KNOXVILLE – If the Tennessee Volunteers are to ascend to a Southeastern Conference Eastern Division championship, a perch they haven’t occupied since 2007, they must be able to hold their own against the likes of Florida and Georgia.
They also must kick other East challengers to the curb.
Tennessee opened its five-game Neyland Stadium schedule Saturday afternoon under gorgeous skies by throttling Missouri 35-12. The Vols entered the game only 3-5 against the Tigers since Mizzou joined the SEC in 2012, but Tennessee overwhelmed its guests from the start by controlling the trenches on both sides of the ball before an announced crowd of just 21,159 due to coronavirus guidelines.
“We talked as a 2019 class about getting Tennessee back to the top,” sophomore running back Eric Gray said, “and to get Tennessee back to the top, you’ve got to dominate these – not the smaller games, but the games you don’t really focus on. You’ve got to dominate these type of games to make a statement.”
Gray rushed 16 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Ty Chandler carried 19 times for 90 yards and a score as the No. 21 Vols improved to 2-0 and clinched just their second 2-0 league start in 13 seasons. Tennessee posted a 232-126 advantage in rushing yards, which more than complemented another solid showing by fifth-year senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown.