University of Tennessee Athletics
Ty Chandler Has Breakout Performance in Win over UTEP
September 16, 2018 | Football
By Grace Pohl, Tennessee Media Relations Intern
Sophomore running back Ty Chandler had a breakout day in Tennessee's 24-0 win over UTEP on Saturday afternoon, rushing for a career-best 158 yards and a touchdown in the first shutout victory for the Volunteers since 2016.
Chandler opened up the second half with an 81-yard rushing touchdown to increase UT's lead to 17-0. The run was the longest of his career by a wide margin – his previous was 30 yards against South Carolina on Oct. 14, 2017.
"Every time I get the ball, I am going to give my all and that is just what happened," Chandler said. 'The offensive line did a great job blocking everybody and I am just trying to do my part and execute. It was a great one (touchdown). I am just excited about it and if it weren't for my offensive line, I wouldn't be able to do it."
Against UTEP, Chandler averaged 13.2 yards per carry and had the most rushing yards by a UT running back in a single game since Rajion Neal, who had 169 yards against South Alabama on Sept. 28, 2013. His 81-yard touchdown scamper down the left sideline also marked UT's longest rush since 2006, when LaMarcus Coker had an 87-yard TD dash against Vanderbilt.
"Ty is a guy that is a pretty instinctive runner," head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. "He has good vision, but he (also) has good speed. So he got out there and did a good job finishing that run."
Chandler's previous-best rushing day was at Kentucky last season, when he recorded 120 yards on 22 carries.
"It was a great win for us," Chandler said. "It is something we have to build on to keep going. But overall it was a great win and execution for the team. It is just a blessing to be back out there and I was excited to be out there playing with those guys."
Chandler's big game was a welcomed sight for Vol fans considering he missed last week's game against ETSU after being injured in the season opener versus West Virginia.
"It felt great to be back," Chandler said. ""It was tough, but I just had to fight through the adversity. I have great teammates encouraging me to get back out there. I was just able to fight through it and keep pushing and moving forward. I am glad it paid off."
During his freshman season, the Nashville, Tenn., native competed in 12 games and started in one. He complied 305 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 71 carriers throughout the year. He finished the season ranked fourth in the SEC and 27th nationally with a 26.1 kickoff return average.
Chandler burst onto the scene in the Vols' home opener last season with his first-career touchdown, a 91-yard return on the game's opening kickoff against Indiana State. He also set a new career-high for kickoff-return yards with 112 yards at Missouri and recorded 94 kickoff-return yards on four attempts at No.1 Alabama.
Tennessee now turns its focus to SEC play as SEC East rival Florida comes to town for a primetime matchup at Neyland Stadium next Saturday night.
Sophomore running back Ty Chandler had a breakout day in Tennessee's 24-0 win over UTEP on Saturday afternoon, rushing for a career-best 158 yards and a touchdown in the first shutout victory for the Volunteers since 2016.
Chandler opened up the second half with an 81-yard rushing touchdown to increase UT's lead to 17-0. The run was the longest of his career by a wide margin – his previous was 30 yards against South Carolina on Oct. 14, 2017.
"Every time I get the ball, I am going to give my all and that is just what happened," Chandler said. 'The offensive line did a great job blocking everybody and I am just trying to do my part and execute. It was a great one (touchdown). I am just excited about it and if it weren't for my offensive line, I wouldn't be able to do it."
Against UTEP, Chandler averaged 13.2 yards per carry and had the most rushing yards by a UT running back in a single game since Rajion Neal, who had 169 yards against South Alabama on Sept. 28, 2013. His 81-yard touchdown scamper down the left sideline also marked UT's longest rush since 2006, when LaMarcus Coker had an 87-yard TD dash against Vanderbilt.
"Ty is a guy that is a pretty instinctive runner," head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. "He has good vision, but he (also) has good speed. So he got out there and did a good job finishing that run."
Chandler's previous-best rushing day was at Kentucky last season, when he recorded 120 yards on 22 carries.
"It was a great win for us," Chandler said. "It is something we have to build on to keep going. But overall it was a great win and execution for the team. It is just a blessing to be back out there and I was excited to be out there playing with those guys."
Chandler's big game was a welcomed sight for Vol fans considering he missed last week's game against ETSU after being injured in the season opener versus West Virginia.
"It felt great to be back," Chandler said. ""It was tough, but I just had to fight through the adversity. I have great teammates encouraging me to get back out there. I was just able to fight through it and keep pushing and moving forward. I am glad it paid off."
During his freshman season, the Nashville, Tenn., native competed in 12 games and started in one. He complied 305 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 71 carriers throughout the year. He finished the season ranked fourth in the SEC and 27th nationally with a 26.1 kickoff return average.
Chandler burst onto the scene in the Vols' home opener last season with his first-career touchdown, a 91-yard return on the game's opening kickoff against Indiana State. He also set a new career-high for kickoff-return yards with 112 yards at Missouri and recorded 94 kickoff-return yards on four attempts at No.1 Alabama.
Tennessee now turns its focus to SEC play as SEC East rival Florida comes to town for a primetime matchup at Neyland Stadium next Saturday night.
Players Mentioned
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