ATLANTA − Tennessee football played its first road game of the season at Georgia Tech but it sure didn't look that way.
UT fans helped sell out Bobby Dodd Stadium as the No. 18 Vols (2-0) beat Georgia Tech 45-24 on Sept. 12. UT coach Josh Heupel noticed the support from the fans before he stepped on the field to play the Yellow Jackets (0-2).
"We leave our hotel and you see nothing but orange and white on our way here," Heupel said. "From older fans who have been here for a lot of generations to some younger ones who don't know how to tie their shoes yet, you walk into the stadium 60 minutes before kickoff and a majority of the crowd is Tennessee orange. It's pretty special."
Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, making the first road start of his college career, said UT fans gave him and his teammates a distinct advantage when operating the offense.
"It was a lot of orange," Brandon said. "It definitely made things easier. Wasn't too much noise. Definitely got a little rowdy sometimes, but seeing all the orange, it definitely made me proud."

#orange #definitely #brandon #first

ATLANTA − Tennessee football quarterback Faizon Brandon faced some adversity while playing on the road for the first time in his very young college career.
Furman offered little resistance in his first career start but Brandon was challenged in Week 2 at Georgia Tech. His first road start didn't look pretty in the final box score but it was more than enough to get the No. 18 Vols (2-0) to a 45-24 win over the Yellow Jackets (0-2) on Sept. 12 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
"The stat sheet's not going to be elite. I actually really like how he played the game," UT coach Josh Heupel said. "I thought he was composed, he handled himself in situational football pretty well. First game on the road, 18 years old, handled himself well."
Brandon completed 10 of 21 passes for 148 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked once and added 23 yards on five rushing attempts.
He was particularly inaccurate in the first half, completing only 5 of 15 passes but racking up 106 yards and two touchdown passes. Of his five first-half completions, four went for 15 yards or more and three gained 20 yards or more.

#road #Career #start

No. 18 Tennessee (2-0) defeated Georgia Tech (0-2), 45-24, Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Vols led, 24-10, at halftime in their first game at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 1986.
Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon completed 10-of-21 passing attempts for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also totaled 22 rushing yards on five attempts.
DeSean Bishop recorded 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts, marking the fifth time he totaled 100-plus yards in his college career. Daune Morris recorded 98 rushing yards and one touchdown on 10 attempts for the Vols, who totaled 447 yards of offense, including 299 rushing yards and 148 passing yards.
Radarious Jackson led the Vols in receiving yards (64) and recorded three receptions. Ethan Davis and Braylon Staley scored one touchdown reception each for Tennessee.

#georgia

ATLANTA — Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon had an understated but effective performance in his first Tennessee road game, beating Georgia Tech 45-24 on Sept. 12.
Brandon tossed two touchdown passes, avoided catastrophic mistakes, leaned on a ground game that rushed for almost 300 yards and let his defense make game-changing plays. That was enough for the 18th-ranked Vols (2-0) to hold off the Yellow Jackets (0-2).
Tennessee plays Kennesaw State on Sept. 19 (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.
Here's a quick rundown of Brandon's performance against Georgia Tech for the first road win of his young career.
Brandon was 10-of-21 passing for 148 yards, two TDs and no interceptions against Georgia Tech. And he also rushed for 22 yards.

#game #yards #tennessee #performance

ATLANTA — Josh Heupel and Faizon Brandon can rely on Tennessee's defense to carry it through some rough patches — at least to a certain point.
That was apparent in the way the 18th-ranked Vols beat Georgia Tech 45-24 amid a crowd with plenty of orange at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Sept. 12.
Heupel's offense didn't have to light up the scoreboard or stat sheet to win. And Brandon, the freshman quarterback, didn't have to reel off eye-popping highlights for the Vols (2-0) to protect a lead on the road over the Yellow Jackets (0-2).
They just needed to do enough and trust in Jim Knowles, the defensive wiz that Heupel hired as coordinator in the offseason. His squad carried the Vols through some critical lulls.
Knowles' defense scored a touchdown on Dejuan Lane's pick-6. It had another red-zone stop that yielded only a field goal. Jeremiah Telander's interception prevented points before halftime. And the Vols stopped Georgia Tech's rally on fourth down at the goal line early in the fourth quarter.

