonconference schedule with a meeting against the Kennesaw State Owls.
It was mostly easygoing throughout all four quarters, as the No. 15 Vols defeated Kennesaw State 42-9, led by the formidable Tennessee rushing attack, which seems to get better each week.
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After starting running back DeSean Bishop went down in the first half, second-stringer Daune Morris was called upon and delivered, leading the charge with 116 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
Faizon Brandon had a sufficient day at the office; he finished his day with 178 passing yards, throwing 18-for-26 and adding a touchdown in the air. He also had 55 yards on the ground.
"Ultimately, good win," Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel said. "Offensively, just have to be better in the red zone. But there were some real positives, too. Defensively, ultimately, kept them out of the end zone. Gave them some things in the early part of the game, first drive. But all in all, a good night."
The Vols (3-0) began the game on offense, as the first drive was highlighted by a big gain from Brandon to Braylon Staley for 35 yards.
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After the big gain to start the day, the offense was stalled a bit before a fourth-down penalty from the Owls (1-2) set the Vols up with a first down on the opponent's three-yard line.
DeSean Bishop cashed in for the first score on the day the very next play, a three-yard score that was his fourth of the season.
Kennesaw State responded the next drive with a field goal, giving the feeling in the stadium that maybe this game was going to be a little uncomfortable, instead, the defense bunkered down and allowed just six more points the rest of the game.
On the Vols' second drive of the game, they added another 6 points when Brandon and Staley connected on a play-action pass that fooled the entire Owls' defense. Brandon rolled to his right and connected, and a successful two-point conversion gave the Vols a 15-3 lead.
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The second quarter wasn't as kind to the Vols, but Cooper Ranvier, the team's kicker, kept the points coming as he added the team's only six points in the quarter. The first kick coming at 40 yards, while the second was a 43 yard kick.
Morris had his biggest run of the night in the third quarter; it was a 42-yard house call that propelled the Vols to a 28-3 lead. Brandon kept the theme of running alive, as he added a 5-yard score with his legs.
"At the end of the day, you are going to need everybody inside of that room," Heupel said. "So Daune (Morris) ran extremely well. Hunter Barnes went in and ran well. DeSean ran really well. Just didn't think it was smart to put him back in at that point in the game, and as we have a conference stretch here."
After the two scores in the third quarter gave the Vols a 35-3 lead, there wasn't much looking back. Running back Hunter Barnes added the finishing touches, punching in the final score of the night in the fourth.
The Vols' next challenge on their schedule might be their biggest yet, as No. 1 Texas comes into Neyland Stadium next week for a noon meeting.
