Stats/Story: Frigid shooting does in UT as #13 Vols lose to Texas Tech in OT, 57-52

Stats/Story: Frigid shooting does in UT as #13 Vols lose to Texas Tech in OT, 57-52

Posted on December 8, 2021

Box Score (PDF) 

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Plagued by a cold shooting performance, No. 13 Tennessee fell to Texas Tech in overtime Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, 57-52.
 
Despite holding Texas Tech (7-1) to 19-for-61 (.311) shooting, Tennessee (6-2) shot just 19-for-71 (.268) from the field for the game, including 6-for-40 (.150) from 3-point range.
 
John Fulkerson led the Vols in scoring with 10 points, also adding 10 rebounds and five blocks. Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler had nine points apiece.
 
Trailing 44-41 with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation, Josiah-Jordan James hit a 3-pointer from the right wing to send the game to overtime.

Tennessee vs Texas Tech / Credit: UT Athletics

In the overtime period, the Red Raiders outscored the Vols, 13-8.
 
After Zeigler made a layup to cut Texas Tech’s lead to 38-35 with 11:50 remaining in the second half, the two teams combined to score just four total points through the 4:12 mark—with zero made field goals. In total, 8:12 of game time elapsed between Zeigler’s layup and the next made field goal—a dunk by Bryson Williams that gave Texas Tech a 41-38 lead.
 
Tennessee tied the game at 41 and snapped its cold stretch from the field with a 3-pointer from Vescovi at the 1:55 mark. Prior to Vescovi’s make, the Vols were 0-for-16 from 3-point range in the second half.
 
Following Vescovi’s three, Texas Tech added a pair of free throws from Kevin McCullar with 1:26 left and then one more on a 1-for-2 performance at the line from Terrence Shannon with 37 seconds remaining. Tennessee then sent the game to overtime on James’ 3-pointer.
 
For more than 16 minutes of the back-and-forth first half, neither team led by more than five points—until a fast break and-one layup by Shannon kickstarted a 10-1 Texas Tech run that gave the Red Raiders a 28-20 lead.
 
After Tennessee entered the halftime break trailing by four at 29-25, Texas Tech scored a quick five points to open the second half to extend its lead to 34-25.
 
Facing its largest deficit of the game, Tennessee responded with a 6-0 run to cut the TTU lead back down to three at 34-31.
 
UP NEXT: Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena for the first of two consecutive home games on Saturday against UNC Greensboro. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

-UT Athletics

For VFL Al Wilson, College Football Hall of Fame a “Team Honor”

For VFL Al Wilson, College Football Hall of Fame a “Team Honor”

Posted on December 8, 2021

LAS VEGAS – Stories of Al Wilson’s steadfast leadership during his legendary Tennessee football career have reverberated through campus and Neyland Stadium for two decades. On Tuesday, hours prior to accepting the biggest accolade of his Volunteer career, he credited his College Football Hall of Fame induction to the cornerstone of each of those Wilson leadership tales – the team.

Wilson will be formally enshrined into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2021 at the annual National Football Foundation Awards Dinner at ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. It will be carried live on ESPN3 at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday.

VFL Al Wilson / Credit: UT Athletics

“It means the world to me as a player to have the opportunity to represent my teammates,” he said. “It’s an emotional thing too because at the end of the day it is a team sport. We do it as a team. I told my teammates that this award has my name on it, but it represents us as a team. To be a part of something like that and be the representative for that (1998) team, it’s one of the most amazing feelings I can imagine. It also was humbling and something I take with great pride.”

Wilson is the 25th Vol to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and first since Peyton Manning in 2017. Of the 25 inductees, 21 were enshrined as players and four as coaches. The 25 inductees are the most in the SEC and sixth-most nationally.

Wilson was a consensus first-team All-American in 1998 from the perfect 13-0 Vols squad that won the inaugural BCS National Championship at the Fiesta Bowl against Florida State. He also guided Tennessee to three other bowl games, including consecutive wins at the Citrus Bowl in 1996 and 1997. During his career in Knoxville, Wilson led the Vols to back-to-back Southeastern Conference titles (1997, 1998) and four top 10 finishes (No. 3 in 1995, No. 9 in 1996, No. 7 in 1997 and No. 1 in 1998).

A finalist for the 1998 Nagurski Trophy, the 1998 team captain posted 12 tackles and a school-record three forced fumbles in the Vols’ win over No. 6 Florida that season. The heart of the UT defense, the linebacker tallied 77 tackles during the undefeated campaign despite missing three games to injury.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Wilson reflected on the challenges it took to be perfect in a season full of adversity. 

