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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After scoring a program-record 52 points in the first half, the No. 3/4 Tennessee Volunteers cruised to a 65-24 win over UT Martin on Homecoming in front of a sold-out crowd of 101,915 in Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Vols (7-0, 3-0 SEC) amassed 696 yards of total offense—the second-most in program history—and scored nine touchdowns. Tennessee’s 65 points were the most since the Vols put up a modern-era, program-record 70 points against Louisiana Monroe on Sept. 23, 2000. It was the second time this season in which the Big Orange eclipsed the 60-point margin as well as the 600-yards of total offense mark.

Tennessee finished with 495 yards and five scores through the air, while adding 201 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Six different Vols found the checkerboards against UT Martin (4-3).
 
Redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker etched his name into the record books on a beautiful day on Rocky Top, as the Greensboro, North Carolina, native recorded a touchdown pass in his 19th straight game, setting a new program-record by passing VFL Heath Shuler’s previous record of 18 (1992-94). Hooker finished the day with 276 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-24 passing. He added 28 yards on the ground for 304 total yards of offense. Redshirt senior Joe Milton III chipped in 135 yards and a scoring toss on 4-of-7 passing.
 
Reigning National Player of the Week Jalin Hyatt posted another big-time performance, hauling in seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns—highlighted by a 66-yard scoring reception late in the second quarter from Princeton Fant on a double-pass. The Biletnikoff Award candidate improved his nation-best marks in receiving touchdowns (12) and 40-plus yard receiving plays (8) on the day. He also recorded his third game with triple-digit receiving yards and has hauled in multiple touchdown passes in four different games this season.
 
Hyatt wasn’t the only receiver to eclipse the century mark on the day, as freshman Squirrel White finished with 122 yards and a touchdown on five receptions—all of which were career highs. White, who hauled in a 64-yard score from Milton in the fourth quarter for his first career touchdown, became the first Vol freshman receiver to eclipse the 100-yard mark since Marquez North on Oct. 19, 2013. Senior Ramel Keyton also brought in a career-best two scoring catches to go with 77 yards on five receptions.
 
Redshirt senior tight end Princeton Fant had a career day in multiple facets, accounting for a personal-best three touchdowns in the first half. The Nashville, Tennessee, native housed a pair of scores on the ground, coming from one-yard and 11-yards out, before throwing a 66-yard touchdown to Hyatt. Fant ended the day with 95 yards of combined offense (66 yards passing, 17 yards receiving, 12 yards rushing).
 
On the ground, freshman Dylan Sampson led the way with 62 yards and a score on 13 carries. Junior Jabari Small finished with 11 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Tennessee forced multiple turnovers for the fifth time this season, finishing with one interception and one fumble recovery, both of which turned into touchdowns on the offense end. The Big Orange defense did not allow a single third-down conversion in the first half, standing up the Skyhawks on all seven third down tries. UT Martin was just 3-of-13 on third down for the game and failed both of its fourth-down-conversion attempts.
 
Tennessee jumped out to an early 21-7 lead after the first quarter. A 44-yard reception by Hyatt from Hooker set up a 1-yard rush by Small for the Vols’ first score of the game. For the second week in a row, Fant plowed his way into the checkerboards from the fullback position, diving in from a yard out. Then, William Wright’s first-career interception halted the Skyhawk offense and was followed by an 8-yard connection from Hooker to Keyton on an slant route for the score.
 
The Big Orange quickly extended its lead by 10 more points less than five minutes into the second stanza thanks to a three-and-out and a turnover forced by the Tennessee defense. Redshirt senior Chase McGrath sailed one through the uprights with a 40-yard field goal. On the first play of the ensuing possession, senior Trevon Flowers forced a fumble that was recovered by senior Aaron Beasley. Hyatt found his way into the end zone for the first time in the game after taking a screen pass from Hooker 22 yards to the house to make it 31-7.
 
Firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, Tennessee extended its advantage to 52-7 at the end of the first half. Hooker added his third scoring toss of the game, and second to Keyton, on a 17-yard completion. Fant’s career day continued when he took a handoff 11 yards into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the day. The tight end then found Hyatt for a 66-yard scoring toss on a trick play to break the program record for points in a half.
 
The Vols cruised to their seventh victory of the season with a pair of scores in the second half. The Big Orange capped off a five-play, 75-yard drive out of the break with a touchdown rush by Sampson from one yard out. During the fourth quarter, Milton connected with White on a deep ball for a 64-yard score.
 
Tennessee is home again next week, as the Vols host No. 19/18 Kentucky for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN. The game is sold out. Season tickets for 2023 are on sale now and can be purchased at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Ramel Keyton spoke to the media after Tennessee defeated UT-Martin 65-24 on homecoming in Knoxville.

Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III, tight end Princeton Fant and defensive back William Wright spoke to the media after Tennessee defeated UT-Martin 65-24 on homecoming in Knoxville.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Set for a Homecoming bout against UT Martin this weekend, the third-ranked and undefeated Tennessee Volunteers began walkthrough practice Thursday morning inside the Anderson Training Center. Head coach Josh Heupel met with members of the media to preview Saturday’s in-state, inter-system matchup (Noon, SEC Network).
 
“Just a really good energy and focus out on the practice field,” Heupel said. “I feel like they’ve strained. Today, for us, thought it was really pretty clean for this point in the week. Now it’s about finishing our preparation and competitive spirit on gameday. I want to see our guys go fly around and execute.”
 
The Skyhawks (4-2, 3-0 OVC) sit atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings and enter Saturday’s game on a three-game winning streak, scoring 146 points over that stretch. Heupel looks for his squad to focus on execution and in-game adjustments as the Vols vie for a 7-0 start for the first time since 1998.
 
“Obviously, offensively, you just look at the production that they’ve had and the ability to move the football (and) score points,” Heupel said. “It will be a great test for us on the defensive side of the football to go out and execute and play well. There are some things obviously that we’ve been focused on offensively. We’ll have to adjust to what we see at the beginning of the game and during the course of the game and have all 11 (players) execute at a really high level. There are some things that we’ve tried to clean up on special teams, and I want to see that improve too.”
 
In addition to Homecoming, the contest will also celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Title IX on campus. UT Martin served as the alma mater of legendary Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, whose impact on collegiate athletics is felt throughout the country to this day.

The full transcript from Heupel’s Thursday press conference can be viewed below.

Head Coach Josh Heupel

Opening statement…
“It’s been a good week up until this point. Got to finish it out. I’m excited for gameday, and I know that our players are too. Looking forward to seeing everybody at the game Saturday afternoon.”
 
On what has been good about this week’s preparation…
“Just a really good energy and focus out on the practice field. I feel like they’ve strained. Today, for us, thought it was really pretty clean for this point in the week. Now it’s about finishing our preparation and competitive spirit on gameday. I want to see our guys go fly around and execute.”
 
On what stands out about UT Martin…
“Obviously, offensively, you just look at the production that they’ve had and the ability to move the football (and) score points. It will be a great test for us on the defensive side of the football to go out and execute and play well. There are some things obviously that we’ve been focused on offensively. We’ll have to adjust to what we see at the beginning of the game and during the course of the game and have all 11 (players) execute at a really high level. There are some things that we’ve tried to clean up on special teams, and I want to see that improve too.”
 
On Jaylen Wright’s recent performances…
“I just think last week in particular and the week before it too, it showed up. But last week was his best week of running the football (with) pad level, running his feet on contact. I think he’s gotten more comfortable and has a better understanding of what we’re doing offensively. The ability to be slow through the hole then accelerate, the ability to use the blockers up in front of you. Those guys are playing blind to what’s going on behind them. Those guys got to do a great job of delivering those blocks and I feel like he’s continued to grow in that way.”
 
On offensive red zone efficiency…
“First, good players. Then, the ability to execute, take the plan, adjust to what they’re seeing in the course of the game, decision making by Hendon (Hooker), first and foremost. When you’re throwing the football, competitive catches out on the outside. The skill guys all being on the same page. The ability to run the football. We’ve continued to be more and more efficient in that. So, you put all of those things together, that’s allowed us to be more efficient with the football in the red zone. A couple weeks ago, there were some things that we weren’t as efficient in that we wanted to be early in that football game. That’s a huge part of the game. There’s a big difference between getting seven and getting three.”
 
On updates for Cedric Tillman, Jaylen McCollough and Kamal Hadden…
“We will find out on the injured guys here at the back end of the week. I feel like they are both progressing. Cedric has had a good week, but we’ll see where we’re at tomorrow afternoon and make a determination on that point. Jaylen’s process is still going on. We’ll see where we’re at here at the end of the week.”
 
On Dylan Sampson’s progression…
“One-plays are really important. That’s an important play for him to learn from (missed pass protection at LSU). But, he is a young guy that we love inside of our program. We look forward to him playing and competing in this one. We have a great amount of trust in him. He’s young in his football development and he’s going to continue to grow, but for a young running back, he’s got really good understanding of pace, feel, vision, making the right cuts and playing well through contact.”
 
