Congrats to Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter who close out the Billboard country music airplay chart for 2021 with 4 straight weeks at number-one with “Thinking ‘Bout You.”
Dustin has described this song as the collab moment that he’s been looking for, for a while to release to country radio.
When the song was first climbing the chart, the two didn’t have many occasions to sing “Thinking ‘Bout You” together, but in recent months Dustin and MacKenzie have had opportunities to perform their duet on stage.
One of those moments came at the Opry House in Nashville, during a performance of the Grand Ole Opry. Dustin, who has been a member of the Opry since 2018, got to be there as MacKenzie made her debut.
When it comes to that night, MacKenzie shares that she doesn’t recall much, “Your emotions and adrenaline are so high that like, I don’t know, it’s kind of hard to remember it. We did have like a whole camera crew there, so I could watch it back. But we did get to hang out before and after, and our parents got to meet, it was a whole family affair back there. It was such a great night.”
Dustin adds that while he’s been at the Opry many, many, many times…he actually had a first that night as well, “We were walking backstage together and accidentally walked into the Duets Room. which I had never been in. So we were surrounded by all theses iconic pictures of duets being performed on the Opry, minutes before she debuted, and minutes after that, MacKenzie got to come and sing the song, with us, on the Opry Stage.”
With the success of the song, there will be plenty of new opportunities for them to sing their multiweek number-one hit in 2022.
Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter have the final number-one song of 2021 with “Thinking ‘Bout You” (which is also in its 4th week at the top).
Vols RB Jabari Small spoke with media Monday following Tennessee’s second practice in Nashville ahead of their matchup with Purdue in the Music City Bowl.
Vols RB Jabari Small / Credit: WNML Staff
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Vols WR Cedric Tillman spoke with media Monday following Tennessee’s second practice in Nashville ahead of their matchup with Purdue in the Music City Bowl.
Vols WR Cedric Tillman / Credit: WNML Staff
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Kane Brown is getting ready to give his fans new music in 2022.
Kane shared the following message and video on social media, “I love getting to sing other people’s stories! This is my next song to release January 14th”
While new music from Kane will be arriving in January, he’s taking this time between Christmas and New Years to work on his favorite thing to do…be a dad.
Kane also shared with fans some fun moments he’s having with his daughter.
Kane added “The best job in the world is being daddy.”
Kane Brown’s current single at country radio, “One Mississippi,” is a Top-10 (and climbing) hit…
Maddie & Tae sent a message out to their fans about their upcoming All Song No Static tour.
The tour is going to get a little later start in 2022 due to Tae being put on bed rest due to her pregnancy – but the duo want to assure their fans that everything is fine…
Anyone who has lived through the process of a pregnancy knows these things happen.
While we all wait for the rescheduled dates to be announced – something that is still on track for late January is the release of Maddie & Tae’s new album, Through The MadnessVol. 1.
The 8-song collection includes their current single at country radio – “Madness”
NASHVILLE – After a three-day Christmas break, Tennessee football gathered in Nashville in preparation for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl with the first of four practices on Sunday afternoon at Vanderbilt Stadium.
The Volunteers arrived Christmas night at the Gaylord Opryland and treated Sunday’s workout like a “Tuesday” of game week with position meetings in the morning and a two-hour practice mid-day.
“It’s great to be here and start our bowl preparation here on-site,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “(The student-athletes) traveled in yesterday and were able to get here, relatively, pretty well, just a few flight issues. It was a great practice today, good energy and we are looking forward to the rest of the week.”
Heupel’s offense, on the cusp of setting a single-season program record for points, received significant news prior to Christmas as leading wide receiver Cedric Tillman announced his intentions to return for his 2022 senior season. He links up again with returning starting quarterback Hendon Hooker, who ranks third nationally in passing efficiency this season (182.15).
“He’s a great representation of continuing to put your head down, continuing to work,” Heupel said of Tillman. “The more you put into it, the more you’re going to get out of it. It doesn’t always happen for everybody the first day you step on campus. You’re going to face adversity. You’ve got to continue to compete as you go through your career. That’s on this level, that’s at the next level if you’re able to get to that point. It’s a great example of continuing to work and compete. He’s a young man that has played really well, but has a bright, bright future inside this game. He’s only going to continue to get better.”
