The run game looked terrific against the Orange.
The Tennessee Volunteers had some very big shoes to fill on offense in 2025, particularly those of record-setting RB Dylan Sampson. If Saturday was any indication, it appears they have the group capable of carrying the torch sufficiently this season.
The Vols rolled up 247 yards on the grounds (and 247 passing for a perfect balance) in their 45-26 win over Syracuse, and much of that credit goes to Tennessee’s offensive line, which required some last minute changes due to David Sanders, Jr. missing the game with an injury.
But the unit did a nice job creating opportunities in the run game, and Josh Heupel’s three-headed trio delivered the goods time and again.
The trio of DeSean Bishop (who got the start), Peyton Lewis, and Star Thomas all notched at least 8 carries in the contest, so Heupel definitely went back to what we had seen before 2024 in distributing the ball substantially between three running backs. Thomas had 92 yards on 11 carries, Bishop 82 on 12 with a touchdown, and Lewis had 38 yards on 8 carries with a touchdown.
What I liked the best about the group is that they all did something distinct and productive with the ball in their hands. Bishop had the long run of the day of 47 yards, and despite adding a significant amount of mass to his body, he’s still fleet afoot, which was his calling card coming to Knoxville.
Lewis had one of the more unheralded plays of the day that made me smile. In the first quarter on the two-yard line, someone inside appeared to miss a block, as a Syracuse defender was standing unchallenged in the hole. Lewis put his head down and forced him into the end zone. Pure power. Little doubt that Lewis is the best hammer of the room if the Vols need a short yardage pickup.
But man, Duke transfer Star Thomas looked good with the ball in his hands, didn’t he? He just has the instincts and quickness to avoid defenders in space. He had two beautiful spin moves that I remember that left defenders behind him.
Heupel is who he is – he’s going to move fast, he’s going to run the ball a bunch, and he’s – again – going to shift a lot of guys in and out of the game to carry the ball. And after Saturday, I think the running game is going to be just fine this season.
Category: General Sports
