KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Erik Ainge passed for career-high 291 yards and four touchdowns Saturday as the 23rd-ranked Tennessee Vols beat the No. 12 California Golden Bears, 35-18.
The son of Boston Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, the Tennessee quarterback completed 11-of-17 passes for the Volunteers (1-0).
The Vols, with seven new offensive starters, netted 514 yards of total offense.
Arian Foster rushed for 69 yards on 17 carries, while LaMarcus Coker had 53 yards on 11 attempts. Robert Meachem caught five passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Jayson Swain caught two for 65 yards and one TD.
Nate Longshore completed 11-of-20 passes for 85 yards with an interception in his first start at quarterback on the road for Cal. Joe Ayoob completed 9-of-22 passes for 187 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Golden Bears (0-1), who owned their highest preseason ranking since 1952.