On the decision to have Joe Milton III throw the Hail Mary at the end of the first half…
“(It was) a little bit spur of the moment. Just where we were at field zone, it’s something that we had talked about earlier in the year and the opportunity presented itself at that point.”
 
On if Bru McCoy has been what they expected…
“Yeah, we thought he was a strong football player that was just starting to begin his journey as a football player at the wide receiver position. His progression and what we are doing – he drastically changed his body, he’s attentive, he’s competitive, he’s up in the building all of the time, and that’s been from day one even until this week. He’s up there before meetings start in the afternoon and constantly trying to get better. He’s got, for a young receiver in what we’re doing, has a really good understanding. But he is strong, and he is competitive, and that showed up really early when he was here. We thought that’s what he would be just based on the video that we watched. He’s certainly strong and confident and plays to his athleticism.”
 
On importance of playing an FCS team each year…
“I do think it’s important. Just having been around the game, my dad at a small college to him being at an FCS school. These games support their football department but, in some ways, support their entire athletic department as it continues to trickle down. I think it is important that these games are played. I think it speaks to the healthiness of football on all levels. I think that’s really important that we balance all those things as we continue to move forward.”
 
On the improvement on in-game adjustments this season…
“For sure, on the defensive side of the ball, the staff being together for another year, the cohesiveness, communication, being in sync helps with the adjustments. On the offensive side of the ball, the same thing, but as a staff we’ve been together for a period of time, so I feel like as much of anything in year two on the offensive side of the ball, and it’s true on the defense too, the players being able to understand the why behind things and being a year further ahead in their understanding of what we’re doing, what they’re seeing on the other side of the ball and why the adjustments are taking place. Some of that happens, there’s looks that are unscripted or haven’t been seen on video, and your players being able to adjust even within the course of the drive and then certainly within drives or halftime adjustments, it’s just completely different in year two than it is in year one.”
 
On Ramel Keyton’s development with Cedric Tillman being out…
“Rose to the occasion, has played in a really strong way. Been reliable, he’s been explosive, he’s made plays with the ball in his hands, made great catches. Offensively, we haven’t changed anything that we’re doing. That speaks to him stepping in and the confidence that everybody has in him. The confidence that he has in himself. In particular, the confidence that Hendon (Hooker) has in him too.”

-UT Athletics

2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After a legendary, record-setting performance against third-ranked Alabama, Tennessee junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has been added to the 2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver.

In the midst of a career campaign, Hyatt leads the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns and ranks atop the SEC in receiving yards (595), receiving yards per game (99.2) and receptions per game (5.5) through the first seven weeks of the season. His explosive play has been on display throughout the fall as he leads the nation with six 40-plus yard receiving plays.

Hyatt delivered arguably the greatest wide receiver performance in school history against the Crimson Tide on Saturday, catching six passes for 207 yards and a school-record and SEC-record tying five receiving touchdowns. He became the fifth player in SEC history to catch five touchdowns in a single game, and his 207 receiving yards ranked sixth in Vol single-game history.

The Irmo, South Carolina, native also tied the program single-game record for points by touchdown with 30, a mark that evened with Gene McEver who had five rushing scores against South Carolina on Dec. 7, 1929. Hyatt was also the first FBS player with five or more receiving touchdowns against an AP top-five team since NC State’s Torry Holt did so at No. 3 Florida State on Nov. 8, 1997.

For his efforts against the Tide, Hyatt was tabbed National Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also picked up SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career.

In addition to his monster outing against Alabama, Hyatt turned in his first career game with double-digit receptions (11 for 73 yards) at No. 17 Pittsburgh on Sept. 10 before recording his first career 100-yard receiving performance against Akron the following week, catching five passes for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Zips. He was also crucial in Tennessee’s 40-13 triumph at No. 25 LSU, pulling in four catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns inside Tiger Stadium on Oct. 8.

Hyatt joins teammate Cedric Tillman on the 2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, who was recognized on the initial preseason list in July.

The Biletnikoff Award semifinalists, finalists, and recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 640 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. The 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by TQC Foundation Chairman Mark Ryan and the banquet keynote speaker at the black-tie Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration at the Dunlap Champions Club, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Three former Vols have been tabbed as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award: Joey Kent (1996), Kelley Washington (2001) and Robert Meachem (2006).

Off to a 6-0 start for the first time since the 1998 national championship season, the No. 3/4 Tennessee Volunteers return to action Saturday inside Neyland Stadium. Homecoming week has arrived as the Vols are slated to host in-state, inter-system foe UT Martin at noon ET on SEC Network. Tickets for the contest remain available on AllVols.com. Additionally, season tickets for the 2023 campaign are also on sale now at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics