Tag: Volunteers

Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

No. 6 Tennessee’s D stifles No. 15 Oklahoma in Sooners’ SEC debut

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nico Iamaleava threw for 194 yards and a touchdown, overcoming a pair of lost fumbles, as No. 6 Tennessee held on for a 25-15 win over No. 15 Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

Volunteers coach Josh Heupel, who quarterbacked the Sooners to the 2000 national title as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, was honored before the game.

Then Heupel’s defense dominated the Sooners as Iamaleava did enough to keep Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) undefeated.

The Volunteers held Oklahoma to minus-4 yards combined in the second and third quarters as they steadily stretched their lead.

The Sooners (3-1, 0-1) came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring a pair of touchdowns, but couldn’t cut their deficit below 10 points.

Oklahoma starting quarterback Jackson Arnold was benched after going just 7-of-16 for 54 yards, giving way to freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who didn’t do much better initially. But he led the fourth-quarter comeback attempt and finished 11-of-18 for 132 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 22 yards on 12 carries.

Bru McCoy finished with four catches for 92 yards for the Vols, while Dylan Sampson ran for 92 yards and a score.

Tennessee outgained the Sooners 345-222.

Iamaleava coughed up the ball twice in the second quarter, each time giving the Sooners the ball in Tennessee territory. But both times, the Volunteers’ defense quickly answered.

First, Iamaleava has hit by Robert Spears-Jennings at the Tennessee 6, where it was recovered by Ethan Downs.

But Jackson Arnold fumbled in the backfield on the next play and it was recovered by Tennessee’s Joshua Josephs.

In the ensuing drive, the Volunteers were able to pin the Sooners inside their own 5 after punting, and Jayson Jenkins then brought down Jovantae Barnes for a safety.

Later in the quarter, Iamaleava was sacked and lost the ball again; this time Gracen Halton recovered at the Vols’ 33.

But again, the Sooners gave the ball right back, as Arnold’s swing pass was ruled a lateral and Tennessee recovered in Oklahoma territory.

Tennessee then kept the ball on the ground, as Sampson carried the ball on eight consecutive plays, finishing with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Vols up 19-3 at the break.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel prior to the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Former Sooner Josh Heupel leads No. 6 Vols against No. 15 Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A quarter-century ago, Josh Heupel was one of the centerpieces of Oklahoma’s football rebirth.

On Saturday, Heupel will be a piece of another significant milestone when his sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers take on the No. 15 Sooners in Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma will be playing its first league contest since joining the Southeastern Conference.

“It will be unique going back into that stadium,” Heupel said. “I have teammates and friends back there. It’s going to be a (different) viewpoint. I am not sure I spent a day on the opposing sideline inside the stadium — not even for a scrimmage.”

Heupel signed with the Sooners out of Snow College in Utah, not long after Bob Stoops’ arrival as Oklahoma’s head coach before the 1999 season.

The Sooners made their first bowl game in five seasons during Heupel’s first season. During his second, Oklahoma went undefeated and won the program’s seventh national championship. Heupel also finished runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting that season.

Brent Venables, now in his third season as the Sooners’ head coach, was Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator during Heupel’s time as a player.

Heupel was also a longtime assistant at Oklahoma under Stoops but was fired following the 2014 season. After stints at Utah State and Missouri, Heupel got his first head-coaching job at UCF, and he is in his fourth season as the Volunteers’ head coach.

Venables expects a strong reception for Heupel in Norman.

“There can’t be someone with a stronger legacy,” Venables said. “The first year, going 7-5, then out of nowhere to go 13-0 and several games within that year, Oklahoma was an underdog or had to come from behind in those games where you really felt Sooner Magic was reignited. And he was a catalyst of that. And people won’t forget that.”

The game is about much more than Heupel’s return or the Sooners’ introduction into the SEC.

Tennessee (3-0) comes in with one of the most powerful offenses in college football, having outscored its opponents 191-13.

Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold were two of the top quarterbacks to come out of the 2023 class.

Iamaleava has completed 71.6 percent of his passes this season, and a strong run game in addition to that has helped the Volunteers average 693.3 yards per game.

