KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15 Tennessee scored on its first seven possessions and rolled up 718 yards of total offense, cruising past Chattanooga, 69-3, on Saturday afternoon in the 2024 season opener at Neyland Stadium.
Playing in front of a sell-out crowd of 101,915, the Vols scored on 10 of their 13 offensive possessions, producing touchdowns on eight of them. They finished with 414 yards through the air and another 304 on the ground, tying for the second-highest total yardage number in program history.
Additionally, Tennessee’s 69 points were the second-most points scored in the modern era (1937-present), and the 66-point margin of victory was the third-highest of the modern era. The 66-point margin of victory also was the highest for Tennessee in a season opener since defeating Carson-Newman 101-0 on Sept. 25, 1915.
“First of all, I just want to thank all the fans,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “It was a hot day out there. They showed up early. It was electric. The stadium was juiced right from the beginning. Appreciate all of them coming out tonight. It’s been a long time since we have been here, so it’s great to see them back again. I like a lot of things we did – all three phases of the game.”
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was very impressive in his first start on Shields-Watkins Field, completing his first 10 passes and finishing with 314 yards through the air on 22-of-28 accuracy with three touchdowns in only two quarters of action. That yardage total was a school record for a half, topping the previous best of 313 set by Tyler Bray in the first half vs. Troy in 2012.
Running back Dylan Sampson and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. produced multi-touchdown days for UT. Sampson finished with 124 yards rushing on 12 carries, tallying scoring totes of one, three and five. Thornton Jr., meanwhile, hauled in TD catches of 36 and 10 yards while recording three grabs for a team-high 105 yards.
The Vol defense kept the Mocs out of the end zone all day, surrendering only 74 rushing yards and 227 yards of total offense. Before they finished their day at the intermission, the first-team stop-troops had surrendered only 83 yards and four first downs while preventing Chattanooga from moving past its own 47 yard-line.
After Chattanooga won the coin toss and deferred, Tennessee took the opening kickoff and wasted little time setting the tone. In his first start at home and second overall, Iamaleava engineered a methodical 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive, with Sampson bursting into the end zone from one yard out. Redshirt freshman Max Gilbert’s first career PAT kick gave the Vols a 7-0 lead with 11:09 remaining in the first quarter.
The Big Orange put points on the board three more times in the opening stanza to build a 24-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes. First, it was a four-yard scoring toss from Iamaleava to tight end Ethan Davis at the 8:34 mark. Next came a 36-yard strike from Iamaleava to Thornton Jr. with 7:18 to go. After another lengthy UT drive eventually stalled, Gilbert came on to boot a 36-yard field goal with 3:32 to go.
The offensive blitz continued in the second frame. Sampson added his second and third touchdowns of the game on runs of three and five yards, respectively, while Thornton Jr. scored his second TD via a 10-yard dart from Iamaleava. Gilbert was accurate with all three PATs, as the hosts took a 45-0 lead into the locker room after out-gaining Chattanooga 503-83 in total offense and 21-4 in first downs over the first 30 minutes.
The Mocs finally got on the scoreboard with 10:10 to go in the third period, as Jude Kelley connected on a 43-yard field goal. Tennessee countered with two scores, though, getting a 42-yard field goal from Gilbert at the 7:15 mark and a 22-yard scamper from running back DeSean Bishop with 1:13 to go to take a 55-3 advantage into the final frame.
The UT reserves contributed to the bottom line in the fourth quarter. Running back Khalifa Keith scored via a one-yard plunge and Jordan Ross blocked a Chattanooga punt and was credited with a 49-yard return for a score. Josh Turbyville added both PATs to account for the final score.
