The No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers delivered a commanding performance in their season opener on Saturday, defeating Chattanooga 69-3 at Neyland Stadium. The game attracted a full house of 101,915 fans, and the Vols wasted no time, scoring on their first seven possessions and compiling a total of 718 yards of offense. They converted 10 out of 13 offensive drives into points, securing touchdowns on eight occasions. Tennessee’s offensive production included 414 passing yards and 304 rushing yards, marking the second-highest total yardage in the program’s history.
With 69 points scored, this game registered as the second-highest point total in the modern era, and the 66-point victory margin was the third-largest during this period. Additionally, this was Tennessee’s most significant win margin in a season opener since a 101-0 rout against Carson-Newman in 1915.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava made an impressive home debut, completing his first 10 passes and ending the game with 314 yards on 22 of 28 attempts, contributing three touchdowns in just two quarters. His first-half yardage set a school record, surpassing the previous record of 313 yards held by Tyler Bray from a game in 2012.
Running back Dylan Sampson and wide receiver Kaleb Thornton Jr. each had standout performances, with Sampson rushing for 124 yards and scoring three touchdowns, while Thornton Jr. caught passes for two touchdowns and a total of 105 receiving yards. The Volunteers’ defense was also strong, limiting Chattanooga to 74 rushing yards and 227 yards of total offense, not allowing them into the end zone throughout the game.
Tennessee set the tone early, starting with an 11-play, 65-yard drive that concluded with a one-yard touchdown run by Sampson. They maintained momentum, quickly extending their lead to 24-0 by the end of the first quarter with various scoring plays, including a four-yard touchdown pass from Iamaleava to tight end Princeton Fant and a 36-yard touchdown pass to Thornton Jr.
The scoring barrage continued into the second quarter, where Sampson added two more rushing touchdowns. The Volunteers owned the first half, leading 45-0 and outgaining the Mocs 503-83 in total yards.
Chattanooga managed to score with a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Tennessee quickly responded with a 42-yard field goal by Chase McGrath and a 22-yard touchdown run from Jabari Small, leading 55-3 going into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Tennessee’s reserves also contributed, with running back Lennox Evers scoring on a one-yard run and recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown. McGrath added both extra points, finalizing the score.
Tennessee will next face No. 24/22 NC State in the 2024 Duke’s Mayo Classic next Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.