“Man, what a talent,” Venables said of Iamaleava. “He’s just been fantastic. He’s got a great presence to him, he’s got a great supporting cast and a great defense.”

Saturday will be Iamaleava’s first true road game as the starter.

Oklahoma’s strength so far has been its defense.

The Sooners (3-0) are holding opponents to less than 265 yards per game and have forced 10 turnovers so far, tied for the nation’s best.

“They play really assignment sound,” Heupel said. “They understand where they’re supposed to be and recognizing patterns and getting into windows. They tie all three phases, all three levels of the defense in extremely well. And then when you have the ball in their hands, they’re extremely active.”

–Field Level Media

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) scores a touchdown during a NCAA game between Tennessee and Kent State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

No. 7 Tennessee pummels Kent State with 65-point first half

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dylan Sampson rushed for four touchdowns and DeSean Bishop added two during a program-record 65-point first half as No. 7 Tennessee steamrolled Kent State 71-0 on Saturday night in nonconference play at Knoxville, Tenn.

Bishop rushed for 120 yards on seven carries and Sampson had 101 on 13 attempts as the Volunteers (3-0) annihilated the Golden Flashes over the first 30 minutes. Tennessee has outscored its three opponents 191-13.

Tennessee’s 37-point first quarter was a program record for any period and the Volunteers followed it with 28 points in the second quarter. Tennessee also set a school mark with 740 yards of total offense.

Nico Iamaleava completed 10 of 16 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown before leaving with Tennessee leading by 51 midway through the second quarter. Backup Gaston Moore threw two touchdown passes and Peyton Lewis rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts.

Devin Kargman completed 9 of 15 passes for 58 yards for Kent State (0-3). Rocco Nicholl had 10 tackles.

Tennessee scored points on each of its first 11 drives – including touchdowns on its first nine drives — before being stopped on fourth down at the Kent State 5-yard line with 1:58 remaining.

The Volunteers limited the Golden Flashes to 112 yards. Tennessee had edges of 456-54 on rushing yards and 32-8 in first downs.

Sampson scored on a 22-yard run to start the onslaught. After the Volunteers notched a safety, Sampson scored from the 1 to make it 16-0 with 8:11 left in the first quarter.

Tennessee next scored on a long ball as Iamaleava connected with Chris Brazzell II in stride on a 53-yard touchdown with 5:56 remaining. Bishop broke loose on a 53-yard scamper to make it a 30-0 lead with 3:35 left before Sampson completed the opening-quarter spree with a 1-yard run with two seconds left.

In the second quarter, Bishop broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown with 13:06 left in the half. More than five minutes later, Sampson scored from the 14 to make it 51-0.

Moore threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to Miles Kitselman and 18 to Mike Matthews to culminate the 65-point first half. The Volunteers outgained Kent State 541-23 in the half.

Max Gilbert kicked field goals of 36 and 21 yards in the second half for Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) looks to throw during Tennessee's game against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

No. 14 Tennessee, No. 24 NC State excited for primetime battle

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No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 North Carolina State are certainly intrigued by what awaits them in the second week of the season.

The Volunteers and Wolfpack clash on Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C., in a showdown that team personnel and fans are eagerly anticipating.

“These are great games,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “As a coach, you’re tested. It’s your staff against their staff. You’ve got good players on both sides. It’s a game that’s obviously played in our state against a team whose state line touches ours. So there’s a lot to play for in a game like this, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The Volunteers agree.

“Can’t wait to be a part of that,” Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander said. “Just can’t wait to get together with the guys again and go play, it’s going to be fun.”

Breaking down the details becomes a bit more alarming for these teams.

“They have probably the best defensive front we’ll play when you look at the depth and talent that they have on their defensive line,” Doeren said of the Volunteers.

Both teams tuned up against Football Championship Subdivision teams from the Southern Conference. While Tennessee tore through Chattanooga to the tune of 69-3, the Wolfpack had a more difficult task against Western Carolina in a 38-21 win.

But it gave quarterback Grayson McCall, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, a chance for a game in an NC State uniform before facing the Volunteers. For McCall, the game vs. the Volunteers comes in his hometown.