#vols #georgia #didn 't

ATLANTA — Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon will try for a strong sequel to his debut in leading the 18th-ranked Vols against Georgia Tech.
Tennessee (1-0) and Georgia Tech (0-1) play Sept. 12 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
It's a good road test, especially for Brandon, who accounted for five touchdowns in 56-9 win over Furman at home. And defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will dig deeper into his scheme to stop the Yellow Jackets.
The Vols will get a boost from the return of All-SEC linebacker Arion Carter and starting center Sam Pendleton, who were suspended for the Furman game.
Carter was suspended by the NCAA because he accepted a $427 flight from his agent to an NFL pre-draft training facility, whice he repaid. Pendleton was suspended by Tennessee for violation of team rules because he was arrested in May on charges of driving under the influence.

#georgia #atlanta

Ranking the new quarterbacks' debuts, from Darian Mensah masterclass to DJ Lagway head-scratcher originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In today's modern era of college football, teams have new guys starting at quarterback seemingly every season. From true freshmen, to guys who worked their way up the depth chart or transfer-portal stars, we have several guys who made their starting debuts in 2026.
Miami started Duke transfer Dariah Mensah, Indiana turned to TCU transfer Josh Hoover and Tennessee started true freshman Faizon Brandon.
Let's take a look at how 16 new 2026 quarterbacks did during their Week 1 debuts.
MORE:College football Week 1 overreactions: Is Dabo is done? Is Oregon a fraud?

#debuts #transfer

Tennessee football had just won its season opener and new starting quarterback, freshman Faizon Brandon, was greeting his parents in the north end zone of Neyland Stadium. Wide receiver Braylon Staley was right next to Brandon, endorsing the five-star freshman.
"This is the man right here," Staley said.
UT coach Josh Heupel was also pleased with Brandon's debut, but not surprised by anything he saw.
"I don't think he did anything that surprised me," Heupel said after the 56-9 win over Furman on Sept. 5. "We're just … trusting that what you've seen on the field through the body of work is going to show up on gameday too. But for a young player, he managed and stayed within himself extremely well, which is the expectation."
Brandon dazzled in his first college start, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns and adding 68 yards and two more scores on the ground over less than three quarters of work.

#right

Tennessee football had just won its season opener and new starting quarterback, freshman Faizon Brandon, was greeting his parents in the north end zone of Neyland Stadium. Wide receiver Braylon Staley was right next to Brandon, endorsing the five-star freshman.
"This is the man right here," Staley said.
UT coach Josh Heupel was also pleased with Brandon's debut, but not surprised by anything he saw.
"I don't think he did anything that surprised me," Heupel said after the 56-9 win over Furman on Sept. 5. "We're just … trusting that what you've seen on the field through the body of work is going to show up on gameday too. But for a young player, he managed and stayed within himself extremely well, which is the expectation."
Brandon dazzled in his first college start, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns and adding 68 yards and two more scores on the ground over less than three quarters of work.

#brandon #heupel #right #yards

Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon will debut for Tennessee football as the 18th-ranked Vols play Furman in the 2026 season opener on Sept. 5.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET with a sellout crowd at Neyland Stadium. It will be streamed on ESPN+ and SEC Network+.
Brandon, 18, is the youngest starting quarterback in UT history. He'll be surrounded by proven performers like 1,000-yard rusher DeSean Bishop, wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley and an experienced offensive line.
Jim Knowles will debut as UT defensive coordinator, along with several transfers on defense. And coach Josh Heupel is vying for his 46th win at Tennessee, which would tie Doug ******* ey for sixth place on the Vols' all-time wins list.
Follow live updates here of Tennessee vs. Furman.

#quarterback #faizon

Should Tennessee football be on upset alert for the season opener against Furman?
Asked to pick a game with potential to rival the iconic upset Appalachian State pulled over then No. 5 Michigan in 2007, ESPN ****** yst Jordan Rodgers said the No. 18 Vols, who are 46.5-point favorites, could find themselves in a closer game than expected against the Paladins (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium.
"I don't think any of them are too likely, but if there was one I could maybe sell you that it could get interesting, it'd be Furman at Tennessee," Rodgers, a former quarterback at Vanderbilt, said during a "SportsCenter" segment on Sept. 2
Rodgers' primary concern for Tennessee is freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon and even immensely gifted players can be ****** e to costly mistakes in their debuts.
"You look at Tennessee and they are breaking in a five-star quarterback and he is really talented, Faizon Brandon. But in these games where App State upsets a Michigan, it's not usually that they are more talented. It's that the better team beats themselves," Rodgers said. "And a five-star quarterback could go out there as and 18-year-old and make some mistakes. I think he's going to be really good but in Week 1, he's not going to be the version that he could be in Week 11 or 12."