UP NEXT Tennessee is back in action next Saturday night, as it travels to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., to take on No. 24/22 NC State in the 2024 Duke’s Mayo Classic. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It’s Football Time in Tennessee as the 15th-ranked Volunteers kick off the 2024 season against in-state foe Chattanooga at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday inside a sold-out Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee begins its 128th football season on Saturday afternoon when it hosts the Mocs. The season opener will be broadcast on the SEC Network with a special SEC Now show airing field level at noon. The Vols enter the year ranked 15th in both preseason polls and were picked to finish seventh in the expanded 16-team SEC.
NEYLAND STADIUM, PRESERVED BY PILOT
Earlier this month, Tennessee Athletics and Pilot broke new ground in college sports by entering a multi-year partnership that preserves the iconic venue’s name and enhances the stadium experience for future generations. Under the terms of the agreement, which is slated for up to 20 years and could extend further, the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field remain unchanged. Pilot is designated as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics.
Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot.
BROADCAST INFO
Saturday’s contest will be televised on the SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (PxP), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter) on the call. Kickoff is slated for 12:47 p.m. ET.
UT fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 65 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 158 or 191) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 961), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App. Vol Network celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.
Bob Kesling (PxP), VFL Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with VFL Jayson Swain handling sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins two hours prior to kickoff at 10:45 a.m. The pregame show is hosted by John Wilkerson, Brent Hubbs, VFL Jayson Swain and a rotating VFL special guest each week.
The gameday timeline for Saturday is listed below.
Will Call Opens at Gate 21 – 8:45 a.m. Truly’s Tailgate Opens – 8:45 a.m. Vol Village Opens – 9:15 a.m. Vol Walk – 10:30 a.m. Gates Open – 10:45 a.m. Pride of the Southland Band March – 11:05 a.m. (Pedestrian Bridge) Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 12:33 p.m. National Anthem/Flyover – 12:35 p.m. Vols Run Through the T – 12:44 p.m. Kickoff – 12:47 p.m.
NEW NEYLAND STADIUM FAN ENHANCEMENTS FOR 2024
A host of new fan enhancements will be in place this season.
RockyTopWiFi, Neyland Stadium’s Wi-Fi system, debuted during the 2023 season and is fully functional throughout Neyland Stadium for the 2024 campaign. Fans are encouraged to utilize the network and stay connected on their mobile devices during the game.
Other fan enhancements include but are not limited to upgraded speakers, new televisions, trading cards, commemorative tickets and various concession upgrades throughout the stadium.
For more information on all the new Neyland Stadium fan enhancements for this season, click HERE.
TICKETS AND PARKING
Tickets for Saturday’s game are officially sold out. Tickets and parking passes to all Tennessee Athletics events, including football, are now digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security and reduce the risk of ticket fraud as well as make the process more convenient for fans.
Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!
Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue. The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.
Fans are encouraged to download the new and improved Tennessee Athletics App, which houses the GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in stadium light shows and much more.
Search “Tennessee Athletics” in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this LINK to download.
GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
SEC Now Live from Field Level: A special edition of SEC Now will air live on SEC Network from field level inside Neyland Stadium at noon ET. Hosted by the network’s Peter Burns, SEC Now will cover all of the pageantry of a Neyland Stadium pregame, including visits at Vol Walk and Vol Navy, as well as interviews with head coach Josh Heupel, Director of Athletics Danny White and men’s basketball’s Zakai Zeigler. The 45-minute show will capture the Vols running through the T and lead into kickoff.
Vol Village Presented by Toyota: Vol Village presented by Toyota, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Located across from Circle Park, Vol Village features live music, food trucks and beverage stations, interactive displays and fun activities for all ages.
Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. Vol Village opens at 9:15 a.m. for Saturday’s game.
Truly’s Tailgate: Located outside Gate 9, fans can stop by for food and drinks at Truly’s Tailgate. Fans may enter Truly’s prior to gates opening without having a ticket scanned. When gates open, fans will need to scan their ticket to enter Truly’s.
New to Truly’s this season is the addition of the Vintage Volunteer Shop, where fans can purchase classic gameday merchandise with all their favorite marks and logos.
