Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. Carson-Newman (Exhibition)

Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. Carson-Newman (Exhibition)

Posted on October 30, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 5/4 Tennessee plays its lone exhibition game of 2022-23 on Sunday afternoon, as Carson-Newman travels from Jefferson City to Thompson-Boling Arena to take on the Lady Vols. Tip-off is slated for 2:02 p.m., with the contest being streamed on SECN+.

This will mark the 17th occasion the teams have met in preseason play, with UT holding a 16-0 mark in the previous exhibition contests between the schools. UT is 50-4 in exhibition games after defeating Georgia College last season, 108-44, on Nov. 3.

Kellie Harper begins season four at the helm of the Big Orange with what looks to be one of the deepest, most talented teams in recent history on Rocky Top.

After Sunday’s game, the Lady Vols will have a little over a week to prepare for their regular-season opener on Nov. 8, as they travel to Columbus to face defending Big Ten champ and No. 14/15 Ohio State at Value City Arena. That game will serve as a homecoming for UT senior Jordan Horston, who prepped at Africentric Early College in Ohio’s state capital.

Tennessee’s home opener will come on Nov. 10, as UMass visits Rocky Top, followed by a Nov. 12 tussle in Knoxville with No. 11/11 Indiana.

Broadcast Information

  • Zack Nelson (play-by-play) and VFL Steve Hamer (analyst) will have the call for SECN+.
  • All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream, with Brian Rice behind the microphone. 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.

Big Things Are Brewing On Rocky Top

  • Tennessee returns 10 players, including four full-time starters, from a squad that began last year 18-1 and finished 25-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC (third).
  • The Lady Vols did so while advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 despite season-ending injuries to three key contributors (starters Keyen Green, Jordan Horston and Marta Suárez).
  • UT also brings aboard six newcomers, including three heralded senior transfers, a sophomore transfer who was a five-star prep recruit, a five-star freshman signee and a walk-on who turned down scholarships to be in Knoxville.

Six Returnees With Starting Experience

  • The Lady Vols feature four full-time starters returning from 2021-22, a fifth with two games in the jump circle as a freshman a year ago and a sixth who was in the first five 14 times as a rookie in 2020-21.  
  • Leading the returning starters are 6-foot-2 senior All-SEC/All-America Honorable Mention combo guard Jordan Horston (16.2 ppg., 9.4 rpg., 4.0 apg., 23 starts before injury) and 6-6 senior All-SEC/All-Defensive Team center Tamari Key (10.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 3.5 bpg., 34 starts, school blocks single-season and career record holder). 
  • Additional starters back include 5-8 graduate point guard Jordan Walker (7.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 3.5 apg., 34 starts) and 6-1 junior guard/forward Tess Darby (5.3 ppg., 2.4 rpg., 49 3FGs, 30 starts). 
  • Other returning contributors with starting experience include 6-2 sophomore guard/forward Sara Puckett (6.4 ppg., 3.5 rpg., two starts, 2022 SEC All-Freshman) and 6-3 redshirt sophomore guard/forward Marta Suárez (4.1 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 14 starts, 2021 SEC All-Freshman, missed 2021-22 due to injury).

Experience Off The Bench

  • UT also welcomes back a trio of sophomores with 88 combined games of experience and a senior who has seen the court in 65 career contests.
  • Rising sophomores who logged substantial playing time a year ago include 5-4 point guard Brooklynn Miles (2.5 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 33 games), 6-0 guard Kaiya Wynn (2.3 ppg., 2.0 rpg., 30 games) and 6-3 forward Karoline Striplin (2.6 ppg., 2.1 rpg., 25 games).
  • Miles built a reputation as a defensive menace, Wynn overcame an injury to flash her potential on both ends and Striplin had one of her finest efforts of the year vs. Louisville in the NCAA Sweet 16, carding seven points, six boards and a block in 13 minutes.
  • Jessie Rennie (0.6 ppg., 0.5 apg., 0.4 rpg., 21 games) is the aforementioned senior, but the three-point specialist will be sidelined for an extended period of time following surgery in June to repair an offseason knee injury.

