Tennessee stunned Kent State with an onside kick after jumping to a 30-point lead in the first quarter.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, Dylan Sampson led the No. 7 Volunteers to a commanding 71-0 victory against Kent State on Saturday night, rushing for 101 yards and four touchdowns, all scored in the first half. This marked Sampson’s fourth consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards, dating back to the previous season’s Citrus Bowl.
“Tennessee coach Josh Heupel praised Sampson’s skills, stating, “(Sampson) has great vision and great pace. He presses the line of scrimmage and is elusive in space.” Sampson himself reflected on the game, highlighting the importance of grit in the running back position.
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop also made a significant impact, contributing 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first half. The Volunteers led 65-0 at halftime, achieving the highest halftime score in the program’s history. The 71 points scored in the match represented the most for the school in the modern era.
On the other hand, the Golden Flashes managed only 23 total yards in the first half. Although they were offered a running clock in the second half, Kent State coach Kenni Burns declined the option, emphasizing the team’s identity and culture.
The Vols surged to a record 37 points in the first quarter, taking advantage of a safety, two errant snaps from Kent State’s quarterback, and the recovered onside kick.
“We have a really young football team,” Burns noted, acknowledging the mismatch in talent.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 10 of 16 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown, adding 31 rushing yards to his performance. “We still have a lot more to improve on,” Iamaleava said, expressing the team’s desire for continuous improvement.
Notably, the Tennessee defense has maintained a streak of 16 quarters without conceding a touchdown since the bowl game.
Looking ahead, Kent State faces a challenging two-week stretch, starting with a visit to No. 8 Penn State following their experience at Tennessee. Meanwhile, after dominating their first three games, Tennessee prepares for their first true road contest against No. 15 Oklahoma, significant as the Sooners’ inaugural game in the Southeastern Conference.