Truly’s will open at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday and remain open for the majority of the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks, television entertainment and additional restroom options. Truly’s will close at the end of the third quarter.
“The Volunteer State” Smokey Grey Uniforms Set to Debut Saturday’s contest will mark the debut of the newest edition of Tennessee’s Smokey Grey uniforms. “The Volunteer State” uniform, an ode to the state and Tennessee’s status as the flagship university, is the second concept of the new Smokey Grey series.
This is the eighth time that the Vols will don Smokey Grey uniforms and the sixth in a Nike version. The Vols also wore Smokey Grey uniforms in 2013 vs. Georgia and Vanderbilt (Adidas), and Nike versions in 2015 (Georgia), 2016 (Florida), 2017 (Georgia), 2022 (LSU) and 2023 (Austin Peay).
For more information on the Vols’ Smokey Grey uniforms, click HERE.
The Neyland Effect Neyland Stadium is once again one of the nation’s most electric environments and toughest places to play for visiting teams. Over the past two seasons, the Vols are 13-1 inside of its confines, outscoring opponents 640-277. In the Josh Heupel era (since 2021), UT is 18-4 at home and has outscored its opponents 961-451 with 15 of those wins coming by double digits. Tennessee’s 13 home wins since the start of the 2022 season are tied for third in the nation and tied for first in the SEC with Georgia and Alabama.
Neyland Stadium will be sold out for 14th consecutive game on Saturday afternoon. UT has ranked in the top five nationally in attendance in each of the last two seasons, ranking No. 3 in total attendance (713,405) and No. 4 in average attendance (101,915) while leading the SEC in attendance in 2023.
Vols/Heupel in Season Openers Tennessee owns a 95-26-6 on-field record all-time in season openers and a 94-26-6 NCAA record in openers (the 2020 opener was vacated by NCAA COI penalty). Josh Heupel is 6-0 in season openers as a head coach, outscoring opponents 313-67. Heupel’s UCF squads defeated UConn (56-17 in 2018), Florida A&M (62-0 in 2019) and Georgia Tech (49-21 in 2020). At UT, Heupel is 3-0 in openers with wins over Bowling Green (38-6 in 2021), Ball State (59-10 in 2022) and Virginia (49-13 in 2023).
Nico at the Helm The Big Orange are one of two SEC teams (South Carolina) starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback in 2024 as Nico Iamaleava takes the reins. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit from Long Beach, California, will be making his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium. He will be the first freshman quarterback (true or redshirt) to start an opener for the Vols since true freshman Brent Schaeffer did so versus UNLV on Sept. 5, 2004. Schaeffer and fellow true freshman Erik Ainge combined for three scores in that contest.
In his first career start last time out, Iamaleava accounted for four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing) to lead the Vols past Iowa, 35-0, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. He became the first Vol freshman quarterback to win a bowl game since Peyton Manning beat Virginia Tech in the 1994 Gator Bowl. Iamaleava tied the UT bowl record with three rushing scores, joining Josh Dobbs (2016 Music City Bowl) and James Stewart (1994 Gator Bowl). For the 2023 season, he was 28-of-45 for 314 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions through the air.
Recapping the 2023 Season In 2023, Tennessee went 9-4 and 4-4 in SEC play to finish third in the SEC East. The Vols finished No. 17 in both the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches polls and dominated Big Ten West champion, then-No. 17 Iowa, 35-0, in the program’s first Citrus Bowl appearance in two decades. It marked the Vols’ first shutout victory in a bowl game since beating Texas A&M, 3-0, in the 1957 Gator Bowl. UT was the only SEC program during the 2023 bowl season to shutout an opponent. The Vols were one of only five SEC programs to be ranked in the final 2022 and 2023 polls, joining Georgia, Alabama, Texas and LSU.
SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee vs. Chattanooga: 39-2-2 (on field) | 38-2-2 (NCAA) Saturday will mark the 44th meeting between the Vols and Mocs, including the 34th time the two programs have faced off in Knoxville. However, this will be just the third contest between the two teams in the last 54 years.
The last meeting between UT and UTC came on Sept. 14, 2019, a 45-0 Vols win, which was one of 11 victories vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions penalty in July 2023. Tennessee has won 10 in a row on the field over Chattanooga dating back to 1959.
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga, coached by Rusty Wright, enters Saturday’s contest ranked No. 8 in the FCS preseason Coaches poll and No. 9 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The Mocs were projected to win the SoCon, as well, after reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs last season.
UTC returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Chase Artopoeus, who threw for 2,672 yards while completing 62.8 percent of his passes (187-298) with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his 10 games behind center last season. The senior signal caller was the focal point of an offense that ranked fourth in program history in total yards (4,998) and third in passing yards (3,189).
Defensively, the Mocs are led by redshirt senior defensive lineman Marlon Taylor, who was tabbed as the SoCon’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Taylor racked up seven tackles for loss and five sacks as a nose tackle in 2023 and leads a defensive unit that has recorded 103 sacks over the past three seasons, including 36 a year ago.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team will face Virginia in its first game of the newly-named Continental Tire Baha Mar Championship, as announced Friday morning by BdG Sports.
The Volunteers and Cavaliers will tip off Nov. 21 at 9:30 p.m., following the preceding 7 p.m. matchup between Baylor and St. John’s. Action will take place at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center, located on the grounds of the stunning Baha Mar resort in Nassau, Bahamas.
“We are excited for the chance to take on an elite program like Virginia to begin play at Baha Mar,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. “Whether we meet Baylor or St. John’s in our next game, it will be a second major challenge in as many days against a tremendous team with a top-notch coach. This event will be a great opportunity for our team to face big-time competition in a tournament setting at a beautiful location.”
The winners of the first-round affairs meet the next day, Nov. 22, in the title game at 9:30 p.m., while the losers square off beforehand in the consolation affair at 7 p.m. The entire tournament will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
A limited number of VIP packages and general admission tickets for all games of the Continental Tire Baha Mar Championship remain on sale online at bahamarhoops.com.
This is the first time Tennessee is playing in the Continental Tire Baha Mar Championship, which began in 2021, but it is 7-2 all-time in the Bahamas. All nine of those games came in the acclaimed Battle 4 Atlantis, which the Volunteers won in 2022 by knocking off Butler, USC and third-ranked Kansas on back-to-back-to-back days. Tennessee also played in the Bahamas in 2017 and 2013, posting a 7-1 record in its last eight games there, with four straight victories.
The Volunteers own a 5-8 all-time record against Virginia, but the teams have not met in almost 11 years, dating back to an 87-52 Tennessee home win on Dec. 30, 2013.
Over the 13 games in the series, Tennessee is 3-0 at home, 1-5 on the road and 1-3 at neutral sites. The last neutral-site contest came on March 18, 2007, in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, with the Volunteers registering a 77-74 victory to reach the Sweet 16.
Tennessee senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., in his first year with the Volunteers, began his college career at Virginia. He played for the Cavaliers in 2021-22 before transferring to Charlotte, where he initially played for two seasons, 2022-24. In his first season with the 49ers, Miličić’s head coach was Ron Sanchez, who is now the associate head coach at Virginia.
Tennessee has never played Baylor, while it is 3-5 all-time against St. John’s. The lone meeting in the last 40-plus years between the Volunteers and Red Storm came on Nov. 24, 2001, at the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska, where St. John’s logged a 69-55 victory. That is the only neutral-site contest between the two teams, while Tennessee is 2-0 at home and 1-4 on the road.
The four head coaches in the event—Barnes, Tony Bennett of Virginia, Scott Drew of Baylor and Rick Pitino of St. John’s—own greater than 2,500 combined victories and over 115 years of head coaching experience.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Sevierville are up for recognition from Blue Ridge Outdoors!
