Tag: tennessee

Nov 23, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the UTEP Miners during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Record-setting Vols RB Dylan Sampson enters draft

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Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is entering the 2025 NFL Draft after setting school single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns this season.

The junior from Louisiana rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and helping the Volunteers (10-3) make the College Football Playoff field.

“Vol Nation, your support has been nothing short of amazing,” he wrote on Instagram. “Knoxville has become my home and has made me a better human over the years. I’m going to miss the feeling of rolling up to the Vol Walk, running through the ‘T,’ and hearing the Pride of Southland band play ‘Rocky Top.’ I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community.”

A hamstring injury limited Sampson to two carries for 6 yards in Tennessee’s season-ending 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs on Dec. 21.

In three seasons in Knoxville, the 5-foot-11, 201-pound Sampson rushed for 2,492 yards and 35 scores and caught 40 passes for 342 yards and one TD.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) hurdles Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Gaston Moore (13) during the first half of a College Football Playoff first round game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images

First-quarter eruption sends No. 8 Ohio State past No. 9 Vols

Posted on | by Field Level Media

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jeremiah Smith, while TreVeyon Henderson rushed for two scores as No. 8 seed Ohio State routed No. 9 seed Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.

Ohio State (11-2) will play No. 1 seed Oregon (13-0) in the quarterfinals in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1.

Smith’s second TD, a 22-yarder with nine minutes left in the third quarter, made it 28-10. Henderson’s 24-yarder early in the fourth extended the lead to 42-10.

Howard finished 24-of-29 passing with an interception, while Smith’s six catches went for 103 yards. Henderson gained 80 yards on 10 carries.

The kickoff temperature was 25 degrees with a wind chill of 17 before a crowd of 102,819, with about 40 percent for the Vols.

The Volunteers (10-3) rallied to trail 21-10 at the half after it looked as if they would be blown out.

Tennessee got a 36-yard field goal by Max Gilbert after an interception by Davison Igbinosun at the Ohio State 19 was nullified by a roughing-the-passer penalty.

The Volunteers pulled within 11 on a 1-yard run by Nico Iamaleava with 20 seconds left before the break to cap a 16-play, 79-yard drive that used 4:03.

Iamaleava completed 14 of 31 passes for 104 yards and rushed 20 times for 47 yards and two TDs.

Ohio State blitzed the Volunteers for first-quarter scoring drives of 75, 68 and 58 yards to lead 21-0 while outgaining the visitors 205-16 in total yards.

On the first possession of the game, the Buckeyes went ahead 7-0 on a 37-yard catch by Smith.

Quinshon Judkins made it 14-0 with a 1-yard run, and Henderson extended the lead to 21-0 on a 29-yard run.

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, had two carries for 6 yards in the first quarter before leaving with an undisclosed injury. He returned in the third quarter to make a 2-yard catch but had no more carries.

–Craig Merz, Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

CFP notebook: Notre Dame takes on Indiana’s top-ranked rushing D

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Indiana failed its first test at knocking off a powerhouse when the then-undefeated Hoosiers lost 38-15 at Ohio State on Nov. 23.

Coach Curt Cignetti believes the No. 10 seed Hoosiers (11-1) will be better prepared when they play at No. 7 Notre Dame (11-1) on Friday in South Bend, Ind., in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

“I don’t think anyone was happy with the way we came out of Ohio State,” he said. “But I think our guys have learned from that too and we’ll be better in a hostile environment than we were that particular day.”

–Notre Dame’s 10th-ranked rushing attack (224.8 yards per game) will challenge Indiana’s No. 1 rushing defense (70.8 yards).

“It’s always our plan to find a way to run the football,” Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said. “Everything we do kind of builds around that and comes from that to begin with. We’re going to have to have some success on the ground.”

Jeremiyah Love led Notre Dame with 949 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Quarterback Riley Leonard is not far behind at 721 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.

–If the matchup between No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State on Saturday night comes down to a field goal, Buckeyes (10-2) coach Ryan Day said a decision has not been made between Jayden Fielding, who missed attempts from 38 and 34 yards in a 13-10 loss to Michigan in their last game, and Austin Snyder. He has not attempted a field goal for Ohio State.

“We will make a decision about who gives us the best chance to win and go from there,” Day said.

–Tennessee (10-2) believes it has the maturity and leadership to handle adversity on Saturday.

“There’s going to be ebbs and flows in the ball game, and you’ve got to continue to play and compete,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said. “I think as much as anything, that’s a real credit to the guys that we have in the locker room.”