Tillman heads into the Music City Bowl just 69 receiving yards shy of becoming the Vols’ first 1,000-yard receiver since Justin Hunter in 2012. Tillman has recorded 57 catches for 931 yards and nine touchdowns, which is tied for fourth in the SEC.
Tennessee will practice again Monday at Vanderbilt.
Out of an abundance of caution, Monday’s TransPerfect Music City Bowl official Welcome Party at the Wildhorse Saloon has been cancelled, bowl officials announced Sunday.
Kickoff for UT and Purdue is 2 p.m. CT on Dec. 30 in Nissan Stadium. Tickets for the game are on sale through the bowl at musiccitybowl.com. For more information on the bowl, visit UTsports.com/musiccitybowl.
Vols QBs Hendon Hooker & Joe Milton / Credit: UT Athletics
Head Coach Josh Heupel Media Availability Dec. 26, 2021
Opening Statement “It’s great to be here and start our bowl preparation here on-site. (The student-athletes) traveled in yesterday and were able to get here, relatively, pretty well, just a few flight issues. It was a great practice today, good energy and looking forward to the rest of the week.”
On the meaning of the Nashville area in recruiting and fans …
“It’s a huge part of our being able to recruit inside the state. I said it from the moment I got here, it’s a priority. For us, that just starts with building relationships — high school coaches, our VFLs that are here inside the region. We have a lot of good players that are from this area getting a chance to come back home and play in front of their families. It’s vital to us as a program that we do it the right way. This area, obviously, has a talent-rich environment, and we’ve got to continue to build those relationships.”
On the Purdue passing attack …
“They’ve got playmakers out on the perimeter. They do a great job of getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands. He is a good decision maker, accurate with it, does a good job of taking care of it. You’ve got to do a great job (in the) perimeter screen-game, defeat blocks and go make plays in space. Defensively, for us, we’ve got to do a great job of affecting the quarterback. If we can get them into third and long and put some pressure on them, that’s going to be critical. At the same time, with some of their quick game, we’ve got to find a way to cause some issues with windows and them being able to deliver the football.”
On the COVID-19 situation …
“We’ve been very fortunate that our guys that are non-vaccinated have done a great job taking care of themselves throughout the entire year. We’ll continue to follow the testing protocols set forth by the league. You want your kids to be smart in how they handle themselves and make sure they do take care of themselves, their teammates and their families.”
On the focus of the team in practice today …
“I thought there was great energy today. From the time we got into meetings, but then out here on the practice field, guys were crisp. We’ve got some things we’ve got to clean up here before we get to kickoff, too, but like the energy and focus we saw from our guys.”
On the return of Cedric Tillman for next season …
“He’s a guy that, from the time we’ve gotten here, has just continued to get better in every phase, offseason, spring ball, during the summer. He continued to gain confidence because of his work habits, what he’s done throughout the course of the season; just continuing to get better and better. I think he’s got a much higher ceiling than even how he’s played at the end of this year. We’re excited to have him back. He’s a mature competitor becoming a great leader inside of the wide receiver room, in particular. It’s a huge pickup for us as a program to get him back.”
On Cedric Tillman representing the coaching growth players can have …
“He’s a great representation of continuing to put your head down, continuing to work. The more you put into it, the more you’re going to get out of it. It doesn’t always happen for everybody the first day you step on campus. For some it does. You’re going to face adversity. You’ve got to continue to compete as you go through your career. That’s on this level, that’s at the next level if you’re able to get to that point. It’s a great example of continuing to work and compete. He’s a young man that has played really well, but has a bright, bright future inside this game. He’s only going to continue to get better.”
On if there is another level to Hendon Hooker’s game …
“Sure, I was just talking about Ced, Hendon is an example of those exact same things. It didn’t go perfect for him early in the year. Man, he continued to put his nose down and only competed and worked harder. You look at how he’s played throughout the season – he’s a young player, I know he’s coming back for his last year, but he’s continuing to get better in everything he’s doing throughout the course of the season. For him, in offseason, being comfortable in what we’re doing, but being able to just go through quarterback school with us, understand the game of football better and get better fundamentally. It’s things that, when he gets back in January, we’ve already pinpointed what he can get better at. It’s just a constant growth and evolution of who you are as a player.”
