Hoops Preview: #11/12 Lady Vols vs. Rutgers

Hoops Preview: #11/12 Lady Vols vs. Rutgers

Posted on November 19, 2022

No. 11/12 Tennessee (1-2) will meet Rutgers (3-1) in Imperial Arena on Paradise Island, Bahamas, at noon ET on Saturday in the first game of the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Lady Vols enter the tournament having faced three teams who participated in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, including No. 14/15 Ohio State on the road (L, 87-75), UMass at home (W, 74-65) and No. 12/11 Indiana at home (L, 79-67).

Rutgers, meanwhile, enters at 3-1 after opening the 2022-23 campaign with four straight home contests against local foes and finding early success with only eight active players on its roster. RU’s latest win came on Wednesday night vs. N.C. Central, 66-45

This will mark the 24th meeting between the Lady Volunteers and Scarlet Knights but first since 2014. UT’s Kellie Harper will be facing RU for the first time as a head coach.

Rutgers will be the third Big Ten foe the Lady Vols have played this season, entering the match-up with an 80-17 record against the league after suffering losses to Ohio State and Indiana in games one and three.

Tennessee is in the midst of a six-game campaign-opening gauntlet over a two-week period. UT played three games in the first seven days of the season and now will embark on a three-games-in-three-days stretch in the B4A tourney, followed by a two-in-three-day run at home on Nov. 25 (Colorado) and 27 (Eastern Kentucky).

Broadcast Information

  • FloHoops will stream the Tennessee vs. Rutgers contest, with Jill Painter Lopez (PxP), Isis Young (Analyst) and Dani Wexelman (Reporter) on the call for games at the Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream, with Voice of the Lady Vols Brian Rice in his first season behind the mic. He will be joined by studio host Andy Brock. 
  • A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com. 
  • For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on the Vol Network Affiliates tab.
  • Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.

Storylines

  • Rutgers assistant coach Nikki McCray-Penson played her college basketball at Tennessee under the late, legendary Lady Vols head coach, Pat Summitt.
  • McCray averaged 12.4 ppg. and 5.3 rpg. during her time in Knoxville, earning KODAK All-America and SEC Player of the Year honors in 1994 and 1995, and going on to win gold medals for the U.S. at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.
  • Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper, who played at Tennessee from 1995-99 and won three NCAA titles as a point guard, just missed being McCray’s teammate at UT by one season.
  • Prior to her arrival at Rutgers, McCray-Penson was head coach at Mississippi State, where she coached current Tennessee standout Rickea Jackson during the 2020-21 campaign.
  • Lady Vol freshman Justine Pissott hails from Toms River, N.J., and prepped at Red Bank Catholic High School, which is about 30 miles southeast of the Rutgers campus. 
  • UT guard Jasmine Powell, who transferred from Minnesota prior to this season, will face yet another former Big Ten foe.
  • Powell played against Rutgers in each of her three seasons for the Gophers, posting a pair of double-figure scoring efforts.
  • On Jan. 6, 2022, Powell had 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal vs. the Scarlet Knights in 37 minutes. She hit four of nine shots from the field, including a 2-of-2 effort beyond the arc, and a 9-of-11 performance at the free-throw line.
  • Powell also had 19 points along with five rebounds and four assists in 47 minutes in a Feb. 2, 2020, overtime contest, going 10 of 10 from the charity stripe.

What’s Next?

  • The winner between UT and RU will meet the victor of UCLA and South Dakota State at noon on Sunday. The losers of the first-round games will meet at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
  • The lower half of the bracket features first-round match-ups between No. 3/3 Texas and Marquette at 5 p.m. on Saturday and No. 7/5 Louisville vs. Gonzaga at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Sunday contests also are on FloHoops. Winners bracket games on Monday are on linear TV, including the championship game at noon on ESPN and the third-place contest at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Kevin Fitzgerald and Carolyn Peck are on the call for those broadcasts.

