ATLANTA – No. 24/18 Tennessee opened its 2025 season in commanding fashion Saturday afternoon, racing past Syracuse, 45-26, In the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Vols (1-0) struck quickly with 17 first-quarter points. After Max Gilbert drilled a 34-yard field goal on UT’s opening drive, sophomore running back Peyton Lewis capped an 85-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown plunge. The defense added to the lead moments later as Nathan Robinson forced a strip sack that transfer cornerback Colton Hood scooped and returned 22 yards for a score.
Syracuse (0-1) got on the board early in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run, but Tennessee answered immediately. Quarterback Joey Aguilar connected with Braylon Staley on a beautiful 73-yard strike to restore momentum. After the Orange pulled within 24-14 late in the half, the Vols responded again. A 47-yard burst from DeSean Bishop set up his own 1-yard touchdown run, sending UT to the locker room ahead, 31-14.
The defense provided another spark to open the second half as Jalen McMurray tipped a pass in the backfield and junior linebacker Jeremiah Telander intercepted it. Aguilar turned the takeaway into points, finding running back Star Thomas on a 7-yard touchdown reception.
Syracuse battled back with a pair of rushing scores to close within 38-26 early in the fourth quarter, but the Vols put the game away with a methodical nine-play, 54-yard drive. Aguilar hit Miles Kitselman from two yards out to push the margin back to three scores. Tennessee’s defense sealed the win with a fourth-down stop at its own 4-yard line in the final minutes.
Aguilar was in command of the offense, finishing 16-of-28 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Brazzell II paced the receivers with five catches for 62 yards, while Staley added four receptions for 95 yards and a score. On the ground, Thomas rushed for 92 yards and added a receiving touchdown, while Bishop added 82 yards with his first-half score.
On defense, junior linebacker Arion Carter led the way with a team-high nine tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss. McMurray and edge rusher Joshua Josephs each recorded seven stops with one tackle for loss and one sack apiece. As a unit, the Vols finished with five sacks and seven tackles tackles for loss.
Tennessee finished with 493 yards of total offense and was a perfect 5-of-5 in the red zone.
Up Next
Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, for its home opener against ETSU. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
