Tennessee handled Kennesaw State almost exactly as expected, rolling to a 42-9 victory in Knoxville and improving to 3-0.
16Powers.com
Predicted Score: Tennessee 48, Kennesaw State 13
Actual Score: Tennessee 42, Kennesaw State 9
Our prediction had Tennessee winning 48-13. The actual result was only 10 total points away from that projection, with the Volunteers scoring six fewer and Kennesaw State scoring four fewer.
Tennessee leaned heavily on the ground game. Daune Morris rushed for 116 yards on 14 carries, averaging more than eight yards per attempt, and broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Hunter Barnes added 63 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Faizon Brandon contributed 47 rushing yards and another score.
Brandon also completed 18 of 26 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. His 13-yard scoring pass to Braylon Staley helped Tennessee establish a 15-3 first-quarter advantage.
The Volunteers weren’t spectacular in the first half, but they were never seriously threatened. Tennessee led 21-3 at halftime and then added two touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.
Kennesaw State quarterback Rickie Collins threw for 189 yards, but the Owls never reached the end zone. All nine of their points came on field goals.
Tennessee finished with 446 total yards, including 268 rushing, and averaged 6.7 yards per play.
One concern was the health of running back DeSean Bishop, who was slowed by an injury during the game before returning. Tennessee’s depth will become increasingly important with SEC play approaching.
Overall, this was exactly what a highly ranked team should do against an overmatched opponent: control the line of scrimmage, avoid drama and move on. Tennessee did that while staying unbeaten.
