Vols Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks spoke with media after spring practice #3.
WATCH: Tim Banks “We want to put our players in position to play fast”
WATCH: Kodi Burns “They are playing with a sense of urgency we’re looking for”
Vols Wide Receiver Coach Kodi Burns spoke with media after spring practice #3.
Chase Rice & FGL Have a Decade of Drinkin’, Talking’, and Being Friends
Chase Rice reunited with his buddies Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line for his track “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”
Chase says the trio’s friendship goes back more than a decade, “Brian, Tyler and I used to live in a house together 10 years ago and we wrote a bunch of songs back then, so it’s really cool to be doing music for the first time in 10 years. It’s a really special song.”
Chase shares how Brian and Tyler got involved with the song, “I actually wrote this song with Cale Dodds, Hunter Phelps and Corey Crowder, who’s FGL’s producer, so he obviously played the song for them and they loved it from the get-go.”
Tyler Hubbard says, “This song really just means a lot to us, because it’s real… you know? It’s a story, it’s a song about the life that we live and what happens a lot of times when we get together and we’re reminiscing about life and talking about where we’re at, what we’re going through. Having a few drinks, and you know, just being real.”
Brian Kelley adds, “I’ll never forget the day this song landed in a text message from Chase to myself and Tyler and he said ‘hey boys, we gotta hop on this song. Let’s produce it together, let’s record it, let’s put it out, see what happens.’ Ya know, the first time I heard it, I was like ‘yo this song’s a hit, this song feels big it’s spiritual, it’s powerful, it’s kinda like a party song. It’s got all these emotions and all these feelings in it.’ And already was drawn to it just by the title alone.”
When it came to making the video for the track, Chase says it couldn’t have been easier if they tried, “This video was really cool to film because we weren’t acting or remembering lines — we were just hanging out on my farm as real friends enjoying the night together.”
Check out the music video for “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen” – from Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line.
Photo Courtesy of BBR Music Group
Gabby Barrett Checks In on “The Good Ones” From the Couch
Gabby Barrett has been in mom mode since she gave birth to her daughter back in January. As she, and her husband Cade Foehner, have been home taking care of their little one, Gabby’s song “The Good Ones” has been climbing the country music airplay chart.
But this week, Gabby reappeared…at least on social media, and shared a selfie with the comment, “Wanted to jump on here right quick because I heard “The Good Ones” is climbing in the Top 5 on the Country Radio Chart. AMAZING!!!!!! So happy y’all love this song as much as I do. Thank you Country Radio always, and thank you fans! Sending my love from the couch, smelling like spoiled milk!”
Fans might be seeing more of Gabby again in a few weeks as she is a multiple ACM Award nominee — so, maybe a little acceptance speech from the couch?
We’ll have to wait and see if she takes home the trophy for New Female Artist of the Year, or Single of the Year for her mega-smash hit “I Hope,” as the ACM Awards air Sunday April 18th on CBS.
As for her current hit song, check out the music video for “The Good Ones” from Gabby Barrett right here…
Headline Photo Credit: Robby Klein
Additional Photo Courtesy of Gabby Barrett
Dan + Shay Appear on The Voice as Team Blake Shelton Advisors
Normally Blake Shelton is the lone representation of country music on The Voice, but this week he has some back-up!
First, Kelsea Ballerini is stepping in temporarily to help out as Kelly Clarkson isn’t feeling well.
Second, Blake pulled some strings got Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney to come in as advisors for his team this season.
Dan + Shay shared, “not sure if The Voice knew what they were getting themselves into when we were asked to join Blake Shelton’s team as advisors this season.”
You can get a taste of what the duo did in their role when they appeared on the hit NBC show in this advisors reveal video…
Headline Photo Credit: Catherine Powell
Additional Photo Courtesy of Dan + Shay
Kelsea Ballerini Steps Into Kelly Clarkson’s Chair on The Voice (Temporarily)
When Kelly Clarkson fell ill and couldn’t fulfilled her judging duties on NBC’s The Voice, she reached out to her friend Kelsea Ballerini to step in.
Kelsea chronicled her turn in the judging chair, saying, “an incredible whirlwind sitting in for my girllll Kelly Clarkson for the next few weeks of battle rounds on The Voice starting tonight! and let me say, ITS THE TALENT THIS SEASON FOR ME. #teamkelly”
While Kelsea has appeared on the show previously as a advisor – for Kelly’s team – it’s a different story being the one making the decisions — like making this steal during The Voice Battles
Some of the fun she had with fellow judges Jon Legend, Nick Jonas and of course, Blake Shelton, was captured in The Voice‘s promo announcing that she stepped in for Kelly…
For the full episode of The Voice featuring Kelsea Ballerini, Click HERE
Photos Courtesy of Kelsea Ballerini
Baseball Preview: #6 Vols Cap Homestand vs. Western Carolina
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 6 Tennessee will look to keep rolling after a 4-0 showing last week, as a tough Western Carolina team visits Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Volunteers have won five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games entering Tuesday’s contest with the Catamounts. UT swept No. 14 LSU last weekend, marking just their second series sweep over the Tigers in program history.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Relying on the expertise of public health authorities, the state of Tennessee, appropriate university and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are implementing a number of new initiatives at Tennessee Baseball gamedays this spring. The well-being of our student-athletes, fans and staff are our top priorities and guide our decisions. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.
