By Josh Woodward
InsideTennessee.com
September 5, 2010
When you go into your first game with two freshman starting on the offensive line and no returning starters from last year's blocking front, you would expect the running game to suffer. Tennessee proved that prognosis wrong tonight by running for 332 yards on just 43 atempts.� Junior Tauren Poole led the Vols with 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Sophmore David Oku scored Tennessee�s first touchdown of the year on a magnificent 44-yard run. Oku finished the game with 77 yards and a touchdown.� Freshman Rajion Neal got to see some late game action, rushing for 79 yards on nine attempts.
Tennessee Head Coach Derek Dooley was pleased with how his offensive line and running back played.
"The backs ran good; the line blocked well. They (Skyhawks) were packing 'em in, trying to stop the run,� said Dooley. �We did a nice job upfront and the runners ran hard. I think we just wore them down.�
Tennessee wide receivers also helped the Vols running backs by blocking downfield. David Oku likes what the receivers do for the backs, �They put in some real good work. A lot of people don�t know how much we really need them downfield,� said Oku.
Junior quarterback Matt Simms also managed the game well completing 14 of 24 passes for 181 yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore.� Simms was glad to get win under his belt, but also noted that he had room for improvement.
�It�s crucial to get that first win,� noted Simms. �You know at times tonight some stuff got a little ugly, especially with myself and the offense. We weren�t flowing with the game and keeping the tempo going.�
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