Tennessee makes a big impression by defeating UTEP 56-0 following a sluggish start.
Tennessee football is getting closer to realizing its aspirations of playing in the college football playoffs. Despite a poor start for both offenses, the Vols trounced the Miners 56-0.
Heupel and Nico opened the floodgates in the second quarter, scoring 28 points in a row before halftime, ending the opening quarter in which Nico Iamaleava and the Vols offense failed to move the ball down the field and were held to a goose egg.
Today, almost everyone had the opportunity to touch the ball. Tennessee had five players with positive rushing yards, eight players with at least one receiving, and in the fourth quarter, Navy Shuler and Gaston Moore came on to replace Nico.
Mike Matthews gave us a well-earned sighting by setting up Bru McCoy for a touchdown pass. After McCoy reached the checkerboards, Neyland erupted in cheers for their favorite Southern California VFL team. It was McCoy’s first touchdown since his season-ending injury the previous season.
Nico threw 17 for 23 for 209 yards and four passing touchdowns at the end of the day. He finished the game with 36 running yards in addition to his all-purpose yards, but Dylan Sampson finished first on the ground and broke Tennessee’s record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season.
Sampson cemented his place in Tennessee history with his 22nd touchdown of the season, shattering Gene McEver’s 1929 record. Without Sampson, Tennessee’s offense wouldn’t have nearly as many chances to dominate the scoreboard as they did on Saturday.
Without praising Tennessee’s defense, which kept the Miners’ attack at bay, the win would not have been as convincing. Throughout the game, UTEP used a variety of strategies to try to fool the Vols’ defense, but it proved insufficient.
James Pearce Jr. continued to have an outstanding season off the edge, adding two more sacks to his total. Pearce is the biggest game-destroying player on Tennessee’s front seven, whether it’s through sacks, tackles, or pressure, and he made yet another impression on Saturday with yet another strong showing.
The Vols’ season finale versus Vanderbilt next week puts them in a win-or-lose scenario. When tumbling out of the CFP competition with its defeat to Georgia, Tennessee is now able to reenter it after No. 9 Ole Miss lost to Florida.
The committee should be persuaded to reinstate the Big Orange in the 12-team college football playoffs after the Vols’ 56-point victory.
