Statement From Tennessee Athletics and Head Football Coach Jeremy Pruitt
Statement From Tennessee Athletics
UT graphic / Credit: UT Athletics
“After receiving Sunday’s COVID-19 test results, the University of Tennessee football program has paused all team activities and will be unable to compete in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The test results revealed an increase in positive cases among student-athletes and staff and subsequent contact tracing. The decision was made in consultation with health officials, the Southeastern Conference and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The student-athletes and staff affected are taking the appropriate safety measures in accordance with University, CDC and local health department guidelines. The University of Tennessee extends its sincere appreciation to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the city of Memphis and is disappointed it will not be able to fulfill its commitment on New Year’s Eve.”
Statement From Tennessee Head Football Coach Jeremy Pruitt
“Earlier today, I was informed by our medical staff that I have tested positive for COVID-19, and I immediately began isolating at home. I am experiencing mild symptoms but doing fine. We are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but the health and safety of our student-athletes will always remain our top priority. I am especially proud of our team and medical staff in safely navigating through a unique season where we played all 10 of our regular-season games.”
Singer & songwriter K.T. Oslin has died at the age of 78.
Born Kay Tionette Oslin, from Crossett Arkansas, and raised in Mobile Alabama, she was known for her number-one songs “Do Ya,” “I’ll Always Come Back,” “Hold Me,” and “Come Next Monday.”
But it was K.T.’s 1987 hit “80’s Ladies” that became an anthem for women, and garnered her CMA, ACM and Grammy Award wins.
K.T. made history by becoming the first female songwriter in CMA Awards history to win CMA Song of the Year for “80s Ladies” in 1988. At that same awards show K.T. would also take home Female Vocalist of the Year.
At the ACM Awards K.T. was named Top New Female Vocalist in 1987, the same year “80’s Ladies” won Country Music Video of the Year. In 1988, she also won ACM Top Female Vocalist, and Album of the Year for This Woman.
Her Grammy wins include 1987’s Best Country Vocal Performance, Female (“80’s Ladies”), and double honors in 1988 as she won Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance for “Hold Me” in 1988
K.T. Oslin is also a two-time Hall of Famer. In 2014, she was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, and 2 years ago, she was voted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
K.T.’s health had been in decline over the last several years due to Parkinson’s disease, and she was living in an assisted-living facility since 2016. While she was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, right now, it is unclear if that contributed to her death.
Reba McEntire has a lot of great Christmas memories, but one that always comes to mind when she thinks of her childhood, is of her older brother, Pake.
Reba recalls, “The funniest thing I can always remember about Christmastime is my older brother Pake, when we were kids at home, he’d always be the first one to jump out of bed and run down the hall, and he’d just run down the hall with his underwear on. And he’d say, ‘If y’all don’t hurry up and get up and get in here, I’m opening all the presents by myself’ But he knew it was a standing rule we all had to be in there before anybody could open up a present, but I can still see Pake running down the hall.”
Two legends, one song. Reba covered Dolly Parton‘s “Hard Candy Christmas” a couple of years ago on the CMA Country Christmas special–check out that awesome performance right here…
Congrats to Parker McCollum who ends 2020 with his debut single, “Pretty Heart,” hitting the number-one spot on the country airplay charts.
Parker announced the news on social media, “We did it y’all! Just a kid from Conroe, TX who dreamed about playing country music now has the #1 song in the country this week!”
Parker also added “To have this song really and truly succeed on big time radio is a dream come true, and for it to happen during such an insanely crazy year makes it just that much more special.”
Check out the music video for “Pretty Heart,” which is from his EP Hollywood Gold, right here…
If you missed the CMA Country Christmas TV special when it aired last month, you have another chance to rock around the Christmas tree tonight (December 21st) as ABC will be broadcasting an encore presentation. (10 ET/ 9CT)
Hosted by Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins, you can check out holiday performances from Thomas, Gabby Barrett, Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker and Lady A, who performs this one…”Wonderful Christmastime”
People remember Christmases in their life for various reasons, but if you ask Tim McGraw to tell you about his most memorable, he’ll probably share one from when he was around 11-years old.