“I love the way he manages things, the way communicates on the sideline, his competitive spirit,” Doeren said.

While McCall might still be adjusting, receiver KC Concepcion of the Wolfpack began with a bang. He caught nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns last week.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel isn’t proclaiming that everything was smooth for the Volunteers in Week 1.

“You can live in what everybody is talking about last week, but the reality is that you’re only as good as your next performance,” he said.

Tennessee redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava excelled in the season opener. He was named Freshman of the Week in the Southeastern Conference after completing 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three scores.

“Man, is he talented,” Doeren said. “He’s fun to watch.”

But there’s also limited footage for the Wolfpack to study on Iamaleava.

“You can watch Coach Heupel’s offense for a long time and see what it is, but the players within it are obviously going to be what makes it go,” Doeren said. “But the scheme itself hasn’t changed a lot over the years.”

Heupel is counting on Iamaleava to make improvements. And certainly, only a portion of the playbook was exposed in the first game.

“Young quarterback who is going to continue to get better,” Heupel said. “Great test this week that we have coming up in NC State.”

NC State’s secondary will be without safety Devan Boykin, who will remain out through September while recovering from last season’s knee injury.

The offensive lines are among the most experienced in college football.

“This game is going to be won and lost in that box,” Doeren said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

NC State is 3-6 all-time at the NFL venue in Charlotte.

“I’m excited for both fan bases,” Doeren said. “It’s going to be a really passionate group on both sides, and a fun game to be a part of.”

The teams have faced off just once in the modern era, with Tennessee winning in a neutral-site matchup to begin the 2012 season in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel smiles at the Pilot team celebration at Neyland Stadium preserved by Pilot on Tuesday, August, 2024.

No. 15 Tennessee faces Chattanooga, aims for ‘elite’ running game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee is pegged to do good things this season, and getting off to a strong start will be one of the requirements for that to come to fruition.

The No. 15 Volunteers will take on visiting Chattanooga in an intrastate opener Saturday afternoon at Knoxville, Tenn.

“We get to go play ball,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about the arrival of game week. “Good teams get better throughout the course of the season. We still have a lot of things we have to clean up.”

The Volunteers will look for signs of domination in the first game of the season.

“When we get into the season, you have to be elite running the football,” Heupel said. “Defensively, you have to be able to match people out.”

Tennessee, coming off a 9-4 season, will begin the season with a top-15 ranking in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004.

“As you get into the season, I think everybody is grasping their role, working and competing for the role that they want,” Heupel said. “At the same time, growing as a player is really important, and keeping your team chemistry that you have built is really important as well.”

The Mocs are ranked as high as No. 8 in FCS polls, with seven offensive players and seven defenders returning from a season ago.

“No matter how many guys you got coming back, we’re adding more pieces now than we ever have besides the freshmen that you signed,” coach Rusty Wright said. “That’s what we talked about as a team after we got to the last practice of camp. What’s our identity going to be? Who are we as a football team?”

The Volunteers lost defensive back Jourdan Thomas for the season due to a knee injury suffered during the preseason, and redshirt sophomore Christian Harrison or freshman Boo Carter will fill that spot.

On offense, receiver Squirrel White was Tennessee’s top receiver last year, racking up 803 yards and two touchdowns. He had 67 catches.

“He had a really good camp,” Heupel said. “He has great command understanding what we are doing, the fundamentals and technique that go in with the different coverages that he is going to see based off the route concept.”

Chattanooga, of the Southern Conference, finished 8-5 last year, reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs, where it lost to Furman.

“We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football,” Wright said. “I think every year, you have to start over to a certain degree and, thankfully, we’ve had a good nucleus of people let us start over with and keep some things going in the right way.”

Chattanooga’s defense could be its strength with tackle Marlon Taylor and safety Reuben Lowery III receiving preseason recognition.

Yet the Mocs entered preseason practices without clarity at the cornerback positions, so those are spots bound to be tested by the Volunteers during Saturday’s opener.