The Southeastern Conference in August released several conference-wide fan health and safety guidelines for all member institutions this fall. The Tennessee-specific measures outlined on this page are in line with, and in addition to, the SEC’s guidelines.
Parking
Baseball parking is located primarily in Lots GF1, G16, and C1.
Additional on-street parking is located in C10 along Todd Helton Dr. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and along West Volunteer Blvd.
Handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt St. and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd. garage. The 2021 parking map can be seen HERE (PDF).
For more information and gameday info, visit the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page by clicking HERE.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for this season are sold out. There are limited seating options still available for select games in the Porch and Deck areas. Fans should contact Maggie Coates at 865-974-9579 or [email protected] for more information.
Single game tickets may be available for select games based on visiting team ticket returns. Fans are encouraged to call the Ticket Office at 865-656-1200 for individual game availability. For weekend series, please contact the Ticket Office on Fridays before 5:00 p.m. Single-game tickets can also be purchased through Vivid Seats by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible during a season with limited capacity, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE), sell them on VividSeats (Instructions HERE) or participate in our new Seats for Student program (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday’s game will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Fans can also listen to the official Vol Network radio call on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990), as well as UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app. John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will call the action.
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tennessee leads, 22-7
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 16-4
In Cullowhee: Tennessee leads, 5-3
Neutral Sites: Tennessee leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: W, 17-3 (March 27, 2018)
Tennessee has won the last five meetings in the series, including a pair of victories in 2018. WCU has not beaten the Vols in Knoxville since a 14-9 victory back in 2010.
NOTABLE
Keeping Knoxville Clean
With last weekend’s sweep over No. 14 LSU, the Vols recorded their fourth series sweep of the year, marking their most in a season since sweeping six opponents in 2004. Prior to last weekend’s series, Tennessee had swept the Tigers just once in program history (2008).
Starting SEC Play Strong
With the series sweep over LSU, Tennessee is now 5-1 in SEC games this year, its best start in conference play since 2001 when it started 8-1. It is also the first time the Vols have won each of their first two conference series since 2001 when they swept Florida and took two of three from South Carolina.
Walk-Off Wins
Tennessee posted back-to-back walk-off wins on Sunday against LSU. Drew Gilbert hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of the first game and Luc Lipcius singled with the bases loaded in the series finale to give UT its fourth walk-off victory of the season. All four of the Vols’ walk-off wins have come in extra innings, where they are 5-0 this season and have won six straight extra-inning games dating back to 2019.
Russell Ties Home Run Record
Senior outfielder Evan Russell had an historic performance in Tennessee’s Game 2 victory over the Tigers. The Lexington, Tennessee, native tied the program’s single-game home run record after hitting three bombs in the Vols’ 9-8 victory. Russell became the fifth player in program history to accomplish the feat and the first since 2009. He also set a new career high with five RBI in the win.
Three Homer Games (UT History)
Evan Russell vs. LSU (March 27, 2021)
Cody Hawn vs. Ohio (March 6, 2009)
Todd Helton vs. Arkansas (March 25, 1995)
Alan Cockrell vs. Austin Peay (March 16, 1983)
Rusty Ensor vs. Vanderbilt (April 2, 1981)
OPPONENT SCOUT
Western Carolina Catamounts
- 2021 Record: 13-4 (2-0 SoCon)
- Rankings: Not Ranked
- 2019 Postseason: N/A
- Head Coach: Bobby Moranda (14th season) // Has led the Catamounts to a pair of Southern Conference regular-season championships and a SoCon Tournament title in 2016.
- Predicted SoCon Finish: T-5th (Coaches) // 6th (Media)
- Preseason All-SoCon Selections: Zach Franklin (1st Team – RP), Luke Robinson (1st Team – C), Justice Bigbie (1st Team – OF)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Daniel Walsh (.407)
- Runs: Justice Bigbie (29)
- Hits: Luke Robinson (27)
- Home Runs: Justice Bigbie/Luke Robinson (5)
- RBI: Daylan Nanny (22)
- Stolen Bases: Justice Bigbie/Daylan Nanny/Daniel Walsh (4)
- Wins: Zebby Matthews (4)
- ERA (min. 15.0 IP): Davis Tyndall (1.20)
- Innings Pitched: Zebby Matthews (31.0)
- Strikeouts: Zebby Matthews (30)
- Notable: Lead the nation in on-base percentage (.445) and rank second in the country in runs per game (9.7).
