No. 7 Tennessee pummels Kent State with 65-point first half

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th September, 23:37 2024

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) scores a touchdown during a NCAA game between Tennessee and Kent State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

Dylan Sampson rushed for four touchdowns and DeSean Bishop added two during a program-record 65-point first half as No. 7 Tennessee steamrolled Kent State 71-0 on Saturday night in nonconference play at Knoxville, Tenn.

Bishop rushed for 120 yards on seven carries and Sampson had 101 on 13 attempts as the Volunteers (3-0) annihilated the Golden Flashes over the first 30 minutes. Tennessee has outscored its three opponents 191-13.

Tennessee's 37-point first quarter was a program record for any period and the Volunteers followed it with 28 points in the second quarter. Tennessee also set a school mark with 740 yards of total offense.

Nico Iamaleava completed 10 of 16 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown before leaving with Tennessee leading by 51 midway through the second quarter. Backup Gaston Moore threw two touchdown passes and Peyton Lewis rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts.

Devin Kargman completed 9 of 15 passes for 58 yards for Kent State (0-3). Rocco Nicholl had 10 tackles.

Tennessee scored points on each of its first 11 drives - including touchdowns on its first nine drives -- before being stopped on fourth down at the Kent State 5-yard line with 1:58 remaining.

The Volunteers limited the Golden Flashes to 112 yards. Tennessee had edges of 456-54 on rushing yards and 32-8 in first downs.

Sampson scored on a 22-yard run to start the onslaught. After the Volunteers notched a safety, Sampson scored from the 1 to make it 16-0 with 8:11 left in the first quarter.

Tennessee next scored on a long ball as Iamaleava connected with Chris Brazzell II in stride on a 53-yard touchdown with 5:56 remaining. Bishop broke loose on a 53-yard scamper to make it a 30-0 lead with 3:35 left before Sampson completed the opening-quarter spree with a 1-yard run with two seconds left.

In the second quarter, Bishop broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown with 13:06 left in the half. More than five minutes later, Sampson scored from the 14 to make it 51-0.

Moore threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to Miles Kitselman and 18 to Mike Matthews to culminate the 65-point first half. The Volunteers outgained Kent State 541-23 in the half.

Max Gilbert kicked field goals of 36 and 21 yards in the second half for Tennessee.

--Field Level Media

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