Newcomers Add To Decorated Roster  

  • The Lady Vols welcome three all-conference transfer additions, giving Tennessee a roster flush with eight players earning league recognition at the college level, including six all-conference performers.
  • That trio of newcomers includes starters and all-league performers Rickea Jackson, a 6-2 forward from Mississippi State (20.3 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 2021 All-SEC, two-time WBCA All-America H.M., Cheryl Miller Award Finalist), Jasmine Franklin, a 6-1 graduate power forward from Missouri State who played for Jon and Kellie Harper there as a freshman (14.9 ppg., 12.1 rpg., 2.4 bpg., two-time All-MVC, 2022 MVC Def. Player of the Year), and Jasmine Powell, a 5-6 senior point guard from Minnesota (12.4 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.4 rpg., 2021 All-Big Ten, 2020 All-Big 10 Honorable Mention and Big Ten All-Freshman).
  • They join returning All-SEC performers Jordan Horston (first team) and Tamari Key (second team), 2020 All-Mid-American Conference performer Jordan Walker, as well as 2022 SEC All-Freshman honoree Sara Puckett and 2021 SEC All-Freshman Team member Marta Suárez.

Wait…There Is More!  

  • In addition to Franklin, Jackson and Powell, Kellie Harper welcomes another player with college experience in Jillian Hollingshead, a mobile 6-5 sophomore forward transferring from Georgia (5.1 ppg., 2.5 rpg., two-time 2021-22 SEC Freshman of the Week).
  • Hollingshead was a 2021 McDonald’s H.S. All-American whose time on the court was limited a year ago with an illness and nagging injury. She appears back to full strength and has unlimited potential.
  • UT also welcomes two high school signees, including McDonald’s and WBCA All-American Justine Pissott, a 6-foot-4 wing, and 5-7 lefty guard Edie Darby, the younger sister of Tess. Both newcomers bring long-range shooting prowess to the program.
  • Pissott and Hollingshead join Jordan Horston and Rickea Jackson as McDonald’s A-A honorees on the UT roster after the Lady Vols had only one (Horston) last season.

Tennessee By The Numbers

  • UT returns 58.1 points per game (of 70.1) and welcomes an additional 52.7 ppg. from four incoming transfers for a total of 110.8 ppg.
  • Tennessee returns 38.4 rpg. (of 48.1/No. 2 in NCAA) and welcomes an additional 25.8 from four incoming transfers for a total of 64.2 rpg.
  • The Lady Vols welcome back 338 career starts and bring aboard 205 career starts from their newcomers for a total of 543.

Our Largest Roster Ever

  • Tennessee features 16 players on its 2022-23 squad list, which marks the largest roster ever in the modern-day history of Lady Vol basketball. 
  • UT’s previous high was 15 players on a season roster on four occasions, including 1973-74, 1983-84, 2000-01 and 2004-05.

Personnel Losses From A Year Ago

  • Rae Burrell (12.3 ppg.) was the No. 9 pick in the WNBA Draft despite playing only 22 games and starting 13 after a game-one injury.
  • UT also lost 34-game starter Alexus Dye (10.2 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) and reserve posts Keyen Green (7.0 ppg., 3.2 rpg.) and Emily Saunders (1.0 ppg.), all of whom graduated. 

A Look At Carson-Newman

  • The Lady Eagles return a pair of first-team all-conference selections in Braelyn Wykle and Lindsey Taylor.
  • Wykle, an All-American as a sophomore, enters the year third on the school’s all-time scoring list and fourth in three-pointers. 
  • Taylor was fourth in the country in field-goal percentage, and C-N was 26-0 when she scored in double figures last year
  • Carson-Newman has collected hardware in each of the last two seasons winning the South Atlantic Conference’s regular-season crown in 2020-21 and the tournament championship in 2021-22. 
  • The program has reached the NCAA Tournament in five straight seasons, the longest postseason stretch in three decades. Over that period, the club has won 80 percent of its games.
  • Head Coach Mike Mincey’s team can tout one of the top scoring offenses in the country leading the league in seven straight years and ranking in the top 13 nationally in each of the last six. 
  • In 2021-22, C-N was fifth with 81 points per game scoring at least 80 18 times while leading the country with 18.4 assists per game.

UT/C-N Notes

  • According to the UT record book, this is the 34th meeting between these schools in women’s basketball.
  • It marks the 17th match-up in an exhibition contest, with UT winning all 16 previous battles at Thompson-Boling Arena.
  • In regular-season match-ups, Tennessee leads the all-time series vs. Carson-Newman with a 14-2 record. There also was another contest in 1971 when no final score was available.
  • UT and C-N didn’t play one another in 2020 during the limited-attendance COVID-19 pandemic era or in 2021, when Kellie Harper welcomed her younger brother Ross Jolly’s Georgia College team to The Summitt as the exhibition opponent in a 108-44 Big Orange romp on Nov. 3.
  • Tennessee opened the 2019-20 campaign with a 70-44 exhibition victory over Carson-Newman on Oct. 29. It was the first time that seniors Jordan Horston, Tamari Key and Jessie Rennie donned a Lady Vol uniform and the initial game with Kellie Harper on the sideline as coach of the Lady Vols.
  • Horston had six points, four steals, four rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes.
  • Key posted six points, four rebounds, an assist and a block in 15 minutes.
  • Rennie saw 20 minutes of duty and went scoreless while grabbing a rebound.

