October 1, 2026
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Faizon Brandon threw for 178 yards and one touchdown and ran for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee to a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday night.
Daune Morris rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown for the Volunteers (3-0) on a night when DeSean Bishop was slowed with an injury in the second quarter, and Javin Gordon and Justin Baker were unavailable with injuries. Morris had the game's most explosive play, a 42-yard touchdown run.
“People get caught up with who the starter (Bishop) is,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. “Daune ran well. We're fully confident in him. The guys trust him.”
Morris saw room for improvement.
“There's a lot I can get better at,” Morris said. “I've just got to focus on the details.”
Rickie Collins threw for 189 yards for the Owls (1-2), who are coached by Jerry Mack, a former Tennessee assistant under Heupel.
“It's not the result we wanted,” said Mack, “but the way we competed against a Top 15 team in the nation, there's much growth from that game that we can take.”
The victory set Tennessee up for its showdown at home with No. 1 Texas in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
“I like the results (we've had so far),” Heupel said about the impending battle. “I like that we've gotten better each week.”
Tennessee lacked continuity in the first half, leading just 21-3 at the break. Bishop had a three-yard rushing TD, but left with what looked like a lower-body injury in the second quarter.
He returned in the third quarter. Braylon Staley caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Brandon.
“We’re at a pretty good spot (with the passing game),” said Brandon. “We’re not doing anything extra; not trying to force anything.”
Kennesaw State generated just 126 yards of offense in the first 30 minutes.
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