All three cities are up for different categories in an audience-decided “Adventure Towns” contest.
Blue Ridge Outdoors began the contest with 100 contenders, narrowing it down to just a select few.
Now, people can vote for in third round of the contest. Gatlinburg is up for best Small Adventure Town, with Sevierville and Knoxville competing for medium and large, respectively.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man has been sentenced to decades in prison in a kidnapping and assault case from 2023.
The District Attorney’s office says 62-year-old Merv Conley Rodgers was convicted of especially aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault and two counts of aggravated assault in connection to a fight with his girlfriend in June 2023.
According to court records, the fight got out of control, and Rodgers ended up strangling his girlfriend multiple times, hitting her with a baseball bat and keeping her inside the van he was living in overnight against her will.
He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Merv Conley Rogers, 62 (Courtesy: DA Charme Allen’s Office)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The investigation into a reported school threat results in a 13-year-old boy being charged for threat of mass violence.
Wednesday night, the Knoxville Police Department was notified that this 13 year-old had allegedly threatened to bring a gun to Ridgedale School and shoot someone.
KPD officers and detectives took him into custody at his home late in the evening Wednesday.
KPD Chief Paul Noel says they will have zero tolerance for those who make threats of violence towards our schools.
“We will have zero tolerance for those who make threats of violence towards our schools,” Chief Paul Noel said. “I am grateful for the quick intervention of our officers and law enforcement partners after being notified of this threat.”
The student was taken into custody, police said. He’s been charged with making a threat of mass violence. (Courtesy: KPD)
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: 8/29: Efforts continue Thursday to suppress a fire that broke out earlier this week in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Park officials say the Flint Gap Fire has now grown to about 23 acres and is burning primarily in undergrowth in steep terrain.
The National Guard is helping fight the blaze and firefighters Thursday called-in additional suppression modules as well.
Some campsites, trails and a road remain closed; officials say no structures are threatened.
See below for the current list of area closures.
UPDATE 8/28: Several campsites, trails, and a road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed as a small fire which broke out Tuesday has now grown in size.
Park officials say the fire which was about two acres large, has since grown to about 10 acres. Crews have been ordered to fight the blaze from both the air and the ground. Officials add that the Tennessee National Guard is helping fight the fire.
Officials say no structures are threatened at this time, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
See below for the current list of area closures.
ORIGINAL STORY: A small fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has prompted the closure of some campsites, trails and a road.
Park officials say the fire is about two acres large and crews have been ordered to fight it from both the air and the ground.
So far, the following areas have closed:
Backcountry campsites 14, 15 and 16
Parson Branch Road
Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek to Cades Cove
Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Little Bottom Trail
Officials say no structures are threatened at this time.
Fire in Great Smoky Mountains prompts closures (Courtesy: GSMNP)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Donde Plowman announced today that she has extended Danny White’s contract as vice chancellor and director of athletics until 2030 as he continues to lead transformational success in Tennessee Athletics.
“When Danny says he and his team of exceptional athletics administrators and coaches are working to build the best athletics department in the country, those are not just empty words,” said Plowman. “Danny is visionary — a leader in our conference and across the country — and is focused every day on creating the very best experiences for our student-athletes, our fans and our athletics department. That focus and commitment are yielding extraordinary results across all sports.”
Under White’s leadership, Tennessee Athletics has seen unprecedented success, culminating in the best overall year in its history in 2023-24.
“We have phenomenal leadership at the University of Tennessee — from our chancellor, my boss Donde Plowman, to our UT System president, Randy Boyd, and our board chair, John Compton,” said White. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve such an upwardly mobile institution with talented, supportive people all around me. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff are inspired to be a part of something bigger than themselves — powered by the best fan base in sport. Together we have an opportunity to build something extraordinary on Rocky Top. I believe that the momentum we’ve built in our first few years is only the beginning of a much more profound story.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the 128th season of Tennessee football set to kick off this Saturday against Chattanooga, Tennessee Athletics has unveiled several new fan experience enhancements inside Neyland Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit UTsports.com/gameday.