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Quotes/Notes/Stats/Story: No. 3 Tennessee Rolls Over No. 19 Kentucky, 44-6

Quotes/Notes/Stats/Story: No. 3 Tennessee Rolls Over No. 19 Kentucky, 44-6

Posted on October 30, 2022

Final Book (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Postgame Notes (PDF) | Postgame Quotes (PDF) |

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In a nationally-televised Saturday night showdown in which No. 3/3 Tennessee debuted its highly-anticipated “Dark Mode” uniforms, junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt turned out the lights on the school single-season record for receiving touchdowns and the Volunteers remained unbeaten, rolling over No. 19/17 Kentucky, 44-6.
 
The 38-point margin of victory was the largest against a ranked Southeastern Conference team since a fifth-ranked squad from Rocky Top took down No. 9 Florida in Knoxville, 45-3, on Oct. 13, 1990.

With a fifth-straight sellout crowd of 101,915 packing Neyland Stadium, UT scored at least 40 points for the sixth time in 2022, including the past four games, to improve to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in SEC play. UK managed only 205 yards of total offense, including 98 passing, against a stout Big Orange defense and committed three turnovers. The Cats fell to 5-3 in all games and 2-3 in league contests. It marked the first time since Nov. 9, 2019 the Vols held an opponent under 100 yards passing and was the lowest point total UT held an SEC opponent to since Oct. 18, 2008 when the Vols defeated Mississippi State 34-3.
 
After hauling in two touchdown passes versus the Wildcats, Hyatt now has 14 scores via the air in 2022, surpassing the previous program record of 13 recorded by Marcus Nash in 1997. Hyatt ended the evening with five receptions for 138 yards (his fourth 100-yard receiving effort this year) and became the first receiver in school history to record multiple receiving touchdowns in four consecutive games in the same season. He also is the first Vol wideout with multiple receiving touchdowns in four games in a single season since Nash did so in 1997.
 
Hyatt’s quarterback, redshirt senior Hendon Hooker, put together a 19-of-25 night for 245 yards and three touchdown tosses while rushed for another. It marked the 20th consecutive game Hooker has recorded a touchdown pass. He now has 52 touchdown tosses and only four interceptions during his UT career, including totals of 21 and one, respectively, in 2022.
 
The Vols finished with 422 yards of total offense, with 177 of that on the ground. Junior running back Jabari Small led the way with 79 yards on 21 carries, while sophomore Jaylen Wright was good for 73 yards and a touchdown on only seven carries.
 
Defensively, redshirt-senior linebacker Juwan Mitchell, junior safety Doneiko Slaughter and redshirt-junior corner back Brandon Turnage all intercepted highly-touted Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Mitchell also led his team in tackles with eight in the ballgame. The Vols added four sacks for 23 yards in losses. Senior end Byron Young led Tennessee with 1.5 sacks, while Da’Jon Terry and Omari Thomas each tallied one.
 
It didn’t take long for the Big Orange to strike first. After receiving the opening kickoff, on the fifth play of the game, Hooker found Hyatt wide open down the field for a 55-yard touchdown bomb. That reception was the 13th score of the year for Hyatt, tying Nash for the UT standard. Senior Chase McGrath’s extra point kick made it 7-0 UT with 13:33 left in the opening stanza.
 
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard with 4:44 to go in the first quarter when running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. barreled into the end zone from the three yards out to cap a nine-play, 68-yard drive. Matt Ruffolo’s PAT attempt, however, was blocked by UT’s Terry, allowing Tennessee to maintain the lead, 7-6. As it turned out, those would be the only points Kentucky scored.
 
The Vols tied a mark from the Pitt game for the most plays in a scoring drive all season, converting a pair of fourth-down tries and going 75 yards to hit paydirt with 14:56 left in the second period. Redshirt-senior tight end Princeton Fant notched a rushing touchdown for the third straight game, and his fourth rushing TD during that span, barreling into the end zone from two yards out after lining up as a running back in the shotgun. McGrath’s PAT try was off the mark, making it 13-6 Big Orange.  
 
