Cimaglia Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List

Cimaglia Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List

Posted on July 22, 2020
Brent Cimaglia – UT PK / Credit: UT Athletics

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tennessee senior Brent Cimaglia was one of 30 players, including five from the Southeastern Conference, named to the watch list for the 2020 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Wednesday.

The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.

Cimaglia was a semifinalist for the Groza Award in 2019 after posting one of the top seasons ever by a Tennessee kicker. The Nashville native made 23 of his 27 field goal attempts last season, including two kicks of 50-plus yards en route to earning second-team All-SEC honors. His 85.2 percentage ranked second in the SEC and was best among kickers who attempted more than 20 field goals.

Cimaglia was 9-of-11 on kicks of 40 or more yards and connected on all 35 of his extra point attempts to account for 104 total points (sixth-most in UT history). His 23 field goals ranked second in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally. The 23 makes also moved him into third on UT’s single-season list for field goals made. Cimaglia had four games in 2019 where he connected on three or more field goals, going 3-for-3 against Georgia State (Aug. 31), UAB (Nov. 2) and Indiana (Jan. 2) while positing a career-best 4-for-4 performance against BYU (Sept. 7).

For his career, Cimaglia has made 41-of-53 career field goal attempts for a 77.4 percentage, which ranks second in school history. His 41 field goals made ranks eighth in Tennessee history and his 192 career points are closing in on the top 10 in school history. Cimaglia is a perfect 60-for-69 on extra-point attempts and has drilled three of his four field goal attempts of 50-plus yards, including a career-long make of 53 yards against UAB on Nov. 2, 2019.

The Groza Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, Nov. 5. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers will select the top three finalists for the award, which will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

The 29th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 7.

To see all of the players named to the Groza Award Watch List, click HERE.

2020 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Brent Cimaglia, Sr., PK
Lou Groza Award Watch List
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News, Phil Steele)

Eric Gray, So., RB
Doak Walker Award Watch List
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Velus Jones Jr., Sr., WR/RS
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Brandon Kennedy, Sr., OL
All-SEC Third Team (Phil Steele)

Cade Mays, Jr., OL
Outland Trophy Watchlist
Second-Team All-American (Sporting News)
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Wanya Morris, So., OL
All-SEC First Team (College Football News)
All-SEC Fourth Team (Phil Steele)

Josh Palmer, Sr., WR
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Trey Smith, Sr., OL
Outland Trophy Watch List
First-Team All-American (Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News)
Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News, Phil Steele)

Bryce Thompson, Jr., DB
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Henry To’o To’o, So., LB
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Bednarik Award Watch List
All-SEC First Team (Phil Steele)
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon)

-UT Athletics

Exclusive Photo Gallery: Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival in Full Bloom Until Aug. 2

Exclusive Photo Gallery: Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival in Full Bloom Until Aug. 2

Posted on July 22, 2020

Dolly Parton’s inaugural Flower & Food Festival is in full bloom until Aug. 2 at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

With COVID-19 regulations in place, attendees can explore plant sculptures adorned in 500,000 colorful flower blooms, experience a picturesque Umbrella Sky and indulge in garden-fresh flavors from Dollywood chefs.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

The centerpiece of the Festival is the flowered representation of Dolly’s mother sewing her famed coat of many colors.

The Flower & Food Festival was initially slated to take place at Dollywood in the spring, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the event.

A number of measures have been installed at Dollywood as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • Daily capacity will be limited.
  • Face masks or face coverings are required for all visitors ages 3 and up, with some exceptions.
  • Temperature screenings will be taken prior to entry.
  • Attraction and dining capacities will be limited to allow guests to have more space to move around during their visit.
  • Physical distancing measures have been put in place, including physically distanced queues, marked barriers and social distancing reminders.
  • Additional sanitation measures have been implemented, including high touch point areas being cleaned more frequently and providing additional hand sanitizing locations.

Upcoming events at Dollywood include the Harvest Festival (Sept 25–Oct. 31), which will feature the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, and Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 14–Jan. 2, 2021).

Check out our exclusive photo gallery of the Flower & Food Festival, courtesy of photographer Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus & Family to Star in New Netflix Series

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus & Family to Star in New Netflix Series

Posted on July 22, 2020

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and his family will star in a new Netflix reality series, DeMarcus Family Rules.

The original series will launch via Netflix on Aug. 19. As its name implies, the show will revolve around Jay and wife Allison Alderson DeMarcus—a former Miss Tennessee pageant winner—and their two children: daughter Madeline, 9, and son Dylan, 8.

