The Aporia · Brandon throws for a TD, runs for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee over Kennesaw State 42-9

Brandon throws for a TD, runs for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee over Kennesaw State 42-9

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Lesar, A. (2026, September 20). Brandon throws for a TD, runs for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee over Kennesaw State 42-9. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/brandon-throws-for-a-td-runs-for-another-to-lead-no-15-tennessee-over-kennesaw-state-42-9/article_4af8b86a-5cdd-5050-b539-12fb7a0532bf.html

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Quick Summary

Faizon Brandon led No. 15 Tennessee to a 42-9 victory over Kennesaw State with 178 yards passing and one touchdown, plus a rushing touchdown. Daune Morris contributed 116 yards rushing and a score for the Volunteers, who struggled in the first half but dominated afterward. Rickie Collins threw for 189 yards for Kennesaw State, which is rebuilding after a strong season last year. Tennessee faces Texas next week while Kennesaw State plays at Arkansas State.

Written by AI on 2026-09-20, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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On Saturday night, Faizon Brandon led No. 15 Tennessee to a dominant 42-9 victory over Kennesaw State in Knoxville, Tennessee. Brandon threw for 178 yards and one touchdown while also scoring another on the ground. Daune Morris contributed with 116 rushing yards and a touchdown despite teammate DeSean Bishop leaving early due to injury. The Volunteers struggled initially but led 21-3 at halftime; they scored an additional 21 points in the second half. Kennesaw State, coached by former Tennessee assistant Jerry Mack, managed only 189 total passing yards and is now 1-2 on the season after a loss to Western Michigan in last year's Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Written for “College Football Game Tennessee Wins” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Al Lesar

5 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction

🔮 The Vols knocked on the door throughout the half but could only manage four field goals by Cooper Ranvier.

2026-10-17 · assertive framing · No. 14 Tennessee hands No. 6 Alabama second straight loss, 26-10

🔮 Without guards Wendell Moe (out for season) and Sham Umarov (expected to return soon), the Vols inserted Nic Moore at left guard and Donovan Haslam at right guard.

2026-10-04 · assertive framing · Bishop rushes for 220 yards, 3 TDs to lead No. 17 Tennessee over Auburn 24-14

🔮 Sarkisian thinks will make a difference.

2026-09-24 · assertive framing · Arch Manning visits stadium where Uncle Peyton dominated in Texas' 1st trip to Tennessee

🔮 What it will do is give them a measure of confidence to take on the road against Georgia Tech next week and give Brandon some experience to fall back on in a hostile environment.

2026-09-05 · assertive framing · Freshman QB Brandon accounts for 5 TDs to lead No. 20 Tennessee over Furman 56-9

Also by Al Lesar

No. 14 Tennessee hands No. 6 Alabama second straight loss, 26-10

2026-10-17 · Toronto Star

Bishop rushes for 220 yards, 3 TDs to lead No. 17 Tennessee over Auburn 24-14

2026-10-04 · Toronto Star

Arch Manning visits stadium where Uncle Peyton dominated in Texas' 1st trip to Tennessee

2026-09-24 · Toronto Star

Freshman QB Brandon accounts for 5 TDs to lead No. 20 Tennessee over Furman 56-9

2026-09-05 · Toronto Star

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

Claims (18 extracted, 0 hedged)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Faizon Brandon threw for 178 yards and one touchdown and ran for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee to a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday night. asserted

Brandon → throw → night

Daune Morris rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown for the Volunteers (3-0) on a night when DeSean Bishop was slowed with an injury in the second quarter and Javin Gordon and Justin Baker were unavailable with injuries. asserted

Gordon → rush → injuries

Morris had the game’s most explosive play, a 42-yard touchdown run. asserted

Morris → have → play

Rickie Collins threw for 189 yards for the Owls (1-2), who are coached by Jerry Mack, a former Tennessee assistant under Josh Heupel. asserted

who → throw → Heupel

Tennessee lacked continuity in the first half, leading just 21-3 at the break. asserted

Tennessee → lack → break

Bishop had a three-yard rushing TD, but left with what looked like a lower-body injury in the second quarter. asserted

what → have → quarter

He returned in the third quarter. asserted

He → return → quarter

Braylon Staley caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Brandon. asserted

Staley → catch → Brandon

Kennesaw State generated just 126 yards of offense in the first 30 minutes. asserted

State → generate → minutes

This isn’t the same Kennesaw State team that won 10 games and played Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl last season. asserted

that → win → Bowl

The Owls are hoping to use the lopsided loss to Tennessee to help jump-start the rest of its season. asserted

Owls → hop → season

They can be assured they won’t face a tougher opponent the rest of the way. asserted

they → assure → way

Coming into the season, Ethan Davis was the only tight end who knew is way around the Tennessee offense in game situations. asserted

who → come → situations

He went down with a season-ending knee injury in last week’s win at Georgia Tech. asserted

He → go → Tech

That leaves sophomore DaSaahn Brame, South Alabama senior transfer Trent Thomas and other newcomers to fill the gap. asserted

That → leave → gap

Several different combinations of tight ends were used against the Owls to find something that can work. asserted

that → use → something

Up next Kennesaw State: The Owls play at Arkansas State next Saturday. asserted

Owls → play → State

Tennessee: No. 1 Texas plays at Tennessee next Saturday. asserted

Texas → play → Tennessee

Brandon throws for a TD, runs for another to lead No. 15 Tennessee over Kennesaw State 42-9

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Claims (18 extracted, 0 hedged)