KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee football team entered the week among the nation’s statistical leaders in categories that typically indicate good discipline, but the Volunteers looked like a disjointed mess at times Saturday at Neyland Stadium during a 24-0 victory over the University of Texas at El Paso.
The Vols (2-1) committed two turnovers and seven penalties – not including a few UTEP declined – in a lackluster final tune-up before beginning Southeastern Conference play next week with a visit from Florida.
UTEP (0-3) punted 12 times in the game, providing Tennessee plenty of chances to break away against the Miners, who went 0-12 last season.
Instead, the offense piddled around, shooting itself in the foot with unforced errors. Tennessee led just 10-0 at halftime.
SATURDAY’S STAR
Sophomore running back Ty Chandler entered with four rushes for minus-4 yards, all coming in the season opener against West Virginia, when he suffered an injury that kept him out of last week’s home win against East Tennessee State. After watching fellow running backs Tim Jordan and Jeremy Banks impress in the first two games, Chandler took his turn with 158 yards on 12 carries.
SATURDAY’S STAT
UTEP’s Mitchell Crawford punted 12 times Saturday, covering 471 yards for an average of 39.3. Seven punts came after the UTEP offense went three-and-out. It was not the productivity first-year Miners offensive coordinator Mike Canales was hoping for in his return to Knoxville after working as the Vols’ quarterbacks coach in 2017.
Action from Tennessee’s 24 to 0 victory over the University of Texas El Paso. @SportsChatt @TimesFreePress pic.twitter.com/JYUzdeSSuZ
— Robin Rudd (@RobinRudd5) September 15, 2018
TURNING POINT
The turning point came when the game ended without any apparent serious injuries and Tennessee could retire to the locker room to begin correcting all that went wrong in a poor showing against one of the worst teams in the country.
HIGHLIGHT PLAY
Chandler finally gave fans braving the heat a reason to cheer when he broke off the Vols’ longest run since 2006 on their first offensive play of the second half. Guarantano pitched to Chandler, who received excellent blocking before outracing UTEP’s secondary down the left sideline to put Tennessee up 17-0.
WHAT IT MEANS
Tennessee will enter the SEC schedule on an underwhelming note. The Vols looked sloppy on offense and struggled in the return game. They got away with their miscues because of the inferiority of their opponent, but a similar outing against Florida next week will almost assuredly result in a loss.
HOW THEY SCORED
FIRST QUARTER
TEN – Brent Cimaglia 38-yard field goal, 2:39
Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards, 7:41
Key play: A chop block called on right guard Jerome Carvin and right tackle Drew Richmond canceled a 7-yard Ty Chandler touchdown run and set the Vols back 15 yards.
TENNESSEE 3, UTEP 0
SECOND QUARTER
TEN – Tim Jordan 3-yard run (Cimaglia kick)
Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:04
Key play: Jarrett Guarantano threw slightly behind Brandon Johnson, but the junior receiver adjusted for a 29-yard reception over the middle to get the Vols into the red zone.
TENNESSEE 10, UTEP 0
THIRD QUARTER
TEN – Ty Chandler 81-yard run, 13:49
Key play: Ty Chandler turned a routine carry into a highlight on Tennessee’s first offensive play of the second half, showcasing his speed as he broke free down the left sideline.
TENNESSEE 17, UTEP 0
FOURTH QUARTER
TEN – Jauan Jennings 4-yard pass from Guarantano (Cimaglia kick), 11:14
Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:10
Key play: A pass interference penalty on UTEP’s Dylan Parsee helped the Vols convert on 3rd-and-13 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
TENNESSEE 24, UTEP 0
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.