After forcing the Cats to punt, Tennessee needed just two minutes, 42 seconds to pad its lead. Wright punctuated an eight-play, 77-yard possession with a touchdown carry, providing the Vols their 11th one-yard scoring play of the season. McGrath was accurate on the PAT this time, pushing the score to 20-6 with 11:12 remaining in the second quarter.
 
UK threatened to put more points on the board late in the second, facing a 3rd & seven at the Tennessee 12. The Wildcats came up empty, however, as Slaughter delivered a timely hit on intended receiver Dane Key. The pigskin squirted skyward, and Mitchell was there to snare his first career interception and return it 48 yards to the Kentucky 45.
 
With just 44 seconds left in the half, Tennessee got another shot at points when a Colin Goodfellow’s punt from deep was forced directionally sideways by Kalib Perry, who narrowly missed a block, and sailed out of bounds at the UK 35. The Vols needed only two plays and 22 seconds to find the end zone, with Hooker finding Hyatt wide open again for a 31-yard strike that reset the UT single-season record for receiving touchdowns at 14. Tennessee would open up a 27-6 lead and take that tally into the locker room.
 
After successive sacks of Levis by Terry and the tandem of Tyler Baron and Young, the Wildcats were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half. The Vols took over at the Kentucky 41-yard line and advanced to the visitors’ 12 before McGrath came on to boot a 29-yard field goal that increased the lead to 30-6 with 8:57 to go in the third.
 
Slaughter recorded another takeaway for the Vols with 5:29 left in the third, blanketing the Kentucky wideout in coverage and snaring the 50-50 ball, handing Levis his third interception of the evening and setting up Hooker and company at the UT 42. Five plays later, Hooker ran the option to the left side, looked the defender off, and kept the ball, bouncing into the end zone from eight yards out, extended Tennessee’s advantage to 37-6 with 3:58 remaining in the third period.
 
After a nifty 34-yard punt return by junior Dee Williams set Tennessee up at the UK 13, Hooker found Small wide open in the end zone for six on the first play from scrimmage. McGrath’s extra point put the Vols up 44-6 with 7:47 left in the ballgame, and that’s the way it would end.
 
The Vols travel to Athens next weekend to take on No. 1/1 Georgia at 3:30 p.m. in Sanford Stadium. The game will be televised by CBS.

-UT Athletics

Vols WR Jalin Hyatt / Credit: UT Athletics
WATCH: Hooker, Young, Slaughter, Turnage postgame after Vols’ 44-6 win vs. UK

WATCH: Hooker, Young, Slaughter, Turnage postgame after Vols’ 44-6 win vs. UK

Posted on October 30, 2022

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, defensive back Doneiko Slaughter, defensive back Brandon Turnage and defensive end/outside linebacker Byron Young spoke to the media after Tennessee routed Kentucky 44-6 to move to 8-0, 4-0 SEC.

Vols DB Doneiko Slaughter, QB Hendon Hooker, DB Brandon Turnage & DE-OLB Byron Young / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Jimmy’s blog: Hooker outplays Levis, proves he’s the better NFL prospect

Jimmy’s blog: Hooker outplays Levis, proves he’s the better NFL prospect

Posted on October 30, 2022

By Jimmy Hyams

With all due respect to ESPN and Pro Football Focus and anyone else who ranks Will Levis as the No. 2 quarterback in the upcoming NFL – you’re crazy as hell.

Kentucky’s quarterback has a strong arm and a body-builder physique, but he’s not a great quarterback.

And he’s certainly not as good as Hendon Hooker.

Tennessee’s senior quarterback beat Levis for the second game in a row and totally outplayed the Penn State transfer as the No. 3 Vols (8-0) routed the 17th-ranked Wildcats 44-6 before an ESPN audience Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.

Hooker completed 18 of 24 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another to keep alive his Heisman Trophy hopes.

Levis was a miserable 16 of 27 for 98 yards and three interceptions while being sacked four times.

Hey, Todd McShay, you can have Levis.

I’ll take Hooker.

Levis didn’t have much help as his weak offensive line didn’t provide much protection. But even when Levis had time, he was inaccurate and made poor decisions throwing into coverage.

If you like Levis over Hooker, you might like JaMarcus Russell over Peyton Manning. After all, Russell had a much better arm.

OK, that’s a bit of a stretch, but I don’t think it’s close when it comes to evaluating Hooker and Levis as college quarterbacks or pro prospects.

Hooker is the catalyst of an offense that leads the nation in scoring and total offense.

He has an insane touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21 to one. He has completed over 70% of his passes. He has accounted for 25 touchdowns and almost 2,700 total yards.

He is Tennessee’s best quarterback since Manning – and that includes a guy that helped the Vols win a national championship.

