Tennessee took care of business the way a team should against Kennesaw State, rolling to a 42-9 win and moving to 3-0 on the season. The result was never really in doubt, and the Vols got another strong showing from Faizon Brandon and a ground game that kept humming for Josh Heupel.
Still, not everything came out clean for Tennessee. With Texas coming to Knoxville next, the Vols leave Week 3 with some real positives, but also a couple things worth watching closely.
The biggest concern came with DeSean Bishop, who finished with nine carries for 42 yards and a touchdown but left fans uneasy after a hip injury. Bishop landed awkwardly in the first half, then came back in the third quarter for two more carries before being pulled again because he was still clearly in pain. Tennessee needs him as close to 100 percent as possible for the Longhorns.
That opened the door for Daune Morris, and he made the most of it. Morris ran 14 times for 116 yards and a touchdown, building on the momentum he already created with a score against Georgia Tech in Week 2. If Bishop is limited next week, Morris looks ready for a bigger role.
Up front, David Sanders Jr. kept flashing why he arrived with such lofty expectations. Tennessee’s offensive line did the heavy lifting all night, creating space for the backs and giving Brandon room to operate, and Sanders stood out as a force in the trenches. The former 5-star signee kept moving Kennesaw State defenders and looked better as the weeks have gone on.
Faizon Brandon also continued his early-season growth. The true freshman added two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground, while also losing a fumble.
It wasn’t flawless, but it was another step forward for a quarterback who is still learning on the fly. His confidence keeps building, and that matters with No.
1 Texas up next.
Not every Tennessee pass catcher had the kind of night fans wanted, though. Mike Matthews followed a quiet game against Georgia Tech with another disappointing performance, finishing with four catches for 41 yards.
He also missed a deep ball from Brandon that could have turned into an easy second-half score. The talent is there, but the breakout game still hasn’t arrived.
For now, Tennessee has the record and the momentum. The real test comes next week against Texas at Neyland Stadium.
In Other News...
Tennessee Suddenly Has A Backfield Concern At The Worst Time
DeSean Bishops afternoon against Kennesaw State turned into a reminder of how quickly a running game can change course. The Tennessee back was hurt in the first half with a hip injury, then came back briefly in the third quarter before leaving again because of pain, forcing the Volunteers to keep adjusting on the fly. Backup Daune Morris picked up extra carries and finished off a touchdown, helping steady things while the offense waited to see how much Bishop could give.
For a Tennessee team heading into a matchup with Texas, the timing could hardly be worse. Bishop had been part of the backfield rhythm, and his status now adds another layer of uncertainty to a spot where depth and durability matter most. The Volunteers will spend the next stretch hoping the injury is less serious than it looked, because the margin for error gets a lot thinner when a key runner is suddenly in question. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin Just Changed The SEC Race For Tennessee Fans
Lane Kiffins move from Ole Miss to LSU instantly shifted the SEC conversation in a way Tennessee fans will recognize right away. The reported seven-year, $91 million deal is a major swing in the coaching market, and Kiffin pointed to advice from mentors and the chance to take over a program with a national-title pedigree as central to his choice.
For the Volunteers, the ripple effect matters because it reshapes the league landscape around them and changes the path Ole Miss now has to navigate. With Kiffin gone, Ole Miss turned to defensive coordinator Pete Golding as its head coach for the College Football Playoff, a sudden transition that leaves one of Tennessees conference rivals adjusting at the biggest possible moment. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin Still Has Tennessee Fans Doing The Unthinkable
Seven Tennessee fans made the trip to Oxford, Miss., on Saturday night, not to pull for Ole Miss but to make their feelings about Lane Kiffin unmistakable. The group bought seats for $600 apiece and showed up in Tennessee gear for the Rebels game against LSU, a small but pointed reminder that Kiffin still draws a reaction from Vols fans years after his brief Knoxville stint.
The scene had an extra layer of irony at halftime, with Ole Miss up 24-7 on LSU while Tennessee held a 21-3 lead over Kennesaw State back home. It was the kind of crossover moment that keeps Kiffin attached to both SEC scoreboard watching and Tennessees long memory, with a handful of fans still willing to spend real money to make the point in person. [Read more 🡒]