First Time At B4A, Third Time In The Bahamas

  • This will mark the Lady Vols’ first appearance at the Battle 4 Atlantis, but it will be their third trip to The Bahamas.
  • They’ll be visiting their third different island, having twice participated in the Junkanoo Jam Tournament on two other isles. 
  • In 2013-14, the Tennessee women went 2-0 and won the Lucaya Division at the Junkanoo Jam in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.
  • UT defeated Virginia, 76-67, and SMU, 87-47, in Freeport. 
  • In 2018-19, the Lady Vols traveled to Resorts World Bimini and won both games there to capture the Junkanoo Division crown at the Junkanoo Jam. 
  • In Bimini, the Big Orange turned back Clemson, 78-66, and UAB, 73-69 in overtime.

International Success

  • Tennessee is making its fourth in-season trip outside the U.S. and sixth international excursion during the past 10 years, holding a 13-0 mark on foreign soil soil during that stretch, including 7-0 in games that count toward season records.
  • This will mark the program’s 10th all-time international excursion, and UT is 24-7 on foreign soil.
  • This will be the Lady Vols’ first trip outside the country since going to The Netherlands, Belgium and France in August 2019 prior to Kellie Harper‘s first season at Rocky Top. Seniors Jordan Horston, Tamari Key and Jessie Rennie had just arrived at Tennessee.
  • The B4A will be UT’s first in-season international trip since the 2018 Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, Bahamas.
  • UT has been to Freeport, Bahamas/2013 Junkanoo Jam (2-0); Cancun, Mexico/2017 Cancun Challenge (3-0); Bimini, Bahamas/2019 Junkanoo Jam (2-0); and now Paradise Island, Bahamas/2022 Battle 4 Atlantis for NCAA countable competition.
  • Foreign Tours and records include Brazil in June 1987 (1-4), England in January 1992 (2-1), Belgium/France/Switzerland in August 1999 (5-0), Italy/Greece in August 2003 (3-2), Italy in 2015 (3-0) and The Netherlands/Belgium/France in 2019 (3-0). 
  • Not counting in these totals are trips to U.S. territory tournaments in San Juan, Puerto Rico/San Juan Shootout in November-December 2002 (3-0); and two appearances in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I./Paradise Jam in Nov. 2005 (3-0) and Nov. 2010 (2-1).

Looking Back At The Indiana Game

  • Despite a double-double from Jasmine Powell and three 14-plus-point scorers, the No. 11/4 Tennessee Lady Volunteers fell to No. 12/11 Indiana, 79-67, Monday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
  • Powell turned in a strong night in just her second game played on The Summitt, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. It marks just the second career double-double for the senior transfer from Minnesota. The guard was the Lady Vols’ leading scorer in the first half, sinking 11 points on 3-of-6 on 3-pointers.
  • Tennessee’s leading scorer was Rickea Jackson, who posted 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 2-of-3 marksmanship from downtown. She also made all three free throw attempts in the game and was complimented by solid paint play from Tamari Key, who also finished in double figures in scoring with 14 points. Key was perfect from the floor, converting all four layup tries in the game for the Big Orange (1-2).
  • Indiana (3-0) won the game with a balanced attack, having five different double-digit scorers, led by Sara Scalia and Mackenzie Holmes who both finished with 16. Holmes and Grace Berger both carded IU’s first double-doubles of the season, as they both logged 10 boards. Berger finished with 13 points in her seventh career double-double, while Holmes is the team leader in the category with 12.

Tess For Three (TImes Three)

  • Junior Tess Darby has hit three 3-pointers in three straight games, the longest streak in her Lady Vol career, and is averaging 9.0 points per contest entering the Battle 4 Atlantis.
  • Darby is connecting on 47.4 percent of her tries beyond the arc.

Powell Pops Off

  • Senior Jasmine Powell posted 16 points and 10 rebounds, notching the second double-double of her career and her first as a Lady Vol.
  • Powell ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.0 per contest.

