(AP) — The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers have several recent examples to keep them from taking Kent State for granted Saturday night.

Just look at Notre Dame and Penn State last week.

Then-No. 5 Notre Dame lost on its own field to Northern Illinois. No. 8 Penn State narrowly escaped Bowling Green.

In other words, the Mid-American Conference can be dangerous for Power Four teams.

Tennessee (2-0) can’t get caught looking ahead to next week’s Southeastern Conference opener and showdown at No. 15 Oklahoma, especially not after making the biggest leap in this week’s Associated Press Top 25. The Golden Flashes (0-2) are a young team that is hungry for success.

“Go back and look at the scores from across America,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “(There are) examples of guys that didn’t prepare, didn’t practice right and didn’t have the right competitive spirit to go take advantage of their next opportunity.”

Kent State coach Kenni Burns made sure his players knew about the MAC performance, even if his Golden Flashes are coming off a loss to St. Francis of the Football Championship Subdivision.

“Tough times make tough people,” Burns said. “We’re going through some tough times right now. ‘That’s the same (Northern Illinois) team that you took to the wire last year in the last game of the season.’ It does give hope to our team.”

Tennessee has scored 130 points in its first two games and routed then-No. 24 N.C. State 51-10 in Charlotte. The Vols also have been dominant defensively since shutting out Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

“I feel like we’ve been one of the better … defensive teams in the country,” Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason said.

Speaking of defense

Starting in that shutout of Iowa, Tennessee has gone 12 quarters without yielding an offensive touchdown. N.C. State’s only TD was an interception return. During 12 quarters, the Vols have yielded just 2.28 yards per rushing attempt and 181 total yards per game. They have allowed just 6 of 41 third-down attempts (14.6 %) while collecting 26 tackles for loss and seven takeaways.

Young line

Kent State brought in 23 transfers for this season, but Burns has made molding young players a priority even if the Golden Flashes take some lumps along the way. Their offensive line features a true freshman in Elijah Williams at center and a pair of second-year players in Dusty Morrell and Chris Farrell at guard. Kent State has allowed six sacks and generated just 54.5 yards of rushing offense in two games.

Tennessee’s defense has four sacks and is allowing only 56.5 rushing yards per game.

Healing Vols

Running back Cam Seldon, defensive back Jakobe Thomas and linebacker Kalib Perry all missed the N.C. State game with injuries. Heupel anticipates all of them being available against Kent State.

Hey Nico

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week in consecutive weeks. His latest nod came after he threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns against the Wolf Pack. However, he threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

Heupel likes how Iamaleava responded to his mistakes as a young quarterback.

“His body language, demeanor and composure leads you to believe that he’s going to play the next play independently,” the coach said.

Tucked away within lush woods on the peaceful side of East Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, RT Lodge is a 58-room boutique inn with a locally-driven restaurant and scenic views.

The staff at the lodge is providing readers with some insider recommendations for prime leaf-peeping October season.

Beth McCabe Holman – President

Beth McCabe Holman – President

“For prime leaf-viewing, drive through Townsend, Tennessee, and stop at the Apple Valley Mountain Village before driving through Cades Cove!”

Gary Doyle – General Manager

Gary Doyle – General Manager

“One of my favorite hikes is the Lumber Ridge trail, also in Tremont, with trailhead starting by the Tremont Institute dormitories and parking at the visitor center. It’s very easy to get to, quiet and private with a nice steady incline through mature stands of forest (it’s not a stroll, but not too strenuous either). The clearings throughout make the ideal stop for a lunch or snack break. Another recommendation would be the Buckeye Trail, a trailhead which comes very soon after starting up Lumber Ridge, which takes you to Spruce Flat Falls.”

Trevor Stockton – Executive Chef

Trevor Stockton – Executive Chef

“For a nice hike (or fly-fishing spot) I suggest driving up to Tremont, Tennessee, all the way to the end of the gravel road and hiking up the Lynn Camp Prong. It is a pretty gradual hike, has some beautiful waterfalls and great fishing where you can get out on the river without seeing too many other anglers.”

Meagan Titlow – Marketing Manager

Meagan Titlow – Marketing Manager

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“I always recommend a drive along Foothills Parkway in the fall, with a stop at Look Rock Tower (an easy half-mile hike to the observation deck) for stunning panoramic views of the Smokies. There are many areas to picnic along the parkway as well, so you can stop and take in the surroundings. For a hike, do Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove!”

Everybody has a story and we want to tell yours at susan@knoxtntoday.com.

The Tennessee Titans suffered one of the more disappointing losses across the league in Week 1, but the team is fixing to be in solid shape for a bounce-back performance headed into Week 2’s home opener against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Tennessee released its latest injury report following Wednesday’s practice, which revealed that safety Jamal Adams (hip) offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (rib) and linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) were all full participants.

Radunz exited during the third quarter of Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. Both Adams and Reese didn’t play in the contest but now appear set to take the field against the Jets.

For the Jets, receiver Mike Williams (knee), defensive lineman Michael Clemons (tricep) and safety Ashtyn Davis (ankle) were all full participants as well. Cornerbacks Michael Carter (ankle) and D.J. Reed (knee) were both limited while defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (personal) sat out.

Sunday will be a particularly notable day for Adams, who will be making his Titans debut against the team that drafted him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Adams has started all 80 career regular-season games while posting 494 total tackles (362 solo), 21.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 36 pass breakups, four interceptions and one touchdown. During his time with the Jets, he was named to two Pro Bowl and was a one-time First Team All-Pro selection.

“I just want to get back out there and continue to be myself,” Adams said earlier this offseason. “The main thing is my teammates. Just prove it to them that I can be on the field with them again. Go out, and just compete.” 

As for Reese, Sunday will mark his season debut after he appeared in seven games (three starts) for Tennessee last season as an undrafted rookie. He posted 21 total tackles.

The Titans and Jets will kick off from Nissan Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!