The Tennessee Volunteers did what everyone expected them to do — blast Ball State. The Cardinals were out-classed from the opening kickoff, and Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker and the offense settled in quickly.

Tennessee ended up torching Ball State 59-10 Thursday night.

In fact, Tennessee led 7-0 in the first 23 seconds of the game. Ball State attempted a double reverse flea flicker on the first play of the game, and it ended horribly with a Tennessee interception. On the very next play, Hooker hit Jalin Hyatt on a 25-yard touchdown pass on the Vols first offensive play.

Hooker proceeded to throw 2 touchdowns on the night, along with adding 2 rushing touchdowns. Four touchdowns on opening night will get fans talking, and he did it primarily in 2 quarters.

The Vols led 38-0 at halftime.

Hooker’s night was over midway through the third quarter with Tennessee trouncing Ball State 45-7. He was replaced by Joe Milton. While Milton struggled and eventually lost his job to Hooker in 2021, he finished the night 8-of-9 for 113 yards and 1 touchdown. He looked sharp.

Milton hit Jimmy Holiday on a 53-yard touchdown pass.

Aside from Hooker, Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, Walker Merrill, Jalin Hyatt and Jimmy Holiday all scored touchdowns for Tennessee.

Tennessee’s third down defense also looked improved. Ball State finished just 5-of-13 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down. The Vols defense also forced an impressive 3 turnovers, including 2 interceptions, and it held Ball State to just 343 total yards. Junior defensive back Kamal Hadden really played well.

Tennessee breezed to a win over Ball State, and it didn’t have to show its hand ahead of playing the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Vols take on the Panthers at 3:30 p.m. on ABC in Week 2.