By STEVE MEGARGEE / AP Sports Writer
The loss of Da'Rick Rogers apparently won't limit Tennessee's ability to produce big plays.
Tennessee's 35-21 victory over North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome on Friday showed the Volunteers have plenty of firepower even without Rogers, a former all-Southeastern Conference receiver who transferred to Tennessee Tech on Monday after Tennessee indefinitely suspended him. The Vols scored three touchdowns from over 40 yards away.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Justin Hunter and Zach Rogers could give Tennessee the SEC's most dynamic collection of receivers. Patterson scored on a 41-yard catch and a 67-yard reverse. Hunter caught nine passes for 73 yards in his first game since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last September. Rogers delivered a 72-yard touchdown catch.
Tennessee faces Georgia State in its home opener next week.