Joey Aguilar helps No. 15 Tennessee pound UAB

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th September, 16:32 2025

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews (4) celebrates with Tennessee running back Peyton Lewis (2) after Lewis scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., September 20, 2025.

Joey Aguilar completed 15 of 22 passes for 218 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and No. 15 Tennessee cruised to a 56-24 win over UAB on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.

DeSean Bishop rushed for two touchdowns for Tennessee (3-1), which bounced back from an overtime loss against then-No. 6 Georgia a week ago. Star Thomas had one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown.

Jalen Kitna completed 38 of 51 passes for 364 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for UAB (2-2). Kaleb Brown led the Blazers with 79 receiving yards to go along with a touchdown.

Tennessee outgained UAB 510-394, including a 235-23 advantage in rushing yards.

The Volunteers sprinted to a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Aguilar started the scoring on the opening drive, which ended with a 19-yard catch by Chris Brazzell II. The wideout caught the ball near the 10-yard line and slipped past a defender for the touchdown.

Mike Matthews made it 14-0 with a 39-yard touchdown catch less than two minutes later. He beat his defender down the left sideline and caught Aguilar's pass in stride.

Bishop capped the first-quarter scoring with a 3-yard run.

Tennessee increased its lead to 28-0 with 10:44 left in the half. Thomas punched in a 1-yard run to complete a 10-play, 60-yard scoring drive.

UAB snapped the shutout on the following possession. Kitna connected with Brandon Hawkins Jr. for a catch and run that resulted in a 30-yard touchdown.

The Volunteers added two more touchdowns to seize a 42-7 lead at the half. Peyton Lewis recorded a 32-yard rushing touchdown with 2:50 remaining, and Bishop tallied his second score of the day on a 2-yard run with 32 seconds to go before halftime.

UAB pulled within 42-10 on a 45-yard field goal by Jonah Delange early in the third quarter.

Thomas scored his second touchdown and his first through the air when he caught a 17-yard touchdown catch from Aguilar with 9:53 left in the third quarter.

Tennessee's defense followed with a score on a 23-yard fumble return by Kaleb Beasley.

UAB finished the scoring with back-to-back touchdowns. Kitna hit Brown for a 61-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, and Isaiah Jacobs rushed for a 1-yard score late in the fourth quarter.

-Field Level Media

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