“When you have a ton of talent on the field, sometimes you bump heads,” he said. “It’s just one of those situations where you have to pull the best out of one another. I had the opportunity to play with a lot of guys at the next level. We just found a way to get it done as a unit and as a team. To go 13-0 in college football is very hard to do. You have to have some good breaks go your way during the season. You just have to find a way to grind it out, and we found ways to do that.”

A 1999 Senior Bowl participant, Wilson finished his stellar career with 272 total tackles. The Jackson, Tennessee, native was enshrined in the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 and the state of Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

A first-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 1999 NFL Draft, Wilson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection while playing for the team from 1999-2006.

2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class
Harris Barton – OT, North Carolina (1983-86)
David Fulcher – DB, Arizona State (1983-85)
Rudy Hubbard – Head Coach, Florida A&M (1974-85)
Dan Morgan – LB, Miami (Fla.) (1997-2000)
Carson Palmer – QB, Southern Cal (1998-2002)
Tony Romo – QB, Eastern Illinois (1999-2002)
Kenneth Sims – DT, Texas (1978-81)
C.J. Spiller – RB/KR, Clemson (2006-09)
Darren Sproles – RB, Kansas State (2001-04)
Bob Stoops – Head Coach, Oklahoma (1999-2016)
Aaron Taylor – OT, Notre Dame (1990-93)
Andre Tippett – DE, Iowa (1979-81)
Al Wilson – LB, Tennessee (1995-98)

Tennessee All-Time College Football Hall of Famers (year inducted)
Doug Atkins, T (1985)
George Cafego, QB (1969)
Steve DeLong, G (1993)
Doug Dickey, Coach (2003)
Bobby Dodd, QB (1959; elected as a coach at Georgia Tech in 1993)
Nathan Dougherty, T (1967)
Frank Emanuel, LB (2004)
Beattie Feathers, B (1955)
Phillip Fulmer, Coach (2012)
Herman Hickman, G (1959)
Bob Johnson, C (1989)
Chip Kell, G (2006)
Steve Kiner, LB (1999)
Hank Lauricella, TB (1981)
Johnny Majors, TB (1987)
Peyton Manning, QB (2017)
Gene McEver, HB (1954)
John Michels, G (1996)
Ed Molinski, G (1990)
Robert R. Neyland, Coach (1956)
Bob Suffridge, G (1961)
Reggie White, DT (2002)
Al Wilson, LB (2021)
Bowden Wyatt, E (1972)
Bowden Wyatt, Coach (1997) 

-UT Athletics

Three Vols Named to Coaches All-SEC Teams

Three Vols Named to Coaches All-SEC Teams

Posted on December 8, 2021

2021 Coaches All-SEC Teams

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee had three players named to the Coaches All-SEC teams, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

Velus Jones Jr., Theo Jackson and Cade Mays were each named to All-SEC postseason teams for the first time in their careers. It marked the second time in three seasons that the Vols had at least three players named to the postseason All-SEC teams by the league’s coaches.

Velus Jones Jr, Cade Mays & Theo Jackson – Vols football / Credit: UT Athletics

Jones earned first-team honors as an all-purpose player and a return specialist. He is just the second player to earn All-SEC first-team accolades since 2016, joining VFL and current starter for the Kansas City Chiefs, Trey Smith (2019 & 2020). Jones is the first Vol to earn all-conference honors as an all-purpose player since Evan Berry in 2015.

The Saraland, Alabama, native has been one of Tennessee’s top weapons on offense and in the return game this season. Jones is the only player in the nation with 700-plus receiving yards (722), 500-plus kickoff return yards (506) and 200-plus punt return yards (272). He ranks third in the SEC in all-purpose yards, averaging 126.3 per game.

A dynamic return man as well, Jones leads the SEC in punt return average (16.0) and ranks second in kickoff return average (28.1). His 2,851 career kickoff return yards lead all active FBS players. The redshirt senior was named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after recording his second-career kickoff return for a touchdown in a 60-14 win against South Alabama on Nov. 20.

Jones has also had a career year on the offensive side of the ball, setting career highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (722) and touchdown catches (six), all of which rank second on the team and top 12 in the SEC.

Jackson earned All-SEC second team recognition at defensive back after turning in the best season of his collegiate career. The super senior led all SEC defensive backs with a career-high nine tackles for loss and ranked third in the league with 12 passes defended, which was also a career high. The Nashville native set career bests in tackles (73) and sacks (1.5), as well.

