Tennessee Volunteers Destroy New Mexico State At Home 42-9
In a game that felt more like a preseason tune-up than a Week 11 showdown, the Tennessee Volunteers handled their business against a struggling New Mexico State team, rolling to a 42-9 victory. But let’s be honest, this wasn’t about the final score. For a Vols squad coming off a bye week and still licking its wounds from a frustrating loss to Oklahoma, this game was a litmus test. It was about seeing if this team could shake off the cobwebs, find its rhythm, and build some much-needed momentum heading into the treacherous final stretch of the season.
The final score says “domination,” but anyone who sat through the first half in Neyland Stadium knows it was a far more complicated story. It was a sleepy, uninspired start for Tennessee, one that had the 102,000 fans in attendance shifting uncomfortably in their seats. This was supposed to be a get-right game, a chance for the offense to put on a firework display. Instead, it was a sputtering engine, struggling to find its gear.
Aguilar’s Mixed Bag Performance
All eyes were on quarterback Joey Aguilar, and what we saw was a performance that perfectly encapsulated the Vols’ day: flashes of brilliance mixed with moments of head-scratching inconsistency. He extended his impressive streak of 200-yard passing games to ten, but it wasn’t pretty. Two more interceptions brought his season total to ten—the most by any quarterback in the Josh Heupel era. That’s a stat that has to be cleaned up, and fast.
Still, Aguilar made plays when it counted. He connected with Braylon Staley for a 15-yard touchdown and showed off his wheels with a 27-yard scoring run that gave Tennessee a 21-3 cushion at halftime. It was enough to get the job done against an outmatched Aggies team, but it left you wondering if this level of play will be enough to navigate the shark-infested waters of the SEC. The upcoming trip to “The Swamp” to face Florida will be the true measure of Aguilar’s growth and this offense’s potential.
Defense and Running Game Help Spark the Vols
When the offense was stuck in neutral, it was the defense that provided the spark. The unit has been the unsung hero for much of this season, and they came up big again. The defining moment came late in the third quarter when cornerback William Wright jumped a route, snagged an interception, and took it 35 yards to the house. It was the defense’s sixth touchdown of the season, a staggering number that speaks volumes about their playmaking ability. This isn’t just a group that prevents points; they actively score them. That pick-six was the injection of energy the stadium and the team desperately needed, breaking the game wide open and allowing everyone in orange to finally exhale.
On the ground, DeSean Bishop was a bright spot, churning out 80 hard-earned yards and a touchdown before a leg injury unfortunately cut his day short. His absence was felt, and his health will be a major storyline to watch.
What This Win Means for Tennessee
So, what do we make of this 7-3 Tennessee team? They avoided a trap game, which is more than some other programs can say. They took care of business, and a win is a win. But the lackluster first half and the continued turnover issues on offense raise legitimate concerns. This team’s ceiling is incredibly high, but its floor is lower than anyone in Knoxville is comfortable with.
The path forward is clear, but it’s anything but easy. A trip to Gainesville to face Florida is next. The Gators may be struggling, but “The Swamp” at night is a place where Tennessee dreams have gone to die for the better part of two decades. Breaking that 10-game losing streak in their house would be a monumental step forward for Heupel’s program. It would prove this team can win tough games on the road.
After that, it’s back home for the season finale against Vanderbilt. Don’t let the records fool you; rivalry games always have extra juice. The Vols will have a chance to finish the season strong, secure a better bowl game, and carry momentum into the offseason. This win against New Mexico State was a necessary, if uninspiring, first step.
