Tennessee avoided any concern of a let down as the Vols get set for a huge showdown with Florida next week.

The Vols poured it on early, and led by 3 touchdowns by early in the second quarter, and then coasted to a 63-6 victory.

It’s the first 3-0 start for Tennessee since 2016 when it started 5-0. The Vols also improved on their running game, which registered just 91 yards on the ground against Pitt. Tennessee had 98 rushing yards by early in the second quarter on Saturday. The Vols finished with 238 rushing yards and averaged 5.3 yards per rush.

And in a remarkable performance, which included 4-for-4 on fourth down, Tennessee topped 600 yards of total offense with 12 minutes left in the game.

A week after Hendon Hooker threw for 325 yards and 2 TDs against Pitt to SEC offensive player of the week honors, he produced another big game, and was 14-for-18 passing for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe Milton came in and went 4-for-5 passing for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Late in the first half, it was reported on the ESPN+ broadcast that WR Cedric Tillman suffered a lower-body injury and was ruled out for the game, but Tillman reportedly said he was “good.” Tillman had 2 catches for 16 yards.

Not long after that announcement, Hooker connected with Jalin Hyatt from 48 yards out to give Tennessee a 35-0 lead and Hyatt his first 100-yard receiving game.

Tennessee also saw RB Jabari Small suffer an injury on the second play from scrimmage. He finished with 2 carries for 14 yards. And Hooker took a first-half hit to the knee that upset Josh Heupel and the coach let the refs know all about it.