Editor’s Note: This year’s Hillsboro Globe Sports Desk is excited to announce we have a brand-new team of sports reporters and photographers for both high school and college. On the team are Justin Carruthers, Levi Edwards, Trevor Hobbs, Jr., and Nick Thornton as sports writers. Jamal Southall will be one of our staff photographers. We will be featuring game previews and wrap-ups of both high school and college.
The University of Tennessee’s top football players lit up the field this past weekend, delivering a trio of performances that defined dominance and precision, with the Vols setting a modern-era scoring record with a 72–17 blowout over East Tennessee State University.
Quarterback Joey Aguilar led the offense with, throwing three touchdowns without a single turnover. Running back Star Thomas powered through defenders for three rushing scores. Meanwhile, wide receiver Chris Brazzell II emerged as a game-changer, racking up over 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a breakout display that hyped-up the fans with the passing game.
1. Top Performers — Player Ratings (vs. ETSU on September 6, 2025)
The Vols set a modern-era scoring record with a 72–17 blowoutThree standout players powered the offensive surge:
- Joey Aguilar passing game was precise and efficient—no turnovers and three touchdowns earned him near-perfect marks.
- Star Thomas delivered three scores on the ground, showcasing consistency with dominant rushing attempts.
- Chris Brazzell II had a breakout receiving performance with over 120 yards and two scores, making a big impact in the passing game.
2. Team Performance Overview
- Offensive Explosion: Tennessee produced 717 total yards (almost unheard-of), running 100 plays with a very balanced attack—52 passes and 48 runs.
- Historic Output: The 72 points are the highest in the program’s modern era. Early leads of 31–0 and 48–7 by halftime wrapped the game quickly. Reserves even got in on the fun in the second half.
This kind of offensive dominance, especially in yardage and scoring, speaks to incredible execution and depth across the lineup.
3. What’s Next for the Vols?
The Volunteers now gear up for a high-stakes SEC opener against No. 6 Georgia, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Neyland Stadium.
This is the biggest test yet—Georgia poses a significantly tougher challenge than ETSU. And historically, Coach Heupel’s Vols have had a hard time against Georgia, especially at home, where losses have come big.
