AUBURN, Ala. — The change of location for the offensive coordinator sparked big changes for Tennessee's offense.

With Tyson Helton calling plays from the sideline for the first time this season, the Vols had their best performance of 2018 against one of the best defenses in the SEC.

Tennessee scored a 30-24 upset of 21st-ranked Auburn on Saturday afternoon with its best offensive performance of the season as the Vols rolled up 396 yards and scored 30 points having previously not scored more than 24 points against FBS opposition and just 33 total in its first two SEC games.

While there was a defensive touchdown that added to the point total, Tennessee's offense looked night-and-day different from the first month of the season with running back Ty Chandler (112 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 21 touches) featured and three big-bodied receivers more involved.

Jeremy Pruitt, the first-year coach of the Vols, after the win called Helton's move was "a good move" for Tennessee.

"I think it's easier to call the game from the press box. I do," Pruitt said. "My whole life, I did, in the press box calling the defense. But there comes a point in time that you need to be able to look the people on the sideline in the eyes, and you get a lot better feel. Sometimes you can look at somebody, and they don't have to say nothing. You know the look.

"I thought it was important to put him on the field, to get him closer to Jarrett (Guarantano). The quarterback position, the ball goes through his hands on every snap. It's important that he makes really good decisions, that he's in control, that he understands, and I think it's something that helped us today. I think it helped us today in just sideline organization. I think it was a good move for our staff."

Pruitt declined to reveal who made the final decision on Helton's move, only adding it was "what was best for the program."

It's hard to argue the results, given the Vols averaged 5.8 yards per play against an Auburn that entered the game ranked 20th in yards allowed.

"We just wanted to come out of the bye week just a whole different team," Chandler said, "and I feel like in this game we came out and we were able to execute. I think it just all comes down to that, just executing. That's what we were able to do.

"I feel like we prepared well, we knew the game plan and we stuck to it. We stuck to it and we were able to do everything that the coaches were asking us to do. We were able to come out and execute and get the win."

(Want the latest scoop on Tennessee football and basketball? Make sure you're in the loop — take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Vols newsletter now!)

Tennessee's running backs only managed 2.6 yards per carry, but Guarantano enjoyed a career day with 328 passing yards and touchdown strikes to Chandler and Jauan Jennings and the Vols generated six completions of at least 25 yards.

The Vols also were excellent on third down, converting nine of the first 15 such situations and finishing 10-of-19 for the game despite facing an average of 7.8 yards to go on those plays, with Guarantano going 11-of-14 for 188 yards and nine first downs (including a touchdown) on third down.

Chandler said it was good for the offense to have Helton's positive energy on the sideline, while Guarantano believed the move was what the Vols needed.

“I think it definitely made a big difference," Guarantano said. "We were able to get a gauge on what he was thinking, what he was feeling. I think that it’s going to continue further that he’s going to do that, and I think it was a good thing.”