Freshman Faizon Brandon Leads Tennessee to 42-9 Win While Exposing Ball‑Security Issues

Brandon’s poise has pushed the Volunteers to 3-0, with turnovers and a season‑ending tight end injury creating uncertainty before next week’s game with No. 1 Texas.

Overview

Tennessee beat Kennesaw State 42-9, and Brandon finished 18-of-26 for 178 yards with one passing touchdown, added a rushing touchdown, and accounted for 225 yards of total offense.
Brandon fumbled twice in the game, including a strip-sack that Kennesaw State recovered and a fourth-quarter scramble fumble that Tennessee recovered, marking the first turnovers of his college career.
Coach Josh Heupel praised Brandon’s decision-making and pocket work, saying he worked windows and took what the defense gave him.
The Volunteers lost experienced tight end Ethan Davis to a season-ending knee injury in the prior game, leaving the position thin and forcing Tennessee to try several combinations at tight end.
Tennessee now prepares for a pivotal SEC opener against No. 1 Texas at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 26, a matchup that will be a much tougher measure of Brandon’s readiness and the team’s depth.