2 months ago
Week 1 of the 2026 college football season concluded Sunday for SEC schools.
No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) defeated Furman (1-1), 56-9, at Neyland Stadium to open its football campaign.
"Good start today," Heupel said after defeating the Paladins. "There's a bunch that we are going to need to clean up here in all three phases of the game, but overall pleased with the performance. Defensively, we played extremely well. We don't turn it over, it's probably a shutout. Those guys have grown, worked and competed extremely hard to go play and start the season that way. Proud of the effort there from our staff and our players.
"Offensively, the penalties early in the football game slowed a couple of drives down. After that, I thought we executed at a high level. Quarterbacks played smart and efficient today. All of them did, so good start. A lot to learn from and move on to a big one next week."
Following Week 1, SEC football power rankings and each team's schedule are listed below.
#week #start
No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) defeated Furman (1-1), 56-9, at Neyland Stadium to open its football campaign.
"Good start today," Heupel said after defeating the Paladins. "There's a bunch that we are going to need to clean up here in all three phases of the game, but overall pleased with the performance. Defensively, we played extremely well. We don't turn it over, it's probably a shutout. Those guys have grown, worked and competed extremely hard to go play and start the season that way. Proud of the effort there from our staff and our players.
"Offensively, the penalties early in the football game slowed a couple of drives down. After that, I thought we executed at a high level. Quarterbacks played smart and efficient today. All of them did, so good start. A lot to learn from and move on to a big one next week."
Following Week 1, SEC football power rankings and each team's schedule are listed below.
#week #start
2 months ago
Tennessee linebacker Amare Campbell didn't have much to say about Xavier Gilliam's performance.
Campbell, who played alongside the 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle at Penn State a year ago, called Gilliam's outing on Sept. 5 against Furman "the standard." Gilliam recorded three sacks in his Tennessee football debut, adding five tackles for loss — the most sacks by a UT defender since Darrell Taylor had four on Nov. 10, 2018. He also forced the first fumble of his career while sharing the team-lead in tackles with Campbell at six.
Gilliam's relentless pursuit helped the No. 18 Vols (1-0) to a 56-9 win over the Paladins at Neyland Stadium. More importantly, it proved he could back up continued praise for the consistency.
"Today, that's what he's supposed to do," Campbell said.
Tennessee's defense suffocated Furman, tallying six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Vols' season-high in sacks last year was six against Mississippi State.
#loss
Campbell, who played alongside the 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle at Penn State a year ago, called Gilliam's outing on Sept. 5 against Furman "the standard." Gilliam recorded three sacks in his Tennessee football debut, adding five tackles for loss — the most sacks by a UT defender since Darrell Taylor had four on Nov. 10, 2018. He also forced the first fumble of his career while sharing the team-lead in tackles with Campbell at six.
Gilliam's relentless pursuit helped the No. 18 Vols (1-0) to a 56-9 win over the Paladins at Neyland Stadium. More importantly, it proved he could back up continued praise for the consistency.
"Today, that's what he's supposed to do," Campbell said.
Tennessee's defense suffocated Furman, tallying six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Vols' season-high in sacks last year was six against Mississippi State.
#loss
2 months ago
Tennessee linebacker Amare Campbell didn't have much to say about Xavier Gilliam's performance.
Campbell, who played alongside the 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle at Penn State a year ago, called Gilliam's outing on Sept. 5 against Furman "the standard." Gilliam recorded three sacks in his Tennessee football debut, adding five tackles for loss — the most sacks by a UT defender since Darrell Taylor had four on Nov. 10, 2018. He also forced the first fumble of his career while sharing the team-lead in tackles with Campbell at six.
Gilliam's relentless pursuit helped the No. 18 Vols (1-0) to a 56-9 win over the Paladins at Neyland Stadium. More importantly, it proved he could back up continued praise for the consistency.
"Today, that's what he's supposed to do," Campbell said.
Tennessee's defense suffocated Furman, tallying six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Vols' season-high in sacks last year was six against Mississippi State.
#campbell #furman #vols
Campbell, who played alongside the 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle at Penn State a year ago, called Gilliam's outing on Sept. 5 against Furman "the standard." Gilliam recorded three sacks in his Tennessee football debut, adding five tackles for loss — the most sacks by a UT defender since Darrell Taylor had four on Nov. 10, 2018. He also forced the first fumble of his career while sharing the team-lead in tackles with Campbell at six.