On the feeling of a home game with the atmosphere and fans in-state …
“I’m excited for the game day environment, absolutely, our players are too. This is Tennessee territory and excited to see all of our fans here.”
On the status of the second cornerback position heading into the game…
“Throughout the course of the season, one guy is down, the next guy steps up. I believe in the guys that will play there when we get to game day. It won’t just be one guy I don’t think throughout the entire 60 minutes, but excited to see those guys go compete.”
On the progression of OL Jeremiah Crawford…
“Man, he’s a guy that coming out of junior college got here middle part of the summer and continued to grow strength and conditioning wise just with his frame and strength as we’ve gone through the early part of the season. Schematically, just understanding and growing into the position, has grown a ton throughout the course of it and (we) expect him to only continue to get better here inside of our program.”
On if it’s difficult to maintain a practice routine when at a bowl site…
“It certainly is different, right? They get a chance to go experience (and) see the city and have fun with each other in the afternoon. There’s no classes, there’s none of that. But the entire bowl preparation is kind of that way. For us, our routine was when we get to the bowl site is a little bit different, but we still meet in the morning and practice in the morning. They get the afternoons off. (We’ve) extended meetings just a little bit in the morning to cover what we would normally do in our afternoon meetings.”
On if this is a chance for some of the young receivers to get some work …
“They’ve done it during bowl preparation, potentially will have some opportunities on game day too. It’s 15 practices for all of our entire program, wide receivers included, having a chance to get better.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In-state foes No. 7/10 Tennessee (10-1) and Chattanooga (2-11) will face one another on Monday, meeting for the first time since 2015 and for the 36th occasion in the series.
The Lady Vols and Mocs are set to tip off at 6:32 p.m. ET in Thompson-Boling Arena in a contest that will mark the final tilt before UT embarks on its SEC schedule.
The battle marks the fourth of five consecutive home games during the month of December for UT and the second of two straight match-ups against schools within the Volunteer State and who also are members of the Southern Conference.
Tennessee and Chattanooga enter Monday night’s test after some time at home for winter break. The Lady Vols closed out the first semester with a resounding 112-58 victory over ETSU in Knoxville on Dec. 20. At 10-1, UT is off to its best start since opening 12-1 in 2018-19.
UTC, meanwhile, comes to Knoxville looking for win number three on the year. The Mocs ended a nine-game losing skid on Dec. 20 when they handled UNC Asheville, 62-51.
Monday’s meeting features a reunion of former Chattanooga player and current head coach Katie (Galloway) Burrows and former Mocs assistants and current Tennessee staffers in head coach Kellie Harper and assistant Jon Harper.
Lady Vols Basketball / Credit: UT Athletics
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Bob Kesling (play-by-play), Madison Blevins Hock (analyst) and Kasey Funderburg (reporter) will be on the call for the SECN+ broadcast.
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 Mickey Dearstone behind the microphone. Now calling the action for his 23rd season, Dearstone is joined by studio host Bobby Rader.
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 Vol Network Affiliates.
Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
GAME PROMOTIONS
Spark the Summitt!: Get $5 tickets for all price zones (excluding courtside), available in advance or on game day. Plus, $1 tickets are available for kids 12 & under.
Free parking and free shuttle service from the Ag Campus (Lot CF near Brehm & Food Science Bldgs.).
For additional details and information, please call 865-974-1734 or visit the Fans tab on UTSports.com and click on the Fan Experience link.
LADY VOLS VS. IN-STATE OPPONENTS
The Tennessee women are 254-61-1 all-time vs. four-year college teams from the Volunteer State, and Kellie Harper is 9-0 in those match-ups in her third season on Rocky Top.
The Lady Vols are 2-0 this season (wins vs. Tenn. Tech and ETSU) and were 3-0 in 2020-21, with wins over ETSU, Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee, with two games on the schedule vs. Vanderbilt (home and away) canceled.
UT has won nine in a row over schools from within the state border and 25 of the last 26, with the lone setback during that run being a 76-69 loss to Vanderbilt in Knoxville on Feb. 28, 2019.
