Coming into Saturday, there was much talk surrounding the way Tennessee has started games this season. South Carolina knew coming in that it needed to weather the storm early, but they were unable to make that happen on "Rocky Top". The Vols scored 28 in the 1st quarter to cruise to a 45-20 win. Tennessee has now outscored its opponents a combined 101-13 in the first quarter this season.
It was over before it started for South Carolina, as Tennessee would score again to open the 2nd quarter. The Vols reeled off 35 unanswered before South Carolina got on the board in the 2nd quarter. The Gamecocks got their lone first half score with just over two minutes remaining in the first half.
Tennessee won the battle of quarterback play, as Vol QB Hendon Hooker had 291 total yards of offense. Hooker was 17 of 23 passing for 225 yards and three TD's. He also ran for 66 yards on 20 carries and a TD, he accounted for four total TD's.
Tennessee put up over 470 total yards and outrushed South Carolina 247-153. Tiyon Evans paced the Vols running game with 119 yards on 16 carries. Evans took a handoff 45 yards to pay dirt in the 1st half. Javonta Payton had a TD catch for the 4th consecutive game.
South Carolina is still searching for its 1st win in SEC play. The Gamecocks will be the favorite to get their first league win, when they travel to Vanderbilt in week 7. The Vandy game is a must win for South Carolina to have a chance at finishing .500, as the Gamecocks are 3-3 overall. The 2nd half slate is brutal for South Carolina, they travel to Texas A&M, host Florida, are at Mizzou, then close hosting Auburn and Clemson. The Vols move to 4-2 on the season, they have a brutal stretch coming up as well. Tennessee will host Ole Miss, then has road trips to Alabama and Kentucky, then host #1 Georgia in their next four.