It was that Christmas that Tim lists as a “turning point” in his life…it was the year his mom gave him a little more responsibility.
Tim explains, “I think one thing that I remember as a kid that was sort of a turning point for me growing up for me is, I grew up with my mom and my two sisters. I remember being, I don’t know, probably 11 years old or so and my mom asking me to put together a doll house for my sisters. And that was the first time that I actually got to participate and, like, be the man of the house with my mom and put together all the Christmas stuff for my sisters. And that was sort of a big graduating to a young man, in my eyes, thing for me.”
While he’s probably not going to build any doll houses this year, both Tim and Faith Hill are very happy to have their 3 daughters all under the same roof, as this year is Tim and Faith’s first as “empty nesters” since their youngest daughter is now in college.
To celebrate everyone being home, Tim got the biggest Christmas tree ever! He shared pictures of the decorating process on social media…
Rockefeller Center called and said they want their tree back.
Between welcoming daughters home and decorating the tree, Tim also had time to give his fans a little present, and a thank you for all they did for him in 2020, by releasing his version of “It Wasn’t His Child.”
Check out his performance of the song from this year’s CMA Country Christmas special.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Lady Vols picked up their fourth home win of the season on Sunday, toppling UNCG in Thompson-Boling Arena, 66-40.
Tennessee (5-1) was led by senior Kasiyahna Kushkituah who finished with a season-high 13 points and four rebounds. Scoring and minutes were evenly spread amongst the Lady Vols with all 11 active players contributing at least two points to the victory and seven contributing five or more points. Every UT player saw at least 13 minutes of playing time, with the reserves netting valuable experience with the SEC schedule approaching.
UNCG (1-7) was led by Tori Powell who logged 16 points and four rebounds. Lily Izundu and Excellanxt Greer each pitched in six points.
Tennessee wasted no time getting on the board, winning the tip and going up 2-0 off a Rennia Davis layup just seven seconds into the competition. Davis followed it up with five more points before the media timeout, putting the Lady Vols up 7-3 with 4:35 remaining in the quarter. Immediately following the break, Destiny Salary came up with a steal that resulted in a Kushkituah layup in transition, setting off seven unanswered points before Izundu hit a jumper in the closing seconds of the quarter to make the score to 14-5, UT.
Tennessee spread the ball around in the opening minutes of the second period with Burrell, Tamari Key & Marta Suárez all hitting buckets to build UT’s lead to 20-7 three minutes in. Rhianna Council answered with a trey on the other end to put the Spartans in double digits. The teams traded baskets through the middle of the quarter until Davis, Tess Darby and Salary combined to fuel an 8-2 run that put UT up by 15 with 54 second left in the half. CeCe Crudup managed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, pulling UNCG within 12 at 31-19 at the break.
Jordan Horston kicked things off in the second half with a steal and a score, but Powell answered on the next possession with a trey for the Spartans. The Lady Vols built their lead up to 17 by the 5:46 mark off points from Suárez and Burrell. The Spartans rallied back with a Greer three with just over four minutes left in the period, but the Lady Vols closed out the quarter with an 8-2 run to lead 49-29 entering the final stanza.
The Spartans heated up from behind the arc, hitting three treys in the fourth quarter, but Tennessee closed out the game with an 11-0 run spanning the final 3:48 of the game to win 66-40.
Up Next: Tennessee will return to action on Monday, Dec. 28, hosting Lipscomb in a 7 p.m. contest that will be available for streaming on SECN+.
Lockdown Defense: UT held UNCG to five first-quarter points, tying for the seventh-fewest points scored in a quarter by a UT opponent. The Spartans’ 40 points for the game ranked as the fourth-fewest scored against Tennessee during the Kellie Harper era. The 27.8 percent field goal shooting by UNCG marked the sixth time in as many games that the Lady Vols have held foes under 40 percent. Only eight opponents in two seasons have surpassed that percentage.
