Aguilar Shines, Defense Delivers

Neyland Stadium hummed with Homecoming fire on a windy but warm November evening. The Alumni Pride of the Southland performed exquisitely, Smokey the coontick hound ran the north end zone, a sellout crowd of 101,915 voices roared “Rocky Top" at every opportunity and there were many opportunities. The No. 21 Vols (7-3, 3-3 SEC) needed this reset after the scars of SEC play, and they got it: a 42-9 demolition of New Mexico State that felt like mountain air swirling in a pigskin storm - imperfect but cleansing after the Oklahoma debacle two weeks ago.

Shorthanded but fierce, the Vols' defense set the tone early. Freshman Ty Redmond’s one-handed pick on the Aggies’ third drive sparked the swarm. Daevin Hobbs (nine tackles, five unassisted on the day) and Colton Hood (seven tackles, three unassisted) set the tone. Two picks total, including Will Wright’s 35-yard pick-six in the third quarter, represented Vols’ sixth defensive TD this year, chasing ’71 lore.

Offense? QB Joey Aguilar owned the evening. He went 17-of-23 for 204 yards, threw for a TD (15 yards to Braylon Staley, his fourth in four games), and added a 27-yard rushing score. Star Thomas with a 21-yard TD against his old team and DeSean Bishop (80 yards, one TD) ground it out. This one was never in doubt. Tennessee rolled to a 21-3 halftime lead on the way to the thirty three point margin of victory.

The Soul of the win? The turnover machine D. Aguilar’s poise (passed for at least 200 yards in all 34 starts of his Division I career with 10 coming at Tennessee UT and 24 while quarterbacking Appalachian State). Staley’s freshman fire. Thomas’ grit. The Vols certainly weren't flawless with numerous penalties and two picks themselves, but a win is a win.

Vols coach Josh Heupel expressed measured optimism in his postgame remarks. He praised the defense’s first-half: “played well getting off the field… good job at the line of scrimmage" highlighted by turnovers like Redmond’s pick and Wright’s pick-six that stifled Aggies' drives. Offensively, he lauded the balanced ground attack’s tenacity, Aguilar’s imperfect but savvy playmaking with encouraging connections to Braylon Staley and an “up and down” start that eventually steadied. He also commended freshman backup George MacIntyre’s practice gains juxtaposed with Boo Carter’s absence due to a “failing to meet the team standard” violation which Heupel announced was his "final comment on it." He emphasized this team's focus was imperative heading into the Florida game.

Aggies head coach Tony Sanchez delivered a forward-looking press conference that highlighted his team’s unwavering commitment and key positives amid the lopsided score. Praising their early intensity and overall fight ("our guys showed some grit, they fought. They did some good things”), Sanchez spotlighted the offense’s ability to “run the ball a little bit” for sustained drives, while lauding the their defense causing turnovers and bringing pressure on Aguilar without excessive blitzing. He praised the run defense, particularly in short-yardage stops where they “held up pretty good against them” along the interior. He gave specific shoutouts to quarterback Logan Fife for his pre-injury contributions and backup Adam Damante for his “grittiness” in extending plays with his legs, underscoring the squad’s refusal to fold late in a grueling 3-7 season: “They came in here gritty as hell… I’m proud of these guys and in full faith that we’re getting closer to where we need to be.” Sanchez’s optimistic tone signals a program building momentum through heart, even on tough nights.

With two games left in the 2025 regular season, the Tennessee make-or-break SEC matchups could vault them into a premium bowl like the Citrus or Gator, solidify a top-25 ranking, and fuel 2026 momentum. The swamp-road test at Florida next weekend looms as yet another a SEC hurdle and history - a victory would heal the Vols' wounds of losing every game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since 2003. The capper? Hosting Vanderbilt on November 29, a heated rivalry for the Victory Trophy against the resurgent 8-2 Commodores, where a Vols' win locks in a 9-3 regular season, bids adieu to seniors, and keeps their extremely faint playoff at-large whispers alive amid Vanderbilt’s surprise CFP contention.



TOM’S TAKEAWAYS

• Two picks, including William Wright’s 35-yard pick-six, pushed Tennessee’s SEC-leading 18 takeaways into legend territory. Shorthanded? Indeed, as Arion Carter and Jordan Ross were sidelined. Nevertheless, Daevin Hobbs and Colton Hood swarmed like field like hounds on a fox hunt. If this D keeps feasting, Florida’s swamp might feel more like quicksand to the Gators next week.

• Joey Aguilar, the unflappable vet, went 17-of-23 for 204 and that 27-yard keeper TD. But those two picks? Yet more teachable moments in a league that devours the timid.

• Braylon Staley, the redshirt rook with hands like magnets, snagged another TD. He is leading D1 freshmen nationally in receiving yards and second in catches/scores. That’s not emergence; that’s explosion in a passing game that sputters sometimes. Staley has become a reliable route-runner who turns chains into touchdowns. Watch this talent in big spots and you won't be disappointed. 

• Star Thomas, the ex-Aggie All-CUSA bulldozer, rumbling 21 yards for paydirt against his former crew? That’s raw poetry and a nod to the transfer trails that brought him to Rocky Top. Paired with DeSean Bishop’s 80-yard grind (and his own TD) and Peyton Lewis' TD, it showed a backfield with continuous heart and hustle. It wasn't the flashiest day rushing overall, but when it counted, the running backs delivered the hammer.

• The Imperfect Perfect Storm: Penalties nicked Tennessee, the run game coughed up fumes at times, and Aguilar’s picks reminded us that even dominating performances have dents. Bowl eligibility? Sealed at 7-3. Playoff pipe dream? Why not fan the flames? Florida on Nov. 22 will test it all.