With a blowout win under its belt against a highly touted Utah State team, a short week with only six days of rest, and a game in Norman, Oklahoma looming on the schedule, Tennessee was able to take care of business on Saturday afternoon. The Vols, now 2-0 on the season, defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 34-19 in front of 99,538 at Neyland Stadium.
Senior Justin Worley hit nine different receivers on the afternoon, including two touchdown passes to Marques North. Worley finished the day 22-36 with 247 yards and three touchdowns, one of which was the first rushing touchdown of his career.
Jalen Hurd led Tennessee in rushing with 87 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Marlin Lane carried it 13 times for 54 yards. As a team, however, Tennessee averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, which is much improved from the 2.8 yards it averaged per carry last week against Utah State, but still well below its 4.9 yard average last season.
Two important pieces of the Vols’ offense left the field injured yesterday. Von Pearson had his ankle rolled while blocking down near the goal line, and freshman Ethan Wolf took a hit to the knee after catching a pass from Justin Worley and had to leave the game. It’s likely we won’t have any idea of their status until Monday at the earliest, but the early rumors are both may have avoided serious injury.
Red Wolves’ quarterback Fredi Knighten was a handful for the Vols, proving to be more dangerous that what the Vols saw from Utah State’s Chucky Keeton last weekend. Knighten completed 21-34 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
The Vols next play the No. 3/No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.
UPDATE:
Nothing's torn… Thanks to The Lord!
— Ethan Wolf (@Bcountry18) September 7, 2014