Transfers Standing Out

  • Transfers Rickea Jackson and Jasmine Powell have shined in the inaugural contests of the season. 
  • Jackson has accumulated 50 points and 23 rebounds through three games, while Powell has recorded 39 points and 15 rebounds.
  • Jackson leads the Lady Vols at 16.7 ppg. and is second in rebounding at 7.7 rpg., while Powell is right behind Jackson in scoring at 13.0 ppg. and paces the squad at 5.0 assists per outing.

A Look At Rutgers

  • In the first season under head coach Coquese Washington, Rutgers features a roster of only eight players yet it has forged a 4-0 start.
  • The program was 11-20 overall and 3-14 in the Big Ten in 2021-22, but it did make an NCAA appearance in 2021.
  • No starters and only three letterwinners returned from last season.
  • Kassondra Brown, Awa Sidibe, Erica Lafayette and Chyna Cornwell have all been double-figure scorers for the Scarlet Knights in 2022-23.
  • RU hit 20 of 21 fee throws vs. NJIT on Nov. 13.

UT/RU Notes

  • This is the 23rd meeting between these schools, dating back to March 16, 1979.
  • The Lady Vols carry a 10-game series winning streak into the contest
  • Home court has been crucial in this rivalry, with Tennessee maintaining a perfect 7-0 mark in front of its fans while standing just 4-3 on the road. 
  • UT is 9-0 in neutral site games vs. RU.
  • The last time these squads met, on Dec. 14, 2014, The No. 11/13 Lady Vols handled a No. 17/19 Rutgers unit, 55-45, in Piscataway, N.J.
  • In all of Pat Summitt’s games as head coach at Tennessee, none of her Lady Vol teams had mounted the kind of comeback they fashioned at Rutgers on Jan. 3, 2009. Tennessee trailed 33-13 at the half. The 13 points were the fewest ever scored by the Lady Vols in the first 20 minutes of a game. Additionally, the 20-point halftime deficit was the largest in school history. Rutgers led by as many as 23 points before UT rallied for the 55-51 win. 
  • UT is 80-17 vs. schools currently in the Big 10 after dropping contests to Ohio State and Indiana this season.

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols vs. Rutgers / Credit: UT Athletics
Hooker Among Semifinalists for Jason Witten Man of the Year Award

Hooker Among Semifinalists for Jason Witten Man of the Year Award

Posted on November 19, 2022

DALLAS – Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was named one of 20 semifinalists for the sixth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year on Wednesday.

The Vols’ redshirt senior signal caller seeks to become the second UT player to win the award after offensive lineman Trey Smith took home the prestigious honor back in 2019.

All semifinalists have demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship. The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field.

Leadership is a term synonymous with VFL Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football’s most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.

Hooker has become the unquestioned leader of a Tennessee program that has emerged as one of the nation’s best this season. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native is a team captain who has the Vols in contention for their first-ever College Football Playoff berth and is among the national leaders in numerous offensive categories, including passing efficiency, completion percentage, yards per attempt and total offense.

On top of his superb play on the field, Hooker has been a role model to many young athletes and has used his platform to spread his faith, co-authoring a children’s book with his brother Alston titled, “The ABCs of Scripture for Athletes”. Hooker is on track to earn his master’s degree in agricultural leadership after securing his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Virginia Tech prior to coming to Tennessee.

Three finalists will be named for the award on Wednesday, Dec. 14 and the winner will be announced at an award ceremony in Frisco, Texas on Feb. 23, 2023.

The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle. The SCORE Foundation, founded in 2007, has positively impacted tens of thousands of children and families in Texas and Tennessee over the last 15 years. The foundation operates its nationally-recognized SCOREkeepers program, which places trained male mentors on staff to work with children at family violence shelters, at nine shelters in the two states.

To see the complete list of semifinalists and learn more about the Jason Witten Man of the Year award, click HERE.

-UT Athletics

Vols QB Hendon Hooker / Credit: UT Athletics
Hooker, Hyatt Recognized As Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalists

Hooker, Hyatt Recognized As Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalists

Posted on November 19, 2022

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Wednesday afternoon that Tennessee redshirt-senior quarterback Hendon Hooker and junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt are two of 22 semifinalists for the 2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year award, the fourth-oldest college football award in the nation.

