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Bray throws four TDs as Vols cruise past Georgia State, 51-13

Updated: Sun 12:31 AM, Sep 09, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (release) -- Tennessee opened its home schedule with a 13-play, 78-yard touchdown drive on its first possession this season inside Neyland Stadium.

In a 51-13 victory over Georgia State on Saturday afternoon, that opening drive proved an anomaly.

The rest of the afternoon for the Vols -- now 2-0 heading into next week's SEC opener against Florida (TV: ESPN, 6 p.m. ET) -- looked like a two-minute drill.

After tailback Rajion Neal capped UT's 4 minute, 14-second opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, the Vols specialized in quick-strike scores.

They needed just 30 seconds and two plays to move 40 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead in the second quarter,

Then the real fireworks started.

The Vols moved 73 yards in just 1:20, scoring on the first of three touchdowns by receiver Justin Hunter to take a 21-6 lead. Their next possession ended the same way -- another Bray-to-Hunter touchdown -- but took just 41 seconds to go 79 yards.

That touchdown gave UT 28-6 lead at halftime, but the quick scores continued into the third quarter.

After forcing a Georgia State punt to being the second half, the Vols' next drive qualified as a regular slog in comparison to the rest of the day, lasting a full 2:36 and six plays before Neal scored on a 5-yard run.

Already leading 34-6, the Vols moved 62 yards in four plays when Bray connected again with Hunter for a 19-yard score.

Bray, who came out with 4:45 remaining in the third quarter for backup Justin Worley, completed his last 13 passes and finished 18-of-20 for 310 yards and four touchdowns.

Hunter led the Vols with 146 yards receiving on eight catches, and his three touchdowns marked the ninth time in school history a player has caught three touchdowns in a game.

For the rest of the game, Tennessee played lots of newcomers. Eleven players saw their first career action, and running back Quenshaun Watson scored on a 2-yard touchdown that began after freshman Geraldo Orta intercepted a pass deep in Georgia State territory.

Tennessee's attention now moves to the 24th-ranked Gators, who came from behind to win their SEC opener 20-17 on Saturday at Texas A&M.


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