Tennessee makes a huge statement and crushes UTEP 56-0 after slow start

Tennessee football is one step closer to making its College Football Playoff dreams a reality. The Vols defeated the Miners 56-0 in a game that started out slow for both offenses. 

Nico Iamaleava and the Vols offense struggled to move the ball down the field and were held to a goose egg in the first quarter, but that didn't last long as Heupel and Nico opened the floodgates in the second quarter, scoring 28 unanswered points before halftime. 

Just about everyone got to touch the ball today. Tennessee had eight players record at least one reception, five players with positive rushing yards, and Gaston Moore and Navy Shuler entered the game to relieve Nico in the fourth quarter. 

We had a well-deserved Mike Matthews sighting, who set up a touchdown pass to Bru McCoy. That was McCoy's first touchdown since his season-ending injury last season, and Neyland got loud for their favorite Southern California VFL after he reached the checkerboards. 

Nico finished the day throwing 17 for 23 for 209 yards and four passing touchdowns. He also had 36 rushing yards to go with his all-purpose yards in the game, but the leader on the ground was no other than Dylan Sampson, who finally broke through to set Tennessee's single-season rushing touchdown record. 

His 22nd touchdown of the season broke Gene McEver's record set in 1929 as Sampson solidified himself in Tennessee history. Tennessee's offense wouldn't have nearly as many opportunities to light up the scoreboard without Sampson as they did on Saturday. 

It wouldn't have been a dominant Tennessee victory without acknowledging Tennessee's defense, which shut out the Miners offense. UTEP had a fleury of tricks up their sleeve they threw at Tennessee throughout the game, but it wasn't enough to trick the Vols' defense. 

James Pearce Jr. added two more sacks to his season total as he continues to have an elite season off the edge. Whether it be sacks, tackles, or pressure, Pearce is the biggest game wrecker on Tennessee's front seven, and he made another statement on Saturday with another impressive performance. 

The Vols are now in a likely win-and-your-in situation with its season finale against Vanderbilt next week. No. 9 Ole Miss lost to Florida, which opens the door for Tennessee to re-enter the CFP race after dropping out with its loss to Georgia. 

The Vols' 56-point win should be enough to convince the committee to return the Big Orange to the 12-team College Football Playoff.