Hooker and Hyatt represent two of seven players from the Southeastern Conference selected as semifinalists for the prestigious honor, while Tennessee is one of six schools in the country with multiple players on the list (Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, USC).

A first team Midseason All-American by multiple outlets, finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award, Hooker has been spectacular in facilitating the nation’s No. 1 offense in terms of scoring and total yards per game. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native has completed 204-of-287 passes (71.1 percent) for 2,888 yards with 24 touchdowns and two interceptions—good for a passer efficiency rating of 181.8 which ranks atop the SEC and second nationally.

This season, Hooker leads the SEC in ranks seventh in the FBS and first in the SEC in total offense (329.3), and he leads the nation in yards per attempt (10.06). His completion percentage of 71.1 leads the SEC and ranks second in the FBS, while his 14.16 yards per completion is first in the SEC and ninth in the FBS.

The sixth-year senior has captained the Vols to wins over five AP Top 25 opponents this season, tied for the most of any team in the nation and the most ever for UT over the course of a regular season. The second-ranked Vols tout victories over No. 17 Pittsburgh (34-27), No. 20 Florida (38-33), No. 25 LSU (40-13), No. 3 Alabama (52-49) and No. 19 Kentucky (44-6).

In just 23 games played at Tennessee, Hooker has made his way up the Volunteer career charts. The signal caller ranks fifth in UT history with 55 passing touchdowns, sixth with 6,854 total yards and ninth with 5,833 passing yards over his past two seasons on Rocky Top. He owns school records for consecutive attempts without an interception (261) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (20).

A prime candidate for the Biletnikoff Award and semifinalist for the Maxwell Award putting together a historic campaign, Hyatt leads the nation with a school-record 15 receiving touchdowns this season—two touchdowns more than the next closest player in the country (Nathaniel Dell, Houston). Through 10 games, Hyatt leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with 1,116 receiving yards—the third-most in a single season in school history and 182 shy of tying the program record.

Hyatt has produced five 100-yard games and five games with multiple touchdown catches while showcasing his big-play ability throughout the entire fall. He is tops in the country in 30+ yard receiving plays (14), 40+ yard receiving plays (10), 50+ yard plays (6) and 60+ yard receiving plays (4) and has produced more 40-yard receiving plays this season (10) than 12 SEC programs have recorded as a team.

The Irmo, South Carolina, native delivered the greatest wide receiver performance in school history on Oct. 15 as Tennessee downed then-No. 3 Alabama. He caught six passes for 207 yards and an SEC record-tying five touchdowns, leading the Vols to victory over the Tide for the first time since 2006. He also tied the single-game program record for points scored by touchdown with 30, a mark that evened with Gene McEver who had 30 points on five rushing scores against South Carolina on Dec. 7, 1929.

The Walter Camp Player of the Year is voted on by the 131 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and the winner will be announced on ESPN’s College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Since the award’s inception in 1967, no Volunteers have won the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel claimed the honor in 2000 after leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a BCS National Championship as the starting quarterback.

2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalists
Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh, RB
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, LB
Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia, QB
Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE
Chase Brown, Illinois, RB
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, RB
Blake Corum, Michigan, RB
Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB
Max Duggan, TCU, QB
Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State, WR
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, QB
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, WR
Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, TE
Bo Nix, Oregon, QB
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB
Bijan Robinson, Texas, RB
Noah Sewell, Oregon, LB
CJ Stroud, Ohio State, QB
Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, DL
Caleb Williams, USC, QB
Bryce Young, Alabama, QB

-UT Athletics

Vols WR Jalin Hyatt & QB Hendon Hooker / Credit: UT Athletics
Defending SEC Champion Vols Announce Full 2023 Schedule

Defending SEC Champion Vols Announce Full 2023 Schedule

Posted on November 19, 2022

2023 Printable Schedule (PDF) | 2023 Schedule (Web Version)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball and head coach Tony Vitello released its full schedule for the 2023 season on Wednesday.