Meaningful Minutes: Kellie Harper was hoping to get her reserves some meaningful minutes on Sunday, and she was able to accomplish that. Five players had season highs for minutes, and two of those Lady Vols posted career highs. Sophomore Tamari Key (18:05) Jessie Rennie (21:20) saw their most minutes this season, while sophomore Emily Saunders (15:24) and freshmen Destiny Salary (21:49) and Tess Darby (20:15) saw the most playing time of their careers.
Positive Turnover Trend: Despite playing a lot of different players and lineups, Tennessee committed a season-low 10 turnovers vs. UNCG. After posting 24 and 20, respectively, vs. ETSU and West Virginia, the Lady Vols have posted totals of 14, 15 and 10 in their last three contests.
Dishing The Rock: Tennessee recorded 27 field goals with 23 of those being assisted by another player. It marked the third time this season the Lady Vols have posted 20+ dimes in a game. Jordan Horston led UT with five, marking the third time in four games she has posted five or more.
Here are some pregame and in-game photos of the final regular game for UT from the home game vs. Texas A&M. Click on any image and scroll through all the images easily. Also, please view the station photo galleries in the Vols tab.
Texas A&M at Tennessee
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) is tackled by Texas A&M defensive back Brian George (16) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren (87) runs with the ball during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) defends Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) and Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren (87) celebrate a play during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) throws a pass during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell (4) and Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) tackled Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt walks onto the field to talk to players during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) runs the ball while defended by Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) poses for a photo with Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt before a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) poses for a photo with Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt before a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (73) poses for a photo with Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt before a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) celebrates a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) defends Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) tacklers Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Texas A&M linebacker Aaron Hansford (33) defends Tennessee defensive back Trel Riley (34) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee fans cheer in the stands during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) is defended by Texas A&M defenisve lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) tackles Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback J.T. Shrout (12) runs out of bounds while dodging an official during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) runs while defended by Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee linebacker Quavaris Crouch (27) tackles Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) is tackled during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback J.T. Shrout (12) warms up before a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt walks on the field before a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.
Here are some highlights of Tennessee honoring seniors before the regular season finale vs. Texas A&M, as well as some game highlights, courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the 54th time in program history, Tennessee football is bowl bound as the Volunteers will face West Virginia in the 62nd edition of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on New Year’s Eve in Memphis’ Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
“I’m thrilled about our football program’s opportunity to compete in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against a great opponent like West Virginia,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. “First, it’s an opportunity to connect with our many fans throughout West Tennessee and expand upon the rich historical links between the Memphis area and UT. We have so much Tennessee family in and around Memphis—especially our medical school and fantastic alumni. And secondly, it’s a tremendous development opportunity for our team and should serve as a primer to spring practice for Coach Pruitt and our returners.
“We all know Memphis loves the Tennessee Vols, and it’s an important stronghold for all of our athletic and academic programs.”
Tennessee will be playing in its second straight bowl, while its 54 all-time bowl appearances rank fourth nationally. The Vols (3-7) and Mountaineers (5-4) are slated to square off for the second time and first since the 2018 season-opener in Charlotte.
“We look forward to the opportunity of playing a bowl game in our home state,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “Since we returned to campus this summer, I am proud of our team in how they have navigated through the challenges presented during this unique season. They get another chance to take the field against a very good opponent in West Virginia. We know Memphis is a special place for Vol fans, and we look forward to seeing them on New Year’s Eve in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.”
Tennessee completed its 10-game SEC regular season on Saturday, recording victories against South Carolina, Missouri and Vanderbilt. For the first time in school history, the Vols faced four or more top-five ranked opponents at the time of the meeting.
Tennessee is playing in its fourth AutoZone Liberty Bowl and first since 1986 when the Vols defeated Minnesota, 21-14. UT’s other AutoZone Liberty Bowl victories occurred in 1974 when it beat Maryland, 7-3, and in 1971 when it edged Arkansas, 14-13.
