Tennessee’s 45-26 scorching of Syracuse inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium this past Saturday was obviously a productive first step for new Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar.
It wasn’t a bad afternoon for Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, either.
Overseeing a unit in which only left tackle Lance Heard, tight end Miles Kitselman and receiver Chris Brazzell II returned starting experience, Halzle helped Tennessee rack up 493 yards and 7.25 yards per snap. The yardage total was higher than any game the Vols had against a power conference opponent last season with the exception of the finale at Vanderbilt, when they tallied 538.
“We really liked the group we took the field with Saturday, but we had eight new ones,” Halzle said Tuesday during a news conference. “Leaving the field, we knew we had a tough, smart, competitive team. When you fill your locker room with guys who are tough, smart and competitive, you’re going to have a chance every Saturday.”
Halzle’s remarks came after the Vols continued preparations for this Saturday’s Neyland Stadium opener against East Tennessee State (3:30 p.m. on the SEC Network+ streaming service).