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Five lessons from the Vols’ win over Kent State
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Five lessons from the Vols’ win over Kent State

Arion Carter. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Arion Carter. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee (3-0) completed a historic feat by beating Kent State (0-3) 71-0 on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols’ 71 points are the most the program has scored in the modern era since 1937. Tennessee has scored 70-plus points in a game 11 times.

“Just like a football team, we started fast,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “There are some hurdles we have to overcome, but overall a good performance on defense, controlling the line of scrimmage, getting off the field on third down. Offensively, we were able to run the ball and create some big plays as well. Special teams was a solid performance.”

READ: SEC football power rankings after Week 3

Below are five key takeaways from Tennessee’s Week 3 win over the Golden Flashes.

Josh Heupel

Josh Heupel and Cole Cubelic. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireJosh Heupel and Cole Cubelic. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel and Cole Cubelic. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel is 30-12 at Tennessee, with 24 of Heupel’s wins coming by double digits.

Non-conference win streak

John Slaughter. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireJohn Slaughter. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

John Slaughter. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee football recorded its 13th consecutive win against a non-conference opponent. It is the Vols’ longest winning streak against non-SEC opponents since they won 27 games in a row from 1969 to 1973.

Point differential

DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireDeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee football has outscored its opponents, 191-13, in three games this season under Heupel. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the +178 point differential is the largest in SEC history and the second-most among any FBS team in the AP Poll era since 1936.

50+ points

Max Gilbert and Jackson Ross. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireMax Gilbert and Jackson Ross. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Max Gilbert and Jackson Ross. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee scored 50-plus points in the first three games of a season for only the second time in school history, and for the first time since 1913. Tennessee joins 2018 Alabama as the only SEC programs to accomplish the feat during the AP Poll era.

Total yards

Nico Jamaleava. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireNico Jamaleava. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Nico Jamaleava. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kent State Golden Flashes on September 14, 2024 at Neyland Stadium. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Against Kent State, Tennessee recorded 740 total yards, setting a school record. The previous record was 724 yards against Missouri on Nov. 12, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Five Key Takeaways from Vols’ Win Over Kent State