ABOUT THE LADY VOLS
The Lady Vols are one of the nation’s biggest stories of 2021-22, opening up at 10-1 against one of the NCAA’s toughest schedules despite losing returning starters Rae Burrell and Marta Suárez to injuries and opening the season with Jordan Horston on the sideline for a game.
Tennessee is among the nation’s best at rebounding and defending, but its offense is emerging with different members of the team stepping up each game.
Eleven different players have scored in double figures this season, including seven who have done so in multiple games. Kaiya Wynn and Karoline Striplin became the latest with 12 and 10, respectively, vs. ETSU.
The Lady Vols have had at least one player record a double-double in every game through the contest with ETSU, led by Tamari Key with six (including a triple-double), Jordan Horston with five, Alexus Dye with two and Kaiya Wynn with one.
That gives Tennessee 14 total double-doubles this year, surpassing the total of 13 in all of 2020-21.
During that stretch, UT has a scoring margin of +20.2, a rebounding margin of +19.2 and 1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio (93-78).
UT has shown itself to be a tough, gritty team, coming from behind in the fourth quarter four times this season to win games (Southern Illinois, South Florida, Texas, Va. Tech). UT also came from 20-down in the second quarter vs. No. 3/3 Stanford, cutting the deficit to three in the second half with a 17-0 run spanning the second and third periods before eventually falling to the Cardinal.
Tennessee is led by 6-2 junior guard Jordan Horston, who paces the team in scoring (15.1 ppg.) and assists (3.9 apg.), while ranking second in rebounding (9.4 rpg.) in a breakout season.
Horston is second on the team with five double-doubles and has topped UT in scoring six times.
Alexus Dye, a 6-0 forward, is second among active UT players in scoring at 9.8 ppg. She is third in rebounding at 8.5 rpg.
Tamari Key, a 6-6 junior center, is putting up 9.5 ppg. and 9.5 rpg. to go along with 3.7 bpg. She had a triple-double of 10 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks in UT’s 74-70 OT victory over No. 12/21 Texas and her block average currently ranks No. 1 all-time among Lady Vols in a season and No. 4 in the nation. Key leads Tennessee with six double-doubles thus far, including four in the past six games.
Reserve freshman guard/forward Sara Puckett is UT’s fourth-leading scorer. She is putting up 9.2 ppg. and is shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 40.0 percent on threes and 81.3 percent on free throws and has scored in double figures in the past four games and in five of the last six.
Graduate forward/center Keyen Green, graduate guard Jordan Walker and sophomore guard/forward Tess Darby average 7.0, 6.8 and 4.1 ppg., respectively, with Walker and Darby starting alongside Key, Horston and Dye.
Freshman point guard Brooklynn Miles is UT’s eighth active player averaging double-figure minutes at 21.7, and she was effective as a ball-handler and defender before becoming a scorer in game nine. She hit for a season-high 11 points vs. Georgia State on Dec. 12, hitting three of five field goal attempts.
With career-best and double-figure efforts vs. ETSU, Karoline Striplin and Kaiya Wynn boosted their scoring averages to 4.1 and 3.4 ppg., respectively.
UP NEXT: SEC OPENER ON THURSDAY
Tennessee plays its fifth of five straight December home games on Thursday, as Alabama comes to town to open SEC play.
The Lady Vols and Crimson Tide will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 30 in the final game of 2021 for both programs. The contest will be streamed on SECN+.
LOOKING BACK AT THE LAST GAME
No. 7/9 Tennessee took a commanding victory over in-state foe ETSU on Dec. 28, winning 112-58 in Thompson-Boling Arena before entering the holiday break.
The score reflected UT’s highest point total since claiming a 131-69 triumph against Troy on Dec. 6, 2017, and is the most points scored in a single game during head coach Kellie Harper‘s tenure.
Six Tennessee (10-1) players were in double figures, led by freshman Sara Puckett, who turned in a career-high 19. Junior Tamari Key was close behind with 16 points, and Keyen Green finished with 13, while Karoline Striplin set a career high with 10. Freshman Kaiya Wynn recorded her first double-double as a Lady Vol with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and graduate Alexus Dye notched 11 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
Jakhyia Davis was the high scorer for ETSU (1-11) with 17 points, and Aaliyah Vananda tallied 12.