Earlier this month, Tennessee Athletics and Pilot announced a transformative multi-year partnership that preserves the iconic venue’s name and enhances the stadium experience for future generations. Under the terms of the agreement, which is slated for up to 20 years and could extend further, the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field will remain unchanged. Pilot is designated as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics.
“Our commitment to providing Vol Nation with the best gameday experience in the country is stronger than ever,” said Alicia Longworth, Executive Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. “We continue to value the feedback of our fans as we implement new initiatives each year.”
The new enhancements include:
Rocky Top WiFi RockyTopWiFi, Neyland Stadium’s Wi-Fi system, debuted during the 2023 season and is fully functional throughout Neyland Stadium for the 2024 campaign. Fans are encouraged to utilize the network and stay connected on their mobile devices during the game.
Upgraded Speakers Fans seated below the overhang in the lower bowl of Neyland Stadium will experience new, enhanced speakers.
New Televisions Fans will notice several new televisions throughout the stadium, including along the north and east concourse on Level 1 and the east and south concourse on Level 3 in Neyland Stadium. New TVs were also installed within the main VolShop inside Gate 21 and the NIL Vol Shop inside Gate 24.
Vintage Volunteer Shop at Truly’s Tailgate VolShop is introducing the Vintage Volunteer Shop inside Truly’s Tailgate located outside Gate 9. Fans can purchase classic gameday merchandise with all their favorite marks and logos. For the Chattanooga game, Truly’s Tailgate opens at 9:30 a.m. and will close at the end of the third quarter. Truly’s Tailgate gives fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks and additional restroom options.
Trading Cards Fans can purchase a full set of Tennessee football trading cards at the vending machine inside Gate 24 just outside of the NIL VolShop.
Concession Enhancements A variety of delicious concessions upgrades will be available throughout Neyland Stadium.
Pilot Fast Favorites – will offer drinks, snacks and all your fan favorites in a quick service market style setup inside Gate 21
Checkerboard Cheese – a new concept inside Neyland Stadium, fans can stop by for various grilled cheese sandwiches, snacks and fountain Coke products
Vol Classics – some of your Vol Classics stands have been upgraded to now include pulled buffalo chicken sandwiches, Korean BBQ pork sandwiches, chips, peanuts, candy and Coke products
Vol Classics Portable – enjoy a pulled buffalo chicken sandwich, hot dogs, bottled Coke products, chips and more in a quick service market style setup
K-Town Dog Pound – everyone’s favorite Smokey Dog will still be available, and new options will feature a pimento cheese dog and a buffalo chicken dog
The General’s Grill – grab a braised Philly beef, snacks and bottled Coke products
Cookies & Coffee – Kids need a cookie? Parents need a coffee? Stop by the stands throughout the concourses to purchase a treat
Return of “Home of the Vols” Signage As a part of the Neyland Stadium preserved by Pilot partnership, fans will notice to return of the classic “Home of the Vols” signage on the East Skybox.
Yee-Haw Ole Smoky Social Deck Vol Network announced an exciting, new multiyear partnership with Yee-Haw Brewing Company and Ole Smoky. Yee-Haw is now the exclusive craft beer of the Tennessee Volunteers. Ole Smoky’s moonshine has been named the exclusive moonshine of the Vols. The Social Deck in the north endzone is now the Yee-Haw Ole Smoky Social Deck. It will include many Yee-Haw brews, as well as various Ole Smoky drinks on tap. Fans throughout the stadium will be able to purchase the new Yee-Haw Vol Lager, the first-ever officially licensed, co-branded craft beer with the University of Tennessee.
