Tennessee enters Saturday night 2-0 and looks to complete a fifth straight undefeated non-conference regular season
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE GameDay Center) — Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium Saturday night looking to remain unbeaten and continue a run of non-conference success when Kennesaw State visits Knoxville for the first meeting between the programs.
The No. 15/14 Volunteers are 2-0 after a 45-24 road victory over Georgia Tech. Tennessee has now opened 2-0 for five consecutive seasons under coach Josh Heupel, its longest such streak since the Vols started 2-0 in 11 straight seasons from 1924-34.
Tennessee is also seeking its fifth consecutive undefeated non-conference regular season. The Vols have won 20 straight non-SEC regular-season games, dating to a 56-0 victory over Tennessee Tech on Sept. 18, 2021.
Since Heupel became head coach in 2021, Tennessee is 23-4 against non-SEC opponents, including 21-1 during the regular season.
Vols running game rolling
Tennessee’s rushing attack has been one of the team’s biggest strengths through two games.
The Vols are averaging 314 rushing yards per game, sixth nationally, and ran for 299 yards against Georgia Tech.
Senior running back DeSean Bishop led Tennessee with a career-high 147 yards on 20 carries, averaging 7.4 yards per attempt and scoring twice.
Sophomore Daune Morris also turned in a breakout performance, rushing 10 times for a career-high 98 yards. His 47-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter capped the scoring against Georgia Tech.
Kennesaw State comes to Neyland
Kennesaw State enters Saturday 1-1 and will play its first road game of the season against Tennessee.
The Owls are facing their first Southeastern Conference opponent. They previously have played ACC and Big Ten opponents from the Power 4 and will face their second AP Top 25 opponent after playing then-No. 23 Indiana in 2025.
Kennesaw State has been productive offensively early this season, ranking among the nation’s top 40 in several categories:
- Red-zone efficiency: 100%, first nationally
- Sacks allowed: 1.0 per game, 34th
- Completion percentage: 69.6%, 37th
- Rushing offense: 184.5 yards per game, first in Conference USA
- First downs: 24 per game, first in CUSA
- Scoring offense: 32 points per game, second in CUSA
- Total offense: 427.5 yards per game, third in CUSA
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 7:55 p.m. kickoff at Neyland Stadium and will be televised nationally on SEC Network.
The game is also Tennessee’s annual Salute to Service game, presented by Standard Nuclear, honoring service members, veterans and their families.
GameDay Center key graphic:
TENNESSEE (2-0) vs. KENNESAW STATE (1-1)
7:55 P.M. | NEYLAND STADIUM
VOL FACTS
- 5th straight 2-0 start
- 20 straight non-SEC regular-season wins
- 314 rushing yards/game
- DeSean Bishop: 147 yards, 2 TDs vs. Georgia Tech
SALUTE TO SERVICE
Honoring America’s service members, veterans and their families
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