Tennessee Called Out for 'Cruel' Move in Record-Setting Blowout

The Tennessee showed no mercy to Kent State on Saturday during a record-setting romp.

The Volunteers were up double-digits in the blink of an eye against the Golden Flashes but wanted to prove a point. Tennessee went for an onside kick in the first quarter up 30-0 and got it. The Volunteers scored on the ensuing possession, making it 37-0 at the end of the first 15 minutes.

"Tennessee is CRUEL for this onside kick up 30-0," the Barstool Sports Unnecessary Roughness account tweeted.

"We wouldn’t hear the end of it from Tennessee if someone kicked an onside kick on them up that much in the first half," a fan said . "Score with your backups, sure. But kicking onside kicks up that much is kind of bush league and weak."

Some loved seeing Tennessee pour it on, ultimatley winning 71-0.

"Tennessee is playing like I do in NCAA football. Onside kicks when you're up 30. My God. Have some mercy," one fan wrote . "I'm just kidding. Go for 100."

Tennessee maintained its momentum, closing out the first half with a commanding 65-0 lead. The program announced on social media that it was a record for the most points scored in a single half.

"Attempted an onside kick up 30-0 and called timeout to score up 58-0. Karma my friends, this is not how you do it," one fan said .

"This is not a football game, this is a live execution at this point," another said .

In Tennessee's defense, they did insert the backups in the second quarter. Nico Iamaleava and Gaston Moore both threw touchdowns in the first half. The Volunteers had a pair of 100-yard rushers after two quarters in DeSean Bishop (seven carries, 120 yards two touchdowns) and Dylan Sampson (13 carries, 101 yards, four touchdowns).

Tennessee finished with 740 total yards of offense.

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