–Both No. 6 Penn State (11-2) and No. 11 SMU (11-2) had their backup quarterbacks enter the transfer portal. The difference is the Nittany Lions’ Beau Pribula is no longer with the team while Preston Stone will be available for the visiting Mustangs when they play Saturday.

“It’s huge,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “You keep some continuity. Preston’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games.”

Penn State coach James Franklin said Wednesday that freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who has not taken a snap in a game, will back up Drew Allar.

“(Grunkemeyer) has done a really good job and put himself in a position that we have a lot of confidence,” Franklin said.

–Quarterback Quinn Ewers of No. 5 Texas (11-2) practiced this week without a custom ankle brace in preparation for the home game against No. 12 Clemson (10-3) on Saturday. He wore a brace the past two games.

“I think he’s continually getting better,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said.

–Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney has the Tigers in the postseason for the seventh time in the past 11 seasons and said he doesn’t care about criticism of him.

“I mean, I’ve been taking shots for 16 years,” he said. “We just keep winning, you know?”

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Andre Turrentine (2) takes a peak into the backfield against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

College Football Playoff notebook: Tennessee’s Andre Turrentine returns to Ohio State

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No. 9 seed Tennessee will make its first visit to No. 8 Ohio State on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), but Volunteers safety Andre Turrentine will be in a familiar setting at Ohio Stadium for the first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff.

He played in four games for the Buckeyes (10-2) as a freshman in 2021 before the Nashville native joined the Vols.

“I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and big for me personally,” said Turrentine, a redshirt junior.

He has 35 tackles and one interception in starting all 12 games for the Vols (10-2) this season.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles feels prepared for Tennessee’s fast-paced offense, which averages 74.6 plays per game to rank 11th nationally.

“Our defense is built for tempo,” he said.

–No. 7 Notre Dame (11-1) quarterback Riley Leonard loves the idea of playing for a national championship, but as he told Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports, the matchup with the No. 10 Hoosiers (11-1) on Friday in South Bend, Ind., (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN) is also about regional pride.

“It’s huge for the state of Indiana. We’ve been talking about it becoming a football state,” he said. “It’s notorious for basketball, for obvious reasons.”

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti on how the game will play out: “I think we’re plus-15 on turnover ratio, and they’re plus-16. So, ball security for us and them is going to be really important — winning the turnover battle.”

–Even though No. 6 Penn State (11-2) lost to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Nittany Lions were buoyed by running for 292 yards. Now, they host No. 11 SMU (11-2), which is ranked fourth nationally at 93.4 rushing yards allowed per game.

“Our expectation is that that’s what we’re supposed to do every single game,” Penn State center Nick Dawkins said. “I don’t think it matters the opponent that we played against.”

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee on the perceived advantage Penn State will have with a forecast high of 28 degrees: “They have to play in it just like we do and I don’t think they’ve played a game at home on Dec. 21, either. I don’t think the weather is a big deal.”

–No. 5 Texas coach Steve Sarkisian expects big things from quarterback Quinn Ewers when the Longhorns (11-2) host No. 12 Clemson on Saturday (4 p.m., TNT/MAX).

“We’ve all got to take our game to another level, and he’s no different, right?” Sarkisian said. “He’s got to do it.”

Actor Matthew McConaughey is a Longhorns super fan but that doesn’t mean much to defensive lineman T.J. Parker of Clemson (10-3).

“I don’t know who that is,” the sophomore said on Tuesday. “I may know his face, but not by name. I don’t know him.”

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws the ball against Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

No. 8 Ohio State aims to take out frustrations on No. 9 Tennessee

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While Ohio State will host Tennessee in a College Football Playoff first-round matchup Saturday night in Columbus, the Buckeyes must first move past their shocking 13-10 loss to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.

Or at least try to.

The No. 8 seed Buckeyes and No. 9 seed Volunteers, both with 10-2 records, will square off for the right to meet No. 1 seed Oregon (13-0) in a CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day.

Many questions Monday at the media availability for Ohio State coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and several players centered on how a 21-point favorite at home fell flat on its face.

“It was terrible for all of us, a terrible loss,” quarterback Will Howard said. “But man, we can’t let (the Wolverines) beat us twice. We can’t.

“We can still go out here and win a national championship and right the wrongs that happened in that game. Obviously, we don’t get a chance to play them again, but we can still go win the whole thing, and that’s what we’re trying to cling to right now.”

The problem for the Buckeyes is that the Volunteers present similar defensive challenges to the injury-ravaged Ohio State offensive line that blocked for just 77 yards on an average of 3.0 yards per carry against a stout Michigan defense.

