Tennessee had just one first down when Squirrel White gained 14 yards on a receiver screen to set up a second-and-one late in the first quarter. In fact, the Vols could have run out the clock in the first quarter. Instead they opted to go fast and run another play. Good call.
Nico Iamaleava found Dont’e Thornton streaking over the middle and Thornton took it 66 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Tennessee had just 61 yards so far in the game when Iamaleava found the senior receiver for a long touchdown.
The score gave Tennessee a 10-3 lead with just three seconds left in the first quarter and could prove crucial in the Vols loosening up an Oklahoma defense that was stingy early in the game.
It was Iamaleava’s seventh touchdown pass of the season and Thornton’s third receiving touchdown of the season. Thornton had just one touchdown during the 2023 season.
Check out the video of the long touchdown here and stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider all night for complete coverage of the Vols’ SEC opener against Oklahoma.
More From RTI: No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma: Live Updates, Scoring Plays, Big Moments
quick strike.
📺 ABC
📲 https://t.co/fGCMWmpQqf pic.twitter.com/QEpzq6A5md— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 22, 2024