The Volunteers lead the all-time series with the Mocs 40-2-2, including a 45-0 win in 2019 in the most recent meeting.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) poses with the MVP Trophy after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA eyeing Tennessee for possible NIL violations

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NCAA is investigating the Tennessee football program for possible NIL violations, Sports Illustrated and CBS reported Tuesday.

According to reports, the case centers around quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a Class of 2023 five-star recruit.

Iamaleava signed a lucrative name, image and likeness deal with Spyre Sports Group, Tennessee’s primary collective.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported last year that Iamaleava’s NIL deal was worth $8 million.

Tennessee has not received a formal notice of allegations from the NCAA, the university told news outlets.

Iamaleava appeared in five games for the Volunteers in the 2023 season. The freshman was named the Citrus Bowl MVP after rushing for three touchdowns and passing for one touchdown in a 35-0 win against Iowa on Jan. 1.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) passes the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

No. 17 Tennessee crushes UConn, 59-3

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Joe Milton III passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another and No. 17 Tennessee produced three defensive scores while pummeling UConn 59-3 on Saturday afternoon in nonconference action at Knoxville, Tenn.

Jaylen Wright rushed for 113 yards, including a long scoring run for the Volunteers (7-2), who won for the fifth time in six games. Squirrel White and Ramel Keyton caught lengthy touchdown passes and McCallan Castles also had a scoring grab for Tennessee.

Tyler Baron returned a fumble for a touchdown and Jaylen McCollough and Aaron Beasley each had interception returns for scores for the Volunteers. Milton completed 11 of 14 passes for 254 yards in one half of play.

Ta’Quan Roberson was 24-of-40 passing for 218 yards and two interceptions for the Huskies (1-8), who lost their third straight game.

Tennessee outgained the Huskies 650 to 256.

The Volunteers led by 32 at halftime and piled on with two defensive scores in the first 3:09 of the third quarter.

McCullough intercepted Roberson at the 30-yard line on the first play of the quarter and he returned it for the score.

Just three minutes later, Beasley recorded the pick-six with the grab and 39-yard return to make it 49-3.

Backup quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw his first career touchdown pass, hitting Castles from 19 yards out, to boost the lead to 53 with 7:30 left in the third quarter. The Volunteers cruised the rest of the way.

Tennessee outgained UConn 402 to 200 in the first half while scoring on three offense plays of 60 or more yards.

Wright broke loose up the middle on the second play of the game and raced 82 yards for a touchdown.

After UConn’s Noe Ruelas kicked a 22-yard field goal, Keyton was wide open down the field and caught Milton’s pass at the Huskies’ 20 and strolled in for a 60-yard score to make it 14-3 with 1:38 left in the quarter.

Milton scored on a 6-yard run midway through the second quarter and then hooked up with White on an 83-yard scoring play to make it 28-3 with 4:34 remaining in the half. Just 64 seconds later, Baron scored on a 24-yard fumble to account for the 35-3 lead at the break.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) raises his hands in the air during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee CB Kamal Hadden (shoulder surgery) out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee starting cornerback Kamal Hadden will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery Thursday.

Hadden, a redshirt senior, was hurt in Thursday’s 34-20 loss at then-No. 11 Alabama. He had racked up three interceptions through seven games, including a pick-6 against South Carolina.

Hadden is tied for third in all of FBS with 11 passes defended.

“I was just getting comfortable, the work was just starting to show, I was showing the world what I already knew,” Hadden wrote in an Instagram post. “My last year, my bag year, and I strike out. I feel like I let everybody down. The fam, gang, the team, everybody. But I always took the longer route, I always was in a fight with adversity, I always had it a lil harder, I always wanted it a lil tougher cause at the end the win a lil more greater.”

Hadden had six interceptions in three seasons with the Volunteers.

Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) will visit Kentucky on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) gets sacked behind the line of scrimmage by Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (55) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Second-half surge carries No. 11 Alabama past No. 17 Tennessee

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Jalen Milroe passed for two touchdowns, Jihaad Campbell returned a fumble for a score and No. 11 Alabama overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to record a 34-20 victory over No. 17 Tennessee in Southeastern Conference play on Saturday at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Jase McClellan rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries to help the Crimson Tide (7-1, 5-0 SEC) win their sixth consecutive game. Isaiah Bond and Jermaine Burton caught scoring passes and Chris Braswell had two sacks for Alabama, which scored 27 unanswered points in the second half.

