NCAAF

Kent State Golden Flashes at Tennessee Volunteers

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Dylan Sampson rushes for 4 TDs as No. 7 Tennessee routs Kent State 71-0

Tennessee stuns Kent State with onside kick up 30-0

It was Sampson's fourth straight game, dating back to last season's Citrus Bowl game, in which he rushed for over 100 yards.

“(Sampson) has great vision and great pace,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “He presses the line of scrimmage and is elusive in space.”

“You can only control what you've got in the moment,” said Sampson. “That's the way you find out who you are. The (running back) position is all about grit.”

DeSean Bishop added 120 rushing yards and two TDs in the first half for the Volunteers (3-0). They led 65-0 at halftime, the largest point total in one half in school history. The 71 points are the most in modern-era school history.

The Golden Flashes (0-3) generated just 23 total yards in the first half. They were offered to have a running clock in the second half but declined.

“That is not who we are as a team or a culture,” Kent State coach Kenni Burns said of the clock adjustment. “I talked to the captains about it and they said absolutely not.”

Heupel refused to comment about the decision.

Tennessee rolled up 37 points in the first quarter, the most in one quarter in school history. In those first 15 minutes, there was a safety, two snaps over the Kent State quarterback's head and an onside kick that the Vols recovered.

“We have a really young football team,” said Burns. “There was an obvious mismatch in personnel. We did not knock the ball down when we had the chance to.”

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava was 10 of 16 for 173 yards and a touchdown with 31 yards rushing.

“We still have a lot more to improve on,” Iamaleava said. “Every day we want to be 1% better.”

The Tennessee defense has gone 16 quarters — dating back to the bowl game — without giving up a touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Kent State: Coach Kenni Burns’ primary task this week with his team will be to keep the game with Tennessee and the upcoming matchup with Penn State in perspective. The Golden Flashes are young. Being overmatched by a Top 10 team can be used as a growth opportunity, rather than something that will impede progress or cause frustration.

Tennessee: Last week’s lopsided win over North Carolina State came with its share of mistakes. The Vols used the game with Kent State to clean up those concerns before they are tested in their first true road game against No. 15 Oklahoma. Iamaleava threw the first two interceptions of his career last week. He was able to make better decisions against Kent State.

UP NEXT

Kent State: The Golden Flashes have one of the toughest two-week stretches in the nation. After enduring a very loud and intimidating crowd at Tennessee, they will be in another hostile environment next Saturday at No. 8 Penn State.

Tennessee: After getting through their three tune-ups with flying colors, the Vols will visit coach Josh Heupel’s alma mater No. 15 Oklahoma in the Sooners’ first-ever Southeastern Conference game.

How To Watch

How can I watch Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Tennessee Volunteers?
  • TV Channel: Golden Flashes at Volunteers 2021 College Football, week 3, is broadcasted on SEC Network.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Volunteers: 99.7%
Golden Flashes: .3%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

TENN TD 1st Period 11:32 D. Sampson run for 22 yds for a TD (M. Gilbert KICK)
TENN SF 1st Period 10:35 Team Safety
TENN TD 1st Period 8:11 Dylan Sampson 1 Yd Run (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 1st Period 5:56 Chris Brazzell II 53 Yd pass from Nico Iamaleava (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 1st Period 3:35 DeSean Bishop 53 Yd Run (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 1st Period 0:02 Dylan Sampson 1 Yd Run (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 2nd Period 13:06 DeSean Bishop 47 Yd Run (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 2nd Period 7:49 Dylan Sampson 14 Yd Run (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 2nd Period 3:06 Miles Kitselman 15 Yd pass from Gaston Moore (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN TD 2nd Period 0:19 Mike Matthews 18 Yd pass from Gaston Moore (Max Gilbert Kick)
TENN FG 3rd Period 12:04 Max Gilbert 36 Yd Field Goal
TENN FG 4th Period 14:05 Max Gilbert 21 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2309.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originKENT https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2633.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originTENN
8 1st Downs 32
2-12 3rd down efficiency 9-15
0-0 4th down efficiency 3-4
112 Total Yards 740
58 Passing 284
9/16 Comp/Att 16/25
3.6 Yards per pass 11.4
54 Rushing 456
32 Rushing Attempts 55
1.7 Yards per rush 8.3
2-7 Penalties 5-54
0 Turnovers 0
0 Fumbles lost 0
0 Interceptions thrown 0
28:10 Possession 31:50

Game Information

Neyland Stadium

Location: Knoxville, TN
Attendance: 101,915 · Capacity:
Full Standings

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