Tennessee football opens the season with an impressive win over ACC foe Syracuse. The win was the first in the Joey Aguilar era as the Vols offense looked like it hadn't skipped a beat this offseason.
orange crush. pic.twitter.com/RCTPfJdC2A
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 30, 2025
Tennessee came out of the gates hot, scoring 31 points in the first half before cooling off after the halftime break. The Vols' run game opened the passing game, making it look easy for Aguilar against the Orange defense.
Aguilar finished the day throwing 16-for-28 for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 34 yards on six carries. One critique of Aguilar has been his turnover issues, but he did a great job taking care of the football and extending drives.
Duke transfer Star Thomas came out of the game with the most rushing yards, as the Vols rushed for 236 total yards. Thomas had 92 rushing yards, while DeSean Bishop had 82 yards and one touchdown, Peyton Lewis had 38 yards and one touchdown, and Daune Morris had two yards.
The Syracuse defense had no answers for Tennessee's offense, which totaled 493 total yards in its season opener. The dominant offensive performance and breakout showing from Aguilar will make Vols fans forget about the offseason drama that led to Aguilar coming to Rocky Top.
If Aguilar can continue to get better throughout the season and build on his performance to open the season, we could see a more explosive and dynamic offense since Hendon Hooker left for the NFL.
Tennessee's defense showed out as well, forcing an interception and a fumble for a touchdown. The defense wasn't nearly as dominant as it had been in years past, but injuries limited the Vols' defensive front; they still managed to shut down a strong Syracuse offense in its first test of the season.
Arion Carter looked the part as the Vols' defensive leader. He joined Joshua Josephs, Edwin Spillman, and Jalen McMurray in recording a sack in the season opener.
The Vols will now move on to ETSU next week in its home opener. Aguilar and the Vols offense will have an opportunity to open the offense again and put on a show for the home crowd against the in-state Buccaneers.