Kamara helps Tennessee blank North Texas 24-0

Tennessee’s defense helped the Vols overcome a sluggish performance by their offense.

THIRD-DOWN FRUSTRATIONS: North Texas has allowed opponents to convert 55 percent of their third-down opportunities, giving the Mean Green the worst third-down defense of any FBS program. Tennessee (6-4, 3-3) reached the six-win plateau to reach bowl eligibility for the second straight season for the first time since 2009-10.

Portland State ripped them, 66-7, and Coach Dan McCartney was sacked on the spot five games into the season. “The whole season we have just been getting better and better as time goes on”, stated Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr., who had a team-high eight tackles. We had a good week of preparation, but it was just one of those games. Coach Butch Jones isn’t looking past the Mean Green but with his team focused on a strong finish to the season, he is reflecting positively on Tennessee’s progress thus far. Check out the Tennessee vs. North Texas prediction and game preview.

“It was great to have that production”, quarterback Josh Dobbs said.

The Vols had 409 yards of offense and limited North Texas to 199 yards, marking the fewest yards Tennessee has allowed since holding UT-Martin to 142 yards on September 4, 2010. “The defense picked up a lot of the slack for us”.

Tennessee improved to 70-19-3 all-time in homecoming games with wins in 29 of its last 32 homecoming contests.

Kamara extended Tennessee’s lead to 24-0 early in the fourth quarter when he broke through the line for a 15-yard touchdown run to the left side. Cam Sutton and Alvin Kamara have each scored touchdowns on punt returns. Canales joked this week that “probably the only person in the country that thinks we can win is my mom”.

Yet North Texas managed to stay competitive most of the day, even though Tennessee never was in danger of losing. “These kids have worked so hard, and knowing that we’re going to a bowl game, we’re proud of them”. Tennessee was coming off a 27-24 victory over SC, which promoted Shawn Elliott to interim coach last month after Steve Spurrier stepped down. North Texas, which is 1-5 in Conference US, has lost 11 straight road games dating back to the start of 2014.3.

Kamara is one of the most dynamic players with the ball in his hands on Tennessee’s roster, and he proved it on the opening drive of last week’s win against the Gamecocks when he had three touches for 47 yards. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel announced Friday he will depart at the end of the season due to health reasons.