#furman #state #sept #faizon

Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has a unique name with an interesting origin story that his parents love to tell.
Brandon will debut as the youngest starting quarterback in Tennessee history when the 18th-ranked Vols play Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium.
College football fans will get accustomed to his saying Faizon Brandon. But where did the 18-year-old quarterback's name come from?
Here's the story that his parents told Knox News.
In 2008, Lenard and Rolanda Brandon were struggling to pick a name for their baby boy, whose birth was due that summer. Rolanda liked Zachary as a name for their first born, but Lenard was lukewarm.

#name #rolanda #parents

Week 0 has arrived, meaning Tennessee hits the field in just one week. The Volunteers will kickoff the Faizon Brandon era against Furman in a tune up game before things start to get real in two weeks down in Atlanta. Tennessee is a sleeper team according to most, taking a backseat to teams like Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss.
Can the Volunteers force their way into the SEC picture and perhaps make a run at the College Football Playoff? If that's in the cards, they'll have to find answers to these four questions.
The 5-star freshman ran away with the job in fall camp, now it's time to see just how good he can be right off the bat. There's no doubt about his long-term upside under Josh Heupel, but what about the right now? Brandon was praised for making plays down the field in scrimmages, and his athleticism will bring a new element to the RPO and maybe even option game.
It's going to come down to the little things though. The right checks, the right reads, getting through those reads quickly enough and keeping the offensive tempo when Heupel wants to operate with pace. Brandon is sure to make some freshman mistakes, that just comes with the territory. Can he make enough big plays down the field to keep defenses honest and the focus off of DeSean Bishop and the ground game? That's the key to me.
Tennessee's defensive line room has completely transformed in the past couple of seasons after having a bunch of veterans exit the program. It's going to be a new look for Garner's group in 2026, with no more Eason, Moi, Bailey or Josephs to lean on. The torch is being passed to guys like Xavier Gilliam, Nathan Robinson, Tyree Weathersby, Isaiah Campbell, Ethan Utley and several more. Veteran Daevin Hobbs is expected to lead the group and needs to take a big jump.

#right #tennessee

Tennessee football won eight games in 2025, marking the first time it had failed to reach nine victories in a season since Josh Heupel was named coach of the Vols in 2021.
The Vols are set to face four ranked teams this season and a new nine-game SEC schedule while breaking in a freshman quarterback, so reestablishing the nine-win floor Heupel had set for this program won't be easy.
Here are the three games that will define the season for Tennessee football in 2026.
On paper and in the polls, UT looks like the better team and a likely favorite to knock off the Yellow Jackets, even on the road. But first-year quarterback Faizon Brandon will still be an unknown commodity by the time the Vols arrive in Atlanta for their second game.
The Vols host FCS foe Furman in the season opener on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+, ESPN+). and Brandon shouldn't expect to meet much resistance, nor to play four full quarters in that game. The SEC slate that follows promises to be tougher to navigate, but how Brandon reacts to a road environment at Bobby Dodd Stadium will say a lot about how truly ready he is to lead UT for the remainder of the season.

#brandon #nine #tennessee #first

The 2026 college football season begins this Saturday with an eight-game Week Zero. That leaves just under two weeks before most programs kick off their seasons. Several teams and their head coaches named their starting quarterbacks on Monday in preparation for Week 1.
Alabama named Keelon Russell its starter on Saturday, while other prominent QB competitions at Clemson, West Virginia, Vanderbilt and Iowa still haven't been decided — at least publicly.
Here are several of the QBs who have been named starters for the season.
The Volunteers are making true freshman Faizon Brandon their starting QB. Head coach Josh Heupel told the team of his decision on Monday morning and officially announced Brandon as the starter in an afternoon press conference.
Brandon, 6-foot-4, beat out sophomore George MacIntyre for the position, clinching the decision with his performance in a scrimmage on Saturday, according to On3. A five-star recruit, Rivals ranked Brandon as the No. 3 QB nationally and No. 10 player overall out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina.

