LEXINGTON, Ky. — Joey Aguilar delivered a quick pass to the visiting sideline, where Braylon Staley hauled in his sixth catch of the night.
He scurried through Kentucky defenders for a six-yard gain before sliding down on the turf at Kroger Field. While insignificant to the score — leading 56-34 with 1:51 remaining when gave himself up — it was significant to a rarely achieved feat.
Staley’s scamper put him across the century mark, joining Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews in the 100-plus club. The trio became the first to do it for Tennessee football since 2019, and the second in two days across FBS football.
“I had a lot of fun, you know, just out there dishing the wealth and everybody just making plays when the ball’s in the air,” Aguilar said. “It makes my part easy.”
And fun is the common theme of the night. Brazell, who led the way with 138 yards on four receptions, used the same descriptor.
“I don’t know why it was so fun, but it was fun,” Brazzell said.
He was the one who stepped up early. Tennessee struck first in the game, finding the end zone four plays after receiving the ball. As Aguilar pushed into Kentucky territory, he fired away across the middle of the field. That is where Brazzell strutted to — hauling in the catch for a 35-yard score.
Brazzell continued to make plays when the opportunity presented itself. He added a 47-yard reception and a 50-yard catch in the game, but his stat line was hindered by a six-yard reception.
He led an effort that Aguilar spearheaded, totaling seven passing plays of 15-plus yards. Aguilar completed passes of 35, 47, 19, 24, 62, 50 and 56 yards. His deep ball was on point, but it is nothing new.
“I feel like that’s something that I had just growing up in high school. But just shout out to the guys going out there and making the catches.”
Matthews’ day included the most receptions at six, hauling in a touchdown to pair with his 107 yards. He was joined by fellow second-year receiver Staley, at six receptions for 105 yards and was the only one without a score. It took a last-ditch effort to get him to surpass the century mark, but the team eventually became aware that he was nearing it.
“We’re out there just making plays,” Aguilar said. “You kind of feel like it, kind of don’t when big plays pop and stuff. But towards the end, definitely tried to get Bray to that 100 mark, for sure.”
North Texas, led by Drew Mestemaker’s 608 passing yards, defeated Charlotte on Friday night. Mestemaker spread the wealth to his receiving corps, allowing Wyatt Young, Cameron Dorner and Landon Sides to become the third trio in college football this season to do such.
The last time the Vols accomplished the feat came in a 24-20 defeat of Missouri at Faurot Field. Jarrett Guarantano put together a career night, spreading his throws to receivers Jauan Jennings, Marquez Callaway and Joshua Palmer.
Palmer contributed six for 124, Jennings added five for 115 and a score, while Callaway was at six for 110, tallying a touchdown.
It is the first time in the Josh Heupel high-powered offense era that his receiving corps has seen that level of success.