Joe Milton III was 28-of-41 passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns and added 59 rushing yards for Tennessee (5-2, 2-2), which had a three-game winning streak halted. Squirrel White had 10 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown and McCallan Castles also had a scoring catch for the Volunteers.

Alabama has won 16 of the past 17 meetings with Tennessee.

Milroe completed 14 of 21 passes for 220 yards and an interception. The Crimson Tide defense stopped Tennessee on three fourth-down opportunities.

The Volunteers have lost 10 straight games at Tuscaloosa.

McClellan began the third quarter with a 29-yard run and Milroe followed with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Bond to bring the Crimson Tide within 20-14.

Will Reichard kicked a 42-yard field goal with 8:33 left in the third to make it a three-point game. McClellan later scored on a 5-yard run to give Alabama its first lead — 24-20 with 3:42 left in the period.

Reichard tacked on a 50-yard field goal to make it a seven-point margin with 8:17 left in the game. That stretched his streak of consecutive makes to 28.

On Tennessee’s next possession, Braswell rushed in to sack Milton and force a fumble. Campbell picked up the ball and raced 24 yards for a touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a 34-20 lead with 7:26 remaining.

Tennessee outgained Alabama 187-36 in the opening quarter while taking a 13-0 lead.

The Volunteers opened the game with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by White’s spectacular 39-yard TD grab.

Charles Campbell kicked field goals of 24 and 26 yards later in the period for the Volunteers. The second was set up by a strip-sack from James Pearce Jr., with Omarr Lott recovering Milroe’s fumble at the Alabama 23.

The Crimson Tide got on the board when Milroe threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Burton with 7:05 left in the second quarter. Tennessee restored the lead to 13 when Milton tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to Castles with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee defensive back Dee Williams (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

Special teams, defense lift No. 19 Tennessee past Texas A&M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee’s Dee Williams posted the go-ahead score on a punt return, and Gabe Jeudy-Lally and Kamal Hadden snatched fourth-quarter interceptions as the No. 19 Volunteers held off the Texas A&M Aggies 20-13 on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) saw Joe Milton III go just 11-for-22 for 100 yards with a touchdown pass to Jacob Warren.

Jaylen Wright produced 136 yards on 19 carries for the conference’s top rushing team, which had 237 yards on 48 attempts.

Quarterback Max Johnson was 16-for-34 for 223 yards and rushed for a score but was picked off twice as Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2) lost for the second straight week.

Josh DeBerry recorded an interception for the Aggies.

On a wild scramble to end his team’s first possession, Johnson rolled right, reversed field and went head-first to the pylon from 2 yards out for a 7-0 lead at 8:29 on an 80-yard drive — his first rushing TD since 2021.

The home side took advantage of a short field to drive 51 yards on its second series for a tie. Milton found tight end Warren on a 7-yard pass for his third scoring reception at 1:44.

After converting a third-and-17 pass to Noah Thomas in the second quarter, Johnson led the Aggies down to Randy Bond’s FBS-leading 14th field goal, a 41-yarder at 10:48.

Texas A&M’s defense stiffened and stopped Tennessee on a turnover on downs at the Aggies 18 in the first quarter. Vols kicker Charles Campbell also missed a 51-yard field in the second.

After a Tennessee punt backed up the Aggies inside their 1 midway through the third, the Vols forced a punt after three straight plays produced no yardage.

Williams fielded the short punt and raced 39 yards for the first Tennessee lead at 6:47, but Bond answered on the ensuing drive with a 24-yard kick to make it 14-13.

However, with a chance to put the Aggies ahead with 8:34 left, Bond pulled a 50-yard attempt wide left.

Campbell’s two field goals — from 31 and 24 yards — inside the final four minutes and interceptions by Jeudy-Lally and Hadden sealed the Vols’ third straight win and third in five meetings with the Aggies.

–Field Level Media