BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Perhaps the only thing more peculiar than the sight of a college football game at a NASCAR track was the contest itself.
Tennessee had just 91 passing yards, surrendered 5.5 yards per play and was outgained by 70 yards -- and the Volunteers won by 21 points.
After a brutal first quarter the Vols for a stretch looked like the top-10 team many expected going into the season, but Virginia Tech made far too many mistakes to overcome Tennessee.
Here's a look back at the key numbers, moments and players from the Vols' 45-24 Battle at Bristol win on Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
SATURDAY'S STAR
You saw why Tennessee went out and hired a million-dollar defensive coordinator this offseason. Much like the opener, Bob Shoop's group got off to a scary start as Virginia Tech rolled up 204 yards of offense in the first quarter. For the rest of the game, though, the Hokies scored just 10 points. In the second and third quarters the Hokies had just 78 yards and three first downs.
SATURDAY'S STAT
After a slow start Tennessee tapped into its "hunt the ball" preseason mantra and forced five turnovers, with one coming on special teams. All of them were fumbles, and the Vols turned them into 21 points. Three of them came in the fourth quarter, including defensive tackle Kendal Vickers hustling downfield to force one on a receiver with the Hokies driving down 31-17.
Flags are displayed and fireworks are set off during the national anthem before an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)TURNING POINT
Virginia Tech completely dominated the first quarter, but the good work was undone on the first play of the second quarter. Quarterback Jerod Evans botched a jet-sweep handoff to C.J. Carroll, and Tennessee's Micah Abernathy pounced on the loose ball at the Hokies' 5-yard line. The miscue woke up the Vols, who scored on the next play to jumpstart a 24-0 run before the break.
HIGHLIGHT PLAY
Perhaps sophomore wide receiver Jauan Jennings earned himself more red-zone targets after going up and making a tough touchdown catch over Virginia Tech cornerback Greg Stroman on a 50-50 ball after the turnover. The 6-foot-3 Jennings, a former quarterback, showed excellent desire and leaping skills to make on a well-thrown fade pattern by quarterback Josh Dobbs.
WHAT IT MEANS
It still appears to be boom-or-bust for Tennessee's offense and the concerns with the offensive weren't totally abated, but the Vols capitalized on Virginia Tech's turnovers and Dobbs was a playmaker with his legs. The defense was out of sorts to begin the game before recovering to lock up the Hokies, but the injury to Darrin Kirkland Jr. is a huge concern. The Vols host Ohio of the Mid-American Conference before Florida visits Knoxville.
Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd (1) is hit by Virginia Tech linebacker Terrell Edmunds (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)BY THE NUMBERS
8: Tennessee won its eighth consecutive game dating back to the loss at Alabama last October. It is the program's longest win streak since the Vols won 14 in a row during the 1998 national championship run and the 1999 season opener. Tennessee currently hold the nation's third-longest win streak behind Alabama (13) and San Diego State (11), which won 45-40 at California on Saturday night.
204-28: Virginia Tech's first-quarter domination was reflected in the box score. The Hokies had nine first downs to Tennessee's one and averaged a robust 8.2 yards per play. The Vols ran 10 plays in the opening frame as Virginia Tech dominated the ball with nearly 11 minutes of possession.
154-30: Tennessee's second-quarter domination also was reflected in the box score. Not only did the Vols score 24 unanswered points, but they generated a wide difference in total offense. Quarterback Josh Dobbs had a 40-yard run and a 38-yard touchdown pass to Josh Malone, and Jalen Hurd had runs of 17 and 18 yards. The Hokies had one first down.
156,990: The record-breaking announced attendance at Saturday night's game. It breaks the previous record attendance for a college football game, set when Notre Dame played at Michigan in front of 115,109 in 2013.
1937: The campuses of Tennessee and Virginia Tech are separated by only 234 miles, but the two border-state programs haven't played in the regular season since 1937. The Hokies won the most recent meeting in the 2009 Chick-fil-a Bowl. Tennessee won the previous bowl meeting in the 1994 Gator Bowl and lead the series 5-3 before Saturday night.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.