Mike Matthews has found the end zone for the first time this season, and it was one to remember. After Joey Aguilar extended the play by leaking to his left outside the pocket, he let loose a bomb down the field. With multiple ETSU defenders in position and freshman Travis Smith Jr. in the area, Matthews leaped past the bodies to come down with the catch. From there, he scampered into the end zone.
It goes down as a 53-yard score and marks the second 50+-yard touchdown for Aguilar in his Tennessee career. He hit Braylon Staley on a 73-yard strike in the win over Syracuse in Atlanta last Saturday.
At the time of Matthews’ score, Aguilar had produced 237 passing yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-26 passing against the Bucs. Matthews had racked up five catches for 99 yards and the score for this point. Tennessee led in the game 41-0.
Both Aguilar and Matthews stayed in the game after the score, with more connections following the touchdown connection. At halftime, the Vols led 48-7. Aguilar pushed his line up to 288 passing yards and Matthews reached 111 receiving yards.
“Mike down there somewhere”
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📲 https://t.co/vU5Soj3zWw pic.twitter.com/cMirU4W19Z— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 6, 2025
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Matthews is in his second season with Tennessee and is one of the starting outside receivers for the Vols. In game one against Syracuse, he caught a pair of passes for 29 yards.
As a true freshman, Matthews caught seven passes for 90 yards with the Vols. He was the fourth outside receiver off the bench in most situations, behind Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Chris Brazzell.
Matthews was a five-star recruit out of high school, according to Rivals Industry Ratings. He was considered the No. 26 player in the 2024 class and No. 6 wide receiver. He is from Lilburn, Georgia, and played at Parkview High School.