Coming off a record-setting 2022 campaign that included SEC regular season and tournament titles, the Volunteers will look to get back to the College World Series after narrowly missing out on back-to-back trips to Omaha last season.

UT is slated to play 38 home games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium – 12 of which will come against teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2022 – 15 road games and three neutral site contests.

In total, the Big Orange will play upwards of 24 games against opponents that made the postseason last year, including six games versus foes that went to the College World Series (Texas A&M & Arkansas).

The Vols open their season away from home for just the second time since Vitello took over in 2018, as they travel to Scottsdale, Arizona for the MLB4 Tournament from Feb. 17-19 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The tournament schedule has yet to be announced, but possible opponents include 2022 NCAA regional teams Arizona, Michigan and San Diego, as well as Fresno State.

Tennessee returns to Knoxville to host Alabama A&M for its home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Vols also host the Bulldogs the following day before their first home weekend series of the year against Dayton that weekend (Feb. 24-26).

After two midweek contests versus Charleston Southern (Feb. 28 & March 1), UT welcomes Gonzaga to Rocky Top (March 3-5) for a marquee non-conference series between NCAA tournament teams.

The Vols’ final non-conference home series will be against Morehead State the following weekend (March 10-12) before hitting the road to start SEC play at Missouri from March 17-19 in Columbia.

The remaining non-conference slate includes midweek contests against Boston College (March 7), Lipscomb (March 14), Western Carolina (March 21), UNC Asheville (March 28), Eastern Kentucky (April 11), Tennessee Tech (April 18), Bellarmine (April 25), Wofford (May 2), Austin Peay (May 9) and Belmont (May 16), all of which are scheduled to be played at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee’s conference schedule includes home series against Texas A&M (March 24-26), Florida (April 6-8), Vanderbilt (April 21-23), Mississippi State (April 27-29) and Kentucky (May 12-14). On top of Missouri, the Big Orange will have road series at LSU (March 30 – April 1), Arkansas (April 14-16), Georgia (May 5-7) and South Carolina (May 18-20).

The SEC Tournament will once again be held at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. The first round of the tournament will take place on May 23 and the championship game will be played on May 28. More info on UT’s  SEC slate can be found HERE.

Tennessee’s full schedule can be seen on UTSports.com by clicking HERE. Television and steaming info will be announced at a later date.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, follow the team’s official social media accounts on Twitter (@Vol_Baseball), Instagram (Vol_Baseball) and Facebook (Tennessee Baseball), as well as the official team page on UTSports.com.

-UT Athletics

Vols Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics
Defending SEC Champion Vols Announce Full 2023 Schedule

Defending SEC Champion Vols Announce Full 2023 Schedule

Posted on November 19, 2022

2023 Printable Schedule (PDF) | 2023 Schedule (Web Version)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball and head coach Tony Vitello released its full schedule for the 2023 season on Wednesday.

Coming off a record-setting 2022 campaign that included SEC regular season and tournament titles, the Volunteers will look to get back to the College World Series after narrowly missing out on back-to-back trips to Omaha last season.

UT is slated to play 38 home games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium – 12 of which will come against teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2022 – 15 road games and three neutral site contests.

In total, the Big Orange will play upwards of 24 games against opponents that made the postseason last year, including six games versus foes that went to the College World Series (Texas A&M & Arkansas).

The Vols open their season away from home for just the second time since Vitello took over in 2018, as they travel to Scottsdale, Arizona for the MLB4 Tournament from Feb. 17-19 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The tournament schedule has yet to be announced, but possible opponents include 2022 NCAA regional teams Arizona, Michigan and San Diego, as well as Fresno State.

Tennessee returns to Knoxville to host Alabama A&M for its home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Vols also host the Bulldogs the following day before their first home weekend series of the year against Dayton that weekend (Feb. 24-26).

After two midweek contests versus Charleston Southern (Feb. 28 & March 1), UT welcomes Gonzaga to Rocky Top (March 3-5) for a marquee non-conference series between NCAA tournament teams.

