It was bound to happen. #23 was at home hosting #9 California. Many college football analysts have been talking about the Volunteers being back. Last season they finished 5-6 and were lucky to pull off that many wins. Quick the prove that 2005 was a fluke of a year, the Volunteers wasted no time by dispatching the Golden Bears 35-18 on Saturday.

This game was not as close as the final score indicates. California scored 14 of their 18 points in the 4th quarter—one of which came in garbage time with just 9 seconds to go in the game. Tennessee mounted a solid offensive attack by putting up 514 yards of total offense against Cal’s defense. The attack was balanced with just a slight advantage to the passing game.

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was 11 of 17 for 291 yards and four TDs. He did throw one interception, but that was overshadowed by his great performance. The running attack was split three ways between Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, and LaMarcus Coker with 69,56 and 53 yards respectively. Hardesty scored a TD and gained the bulk of his yards on a single run of 43 yards.

Robert Meachem had a solid receiving day. He caught five passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. In the 3rd quarter, he caught an 80 yard TD strike from QB Erik Ainge. On Cal’s side of the ball, the only performance that stands out is that of receiver DeSean Jackson. He caught four passes for 87 yards and a TD. His longest catch was for 40 yards.

Next week Tennessee takes on Air Force. California limps back home to face Minnesota, who beat up on Kent State 44-0 this week.