Tennessee allows 99.6 rushing yards per game to rank eighth nationally and is fourth in total defense (278.3 yards per game) and tied for fourth in scoring defense (13.9 points per game).

“The line of scrimmage is going to be important in this one,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “Defensively, you’ve got to control the line of scrimmage. It’s your first and second levels and your safeties, in particular, but the line of scrimmage will matter. You want to get people in the predictable third downs and then be able to rush the passer and get off the field.”

Tennessee is led by defensive end James Pearce Jr., a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He led the team with 11 tackles for losses and 7 1/2 sacks.

“We’re playing a really formidable defensive group coming in here that’s really well coached, and they’ve got good players at all three levels,” Kelly said. “So that’s going to be a challenge for us again this week, and our players are excited about that.”

Ohio State knows running against the Volunteers will be difficult, so it is imperative that Howard get the ball to a talented receiving corps that includes Jeremiah Smith (57 catches, 934 yards, 16.4 yards per catch, 10 touchdowns), Emeka Egbuka (60, 743, 12.4, nine) and Carnell Tate (41, 583, 14.2, four).

Smith was selected the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year.

“We can’t give up a bunch of big, explosive plays where they create momentum, field position, ability to score points,” Heupel said. “We’ve got to do a great job of playing disciplined and matching people out, playing with fundamentals and technique, and then going and making plays. There’s going to be one-on-one situations. We’ve got to win the lion’s share of those.”

Much has been made of how Tennessee will handle the weather on Saturday, with the temperature projected to be 28 degrees for the prime-time kickoff.

“Yeah, it’s a June day in South Dakota,” joked Heupel, a native of that state. “At the end of the day, you get between the white lines, weather doesn’t matter, the temperature doesn’t matter.”

–Field Level Media

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel greets fans on the Vol Walk ahead of the NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn.

Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 9 Tennessee

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No. 9. Tennessee Volunteers
10-2 (6-2 SEC)

What’s next: vs. 8 Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET

Head coach: Josh Heupel (fourth season at Tennessee, 37-14; seventh season overall, 65-22)

About Heupel: In addition to chasing Tennessee’s first national championship since 1998, Heupel — the quarterback of Oklahoma’s 2000 BCS title team — can join the exclusive company of Frank Leahy, Bud Wilkinson and Jimmy Johnson as national champs both as football players and head coaches.

Resume
Repeatedly coming through in the clutch, five of Tennessee’s eight SEC games were each decided by 10 points or fewer – including a signature win, 24-17, over fellow contender Alabama on Oct. 19.

Postseason history
The last of Tennessee’s six claimed national championships came in 1998, the inaugural season of the BCS. After more than a decade of disappointment, the 2022 Vols’ 31-14 Orange Bowl rout of Clemson matched UT’s best finish since 2001.

Road to Atlanta
Winning at The Horseshoe in Columbus is the first order of business for the Vols, and No. 1 Oregon is waiting in the wings. That game would be played Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Names to know
RB Dylan Sampson
Despite already setting the program records for rushing yards (1,485) and touchdowns (22) in a season, Sampson was not named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to college football’s top running back.

Speaking with radio host Jim Rome, Sampson was unfazed.

“My coach … knows the value and I know the value I have to this team,” he said. “They’ll see what I do as we continue to make this playoff run.”

DE James Pearce Jr.
A likely top-10 NFL draft pick, Pearce endured a slow start to 2024 as a result of opposing offenses throwing double- and triple-team blocking schemes at him. Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks promised reporters in September that “the sacks will come.”

Banks was correct. Of Pearce’s 7.5 sacks, seven have been since the beginning of October. He has also racked up 10 of his 11 tackles for loss in that eight-game stretch.

CB Jermod McCoy
The most spectacular of McCoy’s four regular-season interceptions was also pivotal for the Vols’ playoff aspirations. In the finale at Vanderbilt, with Tennessee trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, McCoy battled Commodores receiver Junior Sherrill down the sideline in pursuit of a deep ball thrown to the end zone.

McCoy’s deflection and catch of the carom from his back denied Vanderbilt a score and helped ignite a Tennessee rally to a 36-23 win. It provided a highlight-reel moment in an all-around sensational sophomore season for the cornerback.

QB Nico Iamaleava
The former No. 1 overall ranked high-school recruit moved into the starting position full-time as a redshirt freshman and has endured growing pains amid flashes of brilliance. Iamaleava opened the season with a bang, throwing for five touchdown passes in the Vols’ first two games, but then went the next six games with a total of only four touchdown throws.