Speaking of national championships, isn’t it hard to count out Tennessee?

No team has a better resume. Not team has more wins over ranked opponents (five). No team has a better offense.

And while UT’s secondary has been suspect, it picked off Levis three times. That says something about an improving collection of defensive backs. It also says something about Levis.

Levis is not as good of a decision maker as Hooker. He’s not as accurate. And he doesn’t see the field as well. Those are three important traits in college – and in the NFL.

As for the surprising Vols, only one team the rest of this regular season has a chance to beat Tennessee, and that team is top-ranked Georgia, which hosts the Vols on Saturday.

Since the start of this season, I have been on Georgia’s bandwagon.

I didn’t think Tennessee could beat the defending champions.

I’ve changed my tune. Tennessee’s offense can score against anyone – including Georgia.

Jalin Hyatt has developed into the best receiver in the SEC. Over a 14-quarter stretch, he had 11 touchdown catches. He has set the UT single-season record with 14 scoring catches after two touchdown, five-catch, 138-yard night against Kentucky.

In 2020, Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith had 17 touchdown catches at the time he was voted the Heisman Trophy winner.

That underscores what a brilliant season Hyatt is having.

And now with Cedric Tillman back from an ankle injury, UT’s offense is even more explosive.

The job that Hooker and Hyatt and Josh Heupel and the rest of the players and coaching staff have done in a shot period of time is one of the greatest stories college football has seen in years.

With eight games under its belt, what is Tennessee now chasing?

“A championship,’’ Hooker said. “We want to win the SEC Championship. That’s our goal – to be playing in Atlanta at the end of the season.’’

Hooker has given his team a chance to be in the championship conversation.

Levis has not.

That’s another reason I’d take Hooker.

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Stats/Story: #11 Vols Storm Past #2 Gonzaga in Exhibition, 99-80

Stats/Story: #11 Vols Storm Past #2 Gonzaga in Exhibition, 99-80

Posted on October 29, 2022

BOX SCORE 

FRISCO, Texas – A second-half explosion and five double-figure scorers led the way for No. 11 Tennessee, as the Vols ran past No. 2 Gonzaga Friday at the Legends of Basketball Classic exhibition, 99-80.
 
After heading into halftime trailing by four points, Tennessee outscored Gonzaga by 23 points in the second half—holding the Bulldogs to 16 points in the game’s final 13 minutes after they scored 64 points in the opening 27 minutes.

Making his first appearance in a Tennessee uniform, graduate transfer Tyreke Key led the way with a game-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range.
 
Sophomore Zakai Zeigler and senior Uros Plavsic (6-for-6 shooting) contributed 13 points apiece, while freshman Julian Phillips added 12 and senior Olivier Nkamhoua had 11.
 
Nkamhoua recorded a double-double on the night, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds.
 
As a team, Tennessee shot 57 percent from the field on the night—including 46 percent from 3-point range (13-for-28). The Vols had 28 assists on 36 made baskets.
 
Defensively, the Vols limited preseason AP All-American Drew Timme to 8-for-18 shooting on the night. Preseason second-team All-SEC selection Josiah-Jordan James did not play for Tennessee.
 
Neither team led by more five points for the first 29:10 of the game, but Tennessee took control of the contest by going on a 12-1 run to take a 77-65 lead—highlighted by five points apiece from Key and Plavsic.
 
From there, Tennessee continued to steadily built its lead. After trading baskets with the Bulldogs, the Vols rattled off another run—this time 12-2, capped off by a Phillips 3-pointer to push Tennessee’s lead to 91-72 with 5:16 remaining.
 
Neither team led by more than five points during a high-scoring, back-and-forth, first half—with Gonzaga taking a 54-50 lead into the break.
 
Tennessee shot 57 percent (17-for-30) from the field during the first half and made eight 3-pointers, while Gonzaga shot 59 percent (19-for-32).
 
Six players made multiple field goals during the first stanza for the Vols, led by Key—who scored 16 first-half points on 4-for-5 shooting, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Zeigler had eight points and five assists.
 
UP NEXT: Tennessee officially opens its 2022-23 season on Monday, Nov. 7, inside Thompson-Boling Arena against Tennessee Tech at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on SEC Network+. Tickets remain available at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

Vols G Tyreke Key / Credit: UT Athletics
Football Preview: Border Battle Set as #3 Vols Host #19 Kentucky in Primetime Clash

Football Preview: Border Battle Set as #3 Vols Host #19 Kentucky in Primetime Clash

Posted on October 29, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After concluding non-conference play with an emphatic 65-24 Homecoming victory over UT Martin last week, No. 3/3 Tennessee jumps back into conference play to begin its stretch run with a top-20 matchup against #19/17 Kentucky on Saturday night inside a sold-out Neyland Stadium.

