No. 14 Tennessee (3-0) concluded nonconference play in Week 3. The Vols defeated Kennesaw State (1-2), 42-9, at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee was led by sophomore running back Daune Morris. He totaled 116 rushing yards and one touchdown on 14 attempts. He also recorded two receptions for nine yards. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back's longest run was 42 yards.
"He just played extremely well," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said of Morris against Kennesaw State. "You guys have seen that from him. We have great trust in him. He's grown so much in understanding, playing without the ball, and then growing inside of the run game, too.
"Pressing, understanding flow, delivery of blocks, making really good cuts and playing with a really good pad level
at the end. He finished his runs extremely well tonight.”
Below are five takeaways from Tennessee's nonconference win over Kennesaw State in Week 3.
First-time starters
Tennessee had two first-time starters against Kennesaw State: wide receiver Radarious Jackson and defensive lineman Carson Gentle.
Week 3 marked Jackson's 12th career game with the Vols, while Gentle played in his 17th career contest.
Jackson totaled two receptions for 11 yards. He was targeted four times and his longest reception was eight yards. Gentle recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit.
Two-point conversion
After freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Staley with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Vols successfully executed a swinging gate formation on an extra point attempt with tight end Luca Wolf running into the end zone for two points.
The Vols converted a two-point conversion for the first time since Oct. 15, 2022 against Alabama. The last time Tennessee attempted a two-point conversion was on Oct. 18, 2025 at Alabama.
40-plus points, 400-plus yards
Tennessee finished the contest with 42 points and 446 yards (268 rushing, 102 rushing), marking the 54th time the Vols have recorded 40-plus points in a game and 51st contest with 400-plus yards under Heupel since his first season in 2021.
100-plus rushing yards
Morris recorded 116 rushing yards and one touchdown on 14 attempts for Tennessee, marking his first game with 100 rushing yards.
His performance is the seventh for a Vol under Heupel to total 100-plus rushing yards in a game, joining Tiyon Evans, Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright, Hendon Hooker, Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop.
Zero touchdowns allowed
Tennessee allowed three field goals against Kennesaw State. Former Bearden High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) kicker Daniel Kinney converted field goals from 20, 25 and 35 yards for the Owls.
Tennessee did not allow a touchdown for the eighth time under Heupel. The last time the Vols did not allow a touchdown in a game was against UTEP, 56-0, on Nov. 23, 2024.
Daniel Kinney set for Knoxville return with Kennesaw State football
— Vols Wire (@VolsWire) September 15, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Five takeaways from Tennessee's win over Kennesaw State football