Gilliam's relentless pursuit helped the No. 18 Vols (1-0) to a 56-9 win over the Paladins at Neyland Stadium. More importantly, it proved he could back up continued praise for the consistency.
"Today, that's what he's supposed to do," Campbell said.
Tennessee's defense suffocated Furman, tallying six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Vols' season-high in sacks last year was six against Mississippi State.
#campbell #furman #vols
2 months ago
Nearly every bar around town will be showing Tennessee football's home opener against Furman, but some of our favorite spots to watch the Vols are places where you can see and hear the game.
College football season is the best time of year in Knoxville, and more than 100,000 fans are expected to pour into Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5 as the Volunteers kick off their season against the Paladins. Bars across the city also will be packed with crowds dressed in orange and white.
To save you the hassle of showing up somewhere you can't hear what's happening on TV, here's a quick list of places we know will have the sound on during the game.
Looking for a hole-in-the-wall to kick off the Tennessee football season? Back Door Tavern is a dive bar fixture on Kingston Pike, and it's the place Knox News readers voted Knoxville's best Vols bar in 2025.
With TVs on almost every wall, you shouldn't miss a moment of Tennessee's first game. This bar proudly displays Tennessee flags and signs, as well as Vols memorabilia behind the bar, on the ceiling and above its stage.
#game #showing
College football season is the best time of year in Knoxville, and more than 100,000 fans are expected to pour into Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5 as the Volunteers kick off their season against the Paladins. Bars across the city also will be packed with crowds dressed in orange and white.
To save you the hassle of showing up somewhere you can't hear what's happening on TV, here's a quick list of places we know will have the sound on during the game.
Looking for a hole-in-the-wall to kick off the Tennessee football season? Back Door Tavern is a dive bar fixture on Kingston Pike, and it's the place Knox News readers voted Knoxville's best Vols bar in 2025.
With TVs on almost every wall, you shouldn't miss a moment of Tennessee's first game. This bar proudly displays Tennessee flags and signs, as well as Vols memorabilia behind the bar, on the ceiling and above its stage.
#game #showing
2 months ago
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
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
2 months ago
What does Tennessee football defensive coordinator Jim Knowles want from his unit in the season opener against Furman? It's safe to say his expectations are high.
"I don't want to give up any yards," he said on Sept. 1. Next: "I want to get a shut out."
And finally: "I don't want to give up any first downs."
The No. 18 Vols are a 46.5-point favorite against Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium and it will be Knowles' debut at Tennessee after leaving Penn State. It'll be the first chance for Tennessee's defense to prove itself after a disappointing season last year.
Tennessee's margin for error will lessen dramatically after the Paladins. Week 2 will present a much stiffer challenge at Georgia Tech, and just two weeks later No. 4 Texas will come to Neyland Stadium as the first of Tennessee's nine SEC games.
#tennessee #furman #neyland #season
"I don't want to give up any yards," he said on Sept. 1. Next: "I want to get a shut out."
And finally: "I don't want to give up any first downs."
The No. 18 Vols are a 46.5-point favorite against Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium and it will be Knowles' debut at Tennessee after leaving Penn State. It'll be the first chance for Tennessee's defense to prove itself after a disappointing season last year.
Tennessee's margin for error will lessen dramatically after the Paladins. Week 2 will present a much stiffer challenge at Georgia Tech, and just two weeks later No. 4 Texas will come to Neyland Stadium as the first of Tennessee's nine SEC games.
#tennessee #furman #neyland #season
2 months ago
What does Tennessee football defensive coordinator Jim Knowles want from his unit in the season opener against Furman? It's safe to say his expectations are high.
"I don't want to give up any yards," he said on Sept. 1. Next: "I want to get a shut out."
And finally: "I don't want to give up any first downs."
The No. 18 Vols are a 46.5-point favorite against Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium and it will be Knowles' debut at Tennessee after leaving Penn State. It'll be the first chance for Tennessee's defense to prove itself after a disappointing season last year.
Tennessee's margin for error will lessen dramatically after the Paladins. Week 2 will present a much stiffer challenge at Georgia Tech, and just two weeks later No. 4 Texas will come to Neyland Stadium as the first of Tennessee's nine SEC games.