#head

Florida has named a new starting quarterback, and he's a name that should be familiar to Georgia Tech fans.
Gators coach Jon Sumrall named redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo as the team's starting quarterback for the fall. He's a Yellow Jackets transfer who will now pilot Sumrall's first year in the Swamp.
Philo beat out redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting gig.
Philo only played in three games last year for Georgia Tech behind quarterback Haynes King, but he will now get his chance to start for one of the biggest college football programs in the country.
TENNESSEE: Meet Faizon Brandon, the new Vols starting quarterback

#starting #quarterback #philo #gators

It's college football's week 0, and while we've still got some time before the Bulldogs kick off, the news from elsewhere is flowing free and fast. Let's take a quick spin around and see what's up.
Alabama has named sophomore Keelon Russell its starting quarterback over senior Austin Mack. It isn't a surprising outcome, as the former five star would eventually take over. But Bama fans are super stoked nonetheless.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel on the other hand hasn't named a starter, but appears to be leaning toward freshman Faizon Brandon.Heupel has been saying all the right things publicly about going with the QB who brings the right mix of maturity and leadership to the role. But deep down I think there's something else at play: in the NIL era you can't bring in a multi-million dollar blue chipper like Brandon and afford to sit them on the bench. It's one reason I think Kirby Smart's emphasis on rewarding proven upperclassmen may be the smartest strategy in the NIL era.
Lane Kiffin on the other hand isn't so stoked about his tight end rotation, which is why he's apparently beating the bushes of the NFL for players who are on pro rosters but could come back to college now that a judge in Colorado has decided players in the 2022 class should have a fifth year of eligibility.
Though the buried lede in this story has to be that Kiffin apparently called Todd Monken to talk about whether he could have Monken's rookie tight end, and Monken didn't return his call. That goes on the long list of reasons I like Todd Monken.

#take #isn 't #stoked

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel left open the possibility that he could wait until game week to name his starting quarterback, but he's not tipping his hand.
It appears five-star freshman Faizon Brandon leads the competition with sophomore George MacIntyre after the final intrasquad scrimmage of preseason practice on Aug. 22, which was closed to media and the public.
Brandon connected on a deep pass to Mike Matthews and broke a few long runs. But he also tossed an interception and missed some short high-percentage passes.
The scrimmage continued to showcase Brandon's big-play potential as a runner and passer, as well as predictable freshman mistakes.
MacIntyre managed the offense reasonably well. But he tossed an interception that was returned for a touchdown, and he overthrew a deep pass.

#brandon #pass #tossed #tennessee

No. 18 Tennessee held its first football scrimmage in fall training camp on Saturday. Rankings reflect the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll.
"Good work today inside the stadium," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said after Saturday's scrimmage. "Scrimmage, a lot of situational football, from special teams to different field zones, offense and defense. A lot of really good work. Some things that, obviously, we got to continue to clean up. Some young guys that did some really good things, but some young guys that got to continue to grow and be ready to play championship level football here as you get ready to play this season.
"A lot of positives, but we got to continue to grow here. A lot of work left here in the next three weeks to get ready to go play."
The Vols have a starting quarterback competition during fall camp with sophomore George MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon.
Heupel discussed Tennessee's starting quarterback competition following Saturday's scrimmage at Neyland Stadium. Everything the sixth-year head coach said is listed below.

#scrimmage #Football

No. 18 Tennessee held its first football scrimmage during fall training camp at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Sixth-year head coach Josh Heupel recapped the Vols' performance.
"Good work today inside the stadium," Heupel said. "Scrimmage, a lot of situational football, from special teams to different field zones, offense and defense. A lot of really good work. Some things that, obviously, we got to continue to clean up. Some young guys that did some really good things, but some young guys that got to continue to grow and be ready to play championship level football here as you get ready to play this season.
"A lot of positives, but we got to continue to grow here. A lot of work left here in the next three weeks to get ready to go play."
Heupel also discussed Tennessee's starting quarterback competition between sophomore George MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon.

#play

Tennessee opened fall training camp on Wednesday at Haslam Field in preparation for its sixth football season under head coach Josh Heupel.
The Vols held a 17-period individual workout on the first day of fall camp.
"Really good work today on the grass as we start this on-field journey," Heupel said after Tennessee's first practice. "A lot of fundamental work here, early part of training camp. The first couple days, obviously, that continues throughout, but big emphasis on that here today and good to get out there with the guys."
The Vols also have a starting quarterback competition to replace Joey Aguilar from last season.
Early enrollee freshman Brandon Faizon, sophomore George MacIntyre, sophomore Mason Phillips and senior Ryan Staub from Colorado are on roster during fall camp.

