In a commanding opening statement, the University of Tennessee Volunteers rolled over Furman by a 56-9 margin in their season opener at Neyland Stadium, amassing 638 total yards and demonstrating a balanced attack that combined a potent passing game with a ground‑running offense.
A Freshman's Debut
Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon seized the moment, completing 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 68 yards and two scores on 10 carries, accounting for five of the team's seven touchdowns.
Supporting the aerial onslaught, senior receiver Mike Matthews caught four passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and running back DeSean Bishop added 97 yards on the ground, anchoring the Vols' rushing attack.
The offense clicked on critical downs, converting 5 of 11 third‑down attempts, 2 of 3 fourth‑down tries, and perfecting a 4‑of‑4 performance inside the red zone, underscoring the team's efficiency and poise under pressure.
Even the backup quarterbacks contributed, with George MacIntyre throwing a touchdown pass after completing 5 of 7 attempts for 56 yards, and Ryan Staub delivering a flawless 3‑of‑3 outing for 27 yards, illustrating depth and continuity in the passing game.
With such a comprehensive display of talent across both phases of the ball, Tennessee entered the week with a strong foundation to build upon as the season progresses.