The Halftime Report: Tennessee vs. UTSA

The Tennessee Volunteers have gotten a very strong start against UTSA and hope to repeat that success in the second half.

Optimism wasn't a word used around Knoxville, Tennessee, during the past week. After losing to Florida, the Vols had an extremely sour taste, culminating in a players-only meeting. The squad seems to have rallied around each other during the week, as Tennessee is currently routing UTSA.

The difference has started with Tennessee starting quarterback Joe Milton III. He opened the game with an 81-yard rushing touchdown and hasn't slowed down since. The sixth-year senior has thrown three passing touchdowns today and flashed some impressive ball placement. The passing game looks much better, and his targets are starting to make plays on the football.

The defense is pitching a shut-out, aligning with their performances this year. They dominated Virginia and Austin Peay in the trenches and have used that to their advantage against UTSA. They've gotten several big run plays, and to be frank, everything is coming up in Tennessee's favor. They have answered many questions that people had after the Florida game, though they must continue performing moving forward. We could see true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava check into the game later, especially considering Milton had a minor injury scare at the end of the first half. Iamaleava has appeared in one contest to date.

Tennessee Volunteers RB Jaylen Wright during the game against UTSA on September 23rd, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Randy Sartin of USA Today Sports)

How To Watch: UTSA @ Tennessee

• Gameday: Saturday, September 23rd, 2023.
• Game time: 4:00 pm ET
• TV: SEC Network
• Stadium: Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Live stream on fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!

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