The Josh Heupel era has officially kicked off at the University of Tennessee and the new head coach’s offense revved into high gear early at Neyland Stadium.
The Volunteers scored 14 points in the first quarter and opened a 14-0 lead against Bowling Green with 6 minutes, 52 seconds remaining.
The Falcons, however, picked up a pair of field goals from Nate Needham in the second quarter. Bowling Green pulled to within 14-6 with 1:16 to go until halftime when Needham kicked a career-long 50-yard field goal after Knoxville native and Knoxville Catholic graduate sacked Bowling Green quarterback Matt McDonald on a third down play.
UT scored first when quarterback Joe Milton found the end zone from four yards out on the Vols’ first possession.
Running back Jabari Small scored on a 1-yard plunge to make it 14-0 on Tennessee’s second possession.
Needham pulled the Falcons to within 14-3 with a 42-yard field goal with 9:54 remaining in the second stanza.
The Volunteers will get the ball to start the second half.