KNOXVILLE, TN – Tennessee Football opens up the home slate on Saturday afternoon against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. It’s a rainy day in town, but excitement is high inside the stadium as the Volunteers look to move to 2-0 with a victory over an in-state foe.
Tennessee (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Season Results:
- Game 1: No. 24 Tennessee (45) vs Syracuse (26) – W [Atlanta]
CURRENT SCORE: 4th Quarter – Tennessee 62, ETSU 17
Live tweets on X -> https://twitter.com/RockyTopInsider
More from RTI: Who is Inactive for Tennessee Football vs. ETSU
Pregame
ETSU wins the toss, will kick to start the game.
FIRST QUARTER
UT Drive 1: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 7, ETSU 0
- QB Joey Aguilar connects with WR Chris Brazzell for a 21-yard touching less than two minutes into the game.
- 6 plays, 82 yards – TOP: 1:46
- Impact Play: DeSean Bishop throws down and shakes off multiple defenders on the first play of the game, picks up a massive 50-yard run to kick things off.
back in the checkerboards.
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📲 https://t.co/vU5Soj3zWw pic.twitter.com/bKYlUuaZ9v— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 6, 2025
ETSU Drive 1: Punt – UT 7, ETSU 0
- ETSU connects on a deep mid-range strike down the field, but it’s called back due to a penalty. Buccaneers stuffed in the run game.
- 3 plays, -10 yards – TOP: 1:27
- Impact: Joshua Josephs came up with a huge PBU during the drive.
UT Drive 2: TENNESSEE FIELD GOAL – UT 10, ETSU 0
- Max Gilbert hits a 29-yard field goal to push Tennessee’s lead to double-digits.
- Tennessee gets into the red zone but can’t quite get the first down to keep things going.
- 7 plays, 38 yards – TOP: 2:13
ETSU Drive 2: Punt – UT 10, ETSU 0
- Tennessee’s defense forces a second straight 3-and-out on the Bucs’ offense
- 3 plays, -8 yards – TOP: 1:04
UT Drive 3: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 17, ETSU 0
- Star Thomas punches in the 2-yard score for Tennessee’s second touchdown of the first quarter
- 4 plays, 27 yards – TOP: 1:17
- Impact: Boo Carter gives Tennessee excellent field position with a 34-yard punt return
ETSU Drive 3: Punt – UT 17, ETSU 0
- Another three-and-out for the Bucs’ offense. Tennessee all over things.
- 3 plays, 7 yards – TOP: 0:34
UT Drive 4: Punt – UT 17, ETSU 0
- Tennessee starts moving the ball down the field well, but two late-drive drops stop the drive in its tracks. Vols punt for the first time on Saturday.
- 6 plays, 43 yards – TOP: 1:45
ETSU Drive 4: Punt – UT 17, ETSU 0
- Tennessee forces another three-and-out. Josephs gets the sack and nearly puts the Bucs in the endzone for a safety.
- 3 plays, -2 yards – TOP: 1:51
UT Drive 5: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 24, ETSU 0
- RB Peyton Lewis punches in the one-yard touchdown for Tennessee’s third score of the first quarter
- 3 plays, 5 yards – TOP: 1:09
- Impact: DB Boo Carter sets Tennessee up on the doorstep with a 40-yard punt return.
-END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: UT 24, ETSU 0-
ETSU Drive 5: Punt – UT 24, ETSU 0
- Fifth straight three-and-out for the UT defense
- 3 plays, 5 yards – TOP: 0:56
UT Drive 6: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 31, ETSU 0
- Tennessee marches down the field. RB Star Thomas rumbles into the endzone for his second touchdown of the day.
- 9 plays, 58 yards – TOP: 3:09
- Impact: Joey Aguilar has 153 passing yards through this point in the game (11:41, 2Q)
ETSU Drive 6: Turnover on Downs – UT 31, ETSU 0
- Bucs pick up their first first-down on the drive, but can’t complete a fourth-down try on their own side of the field. Turnover on downs.
- 5 plays, 20 yards – TOP: 1:41
UT Drive 7: TENNESSEE FIELD GOAL – UT 34, ETSU 0
- Max Gilbert drills a 37-yard field goal.
- 6 plays, 26 yards – TOP: 1:57
ETSU Drive 7: Punt – UT 34, ETSU 0
- ETSU picks up its longest drive of the game with six plays.
- 6 plays, 18 yards – TOP: 2:22
UT Drive 8: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 41, ETSU 0
- Joey Aguilar uncorks a missile down the field, Mike Matthews soars through the air to match the catch over a defender and run into the endzone. Incredible play and Tennessee’s biggest highlight of the first half. 53-yard touchdown.
- 6 plays, 80 yards – TOP: 1:30
- Impact: Reiterating how crazy that play was.
“Mike down there somewhere”
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📲 https://t.co/vU5Soj3zWw pic.twitter.com/cMirU4W19Z— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 6, 2025
ETSU Drive 8: Punt – UT 41, ETSU 0
- 5 plays, 22 yards – TOP: 1:45
UT Drive 9: UT FUMBLE– UT 41, ETSU 0
- A bad snap from Sam Pendleton escapes Joey Aguilar, Bucs are able to capitalize by picking up the loose ball.
- 2 plays, 3 yards – TOP: 0:22
ETSU Drive 9: TOUCHDOWN ETSU – UT 41, ETSU 7
- Bucs set up right on the doorstep after the fumble recovery. Sudderth punches in the five-yard score on the first play of the drive.
- 1 play, 5 yards – TOP: 0:06
UT Drive 10: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 48, ETSU 7
- Tennessee marches down the field during a two-minute drill to put up a touchdown before the halftime break. Star Thomas punches it in for his third score of the game.
- 8 plays, 75 yards – TOP: 1:33
- Impact: Joey Aguilar made multiple strong passes to the sideline while leading the Vols quickly down the field.
ETSU: End of Half
-HALFTIME in KNOXVILLE: UT 48, ETSU 7-
Third Quarter
ETSU Drive 10: ETSU FIELD GOAL GOOD – UT 48, ETSU 10
- Bucs march down the field with two nice passing plays. Vols hold strong on third down in their own territory, but ETSU gets points on the board with a 41-yard field goal.
- 8 plays, 51 yards – TOP: 3:08
UT Drive 11: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – UT 55, ETSU 10
- QB Jake Merklinger is in for QB Joey Aguilar
- Merklinger appears to WR Chris Brazzell for a 33-yard touchdown, but the ball is called down at the one yard line after the official’s review.
- Merklinger then connects with Brazzell for a back shoulder touchdown on the very next play.
- 10 plays, 75 yards – TOP: 3:07
ETSU Drive 11: Punt – UT 55, ETSU 10
- 6 plays, 7 yards – TOP: 2:38
UT Drive 12: TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – 62, ETSU 10
- Merklinger finds freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer for a 7-yard touchdown
- 9 plays, 67 yards – TOP: 3:22
ETSU Drive 12: Punt – UT 62, ETSU 10
- 4 plays, 2 yards – TOP: 2:05
-END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: UT 62, ETSU 10-
UT Drive 13: TENNESSEE FIELD GOAL GOOD – UT 65, ETSU 10
- Max Gilbert hits a 53-yard field goal
- 12 plays, 41 yards – TOP: 4:57
ETSU Drive 13: TOUCHDOWN ETSU – UT 62, ETSU 17
*Live updates paused for press conference setup, check out @RockyTopInsider or @RSchump00 on X for continued coverage*