#vols #early #season

Tennessee football won the recruiting battle for five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, and Ohio State is trying to cope with the loss.
On this podcast episode of "The Volunteer State," beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist John Adams discuss both sides of that result, including the potential impact of Gabriel Georges on the Vols in 2027 and his similarities to past UT running backs.
Plus, Sparks is back from SEC media days, where he talked to reporters who ******* ume five-star freshman Faizon Brandon will win UT's quarterback competition over redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. Even some on the SEC Network set have made up their mind. But why?
And coach Josh Heupel may be hedging on his plan for picking the starting quarterback.
It's a loaded podcast episode as the Vols approach the start of preseason practice on Aug. 5. To hear the full discussion, listen to the 61-minute podcast. Here are some highlights.

#podcast #five #running

Tennessee football won the recruiting battle for five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, and Ohio State is trying to cope with the loss.
On this podcast episode of "The Volunteer State," beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist John Adams discuss both sides of that result, including the potential impact of Gabriel Georges on the Vols in 2027 and his similarities to past UT running backs.
Plus, Sparks is back from SEC media days, where he talked to reporters who ******* ume five-star freshman Faizon Brandon will win UT's quarterback competition over redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. Even some on the SEC Network set have made up their mind. But why?
And coach Josh Heupel may be hedging on his plan for picking the starting quarterback.
It's a loaded podcast episode as the Vols approach the start of preseason practice on Aug. 5. To hear the full discussion, listen to the 61-minute podcast. Here are some highlights.

#podcast #gabriel #five #star

Tennessee will kick off its sixth football season under Josh Heupel on Sept. 5 at Neyland Stadium. The Vols will host Furman at 3:30 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+).
Tennessee enters fall training camp with four quarterbacks on roster: early enrollee freshman Brandon Faizon, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, redshirt freshman Mason Phillips and redshirt junior transfer Ryan Staub from Colorado.
MacIntyre appeared in two contests as a freshman in 2025. He played against East Tennessee State and New Mexico State. The 6-foot-6, 208-pound signal-caller completed 7-of-9 passing attempts for 69 yards. His longest completion was 17 yards.
Phillips made his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter against East Tennessee State on Sept. 6, 2025. He recorded 18 rushing yards on two attempts. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound quarterback's longest rushing attempt was 16 yards.
Staub played three seasons at Colorado from 2023-25. He appeared in 12 games for the Buffaloes and completed 53-of-98 passing attempts for 681 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 204-pound quarterback started in two games: at Houston on Sept. 12, 2025 and at Utah on Nov. 25, 2023.

2026 will mark the third season with 16 Southeastern Conference teams after Oklahoma and Texas became league members in 2024.
Each league school will have three permanent opponents and six rotating opponents for the next four years. Beginning in 2026, Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as permanent opponents.
The Vols enter their 2026 campaign with a quarterback battle to replace Joey Aguilar.
During spring practices, Tennessee had four quarterbacks on roster: early enrollee freshman Brandon Faizon, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, redshirt freshman Mason Phillips and redshirt junior transfer Ryan Staub from Colorado.
“Don't expect a guy to be named here during the course of spring ball," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said during spring practices in naming a starting quarterback. "I think it's important that all the guys in that room learn and grow throughout the course of spring, also have a chance to go back in your summer months, digest it, reinstall and come back a much better player, and compete and earn it in front of their teammates as you get into training camp."

Faizon Love rolled into a Hillsborough County, Florida, courtroom Friday (June 19) in a red prison jumpsuit and a wheelchair, shackled at the wrists, after spending more than two weeks behind bars on contempt-of-court charges tied to a child support dispute.
The actor was arrested on June 16 on two counts of contempt of court, originating from a warrant out of Hillsborough County. He had first been picked up in Riverside County, California and spent 16 days in jail before being transferred to Florida. Attorney Glen R. Lansky confirmed the cross-country transport, telling the NY Post he was moved "on orders of contempt from the Honorable Judge Mark Kiser."
At the center of the case is a child support dispute involving his ex, Tiffany Lee. She claims Love owes roughly $250,000 in missed payments at a court-ordered rate of $2,500 per month. Her attorney argued he had not made the required payments in years. Lee, appearing by video call, alleged Love told her directly that she "wasn't going to get a dime" and that he intended to stop working and cancel shows to avoid paying.
When his own attorney asked Love in open court whether he currently had the ability to pay $2,500 a month, he answered plainly: "Right now? No."
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