Freshman QB Brandon accounts for 5 TDs to lead No. 20 Tennessee over Furman 56-9

Faizon Brandon delivered a stellar performance, accounting for five touchdowns and accumulating 226 passing yards as No. 20 Tennessee claimed a commanding 56-9 triumph over Furman in Saturday's game. Within a span of just two quarters, the freshman quarterback orchestrated a 42-0 lead for the Volunteers, thanks to two long scoring passes to Mike Matthews. Brandon's impact continued when he added two more rushing touchdowns to the tally.

DeSean Bishop contributed a solid 97-yard rushing effort and a touchdown, while Justin Baker capped off the fourth quarter with a 73-yard touchdown run. Furman managed to score points only after Tennessee turnovers, with Isaiah Davis contributing a 23-yard touchdown run. Furman's quarterback, Jake Garcia, completed 8 of 17 passes for 36 yards and was sacked by Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam three times.

The Paladins, who play in the Football Championship Subdivision, capitalized on Tennessee's mistakes, scoring all their points in the final quarter. Despite the rout, the Vols' ranking remained at No. 20, but the win provided them with a boost in confidence for their upcoming away game against Georgia Tech and gave Brandon valuable experience for future hostile environments. Meanwhile, Furman can proceed with the rest of its schedule knowing they faced an opponent tougher than they will encounter moving forward.