NOTABLES FROM OUR LAST GAME
SEEING DOUBLE: Freshman Kaiya Wynn and graduate Alexus Dye each recorded double-doubles against the Bucs. At least one Lady Vol has recorded a double-double in every game this season for a team total of 14 on the year.
DOMINATING THE PAINT: The Lady Vols scored a season-high 70 points in the paint and out-rebounded ETSU, 61-27. Tennessee has out-rebounded its opponent in 10 of 11 games this season and carded its sixth game of 50+ rebounds this season and second with 60 or more.
BALANCED ATTACK: On the night, the Lady Vols had six players in double figures. It marked the first time UT had done that since doing so against Murray State on Dec. 28, 2018. Every active Lady Vol scored at least two points and grabbed one or more rebounds.
BENCH BOOM: Tennessee’s bench tallied a whopping 74 of UT’s 112 points vs. ETSU. That’s at least the best of the post-Pat Summitt era, with research continuing prior to the 2007-08 season.
UT-UTC SERIES NOTES
This marks the 36th meeting between these University of Tennessee sister schools.
UT leads the series with Chattanooga, 27-8, but the Mocs have split the past four match-ups.
Both of those Tennessee losses came at UTC’s McKenzie Arena, including 80-71 on Nov. 9, 2012, and 67-63 on Nov. 26, 2014.
The Lady Vols were ranked #20/16 in 2012 and #4/5 in 2014.
Tennessee owns a 15-4 mark at home after the #4/5 Lady Vols beat UTC, 59-57, on Nov. 23, 2015.
The Lady Vols haven’t lost to Chattanooga in Knoxville since 1973.
Tennessee is 68-20-1 all-time vs. teams currently in the Southern Conference, including a 112-58 home victory over East Tennessee State on Dec. 20.
Kellie Harper and Jon Harper were assistant coaches on Wes Moore’s staff at Chattanooga from 2001-04 before Kellie was named head coach at Western Carolina.
The Mocs won three straight Southern Conference championships and went to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments during those years.
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA
The Mocs enter on a positive note after snapping a nine-game losing skid with a 62-51 win over UNC Asheville before the break.
Chattanooga is led by 6-foot-2 junior forward Abbey Cornelius, who puts up 14.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while hitting 46.6 percent from the field and 82.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Cornelius is one of six juniors on a squad featuring no seniors.
ABOUT THE HEAD COACH
The Mocs are led by Katie Burrows, who is 41-56 in her fourth year as head coach.
She spent the previous eight seasons as an assistant at UTC first with Wes Moore and then five seasons with Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Jim Foster.
Burrows led UTC to the 2019-20 SoCon title.
Kellie and Jon Harper were assistants at Chattanooga (2001-04) during part of Burrows’ (then Galloway) time there as a player for the Mocs.
LAST TIME THE MOCS PLAYED
Chattanooga put together a pair of runs to start each half and led wire-to-wire on Dec. 20 at The McKenzie Arena, defeating UNC Asheville, 62-51.
Dena Jarrells led all scorers with a career-best 19 points, making 8-of-11 from the field including a pair of 3-pointers. Abbey Cornelius recorded her third double-double of the year with 12 points and a season-best tying 16 rebounds. Brooke Hampel, who experienced early foul trouble, was 6-of-6 from the field with 13 points in just 16 minutes.
UTC got off to a 14-0 start and led 20-6 at the end of the first half.
WHEN UT AND UTC LAST MET
After leading by as many as 23 points, #4 UT had to fend off hard-charging Chattanooga, 59-57, on Nov. 23, 2015, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
After trailing by double figures for most of the night, the Mocs used a late 22-4 run to cut their deficit to two points three times in the fourth quarter. Tennessee was able to hold on, though, thanks to Diamond DeShields’ best game as a Lady Vol. The preseason All-American scored 17 points, including four of her team’s final six.
Sophomore Mercedes Russell scored in double figures for the fourth time in as many games with 13. Senior Bashaara Graves tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds for her third straight double-double.