#first #knowles #furman #don 't
"I don't want to give up any yards," he said on Sept. 1. Next: "I want to get a shut out."
And finally: "I don't want to give up any first downs."
The No. 18 Vols are a 46.5-point favorite against Furman (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium and it will be Knowles' debut at Tennessee after leaving Penn State. It'll be the first chance for Tennessee's defense to prove itself after a disappointing season last year.
Tennessee's margin for error will lessen dramatically after the Paladins. Week 2 will present a much stiffer challenge at Georgia Tech, and just two weeks later No. 4 Texas will come to Neyland Stadium as the first of Tennessee's nine SEC games.
#first #knowles #furman #don 't
2 months ago
No. 18 Tennessee will open its 2026 football season Saturday against Furman.
Kickoff between the Vols and Paladins is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium. The game can be watched on SEC Network+.
Saturday will mark the third meeting between Tennessee and Furman in the all-time series, dating to 1941. The Vols have a 2-0 record in previous games contested between the two schools.
Tennessee first played the Paladins on Sept. 20, 1941, winning, 32-6, at Shields-Watkins Field in John Barnhill's debut as the Vols' head coach.
Barnhill was named head coach after Robert Neyland was called into military service. Barnhill would guide the Vols to an 8-2 overall record (3-1 SEC).
#vols #saturday #paladins #neyland
Kickoff between the Vols and Paladins is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium. The game can be watched on SEC Network+.
Saturday will mark the third meeting between Tennessee and Furman in the all-time series, dating to 1941. The Vols have a 2-0 record in previous games contested between the two schools.
Tennessee first played the Paladins on Sept. 20, 1941, winning, 32-6, at Shields-Watkins Field in John Barnhill's debut as the Vols' head coach.
Barnhill was named head coach after Robert Neyland was called into military service. Barnhill would guide the Vols to an 8-2 overall record (3-1 SEC).
#vols #saturday #paladins #neyland
2 months ago
It'll be Tennessee football's season opener when Furman comes to Neyland Stadium, but the Paladins got an early start to their 2026 campaign on Aug. 27.
Furman beat Anderson, a Division II team, to start its season at home in Greenville, South Carolina. It wasn't an overwhelmingly convincing performance but ended in a 20-3 victory for the Paladins (1-0).
The Vols play Furman on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+/ESPN+).
Quarterback Jake Garcia started at quarterback for Furman. A fifth-year Michigan transfer, Garcia won the job over Western New Mexico (Division II) transfer Connor Ackerley, junior Nehuel Garcia and freshman Trey Smith.
Garcia finished his first start for Furman going 15-of-28 passing for 183 yards and an interception. He also had nine rushes for 51 yards and avoided taking any sacks.
#start #quarterback #transfer
Furman beat Anderson, a Division II team, to start its season at home in Greenville, South Carolina. It wasn't an overwhelmingly convincing performance but ended in a 20-3 victory for the Paladins (1-0).
The Vols play Furman on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+/ESPN+).
Quarterback Jake Garcia started at quarterback for Furman. A fifth-year Michigan transfer, Garcia won the job over Western New Mexico (Division II) transfer Connor Ackerley, junior Nehuel Garcia and freshman Trey Smith.
Garcia finished his first start for Furman going 15-of-28 passing for 183 yards and an interception. He also had nine rushes for 51 yards and avoided taking any sacks.
#start #quarterback #transfer
2 months ago
Furman (1-0) kicked off its 2026 football season Thursday against Anderson University (0-1). The Paladins won, 20-3, in their season opener at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina.
Furman will next play at No. 18 Tennessee on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. EDT, SEC Network+).
Fifth-year quarterback Jake Garcia started for Furman on Thursday. He completed 15-of-28 passing attempts for 183 yards and one interception. Garcia also totaled 51 rushing yards on nine attempts.
Furman's leading wide receiver was Daniel Haughton with five receptions and 87 yards. CJ Nettles recorded 99 rushing yards and Ben Croasdale scored two rushing yards for Furman.
Garcia transferred to Furman from Michigan. Before his one season with the Wolverines, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback also played at East Carolina (2024), Missouri (2023) and Miami (2021-22).
#garcia #attempts
Furman will next play at No. 18 Tennessee on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. EDT, SEC Network+).