The Vols will look to record their fifth win over a ranked opponent this season when the Wildcats come to town for Saturday’s border battle under the lights. UT will be rocking its “Dark Mode” uniforms for the game, which will feature a black helmet for the first time in program history.

The matchup will pit the SEC’s top scoring offense and second-ranked scoring defense against one another. Tennessee enters the game having scored 30 or more points in 10 straight games (longest active streak in the SEC)  while Kentucky hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in 11 consecutive games (longest active streak in the FBS).

BROADCAST INFO

Saturday’s contest will be televised on ESPN as Chris Fowler (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call. Kickoff is slated for 7:06 p.m. ET.

Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 81) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 983), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com​ and the Tennessee Athletics App.

Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins at 5 p.m. ET.

GAMEDAY INFO

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee’s 2022 gameday policies, please visit the Tennessee Football Gameday Information page on UTSports.com. The gameday timeline as well as other important information is listed below.

Will Call Opens at Gate 21 – 3 p.m.
Truly’s Tailgate Opens – 3 p.m.
Vol Village Opens – 3:30 p.m.
Vol Walk – 4:45 p.m.
Gates Open – 5 p.m.
Pride of the Southland Band March – 5:20 p.m. (Pedestrian Bridge)
Pregame Light Show* – 6:40 p.m.
*Light Sensitivity Warning: Strobe lights will be in effect
Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 6:52 p.m.
National Anthem/Flyover – 6:55 p.m.
ESPN Broadcast Begins –  7:00 p.m.
Vols Run Through the T – 7:03 p.m.
Kickoff – 7:06 p.m.

TICKETS AND PARKING

Tickets and parking passes to all Tennessee Athletics events, including football, are now digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security and reduce the risk of ticket fraud as well as make the process more convenient for fans.

Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).

Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!

Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue.

The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.

A complete step-by-step guide on how to best access and use your digital tickets and parking passes, including diagrams and FAQ is available here.

TENNESSEE ATHLETICS APP

Fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app, which now houses the Coca-Cola GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in a light show and much more. Search “Tennessee Athletics” in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this link to download: http://utsports.com/app

GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Neyland Stadium Fan Experience Enhancements
Fans can enjoy several enhancements to the gameday experience at Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field this fall, including new state-of-the-art videoboards above both end zones and the North End Zone Social Deck, among others.

For more information on all of the new stadium and gameday fan experience enhancements, click HERE.

Neyland Lights, Fireworks: The spectacular fireworks show that debuted last season during pregame and following UT touchdowns and victories returns in 2022. The dramatic LED light show is also back to accentuate pregame and in-game festivities. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early on Saturday night for the pregame light show that will begin at 6:40 p.m. Fans with light sensitivity should note that strobe lights will be in effect for all light shows performed in Neyland Stadium.

Toyota Volunteer Village: Toyota Volunteer Village, located across from Circle Park, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Vol Village opens at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. Josiah and the Greater Good will be the featured band for this Saturday’s game.

New this season will be a video wall for fans to check out other games around college football. A new food court, along with appearances by Smokey and the Spirit Squad are also new to Vol Village this season. Face painting and axe throwing will be available on Saturday, as well.

Truly’s Tailgate: Located outside Gate 9, fans can stop by for food and drinks at Truly’s Tailgate. Fans may enter Truly’s prior to gates opening without having a ticket scanned. When gates open, fans will need to scan their ticket to enter Truly’s. New food options this season include Texas Roadhouse and Big Orange Bites.

Truly’s will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday and remain open for the majority of the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks, television entertainment and additional restroom options. Truly’s will close at the end of the third quarter.

For complete gameday information, visit UTsports.com/gameday.

NEED TO KNOW

Another Week, Another Ranked Showdown
Saturday night’s primetime showdown against No. 19/17 Kentucky will mark the fifth time in eight games that the Vols will face a top-25 opponent. By taking down then No. 3/1 Alabama two weeks ago, Tennessee recorded its fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. UT and TCU are the only FBS programs this season with four victories over AP Top 25 ranked teams at the time of meeting. It’s the first time since 1998 that the Vols have defeated four or more ranked teams in a regular season and first time since 2001 if you include bowl game victories. Head coach Josh Heupel is 5-4 against ranked teams in his two seasons leading the Big Orange.
 
