It wasn’t the prettiest of Homecoming games for Tennessee, but the Vols will take the end result.
The Volunteers scored 21 points in the third quarter to pull away and take a 42-9 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday evening inside Neyland Stadium.
“Love the win,” Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel said. “I thought, defensively, we played well in the first half, getting off the field. Did a good job at the line of scrimmage; handled some of the perimeter screen game really well.”
“Offensively, a little bit up and down in the first half. Execution, really. The turnovers hurt. I thought, defensively, they did a good job responding to those and then offensively getting points off of turnovers. And, obviously, Will Wright’s big play in the second half, too. So, still a lot of things to clean up here, get back into SEC play next week, and go on the road.”
Tennessee saw four players score rushing touchdowns. DeSean Bishop led the way with 16 carries for 80 yards and a score. Peyton Lewis added a score and 42 yards on 10 carries, while Star Thomas added 30 yards and a touchdown.
Joey Aguilar also added a rushing touchdown.
“Some of those drives got down there,” Heupel said. “You know, we busted for them, you know, great balance. You know, running through some trash. Joey (Aguilar) pulls it, short yardage play, and they have (QB contain) off that pressure. Good job reading it by him. So, you know, some good execution down in the tight zone, and down there you’ve got to be able to run the football.”
Aguilar went 17-of-23 passing for 204 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Braylon Staley had the lone receiving touchdown for Tennessee with 58 yards on five catches.
Chris Brazzell II had 65 yards receiving.
Tennessee also received a defensive touchdown on a pick-six by William Wright.
The Volunteers opened the scoring as Bishop scored on a one-yard run midway through the first, and Aguilar added a 27-yard touchdown to give UT a 14-0 lead after a quarter of play.
Staley and Aguilar connected for a 15-yard score early in the second, and Tennessee was unable to add to the lead as UT held a 21-3 halftime advantage.
Tennessee struck quickly to open the second half as Thomas capped a drive with a 21-yard run and Lewis added a short touchdown.
The Volunteer scoring was capped by Wright’s 35-yard pick-six.
Tennessee returns to SEC play to close out the regular season. UT is set to travel to
Florida next Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