KNOXVILLE – New Orleans Saints running back and former Tennessee Volunteer Alvin Kamara was named to the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, the league announced Wednesday night.
Credit: UT Athletics
Kamara, earning his fifth selection, has been named to the Pro Bowl in every season he has played in the league. This year, he has ran for 668 yards in 10 games, missing some time with an injury. He has punched in four touchdowns on the ground. He has added four receiving touchdowns and logged 348 yards through the air.
Kamara becomes the first player in Saints’ history to make the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On a night when he matched the program record for games played, super senior John Fulkerson posted a double-double to lead 19th-ranked Tennessee to a 77-73 victory against No. 6 Arizona in front of a raucous crowd at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday.
The Kingsport, Tennessee, native scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 10 boards while adding two assists in 30 minutes of action. Fulkerson, who made his 142nd appearance for the Vols, tied Wayne Chism for the most games played in program history.
Vols F John Fulkerson / Credit: UT Athletics
While not officially a triple-double, Fulkerson also drew 13 fouls as the Wildcats (11-1) struggled to guard him all game long. He made Arizona pay at the line, knocking down eight of his 11 free throws.
In a matchup between one of the nation’s top offenses and UT’s elite defense, the programs battled the entire 40 minutes of the game. Tennessee (9-2) entered the contest as the No. 2 team in the country in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, while Arizona’s 91.0 points per game led the nation.
The Vols’ stifling defense held the Wildcats, who entered the game at No. 1 in the NET rankings, to a season-low 73 points and kept them from ever taking the lead during the contest. UT forced 17 turnovers in the game behind eight steals and five blocks.
Santiago Vescovi scored 12 of his 15 points during the second half to help spark the Volunteer offense. He knocked down three 3-pointers and added five boards, one assist and one steal. Josiah-Jordan James posted an all-around performance with 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and one assist.
Justin Powell rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Big Orange with 11 points. He knocked down three free throws with 4:08 left in the game to push Tennessee’s lead to 66-62 and then iced the game with a free throw in the final seconds to make it a two-possession game.
Kennedy Chandler finished the game with eight points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals in a team-high 34 minutes of action.
After shooting just 28 percent from the field in the first half, Arizona came out on fire to begin the second frame. At the 15:45 mark, the Wildcats had nearly matched their scoring from the first half with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and four 3-pointers, cutting UT’s 13-point halftime lead to just four points.
The teams battled back and forth throughout the half, but the Wildcats continued clawing their way back into the game. A 14-2 swing by Arizona tied the game for the first time since the opening basket at 62-62 with 5:06 remaining.
With the momentum of the game on the line, Tennessee bent but never broke as the Vols weathered Arizona’s 58-percent shooting and seven threes during the second half. UT iced the game with 11 free throws made in the final five minutes, but Fulkerson was the difference-maker in the outcome, scoring seven of his 15 second-half points during that stretch to lead the Vols to the victory and hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season.
Tennessee opened the game scorching hot on both ends of the floor, shooting 8-of-12 from the field to jump out to an 18-5 lead with 13:56 left in the first half. Six different Vols scored during the stretch. A suffocating defensive effort by UT kept the Wildcats from gaining any momentum early on, as the Volunteers forced nine turnovers and held Arizona to 2-of-7 shooting during the first nine minutes of the game.
After Tennessee pulled ahead with a 26-11 advantage, Arizona rattled off a 10-0 run to cut the Volunteer lead to five with 1:40 left in the half. The Big Orange responded with a quick run of its own in the final minute to take a 34-21 lead into halftime.
The swing in momentum began when Fulkerson converted an and-one followed by a Vescovi 3-pointer. After a defensive rebound with eight seconds left, Chandler sprinted the floor while weaving his way around Wildcat defenders to earn a layup before time expired. Fulkerson led the Vols with nine points and four boards in the first stanza.
For the game, Tennessee shot 39 percent from the field and 67 percent from the charity stripe. UT knocked down seven threes and won the rebounding battle, 40-38.
UP NEXT: Tennessee opens SEC play with a road matchup against Alabama on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
VOLS ADD A TOP-10 WIN: With Wednesday’s win, Tennessee recorded its sixth win over a top-10 team during the Rick Barnes era, and first since a win at No. 6 Kentucky on March 3, 2020.
