Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson spoke with the media in the postgame in a group setting after West Virginia defeated Tennessee 40-14 in Charlotte.
Video: Dominick Wood-Anderson West Virginia postgame
Jordan Shines as Vols Fall to #17 West Virginia in Opener
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tennessee fell to No. 17 West Virginia, 40-14, to open the 2018 season Saturday in the Belk College Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium.
The Volunteers now turn their focus to next Saturday’s home-opener against ETSU. Kickoff for that contest—which marks first-year UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt‘s Neyland Stadium debut—is set for 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network).
All-American West Virginia quarterback Will Grier led a high-powered Mountaineers offense that came to life in the second half—scoring 27 points over the final 30 minutes. Grier finished the game having completed 25 of 34 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns.
Tennessee won the time of possession and played turnover-free football Saturday but was outgained 547-301 in total yardage. West Virginia averaged 9.0 yards per play on offense and totaled 12 tackles for loss on defense.
After appearing in nine games and making six starts a season ago, redshirt sophomore Jarrett Guarantano earned the opening-day start at quarterback for the Vols and was 19-of-25 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown. His 19 completions were a career-high.
Sophomore running back Tim Jordan enjoyed his best game as a Vol, logging career-highs for carries (20) and rushing yards (118) and scoring his first collegiate touchdown. Marquez Callaway led the Tennessee receiving corps with a career-best seven catches for 85 yards.
Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. led UT’s defense with 10 tackles, and safety Nigel Warrior added eight stops.
The Mountaineers opened the game’s scoring with a 26-yard field goal on their first offensive possession. They then extended their lead to 10-0 via a 59-yard touchdown pass by Grier with less than four minutes to play in the first quarter.
Tennessee’s first scoring drive of the Pruitt era was an impressive, 17-play march that covered 78 yards in 8:47 in the second quarter. On fourth-and-goal from the WVU 1-yard line, Gaurantano—who completed five of six passes during the drive—found first-year tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson in the end zone to cut the Mountaineers’ lead to three, 10-7.
West Virginia added a field goal as the second-quarter clock expired to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.
WVU’s first two possessions of the third quarter both ended with Grier touchdown passes. His second and third TD strikes of the day went to David Sills V and Gary Jennings, and the Vols found themselves facing a 20-point deficit.
The Vols were quick to counter with a 4-yard scoring scamper by Jordan. His first-career touchdown capped a five-play, 75-yard drive for the Big Orange.
But another Grier touchdown strike, which came on the ensuing drive, pushed the WVU lead to 19 points (the Mountaineers’ attempt at a two-point conversion failed). A fifth Grier TD toss with two minutes remaining in the game brought the final score to 40-14.
“There’s always something you can learn,” Tennessee starting offensive guard Ryan Johnson said of the setback. “Every game, every snap, has a lesson in it. We’re going to go back and focus on (ETSU) now.”
Saturday’s game featured an 85-minute halftime due to a weather delay (lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius) that began after the teams left the field.
Tennessee’s opening-day captains were sophomore running back Ty Chandler, senior linebacker Jonathan Kongbo, senior defensive lineman Kyle Phillips and junior tight end Eli Wolf.
The game’s attendance was 66,793.
-UT Athletics
Video: Shy Tuttle West Virginia postgame
Tennessee defensive tackle Shy Tuttle spoke with the media in the postgame in a group setting after West Virginia defeated Tennessee 40-14 in Charlotte.
Video: Darrin Kirkland Jr. West Virginia postgame
Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. spoke with the media in the postgame in a group setting after West Virginia defeated Tennessee 40-14 in Charlotte.
Video: Vols team warmup before season opener
Tennessee at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
Listen to Carrie Underwood’s Hopeful New Single, “Love Wins”
Carrie Underwood dropped a new single, “Love Wins,” on Aug. 31.
The hopeful tune, which was penned by Carrie, David Garcia and Brett James, follows the Top 10 success of lead single, “Cry Pretty,” from her upcoming album of the same name. The new album will be released on Sept. 14.
Underwood co-wrote nine of the 13 tracks on Cry Pretty and co-produced the album with David Garcia. The new record will be Carrie’s first since 2015’s “Storyteller,” which spawned hits such as “Smoke Break,” “Heartbeat,” “Church Bells” and “Dirty Laundry.”
Watch the lyric video for “Love Wins” below.
photo by Jason Simanek
Luke Bryan to Play Free Nashville Concert on Sept. 10
Luke Bryan will celebrate the grand opening of his new 30,000-square-foot restaurant, 32 Bridge Food + Drink, with a free concert in Nashville on Sept. 10.
Located on the corner of 301 Broadway and 3rd Avenue, Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink features six levels of entertainment space with eight bars, including four stages of live music, two restaurants and a rooftop sushi bar.
Luke’s performance will take place outside the bar at 6:30 p.m. CT with special guests Jon Langston, Chelsea Field and DJ Rock.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for some time,” says Luke. “Couldn’t think of a better way to kick this place off than to have a big party right on the streets of Broadway.”
Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink officially opened in July 2018.
Couldn’t think of a better way to kick this place off than to have a big party right on the streets of Broadway! Join me, @JonTLangston, @DJRockd11, and @ChelseaField09 on Sept 10. pic.twitter.com/PXsRcngGNd
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) August 31, 2018
Photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Morgan Evans Announces Oct. 12 Release of Debut Album, “Things That We Drink To”
After topping the chart with “Kiss Somebody” and dropping his self-titled EP on Aug. 10, Morgan Evans has announced that he will release his debut album, Things That We Drink To, on Oct. 12.
