ATLANTA, Ga. - A balanced offense and a bruising defense carried No. 24 Tennessee to a 45-26 win over Syracuse in Saturday afternoon’s Aflac Kickoff Game.

Playing in front of a hugely partisan Orange and White crowd of 45,918 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the offense was the very definition of consistency as Tennessee threw for 247 yards and ran for 246 for a total of 493. The Vols were under the direction of first-year quarterback Joey Aguilar, who impressed, going 16-for-28 for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

On the ground, Star Thomas ran 12 times for 93 yards and a score with DeSean Bishop finishing with 84 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Braylon Staley had 95 receiving yards to lead the wideouts. Tennessee was a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone.

On the other side of the ball, Tim B

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