Jackson capped the regular season with his first-career pick six, intercepting a first-quarter pass against Vanderbilt and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in a 45-21 Tennessee victory on Senior Day.

Mays joined Jackson as a second-team selection after being named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this season following standout performances in wins at Missouri and Kentucky. The Knoxville native helped anchor the Vols’ offensive line as the team’s starting right tackle. According to PFF.com, Mays was the Vols’ highest-graded offensive lineman this season and allowed just one sack and five pressures in 493 offensive snaps played.

With Mays leading the way on the o-line, Tennessee finished the year ranked fourth in the SEC and 16th nationally in total offense (459.0 ypg). UT’s rushing attack was especially effective, ranking third in the conference and 19th in the country with 212.0 rushing yards per contest. The Big Orange also ranked third in the league and ninth in the FBS in scoring offense, averaging 38.8 points per game.

To see the full Coaches All-SEC teams, click HERE.

Tennessee will conclude its 2021 campaign with a trip to Nashville to take on Purdue in 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.
 

2021 Tennessee Postseason Honors

P Paxton Brooks
CoSIDA Academic All-District III – First Team

DL Matthew Butler
CoSIDA Academic All-District III – First Team

DB Theo Jackson
Coaches All-SEC – Second Team (Defensive Back)

WR/RS Velus Jones Jr.
Coaches All-SEC – First Team (All-Purpose, Return Specialist)
Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee

OL Cade Mays
Coaches All-SEC – Second Team (Offensive Line)

DB Alontae Taylor
Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee

-UT Athletics

Gary Allan Shares That “She Said Yes!!!”

Gary Allan Shares That “She Said Yes!!!”

Posted on December 8, 2021

Congrats to Gary Allan and his longtime girlfriend Molly Martin – as they are now engaged!

On a very cold Monday (December 6th) night in Nashville at the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, Gary asked his girlfriend to be his wife…and Molly said “Yes!!!”

Making a special night even more precious, it turns out that Gary also designed the ring with the help of his friends at MarCo Jewelers in PA.

Congrats to Gary & Molly!

For more pictures of the special night – check out Gary’s socials…

Photos Courtesy of Gary Allan

UT’s Sara Puckett Named SEC Freshman of the Week

UT’s Sara Puckett Named SEC Freshman of the Week

Posted on December 8, 2021

Tennessee guard/forward Sara Puckett has been named the SEC Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Tuesday.

Puckett averaged 10.0 points and 2.5 rebounds last week, as the No. 9/10 Lady Vols picked up a pair of wins that vaulted them into the AP top 10 for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

The 6-foot-2 freshman was sensational in UT’s win over RV/RV Virginia Tech, scoring a career-high 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and adding three rebounds to keep the Big Orange unbeaten at 8-0 and end the Hokies’ 63-game home-court win streak against non-conference opponents.

Sara Puckett – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

The rookie from Muscle Shoals, Ala., scored eight of her points in the decisive fourth quarter, spurring Tennessee to a 16-3 blitz over the final six minutes that enabled the Lady Vols to overcome a seven-point deficit and card their fourth final-quarter comeback of the season.

Puckett also was instrumental in keeping a surging Hokies squad within range during the second period before going to the bench with her second foul. Prior to departing, she scored seven points in the frame, including a spurt of three field goals, including a three-pointer, that lifted her team from six down to four ahead in the span of just over three minutes.

The UT reserve has scored in double figures in two of her past three games and has increased her season scoring average to 7.5 ppg. and her shooting percentage to 46.2.

Puckett and the Lady Vols are back in action on Sunday, as they begin a five-game home stand with a 2 p.m. contest vs. Georgia State at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are available at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

Vols in the NFL – Week 13 Update

Vols in the NFL – Week 13 Update

Posted on December 8, 2021

With the 12th week of NFL action in the books 24 of the 28 Tennessee Volunteers in the NFL still have their teams in the hunt for the Playoffs.

Trey Smith showed out on Sunday Night Football, helping his Chiefs to their fifth-consecutive victory. His powerful downfield run blocking was on full display for a national audience.

Trey Smith – Chiefs OL / Credit: UT Athletics

Cordarrelle Patterson continued his strong season rushing, totaling 78 yards on 13 carries.

Jakob Johnson played a critical role in New England’s 14-10 win on Monday night. As cold, windy and snowy conditions came down on Highmark Stadium, the Patriots ran the ball 46 times with only three pass attempts. Johnson helped the rushing offense amass 222 yards and delivered a key block on the only touchdown of the day for the Patriots.