Hyatt Flying High 
Jalin Hyatt has elevated his game to new heights this season, entering Saturday’s contest ranked among the SEC and national leaders in a handful of receiving categories after three consecutive impressive performances. The South Carolina native is one receiving touchdown shy of tying the Tennessee single season record and leads the FBS with 12 touchdown catches this season after three straight multi-scores games. Hyatt is the first UT receiver to record multiple touchdown receptions in three straight games since Marcus Nash in 1997 and also ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards per game (109.9).

The junior wideout has been a big play machine this season, leading the country with nine 30-plus yard receiving played, eight 40-plus yard receiving plays and three 60-plus yard receiving plays. Hyatt is coming off a seven-catch, 174-yard, two-touchdown outing in the first half against UT Martin following a legendary performance in UT’s win over Alabama on Oct. 15 where he recorded six catches for a career high 207 yards and five touchdowns.

Fast, Fun, Real
In the last two seasons combined under head coach Josh Heupel (including 2022), Tennessee is averaging a nation-best 2.92 plays per minute. During that same span, the Vols are averaging a nation-best 1.74 offensive points per minute. Ohio State is second in that category at 1.57. This season alone, the Vols are first in the nation in offensive points per minute (1.87) and sixth in offensive plays per minute (2.84).

Of UT’s 56 scoring drives this season, 31 have come in two minutes or less (55.4 percent). From 2018-20, Heupel’s UCF teams averaged a nation-high 3.04 plays per minute. Since the start of the 2018 season, Heupel-coached teams lead the nation in offensive plays per minute (2.99, min. – multiple seasons coached), offensive points per minute (1.68, min. – multiple seasons coached) and offensive plays per game (77.87, min – multiple seasons coached).

Ball Hawking, Aggressive Defense Paying Dividends
The Vols’ defense under coordinator Tim Banks has been aggressive and opportunistic all year long, forcing 13 turnovers through seven games, which ranks tied for second most in the SEC. For comparison, UT had just 13 takeaways in 13 games last season. The Big Orange also rank fourth in the league in tackles for loss per game (6.29) and sacks per game (2.43).

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads series, 82-26-9
Saturday’s meeting between the Vols and Wildcats will be the 118th in the all-time series. Tennessee has played and beaten Kentucky more than any other opponent in program history.

The Big Orange are 34-3 against the Cats since 1985, but UK has come away victorious in two of the previous five meetings, including the last time the two programs faced off inside Neyland Stadium in 2020. UT emerged with a hard-fought 45-42 victory over No. 18 Kentucky in Lexington last season.

ABOUT KENTUCKY

Kentucky is led by Mark Stoops, who is in the midst of his 10th season as head coach and has built the Wildcats into one of the league’s most consistent programs during his tenure in Lexington. Stoops has led UK to 10-plus wins in two of the past four years and has the Cats ranked inside the top 20 entering this weekend’s matchup.

Dynamic senior signal caller Will Levis leads the Wildcats’ offense. His combination of athleticism, arm strength and improved accuracy have him among the top NFL draft prospects at the quarterback position this year. In six games played, Levis is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,635 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Levis has a talented trio of wide receivers to distribute the ball to in Tayvion Robinson (25 rec., 392 yds, 3 TDs), Barion Brown (24 rec., 350 yds, 2 TDs) and Dane Key (20 rec., 322 yds, 3 TDs). Brown is also a dangerous return man who is a valuable weapon on special teams.

To compliment the passing attack, the Wildcats boast one of the SEC’s top running backs in senior Chris Rodriguez Jr. After missing the first four games of the season, Rodriguez has provided a jolt to UK’s ground game with 72 carries for 395 yards (5.5 avg) and three scores, averaging 131.7 yards per contest over the Cats’ last three games.

Kentucky also features one of the conference’s top defenses, something that has become a staple under Stoops’ during his time as head coach. The Wildcats rank second in the league in scoring defense (16.4 points per game) and total defense (295.4 yards per game) entering Saturday’s game.

-UT Athletics

Vols RB Jabari Small / Credit: UT Athletics
Quotes: No. 3 Vols Regrouped For Border Battle Clash With No. 19 Wildcats

Quotes: No. 3 Vols Regrouped For Border Battle Clash With No. 19 Wildcats

Posted on October 29, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Heading into a five-week gauntlet of SEC play, the third-ranked Tennessee Volunteers wrap up their three-game homestand Saturday night when the No. 19/17 Kentucky Wildcats visit Neyland Stadium for the 118th all-time meeting in the series (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
 
Two days out from the SEC East divisional clash, head coach Josh Heupel met with members of the media Thursday morning to wrap up media proceedings for the week and preview the border battle. With his Vols off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 1998, Heupel praised his team’s ability to ‘refocus, regroup and be consistent’ in their approach to practice every single week.
 