Morgan co-penned every track on the 11-song offering with a bevy of top songwriters, including Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne, Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, Ashley Gorley and more. In addition, Morgan teamed with producer Chris DeStafano to play every instrument on the new album.
“My album is a collection of songs that I wrote over the last two years,” says Morgan. “It’s my story. It’s leaving behind everything and everyone you know to chase down a country music dream on the other side of the world. It’s the excitement of the unknown, it’s the fun, it’s the loneliness and it’s the struggle. It’s losing someone and finding the strength to keep your head up and make them proud. It’s meeting a girl, falling hopelessly and marrying the love of your life. It’s the Things That We Drink To.”
Pre-order is available now with five instant-grat tracks, including “Day Drunk,” “Kiss Somebody,” “American,” “I Do” and “Young Again.”
Things That We Drink To Track List & Songwriters
- “American” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
- “Kiss Somebody” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
- “I Do” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley)
- “Song for the Summer” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, David Hodges)
- “Day Drunk” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Lindy Robbins)
- “Dance with Me” feat. Kelsea Ballerini – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano)
- “Me on You” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
- “Things That We Drink To” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
- “We Dream” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite)
- “Everything Changes” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Blair Daly)
- “Young Again” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear)
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Carrie Underwood Guests on Upcoming Episode of “Women Want to Hear Women” Podcast: “Women Are Not Getting the Same Opportunities”
If you take a look at the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week, you’ll only find four solo female artists with singles in the Top 40: Carrie Underwood (No. 9 – “Cry Pretty”), Maren Morris (No. 17 – “Rich”), Carly Pearce (No. 20 – “Hide the Wine”) and Kelsea Ballerini (No. 29 – “I Hate Love Songs”).
The disproportionately low representation of female artists on the charts has been a topic of conversation over the last few years, although little—if any—real change has taken place.
On her recently launched Women Want to Hear Women podcast, Elaina Smith is championing female artists to use their voices and influence to facilitate real change. As a guest on the Sept. 3 episode of Women Want to Hear Women, Carrie Underwood, one of the most powerful artists in country music, spoke out about the marginalization of female artists on country radio.
“Even when I was growing up, I wished there were more women on the radio, you know?” says Carrie to Elaina. “And I had a lot more than there are today. You think about all of the little girls sitting at home saying, ‘I want to be a country music singer.’ What do you tell them? What do you do? How do you look at them and say, ‘Well, just work hard, sweetie, and you can do it,’ when that’s not the case right now, because I see so many girls out there busting their rear ends, and so many guys out there that it’s like some new guy has a number one and I’m like, ‘Well, good for you, that’s great, but who are you, like, what’s happening?’ And then these other women—strong women who are super talented that totally deserve it—are not getting the same opportunities.”
To hear more about what Carrie has to say on the aforementioned topic, tune in to Women Want to Hear Women with Elaina on Sept. 3. You can find it right here on Nash Country Daily or on your favorite podcast platform.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Jimmy’s blog: Knoxville QB Club speakers feature seven first-timers
By Jimmy Hyams
An impressive array of speakers dot the lineup for the Knoxville Quarterback Club, including seven making their first appearance at Calhoun’s on the River.
The star-studded group includes former national championship coach Gene Chizik; president of the College Football Playoffs Bill Hancock; the Stadium Network’s Brett McMurphy, who broke the story regarding Urban Meyer and Zach Smith at Ohio State.
Former Florida receiver Chris Doering of ESPN will be the first speaker Sept. 10, followed by former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell of ESPN. Kanell is making his first appearance at the Knoxville QB Club.
Other first-time speakers include former Washington quarterback Brock Huard of ESPN/SEC Network and recruiting analyst and college football sideline reporter for ESPN Tom Luginbill.
Tennessee first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt takes the podium Oct. 1.
Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes will address the crowd Nov. 5 and UT athletic director Phillip Fulmer will speak Nov. 19.
Other speakers include former Georgia star Matt Stinchcomb of ESPN and former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, who won this year’s Neyland Award.
Cost to join is $175 for a regular individual membership, $150 for a senior. Corporate membership for up to eight is $1000; elite cooperate membership for up to eight with meals included is $2,500.
You can join the Knoxville QB Club and Big Orange Tipoff Club for $225; senior membership for both is $200.
To join go to the website Knoxqbclub.com or call 865-719-0465.
The Knoxville Quarterback Club meets on Mondays during football season at Calhoun’s on the River from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Program begins at noon.
During meetings, the Club honors high school football athletes of the week and high school football officials.
QB club speakers:
Sept. 10 Chris Doering, ESPN, former Florida receiver
Sept. 17 Danny Kanell, CBS, former Florida State quarterback
Sept. 24 Matt Stinchcomb, ESPN, former Georgia lineman
Oct. 1 Jeremy Pruitt, UT football coach
Oct. 8 Gene Chizik, ESPN, former Auburn coach
Oct. 15 Bill Hancock, CFP president
Oct. 22 Brock Huard, ESPN and SEC Network
Oct. 29 Roy Kramer, former Neyland winner, former SEC commissioner
Nov. 5 Rick Barnes, UT men’s basketball coach
Nov. 12 Tom Luginbill, ESPN sideline reporter, recruiting analyst
Nov. 19 Phillip Fulmer, UT athletic director
Nov. 26 Brett McMurphy, Stadium Network
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all
Country News
“I’m The Problem” Now Among Six Longest-Leading Country Airplay No. 1s, And Morgan Wallen Has Three Of Them
Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m The Problem’ Spends Third Straight Week At No. 1 On Billboard 200
Weather
- Forecast
- Currents
- Planner