The Vols’ final non-conference home series will be against Morehead State the following weekend (March 10-12) before hitting the road to start SEC play at Missouri from March 17-19 in Columbia.

The remaining non-conference slate includes midweek contests against Boston College (March 7), Lipscomb (March 14), Western Carolina (March 21), UNC Asheville (March 28), Eastern Kentucky (April 11), Tennessee Tech (April 18), Bellarmine (April 25), Wofford (May 2), Austin Peay (May 9) and Belmont (May 16), all of which are scheduled to be played at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee’s conference schedule includes home series against Texas A&M (March 24-26), Florida (April 6-8), Vanderbilt (April 21-23), Mississippi State (April 27-29) and Kentucky (May 12-14). On top of Missouri, the Big Orange will have road series at LSU (March 30 – April 1), Arkansas (April 14-16), Georgia (May 5-7) and South Carolina (May 18-20).

The SEC Tournament will once again be held at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. The first round of the tournament will take place on May 23 and the championship game will be played on May 28. More info on UT’s  SEC slate can be found HERE.

Tennessee’s full schedule can be seen on UTSports.com by clicking HERE. Television and steaming info will be announced at a later date.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, follow the team’s official social media accounts on Twitter (@Vol_Baseball), Instagram (Vol_Baseball) and Facebook (Tennessee Baseball), as well as the official team page on UTSports.com.

-UT Athletics

Vols Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics
Vols Hold Steady At No. 5 in Nov. 15 College Football Playoff Rankings

Vols Hold Steady At No. 5 in Nov. 15 College Football Playoff Rankings

Posted on November 19, 2022

Rankings (PDF) 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee held steady at No. 5 in the Nov. 15 edition of the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings released on Tuesday night following the Volunteers’ record-breaking win over Missouri.

Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 SEC) is the only program in the nation with multiple victories over current CFP top 10 teams, including a 27-point road win at current No. 6 LSU and a 52-49 triumph over current No. 8 Alabama. It’s only loss came on the road to top-ranked Georgia. The win at LSU was the Vols’ largest in the series since 1940.

Tennessee is ranked fifth for the second consecutive week, trailing the Bulldogs, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 TCU. The Vols are one of five SEC teams in the latest rankings.

Tennessee set a program record for most points in an SEC game and racked up a school-record 724 total offensive yards in a 66-24 Senior Day victory over Missouri last Saturday in Neyland Stadium. It was the third 60-point barrage by UT this season, tying 1995 South Carolina and 2019 LSU for the SEC single-season record.

Tennessee closes its regular season with back-to-back road games for the first time since 1939. Its playoff quest continues at 7 p.m. ET Saturday against South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium. The contest will be televised by ESPN with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe on the call. 

College Football Playoff Rankings (Nov. 15)
1. Georgia (10-0)
2. Ohio State (10-0)
3. Michigan (10-0)
4. TCU (10-0)
5. Tennessee (9-1)
6. LSU (8-2)
7. Southern Cal (9-1)
8. Alabama (8-2)
9. Clemson (9-1)
10. Utah (8-2)
11. Penn State (8-2)
12. Oregon (8-2)
13. North Carolina (9-1)
14. Ole Miss (8-2)
15. Kansas State (7-3)
16. UCLA (8-2)
17. Washington (8-2)
18. Notre Dame (7-3)
19. Florida State (7-3)
20. UCF (8-2)
21. Tulane (8-2)
22. Oklahoma State (7-3)
23. Oregon State (7-3)
24. NC State (7-3)
25. Cincinnati (8-2)

-UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, TN – November 12, 2022 – Offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins #76 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Hooker Tabbed a Semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award

Hooker Tabbed a Semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award

Posted on November 19, 2022

FORT WORTH, Texas – Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, joining a group of 20 other top quarterbacks around the country still in contention for the prestigious honor.

This marks the second straight year that Hooker has made the list of semifinalists for the award. The redshirt senior has elevated his game and the UT program to new heights this season in his final year of eligibility.