GAME PROMOTIONS
Upcoming promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
ON DECK
The Vols head to Tuscaloosa to square off against the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
-UT Athletics
No. 21 Lady Vols Rally Past Furman Twice for Monday Doubleheader Sweep
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A set of explosive sixth innings and some late inning heroics in the circle from junior gunslinger Ashley Rogers pushed the No. 21 Tennessee softball team past Furman twice on Monday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Tennessee (25-5) combined for 14 runs in the afternoon’s collective sixth innings to send Furman (6-14) home with two losses.
Seven Lady Vols tallied multiple hits across the two games, with Chelsea Seggern finishing the day as the most consistent member of the Orange & White, going 4-for-7 at the dish, with two doubles and two runs scored.
Game One Tennessee 11 Furman 4
Tennessee was slow out of the gates, but used a punishing late offensive effort and some good late efforts in the circle to power past Furman in game one.
Graduate student Cailin Hannon and junior Ally Shipman led the way for UT at the dish, combining for seven RBI and five hits.
Shipman went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double to add some insurance to the Lady Vols late lead.
Monday’s game one win was also the first time the Orange & White didn’t have a single batter strike out.
Furman threw the opening punch with a Claire Ginder solo shot to center in the top half of the first inning, giving the Paladins a quick, 1-0 lead.
In the next inning, Furman tacked on two more to extend its lead to 3-0 on a pair of miscues at second base.
In the home half of the second, the Lady Vols got on the board on a sac fly from Shipman to center to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Two innings later, Furman went yard again in the fifth, this time off the bat of Emily Bartlett to put the Paladins back up by three runs.
Over the final two innings, the Lady Vols exploded for 10 runs to nearly end game one in run rule fashion.
The Orange & White’s comeback was highlighted by Hannon’s sixth inning grand slam with the scored even at 4-4 with no outs.
UT tacked on three more runs in the inning, before Ashley Rogers slammed the door to give UT its 24th win of 2021.
Game Two Tennessee 7 Furman 2
The afternoon’s second contest was a pitchers’ duel for the first four innings, with Furman grabbing a pair of runs to hold a two-run lead heading into the fifth inning.
In the fifth, senior Amanda Ayala ripped a double to left field to bring put UT on the board, while cutting the Paladins’ lead in half.
In the sixth inning the Lady Vols posted a six-piece to take a 7-2 lead into the nights final inning.
Senior Ivy Davis got things going with a massive two-out, two-run shot to left field with Milloy on second to give UT its first lead of the second contest.
West and Ayala followed with two RBI doubles to add four more runs to the UT total, before Rogers fort the second consecutive game shut Furman down to give Tennessee the doubleheader sweep.
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns to action on Tuesday afternoon for a single mid-week encounter with another ASUN foe, Liberty. First pitch from Sherri Parker Lee stadium is slated for 3 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
-UT Athletics
PHOTO GALLERY: Vols Football Spring Practice #2
Here are some images from UT’s second spring football practice, courtesy of Tennessee Athletic Communications.
Tennessee Spring Practice 2
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - The Tennessee Volunteers after practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Quarterbacks Coach Joey Halzle of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Defensive lineman Omari Thomas #58 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Wide receiver Jimmy Calloway #9 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Linebackers Coach Brian Jean-Mary of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Linebacker Aaron Beasley #24 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Quarterback Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Running back Marcus Pierce #28 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garner of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Defensive lineman Matthew Butler #94 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Alex Golesh of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Offensive lineman Cade Mays #68 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Wide Receivers Coach Kodi Burns of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
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- KNOXVILLE, TN - March 27, 2021 - Secondary Coach Willie Martinez of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Hunley Earns SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week Honors
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee senior Sean Hunley has been named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon.
Hunley shared the honor with Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter after an impressive series against No. 14 LSU last weekend. The veteran right hander played a hand in all thee of the Vols victories over the Tigers.
The Mount Juliet, Tennessee, native picked up his second save of the season in Friday’s series opener after tossing two innings of shutout relief to finish out a 3-1 victory. Hunley then earned back-to-back wins out of the bullpen in Games 2 and 3 to help lead UT to just its second series sweep against the Tigers in program history.
Hunley is the 18th player in program history to earn SEC Pitcher of the Week honors and the first since Garrett Stallings, who did it twice in 2019.
Hunley got the Vols out of a jam in the top of the 11th inning in Game 2, striking out Jordan Thompson to strand the go-ahead run at second base. Drew Gilbert went on to hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning to win the game.
In the series finale, Hunley was called on to get the Vols out of some more trouble with the go-ahead run at second base in a 2-2 game. He went on to strike out Brody Drost to stand two runners on base and keep the game tied at two. Hunley ended up finishing the game, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two batters to earn his fourth win of the year.
Hunley is now tied for the team lead in wins this season, sporting a perfect 4-0 record, and has not allowed an earned run in his last five appearances, a span of 10.1 innings pitched.
-UT Athletics
Country News
“I’m The Problem” Now Among Six Longest-Leading Country Airplay No. 1s, And Morgan Wallen Has Three Of Them
Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m The Problem’ Spends Third Straight Week At No. 1 On Billboard 200
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