REPLAY: Tennessee football defeats Virginia in 2023 season opener

NASHVILLE − Tennessee football kicks off the 2023 season in Music City.

The No. 10 Vols face Virginia at Nissan Stadium at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET on ABC.

Coach Josh Heupel starts his third season at UT after reeling off a superb 18-8 record. Quarterback Joe Milton takes over as the full-time starter after earning the Orange Bowl MVP. And the Vols will try to keep the momentum going after leading the nation in scoring last season.

This is UT's first game at Nissan Stadium since losing to Purdue in the 2021 Music City Bowl. Meanwhile, the Vols hold a 3-1 all-time record against Virginia. Their last meeting was the Sugar Bowl to end the 1990 season, which UT won 23-22.

Final score: Tennessee 49, Virginia 13

UVA takes another field goal attempt

With Virginia's offense having a hard time making its way into the end zone, the Cavaliers went ahead and made another field goal. UVA trails UT 49-13.

Nico Iamaleava leads his first UT touchdown with Dylan Sampson

After Nico Iamaleava handed the ball over to Dylan Sampson, Sampson went to log his fourth touchdown of the game in a 3-yard rush to add onto Tennessee's 49-10 lead.

Nico Iamaleava plays in his first Tennessee game

Freshman quarterback prospect Nico Iamaleava makes his Tennessee debut against Virginia in the fourth quarter as fans give the rookie a warm welcome chanting his name.

Jacob Warren's first touchdown of 2023

UT's offense continues to dominate UVA with a touchdown by tight end Jacob Warren after an 11-yard pass by Joe Milton.

The Vols lead 42-10.

End of third quarter: Tennessee 35, Virginia 10

Tennessee's offensive line doing it's job

Offensive lineman John Campbell was not done doing his thing despite the end of the play, personally attempting to escort a Virginia football player out of Nissan Stadium.

Virginia's first touchdown of 2023

After three quarters, the Cavaliers scored their first touchdown of the season with a 17-yard run by running back Perris Jones. Virginia trails Tennessee 35-10.

Dylan Sampson dominates in the end zone

For the third time today, Sampson rushes for two yards into the end zone to bring Tennessee another touchdown in Nissan Stadium.

Vols continue to add on to their 35-3 lead.

The Vols extends their lead

Quarterback Joe Milton adds another 1-yard rush touchdown to add another set of six points to the scoreboard against Virginia. With an extra point by Charles Campbell, UT leads UVA 28-3.

Squirrel White out of the game

After quarterback Joe Milton's five-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Squirrel White, White got banged up after the completion and left the game.

UT quick to take control

Tennessee is proving its defense is stronger than last season, quickly ending Virginia's drive early in the third quarter to posses the ball and take the chance to make an effective drive as Vols did in the first half.

Halftime score: Tennessee 21, Virginia 3

UT pushed into the end zone

With a little forceful help behind the Tennessee quarterback, Joe Milton finishes it off with a 1-yard rush and a good kick from Charles Campbell to extend the lead 21-3 against the Cavaliers. Virginia will take the ball heading into the second half.

Virginia gets on the board for the first time late in the second half

Will Bettridge redeemed his first no-good field goal attempt with a good one with less than two minutes on the clock in the second quarter. Tennessee still leads Virginia 14-3.

Tennessee scores it's second touchdown of the day

Once again, running back Dylan Sampson sponsors UT's second touchdown of the day with a 3-yard rush followed by another extra point by kicker Charles Campbell.

In four minutes and 52 seconds, the Vols were able to rush 90 yards in 13 plays. Tennessee leads 14-0.

Virginia starts the second quarter

After holding possession at the the end of the first, Virginia will attempt to score early into the second to tie the game.

End of first quarter: Tennessee 7, Virginia 0

Virginia defensive tackle injured at the end of the first quarter

Senior defensive tackle's first game quickly came to an end after celebrating with teammates in a last minute recovered fumble.

Volunteer defense continues to swallow Cavs offense

Tennessee continues to shorten every opportunity the Cavaliers get. UT has one sack already by defensive lineman James Pearce Jr.

Virginia misses it's opportunity to score

Virginia was able to stop the Vols at the 29, but the Cavs failed to get on the board with sophomore kicker Will Bettridge's missed field goal.

Tennessee opens the score against Virginia

In just three minutes into the game, Joe Milton and Tennessee struck early with a touchdown. Joe Milton triggered a 9-yard pass to sophomore running back Dylan Sampson. Charles Campbell finished with a flawless kick to bring the score 7-0.

The scene at Nissan Stadium

Moments away from kickoff and fans from both Tennessee and Virginia await for their college football seasons to begin in Nashville, Tennessee.

What QB1 Joe Milton had to say before his first start of 2023 season

Senior quarterback Joe Milton has been one of the most anticipated players of the 2023 season, and he will make his first start of the season in Nissan Stadium against Virginia.

Tennessee football score vs. Virginia: Live updates from season opener

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: REPLAY: Tennessee football defeats Virginia in 2023 season opener