Transcard Premier Club The Lower West Club has been transformed into the Transcard Premier Club. The luxurious premium access area features extra-wide, padded 22-inch chairback seats with expanded leg room, an adjoining climate-controlled club amenity level, private restrooms, enhanced food and beverage offerings, social spaces and televisions.
Commemorative Tickets Fans will be able to purchase commemorative game tickets following each home game this season. The tickets will be custom to each fan’s seating location. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Vol Village presented by Toyota Vol Village presented by Toyota opens at 9:15 a.m. Saturday is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Located across from Circle Park, Vol Village features live music, food trucks and beverage stations, interactive displays and fun activities for all ages.
UT Medical First Aid Stations Vol fans can access UT Medical Center resources throughout Neyland Stadium, including onsite clinics and four first-aid stations—each equipped with innovative technology such as portable diagnostic services and advanced life support equipment. In addition to the four first aid stations, roaming medical teams will be present on all stadium levels, offering rapid medical care and enhancing the fan experience.
General Neyland Statue As construction continues around Neyland Stadium, fans can find the General Neyland statue in his new, temporary home outside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
Campus 3D Interactive Parking Map An interactive parking map will be available to assist patrons in accessing their on-campus lots.
Six of the seven homes in Neyland Stadium this season are already sold out with limited tickets still on sale for the Nov. 23 UTEP contest at AllVols.com.
Tennessee has sold out of its season ticket inventory with 70,500 purchased for the second straight year. Fans interested in purchasing future new season tickets can fill out the 2025 season ticket interest form.
PHILADELPHIA — The Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday that two Tennessee freshmen appeared on the watch list for the seventh annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, presented each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Freshman defensive back Boo Carter and redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava represent the Vols on the list of 37 preseason candidates.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander since 2018, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador and Legend.
Tennessee is one of eight schools with multiple players recognized on the watch list, joining Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Miami (Fla.), South Carolina and Texas.
Selected as a True Freshman Preseason All-American by On3, Carter enters his first season with the Vols after a strong spring practice and impactful fall camp. The dynamic athlete from Chattanooga has earned reps while vying for a starting spot in the defensive backfield and has also shown flashes in the return game for the Big Orange this offseason.
Iamaleava takes the reins of the Tennessee offense after serving as the backup quarterback and earning a redshirt in 2023. He arrived at Tennessee as the No. 1 prep player in the country according to On3 for the Class of 2023 and capped his debut season in Knoxville by leading the Volunteers to a convincing victory over No. 17 Iowa in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
The ‘HOT 37’ watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be narrowed down to 14 semifinalists on Nov. 6 before five finalists are selected on Dec. 4. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 26, and the award will be presented on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Maxwell Football Club Awards ceremony.
Chris Brazzell II, WR, R-So. Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
John Campbell Jr., OL, R-Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Boo Carter, DB, Fr. Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List On3 True Freshman Preseason All-American Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Nico Iamaleava, QB, R-Fr. Maxwell Award Watch List Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List ESPN.com College Football Top 100 Player (No. 92) Lance Heard, OL, So. Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon) Cooper Mays, C, Sr. Outland Trophy Watch List Rimington Trophy Watch List Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List First-Team All-American (Walter Camp) Second-Team All-American (AP, ESPN, Phil Steele) First-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media) Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele) Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Bru McCoy, WR, R-Sr. Wuerffel Trophy Watch List AFCA Good Works Team Nominee Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Jaxson Moi, DL, Jr. Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr. Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Lombardi Award Watch List Lott Trophy Watch List Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List First-Team All-American (AP, The Athletic, Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, Walter Camp) First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp) ESPN.com College Football Top 100 Player (No. 1) Keenan Pili, LB, Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon) Jackson Ross, P, So. Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) Dylan Sampson, RB, Jr. Doak Walker Award Watch List Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches) Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) Javontez Spraggins, OL, Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon) Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Omari Thomas, DL, Sr. Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon) Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Squirrel White, WR, Jr. Biletnikoff Award Watch List Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Phil Steele)
