No. 7 Tennessee Sets Record in 71-0 Win Over Kent State

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The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (3-0) and head coach Josh Heupel had no problems with the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-3) on Sept. 14 in Knoxville, Tenn., winning 71-0. This game was pretty much over right as soon as it started. The Volunteers' offense was way too much for the Kent State defense to handle and it was 37-0 after the first quarter. The Volunteers actually set a school record for most points scored in the first quarter in school history.

Game Summary

The Volunteers actually started this game with 5 touchdown drives. They kept rolling with each drive after every punt from the Golden Flashes.

Tennessee quickly scored a touchdown at the 11:32 mark of the first quarter. On the ensuing Kent State drive, three plays later, the Volunteers recovered a fumble in the end zone for a safety after an awful snap. Volunteers players in the end zone thought one of their own secured the ball, but it resulted in points for them either way.

From there, Tennessee just kept pouring it on and entered halftime with a 65-0 lead. The Volunteers offered to reduce the time in the third and fourth quarters or have a running clock, but Kent State declined.

The Volunteers cruised to the big win and gave Heupel his 30th win as Tennessee head coach.

Turning Point: Tennessee

There were a lot of plays that helped turn this game in the Volunteers' favor. But one specifically stood out. Tennessee was up 23-0 and Kent State had a third-and-2 from their own 33-yard line. The Golden Flashes botched the snap, going over quarterback Devin Kargman's head. Kent State recovered and punted the ball back to the Volunteers.

On the very next play, running back DeSean Bishop sprinted 53 yards untouched to the end zone to make it 30-0 Tennessee.

The Golden Flashes had no answers all night for the Volunteers' offense as they got embarrassed on the scoreboard and the total yardage game. The Volunteers won that battle, too, 740-112.

What it Means

For the Volunteers, they continue to dominate opponents and put up video game numbers on the offensive side of the ball. They have an insane amount of talent when it comes to quarterback Nico Iamaleava, running back Dylan Sampson or even wide receiver Squirrel White. It's an embarrassment of riches and Heupel should be pleased with his team. But they travel to Norman, Okla., to face the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC. That will be a tough Southeastern Conference contest to prove who belongs in the College Football Playoff conversation.

As for the Golden Flashes, they have a lot to clean up and it does not get easier from here. On Sept. 21, they travel to University Park, Pa., to take on the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) at 3:30 p.m. EST on BTN. That game won't be easy, either, and might end up with a similar result as this one did.