Ending the regular season with back-to-back four-touchdown games sends Iamaleava into the postseason on a high note. He has also used his 6-foot-6 frame effectively as a ball-carrier with 317 rushing yards, 124 of which came in the last four weeks.

WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Although the rush has been more reliable for Tennessee’s offense than the pass has, the Vols have one of the most-intriguing, big-play threats in the nation with Thornton at wide receiver. Almost a quarter of his 25 total receptions have gone for touchdowns (six), and his 25.9 yards per catch lead the nation.
Combined with 6-foot-3 Bru McCoy, the 6-foot-5 Thornton gives Tennessee a potentially dangerous physical mismatch against most opposing secondaries.

–Field Level Media

Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. talks to Maurice Clarett, left, prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

Report: No. 1 OT David Sanders delays signing

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David Sanders, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the Class of 2025, does not intend to commit to a program on Wednesday, the first day of the early national signing period, 247Sports reported.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Sanders has been committed to Tennessee since Aug. 17. Still, he made an official visit to Ohio State and saw the Buckeyes beat Indiana on Nov. 23, and now could be considering a flip.

From Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day, Sanders is the No. 5 overall player in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite.

Tennessee’s 2025 class was ranked No. 10 in the nation as of midday Wednesday. Yet as impressive as that sounds, the Volunteers’ class stands only seventh in the Southeastern Conference.

The Volunteers signed 21 players — 11 of them four-star prospects and 10 three-stars — Wednesday morning.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee head coach Bill Battle, center, is asking an official what going on as his team battles against Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 29, 1973. The Vols comeback bid fell short as Texas Tech won 28-19 before 62,109. Standout freshman Stanley Morgan (21), left, looks on.

Former Vols football coach Bill Battle dies at 82

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Bill Battle, former Tennessee football coach and Alabama athletic director, has died at the age of 82.

The University of Alabama, where Battle played for Paul “Bear” Bryant from 1960-62 and served as AD from 2013-17, confirmed his passing on Thursday.

Battle compiled a 59-22-2 record over seven seasons with the Volunteers from 1970-76 and went 4-1 in bowl games before being replaced by Johnny Majors.

The Birmingham native won a national championship in 1961, playing as an end for Bryant’s Crimson Tide.

Before returning to Tuscaloosa in 2013 to lead the athletic department, he founded the Collegiate Licensing Company in 1981 and served as its president and CEO until 2002.

“Bill Battle’s legacy at The University of Alabama is profound and enduring,” university president Stuart R. Bell said. “His generosity and visionary leadership elevated our institution and enriched the lives of countless students and colleagues. His dedication to excellence and steadfast devotion to UA will inspire generations to come. We are forever grateful for his friendship and his lasting impact on our community.”

Former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban also released a statement.

“Bill Battle was first class in every way. He represented The University of Alabama with tremendous character and integrity,” Saban said. “He was an outstanding football player at Alabama, a successful collegiate head coach and visionary who revolutionized the business of college athletics. I got to know him best when he returned to direct the Alabama athletics department where his vision and leadership were driving factors in the Crimson Tide’s success that resulted in our 2015 national championship. Terry and I are saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Mary and their entire family. He will be deeply missed.”

–Field Level Media

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) reacts to throwing a touchdown pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Vandy pining to play upset track for No. 8 Tennessee in Nashville

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Stakes are off-the-charts when No. 8 Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) heads three hours west to face Vanderbilt (6-5, 3-4) in Nashville, Tenn., in the annual in-state rivalry game.

The Vols scored a 56-0 pasting of UTEP last Saturday, but the best part of their week centered around scoreboard watching.

Tennessee, ranked 11th in last week’s College Football Playoff rankings, counted three teams ranked higher in the Top 25 — Indiana (fifth in last week’s rankings), Alabama (seventh) and Ole Miss (ninth) all lose — to open the path for the Vols to climb.

The Vols moved up four spots in Tuesday’s rankings, all but guaranteed a playoff berth with a win over Vanderbilt, in a game in which they’re 11-point favorites.

But a history lesson will help the Vols understand the minefield that is SEC road games this season.

Alabama and Ole Miss were double-digit road favorites at Oklahoma and Florida, respectively, and boarded their planes home with losses and a heaping helping of humble pie.

The Commodores have already won three times as double-digit underdogs — Virginia Tech, Alabama, at Kentucky — and also pulled an upset as a 7 1/2-point underdog at Auburn.

The Commodores can clinch their first winning season since 2013 with a victory on Saturday, one that would have a defining depth to Vandy in a momentous season under coach Clark Lea, a fullback for the Commodores in 2002-04. The Vols won all three games against Vandy when Lea suited up.