FULKERSON TIES GAMES PLAYED RECORD: Making his 142nd appearance as a Vol on Wednesday, super senior forward John Fulkerson tied Wayne Chism’s (2006-10) program record for career games played.
SHUTTING DOWN THE BIGS: Arizona’s roster features three players who are 6-foot, 11-inches or taller. The trio has been a major factor in the Wildcats’ success this season, averaging 36.5 points, 19.1 rebounds and 5.8 blocks. That accounted for 40 percent of their offense, 43 percent of their rebounding and 82 percent of their blocks. The Vols held the trio to a combined 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks on the night.
UT BIGS BY COMPARISON: Tennessee’s post duo of John Fulkerson and Olivier Nkamhoua made their presence felt all game long. In comparison to Arizona’s bigs, Fulkerson and Nkamhoua combined for 26 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. Fulky alone outscored Arizona’s big three by 12 points and nearly matched them in rebounds. Nkamhoua’s three blocks matched the Wildcats, which entered the contest ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game.
STELLAR START ON THE DEFENSIVE END: Tennessee held Arizona to just 21 first-half points on 7-for-25 (.280) shooting. The Wildcats’ previous low for points in a first half this season was 37. The Vols also forced Arizona to commit 12 first-half turnovers, just below the per game average of 12.5. For the game, UT held the Wildcats to 73 points, which was their lowest total of the season and 18 points below their yearly average.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the TransPerfect Music City Bowl drawing closer, the Vols are working hard before the holidays to prepare for their matchup in Nashville with Big 10 foe Purdue.
Tennessee tight ends Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren, along with cornerback Warren Burrell met with the media on Tuesday afternoon inside the Anderson Training Center to give an update on how bowl prep is coming along.
Vols TE Princeton Fant / Credit: UT Athletics
The tight end position has seen a massive uptick in production in the first season under head coach Josh Heupel with both Fant and Warren giving opposing defenses even more to think about during games.
“It definitely took a while to get used to, especially with the fast-paced offense that we have,” Fant said in regard to the Vols’ offense. “But I love the fact that we’re getting the ball, getting touches and showing what we can do as a tight end group, instead of just blocking. Blocking is one major role that tight ends do. We’re going to perfect on that, continue to block, continue to open up plays and doors for our running backs and for our quarterbacks. The main thing that I love the most is that we’re getting touches.”
Fant and Warren also talked about the dynamic they have with each other and how they have continued to help and support one another throughout the year.
“I think we both really enjoying playing with each other and playing alongside each other,” Warren said. “I think it’s unique, the way that we operate here, because we truly split. Each series that we go in there, you’ll see one of us in there, and then the next time we’re out there, it’ll be the other one.
“I’m really grateful for him, because he’s been great throughout the whole thing, not trying to be selfish about any reps. If he’s out there and he scores a touchdown or something, if you watch, I’m literally the first one running down there to celebrate with him, because I know he’d do it for me. I’ve just been blessed and been lucky to have a guy like him alongside.”
Fant echoed those sentiments when asked about his relationship with Warren.
“That’s a brotherhood, honestly. That’s my boy. We go to war together. We work hard together every day,” Fant said about playing alongside Warren. “He’s a special guy. He’s a smart player. We just go off of each other.
“He tells me what he sees out there when he’s out there and I tell him what I see when I’m out there. We work together and have helped bring the young guys in as well. That’s definitely my brother. We’re going to continue to compete and have fun out there.”
Bowl Game & 2022 Season Ticket Info Tennessee will conclude its 2021 campaign with a trip to Nashville for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET and tickets can be purchased by visiting the Music City Bowl’s website or by clicking HERE.
Existing season ticket holders can renew their tickets for the 2022 season now by visiting AllVols.com. Fans wishing to purchase new season tickets for the 2022 season can submit a request by clicking HERE.
Select player quotes from Tuesday’s media availability can be seen below and full videos can be found HERE.
