KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Volunteers scored on three consecutive possessions in the first half and led the rest of the way en route a 34-19 non-conference victory over the Arkansas State University football team this Saturday (Sept. 6) afternoon in front of 99,538 fans at UT’s Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
With their loss in the SEC Network-televised game, the Red Wolves drop to 1-1 overall in the 2014 season while Tennessee improves its record to 2-0.
A-State struck first on its opening drive of the game as the Red Wolves marched 40 yards on six plays and found the end zone on a four-yard quarterback keeper from junior Fredi Knighten to claim a 6-0 lead. Back-to-back pass completions from Knighten to redshirt freshman wide receiver Tres Houston, covering 14 and 16 yards, along with a 12-yard Knighten run moved A-State to the UT six-yard line. Junior running back Michael Gordon’s rush moved the ball two yards closer and on the ensuing play, Knighten scampered into the end zone untouched.
Tennessee answered back with a 73-yard drive resulting in a 20-yard field goal by Aaron Medley to cut A-State’s lead at 6-3 with 7:16 to go in the first quarter. The Volunteers would claim a 10-6 advantage on their next possession as tailback Jalen Hurd finished off a 70-yard drive with a four-yard TD run at the opening quarter’s 3:02 mark.
A 10-yard TD pass from quarterback Justin Worley to wide receiver Marquez North early in the second quarter resulted in the third straight scoring series for Tennessee, which bumped its lead up to 17-6 with 13:01 remaining on the clock. The Red Wolves bounced back to draw within 17-12 at the 4:10 mark as a result of a Fredi Knighten slant pass to Tres Houston from nine yards out. A-State went for two points, but was unsuccessful as redshirt junior quarterback Stephen Hogan’s pass was incomplete and the Red Wolves were also whistled for offensive pass interference. A-State managed to keep the drive alive on a fourth-and 11 situation when junior punterLuke Ferguson faked a punt and then completed a 24-yard pass to redshirt junior Chris Stone for a first down to the UT 49-yard line. However, the Vols stretched their lead back to double digits at 24-12 with 1:20 to be played in the first half as Justin Worley tallied on a five-yard keeper to cap a 10-play, 71-yard drive.
Tennessee stretched its margin to 31-12 in the third quarter by capitializing on a Red Wolves’ turnover as Worley connected with Marquez North on another scoring pass play, this one of 14 yards at the 7:52 mark. A 33-yard Matt Darr punt was fumbled by redshirt junior J.D. McKissic, which was recovered by the Vols at their own 36-yard line to set up the drive.
The last touchdown of the game came from A-State and occurred with 10:06 left to be played as redshirt frosh DeKeathan Williams’ 24-yard TD run capped an 11-play, 83-yard scoring drive as the Red Wolves closed their deficit to 31-19. Tennessee would account for the final points in extending its lead to 34-19 with 1:41 remaining in the outing as Aaron Medley split the uprights on a 38-yard field goal.
Fredi Knighten completed 21-of-34 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in directing the Red Wolves offense, which produced 190 yards passing and 141 rushing yards for a 331-yards total to Tennessee’s 415 offensive yards. He also ran for a team-high 65 yards on 14 carries and one score.
Redshirt freshman Tres Houston’s 48 yards in receiving on four catches lead A-State, which also received a five catch, 38-yard performance from J.D. McKissic.
Defensively, redshirt senior free safety Sterling Young and redshirt senior middle linebacker Qushaun Lee each compiled a squad-high nine tackles apiece, which included seven solo stops each. Redshirt senior cornerback Andrew Tryon and sophomore linebacker Xavier Woodson each chipped in with seven tackles (six solos). Sophomore defensive back Money Hunter contributed with a pass interception and five tackles (four solos).
For the Vols, Justin Worley threw for 247 yards and two TD’s on 22-of-38 passing while Jalen Hurd’s 83 yards on 23 carries led all rushers in the contest. Tight end Ethan Wolf had five grabs for 20 yards while Von Pearson and Marquez North caught four Worley aerials for 71 and 68 yards, respectively. North had a pair of TD receptions in the game as well.
Tennessee now leads the all-time series 2-0 after recording a 48-27 home victory over the Red Wolves in the 2007 season.
The Red Wolves continue non-conference action on the road next Saturday, Sept. 13, taking on the Miami (Fla.) Hurricane at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CT) and the contest will be televised live on ESPNU.
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