Through week 11 of the season, Hooker leads the FBS in yards per attempt (10.1) and ranks second nationally in passing efficiency rating (181.81) and completion percentage (71.1) while leading the Vols to a 9-1 record and No. 5 national ranking. He has accounted for 29 total touchdowns (24 passing, five rushing) and an SEC-best 3,293 yards of total offense.

The Greensboro, North Carolina, native has racked up 19 weekly honors this season and has already been named a finalist for the Unitas Golden Arm Award as well as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award.

In his most recent outing, Hooker threw three touchdown passes in a 66-24 victory over Missouri on Senior Day to surpass Joshua Dobbs for fifth place on Tennessee’s career passing touchdowns list with 55. The veteran signal caller also ranks sixth in program history in total offense (6,854 yards) and ninth in career passing yards (5,833) despite playing just 23 games in the Orange and White.

The next step in the process will be to select the award’s three finalists based on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee as well as the second round of the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote, which will take place on the award’s three social media accounts—Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The top five vote getters on each platform receive bonus committee member ballots which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.

To participate in the fan vote, fans must like the original Davey O’Brien Award post highlighting the quarterback. The three finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and the winner will be crowned live on Thursday, Dec. 8 on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

-UT Athletics

Vols QB Hendon Hooker / Credit UT Athletics
Hooker Named Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist

Hooker Named Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist

Posted on November 19, 2022

BALTIMORE, Md. – Becoming just the second finalist in program history for the award, Hendon Hooker was named a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist Tuesday afternoon.

Hooker joins Peyton Manning as the only finalists for the award from Tennessee and Manning went on to win the award in 1997 with 3,819 yards on 287-of-477 passing (60.2 percent) with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Throughout the 2022 season, the Volunteer signal-caller has been fantastic, throwing for 2,888 yards and 24 touchdowns on 204-of-287 passing (71.1 percent) and only two interceptions. Hooker has also created big plays with his legs, racking up 405 rushing yards on 99 carries thus far, and has punched in five touchdowns.

His excellence has come in the toughest conference in collegiate football as the fifth-ranked Vols have faced five consecutive top-20 defenses in their last five games against FBS opponents. The savvy leader of the Big Orange has been excelled in that stretch, averaging 283.8 yards passing and tossing 13 touchdowns in those games.

Hooker shined when the lights were brightest on Rocky Top and Tennessee welcomed then-No. 3 Alabama to Neyland Stadium for The Third Saturday in October. He was emphatic, going 21-of-30 with five touchdowns and 385 passing yards. Even when the Vols trailed, his confidence never wavered, pushing the Big Orange down the field with poise to tie the game. With 15 seconds left, he moved the ball 45 yards with two passes to set up the game-winning field goal from Chase McGrath.

Off the field, Hooker has been a beacon in the community, embodying what it truly means to be a Tennessee Volunteer. He has brought positivity and energy to the Knoxville community and displays the qualities of perseverance and hard work every day in his practice habits.

Back in 2020, Hooker contracted COVID-19 and had to go to the hospital after a heart check revealed an abnormality, putting his football future in jeopardy. Since then, he has treated every day, every practice, every film session and every rep with the same voracity. His drive to be the best in all facets of life shows up on the tape and has provided a model for how to carry yourself for a generation to come.

“The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic abilities,” says John Unitas, Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.

The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top upperclassmen quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges performance on the field for sure, but it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.

The other finalists for the award are Stetson Bennett IV from Georgia, Max Duggan from TCU, Bo Nix from Oregon and CJ Stroud from Ohio State.

The 2022 award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy by The Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas, Jr., at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

-UT Athletics

Vols QB Hendon Hooker / Credit: UT Athletics
Hooker Named Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist

Hooker Named Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist

Posted on November 19, 2022

BALTIMORE, Md. – Becoming just the second finalist in program history for the award, Hendon Hooker was named a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist Tuesday afternoon.