Fifth-year quarterback Jake Garcia started for Furman on Thursday. He completed 15-of-28 passing attempts for 183 yards and one interception. Garcia also totaled 51 rushing yards on nine attempts.
Furman's leading wide receiver was Daniel Haughton with five receptions and 87 yards. CJ Nettles recorded 99 rushing yards and Ben Croasdale scored two rushing yards for Furman.
Garcia transferred to Furman from Michigan. Before his one season with the Wolverines, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback also played at East Carolina (2024), Missouri (2023) and Miami (2021-22).
#garcia #attempts
2 months ago
Tennessee will open its 2026 football season versus Furman on Sept. 5. The season opener is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium (SEC Network+).
The Paladins will play one game before facing Tennessee. Furman will kick off its regular season with a Thursday matchup against Anderson University on Aug. 27 at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina (7 p.m. EDT).
On Tuesday, Furman head coach Clay Hendrix named fifth-year quarterback Jake Garcia the Paladins' starter.
"Jake will be our starter in game one," Hendrix said. "He didn't get here until summer, but when we considered what he's done and the amount and quality of work he's already put in, both on the field and off the field, we believe he gives us the best chance to be successful. "He's a talented guy who can make all the throws, and he has a good understanding of what we're trying to do. He's also shown his mobility to keep plays alive. In his position he needs to be a leader of our team, which we think he is becoming when considering how the players have responded to him so far. The way he came in and went to work earned the respect of his teammates."
More: Who Tennessee's football opponents play one week before facing Vols
#tennessee #hendrix #jake #game
The Paladins will play one game before facing Tennessee. Furman will kick off its regular season with a Thursday matchup against Anderson University on Aug. 27 at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina (7 p.m. EDT).
On Tuesday, Furman head coach Clay Hendrix named fifth-year quarterback Jake Garcia the Paladins' starter.
"Jake will be our starter in game one," Hendrix said. "He didn't get here until summer, but when we considered what he's done and the amount and quality of work he's already put in, both on the field and off the field, we believe he gives us the best chance to be successful. "He's a talented guy who can make all the throws, and he has a good understanding of what we're trying to do. He's also shown his mobility to keep plays alive. In his position he needs to be a leader of our team, which we think he is becoming when considering how the players have responded to him so far. The way he came in and went to work earned the respect of his teammates."
More: Who Tennessee's football opponents play one week before facing Vols
#tennessee #hendrix #jake #game
3 months ago
The Kansas City Chiefs always seem to get their tight ends involved in the passing game, and as Patrick Mahomes returns to the field after suffering a serious lower-body injury last season, head coach Andy Reid is sure to be scheming up new and exciting ways to get all of his pass-catchers involved in the air attack.
Take a look at these brief profiles of Travis Kelce and every other tight end currently on Kansas City's 90-man roster before training camp kicks off in St. Joseph, Missouri, later this month:
One of the Chiefs' most recognizable stars, Kelce is widely regarded as a top tight end in NFL history. After re-signing with Kansas City as a free agent earlier this year, the former Cincinnati Bearcat is set to play a key role in the Chiefs' offense next season and should be expected to be one of Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets during every game the pair competes in.
2026 cap number: $4,896,667
Pline is likely to be featured in Kansas City's game plans during the preseason, but his chances of making the Chiefs' 53-man roster are extremely slim. A former San Francisco 49er and New Orleans Saint, Pline entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after a collegiate career with the Ferris State Bulldogs and Furman Paladins.
#chiefs #city #patrick #involved
Take a look at these brief profiles of Travis Kelce and every other tight end currently on Kansas City's 90-man roster before training camp kicks off in St. Joseph, Missouri, later this month:
One of the Chiefs' most recognizable stars, Kelce is widely regarded as a top tight end in NFL history. After re-signing with Kansas City as a free agent earlier this year, the former Cincinnati Bearcat is set to play a key role in the Chiefs' offense next season and should be expected to be one of Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets during every game the pair competes in.
2026 cap number: $4,896,667
Pline is likely to be featured in Kansas City's game plans during the preseason, but his chances of making the Chiefs' 53-man roster are extremely slim. A former San Francisco 49er and New Orleans Saint, Pline entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after a collegiate career with the Ferris State Bulldogs and Furman Paladins.
#chiefs #city #patrick #involved