“The unique thing about this game is that it’s extremely personal to me, because I grew up in this city, I grew up following the program, I played in this program — as did (defensive line coach) Jovan Haye, as did some of our other staff members,” Lea said.

Tempo is a tug of war each side wants to gain control of in the first quarter.

The Vols average 74.1 plays per game, while Vanderbilt averages 61.0. The Vols’ defense is on the field for 65.7 plays while Vanderbilt’s averages 61.3 snaps.

That’s a difference of 17.5 snaps between the teams. Lea has been clear in talks with his team and beyond that he believes controlling tempo will be critical Saturday.

“For us offensively with where our program is right now, possession is the No. 1 priority,” Lea said. “We want to maintain possession of the ball, we want to extend drives, and that means multiple first downs and being able to flip the field and play a field-position game. So what we can’t have is three-and-outs and pre-snap penalties that set us back, which happened twice against LSU.”

Vanderbilt has turned it over just six times, which ranks second in the country. It has also excelled on special teams, where it ranks first in the country according to Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings.

The Commodores’ plan also includes getting everything they can from dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia, who’s been playing at less that 100% for weeks.
Pavia has 2,029 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed 165 times for 671 yards and six scores this season.

Points and yards will be tough to come by against the Vols, who rank fourth in the country in scoring defense (13.09) and sixth in total defense (284.3).

“We have to be at our best on Saturday,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said on Monday. “You can look at how (Vanderbilt has) performed throughout the course of the season, how they’ve played at home, statistically what they’re doing in all three phases. You’ve got to understand you’re going to get their best and their best is really good.”

The Vols’ talented defensive line, led by Walter Camp player of the year semifinalist James Pearce Jr., will make containing Pavia a priority. Vanderbilt’s last two opponents, LSU and South Carolina, got constant pressure on Pavia even if the sack totals didn’t show it.

Tennessee’s offensive game plan will be no secret: play fast and run Dylan Sampson (231 carries, 1,307 yards, 22 touchdowns) often. Sampson has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of the Vols’ eight games vs. Power 4 opponents, and registered 92 yards rushing against Oklahoma.

Heupel is 3-0 vs. Lea in the series, winning those games 45-21 (2021) 56-0 (2022) and 48-24 (2023).

–Field Level Media

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear (9) is tackled by Tennessee defensive lineman Joshua Josephs (19) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

No. 11 Tennessee crushes UTEP to enhance CFP chances

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Nico Iamaleava passed for four touchdowns and Dylan Sampson rushed for 77 yards and set a school-record for TDs as No. 11 Tennessee rolled to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.

Sampson scored on a 14-yard TD run early in the second quarter for the game’s first points to deliver his 22nd TD of tje season to break the Tennessee single-season mark set by Gene McEvers in 1929.

Iamaleava was 15 of 20 for 173 yards for Tennessee (9-2), while Bru McCoy caught a pair of TD passes and Squirrel White and Ethan Davis each had a TD reception.

Tennessee moved its all-time record to 2-0 against the Miners, also having blanked the Conference USA school 24-0 in 2018.

Jermod McCoy and John Slaughter had interceptions for the Volunteers, while Dominic Bailey recovered a fumble to set up a score.

Skyler Locklear was 10-of-19 passing for 50 yards with an interception for UTEP (2-9), while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. JP Pickles also had a turn at QB for the Miners and was 10 of 15 for 72 yards. Kenny Odom had eight receptions for 70 yards.

Both defenses set the tone in the first quarter. The UTEP defense allowed just one first down to the Southeastern Conference team in three ugly series in the opening quarter and only 22 yards.

In the second quarter, Sampson ended a 68-yard drive by dashing up the middle for 14 yards for the record-setting score to take a 7-0 lead with 13:22 remaining before halftime.

After Bailey’s fumble recovery, Iamaleava flipped a screen pass that White took 9 yards to the end zone nearly six minutes later.

Davis put the Volunteers up 21-0 when he grabbed a short pass for a 1-yard TD. Iamaleava then found Bru McCoy from 18 yards with eight seconds left in the second quarter for a 28-0 halftime lead.

McCoy caught his second TD and Peyton Lewis rushed for a pair for a 49-0 lead in the third quarter, but the biggest roar from Volunteers fans came when it was announced Florida beat No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17, to enhance the Volunteers’ College Football Playoff hopes.

Cameron Seldon’s 3-yard run capped the scoring as the Volunteers finished the season undefeated at home for the second time in four years.

–Field Level Media