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Knoxville, Tenn. • The Utah State Aggies emphasized earlier in the week how important it was they get off to a good start against the Tennessee Vols.

So much for that plan.

Instead, the opening minutes of the Aggies' contest at Tennessee went exactly the opposite way.

How else to describe being down by two touchdowns in six minutes than being a game-changing moment, offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey acknowledged.

"We didn't get off on the right foot," Whimpey said. "We had a great plan coming into the game and thought better things were going to happen."

The nightmare that the Aggies' opener became started with a flag for an illegal block that erased an 8-yard gain on a pass play between Chuckie Keeton and receiver Brandon Swindall.

The Aggies failed to get a first down and punted. Tennessee took over on its 30-yard line and needed just six plays to go 70 yards and score with a 8-yard rush by Pig Howard.

Things went from bad to worse when Kendall Williams fumbled the kickoff and Tennessee recovered on the Aggies 12-yard line.

Worley threw a 12-yard pass to tight end Brendan Downs for another touchdown and, just like that, the Vols had a 14-0 lead. The Aggies were reeling.

They never recovered as the opening minutes set the tone for a long night for the Aggies that left both coaches and players stunned.

"I thought we would be in the game in the fourth quarter," Utah State coach Matt Wells said.

Frustrating for the Aggies was that the defense put them in a position to be in such a close game following the opening minutes.

The Vigil brothers — Nick and Zach — led a defense that gave up just 121 yards to the Vols in the first half after the initial 70-yard scoring drive.

The Vols converted just 2-of-9 third downs and quarterback Justin Worley was sacked twice in the opening half.

It was a solid effort for an Aggies' defense with a rebuilding secondary going up against an extremely talented group of receivers.

But in the end that was little consolation to the defense, which ultimately folded under the consistent pressure from the Vols.

The Aggies gave up 192 yards in the second half to the Vols. At one point Vols quarterback Justin Worley completed 13 straight passes, surpassing Peyton Manning for fourth on Tennessee's all-time consecutive completions list.

"They out-played us in every phase of the game tonight," linebacker Nick Vigil said. —

Volunteers' offensive stats

First half Second half

First downs 12 12

Rushes-yards 17-44 22-66

Passing-yards 147 126

Passes att-comp 24-14 16-14