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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Tennessee struggled on offense, but Syracuse was even worse. Despite failing to convert any of their 14 third-down opportunities, the eighth-ranked Volunteers pulled away for a 33-9 season-opening victory over the Orangemen. Travis Stephens rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for Tennessee, while Casey Clausen completed 14-of-27 for 136 yards and a touchdown. But the Volunteers only led 12-0 at halftime. "I'm happy to get the opportunity to play and start," said Stephens, a backup on Tenneessee's 1998 natinal championship team. "I want to play my best every time. I've gained size, experience and strength." Stephens got Tennessee (1-0) going with a four-yard TD run 9:07 into the third quarter before freshman Corey Larkins added TD runs of 38 and 16 yards in the fourth quarter. "The last time I scored a touchdown was in the third game of my senior year in high school," Larkins said. "We want to be very versatile in the backfield." Coming off a 13-7 loss to Georgia Tech in the Kickoff Classic, Syracuse (0-2) continues to sputter on offense. Troy Nunes faced constant pressure from the Volunteers and completed just 5-of-16 for 41 yards. "I don't think the score is indicative of how well our defense played," Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said. "The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Coming in here, we knew we had to play a nearly mistake-free game. We can't squander opportunities." The Orangemen, who were 1-of-14 on third-down conversions, got their only touchdown when backup Robin Anderson tossed a 74-yard strike to Johnnie Morant that made it 27-9 with 6:13 remaining. "We had an outstanding effort on defense," said Tennesee coach Phillip Fulmer, who improved to 50-4 at home. "I didn't like the big play, but when you play tight like we do, you have to expect that every once in a while." But any hope of a Syracuse comeback quickly ended when Eric Parker returned the ensuing onside kick 30 yards to the Syracuse 16. Larkins scored on the next play to clinch the victory. "The offense was not as good as we would have liked," Fulmer added. "We have to execute better. Syracuse did a good job of scheming us. It was a good experience for Casey." James Mongro rushed for 93 yards 21 carries for Syracuse, who only gained a net 75 yards on the ground. Nunes carried 11 times for minus-11 yards. After Syracuse went three-and-out on its first series, the Volunteers started quickly, as Clausen tossed a 37-yard TD pass to Donte' Stallworth on Tennessee's first play from scrimmage. But Tennessee did not score on offense again until Alex Walls kicked a 24-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in the first half. Syracuse drove to Tennessee's 14 on the ensuing possession, only to turn the ball over on Nunes' fumble. The Orangemen wasted another opportunity later in the quarter when Rashad Baker intercepted Nunes inside the 10 on 1st-and-10 from the Tennessee 37. The Volunteers made it 9-0 when Nunes was tackled in the end zone by Constantin Ritzmann 5:55 into the second period. Syracuse had a chance to get back in the game when defensive end Dwight Freeney recovered Clausen's fumble at the Tennessee 5 midway through the third quarter. But three plays netted no yards and the Orangeman had to settle for Justin Sujansky's 22-yard field goal that made it 12-3. "It was a big test for us to not give up seven and hold them to three after the turnover," Tennessee defensive end Will Overstreet said. Syracuse forced Tennessee to punt, but s snap over the head of Nunes resulted in a fumble and a loss of 35 yards. Tennessee took over at the 5 and Stephens scored two plays later to make it 19-3. "I think the offense did a good job," Mongro said. "We just didn't execute when it came to crunch time. No matter how much you do, unless you get a victory, none of it matters."
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