Hooker joins Peyton Manning as the only finalists for the award from Tennessee and Manning went on to win the award in 1997 with 3,819 yards on 287-of-477 passing (60.2 percent) with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Throughout the 2022 season, the Volunteer signal-caller has been fantastic, throwing for 2,888 yards and 24 touchdowns on 204-of-287 passing (71.1 percent) and only two interceptions. Hooker has also created big plays with his legs, racking up 405 rushing yards on 99 carries thus far, and has punched in five touchdowns.

His excellence has come in the toughest conference in collegiate football as the fifth-ranked Vols have faced five consecutive top-20 defenses in their last five games against FBS opponents. The savvy leader of the Big Orange has been excelled in that stretch, averaging 283.8 yards passing and tossing 13 touchdowns in those games.

Hooker shined when the lights were brightest on Rocky Top and Tennessee welcomed then-No. 3 Alabama to Neyland Stadium for The Third Saturday in October. He was emphatic, going 21-of-30 with five touchdowns and 385 passing yards. Even when the Vols trailed, his confidence never wavered, pushing the Big Orange down the field with poise to tie the game. With 15 seconds left, he moved the ball 45 yards with two passes to set up the game-winning field goal from Chase McGrath.

Off the field, Hooker has been a beacon in the community, embodying what it truly means to be a Tennessee Volunteer. He has brought positivity and energy to the Knoxville community and displays the qualities of perseverance and hard work every day in his practice habits.

Back in 2020, Hooker contracted COVID-19 and had to go to the hospital after a heart check revealed an abnormality, putting his football future in jeopardy. Since then, he has treated every day, every practice, every film session and every rep with the same voracity. His drive to be the best in all facets of life shows up on the tape and has provided a model for how to carry yourself for a generation to come.

“The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic abilities,” says John Unitas, Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.

The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top upperclassmen quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges performance on the field for sure, but it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.

The other finalists for the award are Stetson Bennett IV from Georgia, Max Duggan from TCU, Bo Nix from Oregon and CJ Stroud from Ohio State.

The 2022 award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy by The Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas, Jr., at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

-UT Athletics

Vols QB Hendon Hooker / Credit: UT Athletics
Offensive Coordinator Alex Golesh Nominated For Broyles Award

Offensive Coordinator Alex Golesh Nominated For Broyles Award

Posted on November 19, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After helping lead Tennessee to the nation’s No. 1 scoring and total offense, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh has been tabbed as a nominee for the Broyles Award, presented annually to college football’s top assistant coach since 1996.

Golesh is in his second season at Tennessee and his third on Josh Heupel‘s staff, dating back to his final year at UCF.

Golesh’s unit leads the nation in total offense (523.7), scoring offense (47.4) and passing efficiency (191.15). The Vols rank second in the FBS in passing offense (348.2), third in completion percentage (71.4) and sixth in redzone offense (94.6). They lead the SEC in six different categories, including scoring offense, total offense, passing offense, completion percentage, passing efficiency and passing yards per completion (15.14).

The impact of Golesh’s up-tempo offense over the last two seasons has been remarkable for a program that ranked 108th in the FBS in scoring (21.5) and 102nd in the FBS in total offense (346.2) a year prior to his and Heupel’s arrivals.

One season after shattering eight team single-season records, the Vols are on the cusp of breaking most if not all of those this fall. Golesh’s offense has amassed 474 total points, just 37 points shy of tying the school record of 511 set last year. UT is also just five touchdowns short of knotting that school record of 67 set last season.  

Golesh is in his 19th season at the collegiate level having enjoyed success at every stop of his career. Prior to spending the 2020 season as the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at UCF, he served as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Iowa State from 2016-19 on Matt Campbell’s staff.

Golesh grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in 2006. He got his start in the coaching profession as a student assistant with the Buckeyes.

Semifinalists for the Broyles Award will be announced on Nov. 22 with finalists set a week later on Nov. 29. The recipient of the award will be unveiled on Dec. 6 in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

-UT Athletics

Vols OC Alex Golesh / Credit: UT Athletics

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