On what areas of his game have improved the most this season… “I think I made a big jump, just in my confidence, my abilities and the way that I’m able to play on the field. I think I did a good job mentally this year, kind of taking in all the things that (the coaching staff) asks tight ends to do. Me and (Princeton Fant) both have made big strides there, being able to recognize a signal, get lined up and kind of help other guys if somebody’s lined up in the wrong area—being a leader and being a commander out there.”
On the working dynamic between him and Princeton Fant… “I think we both really enjoying playing with each other and playing alongside each other. I think it’s unique, the way that we operate here, because we truly split. Each series that we go in there, you’ll see one of us in there, and then the next time we’re out there, it’ll be the other one. I’m really grateful for him, because he’s been great throughout the whole thing, not trying to be selfish about any reps. If he’s out there and he scores a touchdown or something, if you watch, I’m literally the first one running down there to celebrate with him, because I know he’d do it for me. I’ve just been blessed and been lucky to have a guy like him alongside. I think that relationship is what could hopefully keep him to come play for us next year.”
On Hendon Hooker returning next season and what that means for the offense… “Obviously, that’s huge. I think that was the biggest question mark for our team in that little period of time when he was trying to decide what he wanted to do. I had this conversation last night, actually, about how (Joe Milton III) is one of the most talented quarterbacks I think I’ve ever seen. Physically, mentally, he’s a great competitor. I’m just excited that we’re going to continue to have that depth at that position, to where we can kind of trust both guys to roll in there and play. Hendon coming back is obviously huge for this program, and for me personally, because he likes to throw the ball to me. I’m happy for that.”
On what he’s learned from Alontae Taylor and how he has used that in his starting role this season… “I was blessed to have a number of people who showed me how to go about things, especially outside of football and the game. There’s a lot of other things that go into it, especially if you want to be a pro, which is what these guys ahead of me have shown me by what they’re doing now in their process. Somebody like Alontae Taylor, he kind of showed me the ins and outs of how to conduct myself, not just during the game, but during practice and during meetings. He showed me what to look for. Even with little things, there are certain things that go into it that a lot of people—including myself—didn’t quite realize, like what it takes to be on that level. I’ve been very blessed and grateful to have those types of people here.”
On Purdue’s passing game… “They do. They pass the ball a lot. They’re a good team. They’re a well-coached team. They make plays. For us, we go out there and play our game. We play the way we’re supposed to play. We see things on film, but we practice it. We go out there, trust our technique, trust one another and play for one another. We expect do to what we’re supposed to do.”
On how he would assess his play this season… “For me personally, I tend to be hard on myself. There are a lot of things I feel like I could have improved on. Those are things that I’m going to continue to work on to improve. It’s just a day-by-day process. You’re not going to be perfect. You’re not going to fix all of those adjustments overnight. It’s a day-by-day process. Each day during practice, meetings and lifts, I do it to the best of my ability. The results will show, eventually, if you keep at it. I’ve been focusing on that.”
On his relationship with fellow tight end Jacob Warren… “That’s a brotherhood, honestly. That’s my boy. We go to war together. We work hard together every day. He’s a special guy. He’s a smart player. We just go off of each other. He tells me what he sees out there when he’s out there and I tell him what I see when I’m out there. We work together and have helped bring the young guys in as well. That’s definitely my brother. We’re going to continue to compete and have fun out there.”
On his reaction to Tennessee being selected to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl and if he has had many ticket requests for the game… “It’s my hometown, so I’m very excited about that. I was looking at the bowls and trying to see which one we were going to. I was looking on the internet trying to find it. I’m very excited to go back to Nashville, play in my hometown and get a win. I had a lot of ticket requests. I have a lot of family that wants to come. My daughter’s actually going to be in attendance, so that’s something I’m grateful for. She gets to see her dad playing ball and doing something that he loves.”
On what he likes about how tight ends are used within Tennessee’s offense and how long it took him to become accustomed to it… “It definitely took a while to get used to, especially with the fast-paced offense that we have. But, I love the fact that we’re getting the ball, getting touches and showing what we can do as a tight end group, instead of just blocking. Blocking is one major role that tight ends do. We’re going to perfect on that, continue to block, continue to open up plays and doors for our running backs and for our quarterbacks. The main thing that I love the most is that we’re getting touches.”
