Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee’s offense has thrived without Tillman

Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee’s offense has thrived without Tillman

Posted on October 26, 2022

By Jimmy Hyams

Entering this season, Tennessee’s two best offensive weapons were a transfer quarterback and a receiver who had been overlooked for three years.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who began his career at Virginia Tech, has been magnificent. He has 18 touchdown passes against one interception, leads the SEC in pass efficiency and ranks among the top three favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

Tillman, who caught just eight passes in his first three seasons, was a preseason All-SEC selection hoping to build on his 1,000-yard, 12-touchdown season of a year ago.

Tillman has one touchdown reception and hasn’t played since being injured against Akron four games ago.

But without Tillman playing in three SEC games, without his expected production, Tennessee is 7-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation with an offense that appears unstoppable.

Who’d have thunk it?

What Tennessee has done without Tillman is remarkable.

It’s a testament to Hooker, to the other receivers and to UT’s offensive braintrust.

Hooker has continued to play at an elite level without his best receiver. 

Jalin Hyatt has developed into the best receiver in the SEC with a nation’s-best 12 touchdown catches and eight receptions of at least 40 yards. That’s more than 11 SEC teams this year. Only Kentucky and Arkansas have as many as eight 40-yard pass plays this season.

And the Vols offensive brain trust has schemed ways to get Hyatt open and ripped through defenses at a record pace. The Vols are averaging 571 total yards per game, almost 100 yards more than the UT single-season record set in 1997.

You can imagine what Tennessee’s offense would have done with Tillman.

But then again, could it be any better?

That is hard to imagine.

Tillman could make his return against No. 19 Kentucky on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.

If he does, how does that impact UT’s attack?

Does Hooker target Tillman 18 times like he did at Pitt? Is the distribution equal among Tillman, Hyatt and Bru McCoy? Is there a chemistry issue? How many snaps does Ramel Keyton get? Which wideout does a defense bracket?

Vols receivers coach Kelsey Pope says the return of Tillman makes UT’s offense even more dangerous.

“The more guys you have that can make plays, the more dangerous you are,’’ Pope said.

And Tillman makes UT’s offense more “lethal,’’ Pope said.

It’s hard to imagine UT’s offense being more lethal than it is.

Then again, who thought the Vols would average over 43 points and almost 550 total yards against three ranked SEC opponents without Tillman?

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Scotty McCreery and Wife, Gabi, Welcome Their Son, Merrick Avery McCreery

Scotty McCreery and Wife, Gabi, Welcome Their Son, Merrick Avery McCreery

Posted on October 26, 2022

Congrats to Scotty McCreery and his wife Gabi as the happy couple welcomes their first son, Merrick Avery McCreery into the world.

Arriving 11 days before his due date, Merrick Avery was born on October 24th 2022 at 7 lbs 13 oz.

Scotty shared, “Never known a love like this. Thank yall for all of your prayers during this exciting season of life! Healthy baby and a healthy mama! Praise God.”

Scotty McCreery’s song “Small Town Story” from his upcoming Same Truck: The Deluxe Album is out now.

Photo Credit: Jeff Ray
Additional Photos Courtesy of Scotty McCreery

Kenny Chesney Honored with a Doctorate from His Alma Mater

Kenny Chesney Honored with a Doctorate from His Alma Mater

Posted on October 26, 2022

This past weekend Kenny Chesney went back to college!

The country superstar returned to East Tennessee State University to honor the man who taught him how to play guitar in college, Dr. Jack Tottle.

Kenny Chesney joins ETSU President Brian Noland (R) to honor Dr. Jack Tottle (L) | Photo Courtesy of ETSU

Dr. Tottle founded the Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies Program, which is internationally acclaimed and has graduated GRAMMY, International Bluegrass Music Association, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards winners.

Kenny says, “Jack Tottle taught me how to dream, or inspired me to have the ability to dream enough to believe I could do this. He showed me that music could make connections beyond what we see, that it could communicate beyond language or location. He took us – the ETSU Bluegrass Band – to Russia as part of a cultural exchange and made that idea real.”

While Kenny was a surprise guest at the ceremony celebrating the program’s 40th Anniversary as part of the University’s Homecoming Weekend, it turns out there was a surprise in store for Kenny as well.

ETSU President Brian Noland presented Kenny with an honorary doctorate of letters.

Kenny Chesney is presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by ETSU Provost Kimberly McCorkle and President Brian Noland | Photo Courtesy of ETSU

After the current ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band performed “Me & You,” President Noland explained to the audience, “He (Kenny) is a paradigm-shifting artist who helped define country music in the 21st Century, selling out stadiums across the world… He is an inspiration, reminding the world — through his art and the example he sets — to live life with joy, humor, passion, and soul. Here at ETSU, we have issued a challenge to our faculty, staff and students to ‘go beyond.’ Mr. Chesney, soon to be Dr. Chesney, you exemplify that ideal. You have gone beyond genres, unifying people through your art and your work. You have gone beyond borders, sharing your amazing talent all over the world. And you have gone beyond yourself, using your voice to uplift others and give back to communities.”

Kenny Chesney speaks during the ETSU 40th Anniversary of Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies | Photo Courtesy of ETSU

Deeply moved by the presentation, Kenny addressed the audience, “To say I wouldn’t dream this is an understatement. I was spending most of my time at Chucky’s Trading Post, the Downhome, Quarterback’s BBQ and in the rooms at the music building, practicing my guitar. All I wanted was to get a song on the radio, write some things I could be proud of and get out on the road and have some fun. My tour manager and a couple of my friends from back here are still out there with me, but I don’t think any of us would’ve seen this coming. But that’s why no matter what you dream, you have to just keep dreaming and believing.”

Kenny later joked that things are going to change on tour next year as his crew will now have to refer to him as “Dr. Chesney.”

While on campus, Kenny also spent some time with the current members of the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band.

Kenny Chesney poses with current members of the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. Photo Courtesy of ETSU

Kenny Chesney’s current single at country radio included his frequent touring buddies, Old Dominion.

Check out the music video for their song “Beer With My Friends” right here…

Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

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