Michael Palardy’s impressive special teams run for Miami continued, as he boomed a career-long 65 yarder and pinned another three punts inside the 20 in a 20-9 Dolphins win over the New York Giants.

A full list of Vols in the NFL and their week 13 highlights can be found below.

Derek Barnett – DE – Eagles
Posted one tackle in a win over the Jets where the Philadelphia defense posted a second half shutout

Marquez Callaway – WR – Saints
Caught one pass for 13 yards against Dallas on Thursday night

Justin Coleman – DB – Dolphins
Made two tackles in Miami’s fifth-straight win

Dustin Colquitt – P – Falcons
Did not play against Tampa bay

Morgan Cox – LS – Titans
Bye week

Jason Croom – TE – Eagles
Injured Reserve

Joshua Dobbs – QB – Steelers
Injured Reserve

Malik Jackson – DT – Browns
Bye week

Ja’Wuan James – OL – Ravens
Injured Reserve

Jauan Jennings – WR – 49ers
Pulled in one pass for eight yards against Seattle

Alexander Johnson – LB – Broncos
Injured Reserve

Jakob Johnson – FB – Patriots
Helped New England rush for 222 yards in a Monday night bout with Buffalo. Provided a key block on New England’s only score of the game, a 64-yard dash

Alvin Kamara – RB – Saints
Missed his fourth-straight game with an injury

Emmanuel Moseley – CB – 49ers
Recovered his first career fumble against Seattle

Michael Palardy – P – Dolphins
Boomed a season-long 65 yard punt and totaled six against the Giants. Averaged 48.3 yards per punt and pinned three of the six inside the 20

Joshua Palmer – WR – Chargers
Saw action in his 12th game of the season in a 41-22 win over Cincinnati

Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – Falcons
Posted 78 rushing yards on 13 attempts and caught three passes for 18 yards against Tampa Bay

Kyle Phillips – DL – Jets
Tallied one tackle against the Eagles

Jalen Reeves-Maybin – LB – Lions
Did not play against the Vikings

Trey Smith – OL – Chiefs
Started at right guard and played every down, helped the Chiefs to a 22-9 win over Denver on Sunday Night Football

Luke Stocker – TE – Vikings
Played in his seventh game of the season against Detroit

Cameron Sutton – CB – Steelers
Wrestled down three tackles and held Baltimore to only 19 points in a down-to-the-wire victory

Darrell Taylor – DE – Seahawks
Made three stops in a 30-23 victory over the 49ers

Bryce Thompson – CB – Saints
Practice squad

Shy Tuttle – DL – Saints
Recorded one tackle on Thursday night against Dallas

Kendal Vickers – DE – Raiders
Did not play against Dallas

Nigel Warrior – DB – Seahawks
Did not play in the win over San Francisco

Ethan Wolf – TE – Saints
Practice Squad

-UT Athletics

ICYMI: Lady Vols Rise To No. 9 In AP Poll

ICYMI: Lady Vols Rise To No. 9 In AP Poll

Posted on December 8, 2021

On the strength of an impressive 8-0 start, the finest in Kellie Harper‘s 18 years as a collegiate head coach, the Tennessee women’s basketball program has cracked the AP top 10 this week as the No. 9 team in the nation.
 
The Lady Vols, who already have three wins this season vs. teams who are in the top 25 or receiving votes, picked up their latest triumph on Sunday with a 64-58 win at RV/RV Virginia Tech.  That effort, which snapped Tech’s 63-game home court win streak vs. non-conference foes, helped propel UT into the AP’s top 10 for the first time since the Dec. 31 poll in 2018 and to its highest ranking since standing at No. 9 that season in the Dec. 17 poll.

Credit: UT Athletics


Despite losing returning starter Marta Suárez to injury before the season even began and another in All-America candidate Rae Burrell in the year’s first contest, Harper has molded her squad into a gritty unit that seems to play its best when under pressure. UT used a 16-3 closing run to come from seven-down with 6:01 to play on Sunday vs. the Hokies, carding its fourth final-quarter rally of the season.
 
Also, this season, UT overcame a final-frame deficit of 11 to beat No. 12/21 Texas, flipped a six-point margin vs. No. 23/22 South Florida and trailed Southern Illinois by five before bouncing back from that challenge and the loss of Burrell in the season-opening contest.
 
Since taking over in 2019-20, Harper has put her own touches on the program and built a foundation for success by recruiting with exacting standards in mind. Those intentional efforts and the staff’s tutelage of players who embrace being coached, are paying off with UT earning one win over a ranked program (Notre Dame) in her first season and four a year ago, including a victory over a No. 2/3-ranked South Carolina squad. She already has guided Tennessee to triumphs over two ranked foes in 2021-22.
 
Tennessee begins a five-game home stand on Sunday, as Georgia State comes to Thompson-Boling Arena for a 2 p.m. contest (SECN+). Defending NCAA champion Stanford, ranked No. 4 in this week’s AP Poll, travels to Knoxville for a 5:15 p.m. showdown on The Summitt on Dec. 18 (ESPN2). Tickets are available at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

Blake Shelton’s the People’s Choice for The Country Artist of 2021

Blake Shelton’s the People’s Choice for The Country Artist of 2021

Posted on December 8, 2021

Congrats to Blake Shelton who walked away with the People’s Choice Award for The Country Artist of 2021.

Blake thanked everyone by saying, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. best fans in the world!!! This award means so much to me because it came from y’all. Love y’all and thank you People’s Choice Awards!!!!”

This is Blake’s 4th consecutive win in the category The Country Artist of (Insert Year Here), which was the format that was adopted at 44th Annual People’s Choice Awards in 2018.

Before that, the people had the choice for voting for Favorite Male Country Artist, Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Group.

In 2017, at the 43rd Annual People’s Choice Awards Blake won Favorite Male Country Artist, Carrie Underwood won Favorite Female Country Artist and Little Big Town won Favorite Country Group.

At the 42nd People’s Choice Awards Blake won the Favorite Male Country Artist for the first time, taking over for Hunter Hayes who won it the year before.

Along with accepting his 6th trophy at the People’s Choice Awards, Blake Shelton performed his latest single at country radio for the people – “Come Back As A Country Boy.”

Photo Credit: Todd Stefani

Carly Pearce Performed “29” on The Voice

Carly Pearce Performed “29” on The Voice

Posted on December 8, 2021

On this week’s episode of NBC’s The Voice, during the Top 8 eliminations performances, Carly Pearce took the stage to sing “29” – the title track to her very personal EP of the same name, and her album 29: Written In Stone.

After her appearance on the show, Carly shared, “I wrote this song during a season of my life that felt like the end. Tonight, I saw the redemption & the BEAUTY in the reason I wrote it. Thank you to The Voice for having me tonight. A night I’ll never forget.”

Check out Carly Pearce’s performance of “29” here…

Photo Credit: Allister Ann

Chris Young & Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends” – Billboard’s Most Played Country Song in 2021

Chris Young & Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends” – Billboard’s Most Played Country Song in 2021

Posted on December 8, 2021

Congrats to Chris Young and Kane Brown as their hit “Famous Friends” was named Billboard’s Most Played Country Song in 2021.

After hearing the news, Chris Young shared, “It’s pretty incredible when you get to write/record/produce a song that not only makes people want to sing along with you at concerts, but also becomes the most played ‘Billboard’ country song of the entire year.”

He adds, “I couldn’t be any happier that ‘Famous Friends’ will go into the record books for this, and that I get to celebrate it alongside my buddy Kane Brown.”

Before they were “Famous Friends” Chris was Kane’s musical idol, and he used to make YouTube videos of himself singing Young’s music.

So, in many ways, Kane still can’t believe that he’s friends with Chris, “Yeah that was one of the things before anybody even knew who I was, I just kept covering his songs and I wanted him to notice me so bad. The first time I met him, I met his mom as well, and I remember her telling me, ‘we knew about you before anybody else.’ Somebody hit him up whenever I put ‘Gettin’ You Home’ on YouTube. She listened to it and then showed Chris. Now just getting to write with him whenever, it’s just surreal.”

Chris returns the compliment by talking about working with Kane on their duet, “Kane’s awesome. You know, I got lucky that even before he had his deal at Sony, he and I were writing together, and I was getting a chance to know him. It’s been amazing…you know, I had him out on my tour right when he just really blew up and getting love from all directions for everything he does. I couldn’t be more proud to call him a friend, and I love that the reaction is just through the roof with this one.”

When it comes to the track, Chris shares the story behind the track, “Kind of give it that new spin on a small town, or just your hometown song, and the people that you grew up with. That whole idea kind of morphed into this song. I sent it to Kane, just over text message, and he said he wanted to be part of it. And, it really has just taken a life all its own.”

“Famous Friends” topped the Billboard country music airplay chart in mid-July…and now it’s named Billboard’s most played song of the year.

Photo Credit: Jeff Johnson

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