Home / Sports / Vols Quarterback Shines in Debut, Dismisses "Rat Poison" Doubters
Vols Quarterback Shines in Debut, Dismisses "Rat Poison" Doubters
30 Aug
Summary
- Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar throws 3 TDs in debut
- Team overcomes offseason adversity, vows to keep improving
- Cornerback Colton Hood says they proved doubters wrong
The No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers have sent a strong message to their doubters, proving they are still a formidable team despite the offseason changes. In their season opener on August 30th, the Vols dispatched Syracuse 45-26 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with quarterback Joey Aguilar leading the way.
Aguilar, who transferred from UCLA, made a strong first impression, throwing for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 73-yard strike to Braylon Staley. The Vols' new-look roster has had to replace several key starters, but they showed they are more than capable of continuing their success from last season's College Football Playoff appearance.
"It showed all the haters and the doubters out there that we are still the same Tennessee we were last year and probably we are going to be better," said cornerback Colton Hood. Head coach Josh Heupel acknowledged the team faced adversity in the offseason, but he believes it has only brought them closer together.
The Vols know they are a different group, but they are embracing the challenge and vowing to keep improving. As Aguilar put it, "All the outside noise is just rat poison, and we've just got to focus on ourselves."