“The only (game) that matters as a competitor is the next one, right?” Heupel remarked. “Everyone is talking about the last one, but you’re only as good as your next performance. Being able to refocus, regroup and be consistent. What’s been great about this team and the reason that one week at a time up until this point we’ve found a way to be the best team on the field is their preparation and the way they practice. At the end of the day, you have to go cut it loose on gameday and play harder for longer than your opponent.”
 
In a matchup to pits the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense against a top-10 scoring defense, the Vols will aim to make a statement early on. This season, Tennessee is outscoring its opponents 96-24 in the first quarter, but Heupel made sure to emphasize the importance of playing sharp for the full 60 minutes.
 
“It’s important that you play well for 60 minutes,” Heupel said. “Would we love to get off to a fast start? Yes, absolutely, but you guys have seen games unfold differently, and you just have to keep playing. Would love to start fast, but we will go play ball and play for 60 minutes.”
 
Thursday’s press conference transcript can be viewed below.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Oct. 27, 2022
 
Head Coach Josh Heupel

On Mark Stoops’ coaching success at Kentucky…
“He has done a good job of building up the program from the ground up. They play hard, they play smart and they are a physical football team. You put those three things together, you have a chance to continue as a program, and they have done that.”
 
On how valuable Ramel Keyton has been in Cedric Tillman’s absence…
“It has been huge. From the first game that he stepped in, (the moment) has not been too big for him. He has operated and functioned at a really high level. He has made a bunch of plays. You can see the trust that Hendon has with him. It is important offensively that you have guys that you trust in all of those positions, otherwise they have the ability to key in, double, or roll coverage to somebody. Ramel’s play has been huge for us.”
 
On examples of leadership within this team…
“There are so many moments of that taking place. I think one of the biggest things is when you are on the practice field. I just go back to our spring practice this year, we were intentional in trying to give them opportunities, but at each position, a leader having a minute or two in the middle of practice to re-group, re-focus and re-energize their position group. You saw guys at every position do that consistently on a daily basis. It might be (Byron Young) with the d-line, might be Jacob Warren with the tight ends, obviously, Hendon (Hooker) has done a phenomenal job. The ownership the guys at the DB (defensive back) position have had with the entire unit. You feel their energy, their focus, their purpose every day. If something has not been right, it has not always been a coach or me that has had to call the group up and get it right. They are taking ownership, and you see it on the practice field in the way that they coach each other. That was so remarkably different this spring versus a year ago. Those are some moments, dating all the way back to spring ball. But then, during the course of play, if it does not go right, the energy and look from those leaders and being able to re-group their guys on the sidelines has been massive. I am really proud of the guys that are on our leadership council and the guys that take ownership of our locker room.”
 
On Saturday’s game being labeled a ‘trap game’…
“It doesn’t matter how you phrase it. The only one that matters as a competitor is the next one right. Everyone is talking about the last one, but you’re only as good as your next performance. Being able to refocus, regroup and be consistent. What’s been great about this team and the reason that one week at a time up until this point we’ve found a way to be the best team on the field is their preparation and the way they practice. At the end of the day, you have to go cut it loose on gameday and play harder for longer than your opponent.”
 
On any comparisons between quarterbacks Tennessee has played this year and Kentucky QB Will Levis…
“It would be unfair of me to go back through all the teams that we’ve played. He is the major part of what they do on the offensive side of the ball. He does a great job of controlling it. You see them redirect protections, he’s a big part of them. Obviously play action pass, boots, movements and at times in the run game.” 
 
On Cedric Tillman’s availability…
“We will see where he’s at when we get through tomorrow and on game day. Again, Cedric is going to be a part of that decision, and our medical staff is doing what is best for him in the long term and short term.”
 
On how important it is to have a fast start against Kentucky’s defense…
“It’s important that you play well for 60 minutes. Would we love to get off to a fast start? Yes, absolutely, but you guys have seen games unfold differently, and you just have to keep playing. Would love to start fast, but we will go play ball and play for 60 minutes.”
 
On his evaluation of the special teams unit…
“I think they continue to get better. You guys have seen that we have a lot of young guys on there that have continued to grow throughout the course of the season. Coverage units have been really solid. Our return units continue to get better. Getting Dee [Williams] back on the punt return side of it has been big. We have created some field position with that unit. Expect us to continue to get better on all those units with as many young guys as we are playing.”

Vols WR Ramel Keyton / Credit: UT Athletics

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