Does anyone remember when East Tennessee State University ended a proud history by closing down its football program in 2003? Certain members of the ETSU Alumni, students, and the Johnson City community clamored for a return of football, and in 2012, Dr. Stanton resigned, and Dr. Brian Noland became the ninth president of ETSU. The football program was revived in 2013 and continues to this day.

A budget deficit led to the end of ETSU football, and when it resumed, revenue was necessary to maintain the program. To that end, ETSU scheduled the behemoth just south, the University of Tennessee, in 2018 for a payday of $500,000, losing by a whopping score of 59-3. The second coming was $575,000 and a loss in 2025 of 72-17. The Bucs had a net gain of one point and $75,000 comparing the two recent contests. The second helping improved Tennessee's record to 2-0.

While a math and history lesson are worthwhile university endeavors, most readers prefer a write-up about the football game, so here it is.

Tennessee took the opening kickoff and drove for a touchdown. With the PAT, the score was 7-0. ETSU's ensuing drive ended with a punt.

Tennessee's next possession produced a field goal for a 10-0 lead. ETSU's ensuing drive ended with a punt.

Tennessee's third drive again ended with a touchdown and a PAT for a 17-0 lead. ETSU's ensuing drive ended with a punt.

Tennessee's fourth drive ended in a punt, but so too did ETSU's ensuing drive.

Tennessee's next four drives were touchdown, touchdown, field goal and touchdown. ETSU's responding possessions resulted in three punts and a loss of possession on downs.

The score was now 41-0, and it wasn't even halftime yet. ETSU then decided to mix it up. They scored on a five-yard Cade McNamara pass to Taharin Sudderth after a Tennessee fumble on their own 5-yard line. That touchdown must have pissed off Tennessee, as they tacked on more points before halftime. The first half ended with yet another Tennessee touchdown and a 48-7 lead as the two teams headed to their respective locker rooms for the mid-game break. To say the game was essentially over at the half was an accurate assessment.

Tennessee won the second half, too, en route to the final score. What was exciting about the second half was that it didn't rain like it did in the first half. That meant that the videographers and photographers could take the rain covers off their cameras. Some did and others didn't.

The Vols played four quarterbacks, and starter Joey Aguilar played better than he had played in the Syracuse game. He was noticeably better passing on the sideline routes, and his field command was impeccable, save for the one fumble leading to the Bucs' second-quarter score. By some accounts, he performed better than in 2024 when he played at Appalachian State. His spring practice playing for UCLA did not seem to hurt his performance. He was 23-31 passing for 288 yards with two touchdowns.

The big three Vols' receivers were Chris Brazzell II (9 receptions, 125 yards, and 2 TDs), Mike Matthews (six receptions for 111 yards and 1 TD), and Braylon Staley (5 receptions and 39 yards). Star Thomas gained 69 yards on 12 carries with 3 touchdowns. DeSean Bishop was right behind with 68 yards on three carries (a whopping 22.3 average per carry). Boo Carter was electric with 4 punt returns for 94 yards. Max Gilbert kicked three field goals. Josh Turbyville kicked off through the end zone all day.

Tennessee's defenders were led by Arion Carter and Bryson Eason with four tackles each.

ETSU's quarterback is the well-traveled Big 10 refugee Cade McNamara, who started 18 Big Ten games before transferring to the FCS level. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. If he can escape the injury bugaboo that's hampered his college career, he will contribute offensive fireworks to the Southern Conference this year.

The first huge test for Tennessee occurs next Saturday in Knoxville when the Georgia Bulldogs come to town. Evidencing a big game status, ESPN's College Gameday will be on campus for the nationally televised game. These type games (and NIL money) drive athletes to participate for game and fortune. Coach Josh Heupel will then see what the Vols can accomplish against top-notch competition.

TOM'S TAKEAWAYS

*An outline of the State of Tennessee appears in ETSU's official logo.

*ETSU won one important statistical category. They did not turn the ball over. Tennessee did turn the ball over once on a fumble. The team with the most turnovers usually loses. Go figure.

*Tennessee suffered no known injuries in the game.

*Joey Aguilar's California family attended the game. His grandmother's reaction to her grandson's 53-yard TD strike to Mike Matthews was priceless.

*Preferred walk-on quarterback Mason Phillips gained 18 yards on two carries late in the game. Rumor has it that besides playing QB for his Northview Academy high school team in Kodak, TN, he also played defensive back, punted and kicked field goals and extra points. If Tennessee loses some key players, they have the multi-talented Phillips as a ubiquitous replacement.

*Speaking of replacements (or perhaps "the replaced"), Nico Iamaleava's UCLA team lost 30-23 to UNLV. Despite rallying his team from a 23-0 deficit to make the game competitive, Nico's late interception helped seal the deal for the Runnin' Rebels. So far, it appears that Tennessee got the best of the Aguilar-Iamaleava swap.