There was a lot of hype coming into this game for Utah State. With Tennessee returning few starters on offense or defense, it seemed that this would be the big win the Aggies finally got. Instead, they leave Knoxville, Tennessee, with a 38-7 defeat and a bad taste in their mouth.
Both teams went three and out on their respective opening drives. The scoring got started about six minutes into the game when running back Alton Howard scored from seven yards out to give the Vols a 7-0 lead. The turning point however, came on the ensuing kickoff. Aggie running back Kennedy Williams took the ball out of the end zone to the 15 yard line when A.J. Johnson knocked the ball out of Williams' hand and giving Tennessee the ball at the 11 yard line. This led to a 12 yard pass by quarterback Justin Worley to tight end Brendan Downs to increase the lead to 14-0
At that point, it was all Volunteers. Tennessee scored a field goal at the half to make it 17-0, then scored touchdowns on their first two second half possessions to make it 31-0. The first and only Aggie score of the game came on a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chuckie Keeton to wide receiver Hunter Sharp.
The defense of Utah State held strong for most of the second quarter, holding Tennessee to just3 three points in the quarter. The big blow, however, came when linebacker Kyler Fackrell left the game with an apparent knee injury and did not return.
For Keeton, it was a very tough night offensively, going 18-for-35 passing for 144 yards with one touchdown and two interception. He also had eight carries for 12 yards.
The star of the night, however, goes to Justin Worley. Also returning from a injury last season, he had a big time performance, going 27-for-38 passing with 273 yards and three touchdown. The 27 completions for Worley was also a career high for him.
Both teams will have home games as they get ready for week number two. The Aggies travel home to face off with FCS opponent Idaho State while Tennessee remains at home to go up against Arkansas State, a team Utah State will play in week four.
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