Jay revealed the news via Twitter, saying: “Well y’all… we’ve got some big news. We have a new show on @Netflix! #DeMarcusFamilyRules premieres Wednesday, August 19 and is a behind the scenes, unfiltered look at our crazy life. @AllisonDeMarcus, Madeline, Dylan and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic put a kibosh on Rascal Flatts’ Farewell Tour this year, the trio will release a new seven-song EP, How They Remember You, on July 31. The EP includes six brand-new tracks, as well as a rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years.” The new EP features songs co-penned by Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and more.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Vince Gill Perform His 1994 No. 1 Single “Tryin’ to Get Over You” on the Opry’s Saturday Night Show

Watch Vince Gill Perform His 1994 No. 1 Single “Tryin’ to Get Over You” on the Opry’s Saturday Night Show

Posted on July 22, 2020

Vince Gill and Reba McEntire helped the Grand Ole Opry tally its 4,933rd consecutive Saturday night broadcast on July 18.

The one-hour show featured the Oklahoma natives performing some of their most-beloved hits, including “What The Cowgirls Do,” “Whenever You Come Around,” “Is There Life Out There,” “Fancy” and more.

Vince also treated viewers to a performance of his 1994 No. 1 hit, “Tryin’ to Get Over You.” Vince penned the tune for his 1992 album, I Still Believe in You.

Watch Vince’s performance below.

photo by E.M., AFF-USA.com

Brothers Osborne to Release Third Studio Album, “Skeletons,” on Oct. 9

Brothers Osborne to Release Third Studio Album, “Skeletons,” on Oct. 9

Posted on July 22, 2020

John and TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne announced they will release their third studio album, Skeletons, on Oct. 9.

The upcoming project follows the release of the Brothers’ 2016 debut album, Pawn Shop, and 2018 sophomore album, Port Saint Joe.

John and TJ Osborne had a hand in writing all 12 tracks on Skeletons, including lead single, “All Night,” which is currently No. 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after nine weeks.

“If Pawn Shop was our introduction, and Port Saint Joe was like the first conversation we had with someone over a beer, then Skeletons is the moment where you start getting down to the real stuff and showing who you really are,” says John. “If you really want to get to know us, this is the record to do it.”

Skeletons, which was helmed by longtime producer Jay Joyce, features tracks co-penned by a number of top songwriters, including Lee Miller, Craig Wiseman, Hayes Carll, Natalie Hemby, Casey Beathard and more.

Skeletons Track List & Songwriters 

  1. “Lighten Up” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk)
  2. “All Night” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
  3. “All The Good Ones Are” (TJ Osborne, Lee Miller and Craig Wiseman)
  4. “I’m Not For Everyone” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)
  5. “Skeletons” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
  6. “Back On The Bottle” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Hayes Carll)
  7. “High Note” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard and Dustin Christensen)
  8. “Muskrat Greene” (John Osborne)
  9. “Dead Man’s Curve” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
  10. “Make It A Good One” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  11. “Hatin’ Somebody” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
  12. “Old Man’s Boots” (John Osborne)

photo by TCD

The Dog Days of Summer on Full Display in Miranda Lambert’s New Video for “How Dare You Love” [Watch]

The Dog Days of Summer on Full Display in Miranda Lambert’s New Video for “How Dare You Love” [Watch]

Posted on July 22, 2020

Miranda Lambert released a new lyric video for “How Dare You Love” that is filled will fan-submitted photos and videos of their four-legged friends.

The new clip features dogs, dogs and more dogs. And why not? With a farm full of rescue animals, it’s no secret Miranda has a soft spot in her heart for fury, four-legged friends. That’s why in 2009, Miranda and mom Bev started the MuttNation Foundation, an organization with the mission of ending animal suffering and homelessness on every front. The foundation has successfully raised millions of dollars to aid organizations, government institutions and entities that build animal shelters for better care and increased pet adoption.

Penned by Miranda, Jamie Kinney and Ashley Monroe, “How Dare You Love” is featured on Miranda’s seventh studio album, Wildcard, which dropped in November 2019.

Watch Miranda’s new lyric video below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Eric Paslay to Release New Album, “Nice Guy,” on Aug. 14

Eric Paslay to Release New Album, “Nice Guy,” on Aug. 14

Posted on July 21, 2020

Nice guy Eric Paslay will release his aptly named new album, Nice Guy, on Aug. 14.

The affable singer/songwriter co-penned 11 of the album’s 12 tracks. Eric released a four-song EP, Heartbeat, earlier this month. Nice Guy will include the four songs featured on Heartbeat, as well as eight new tracks.

“I am thrilled to be able to announce this new album today,” says Eric. “It has been a long process to get here, but I am extremely proud of these 12 songs and cannot wait for the world to hear them. To me, they capture stories of love, loss, raising the next generation and a little bit of life in this crazy world of music. I hope everyone can find a few to relate to.”

Eric has co-penned hits for Jake Owen (“Barefoot Blue Jean Night”), Eli Young Band (“Even If It Breaks Your Heart”), Rascal Flatts (“Rewind”) and more, as well as had his own success on the charts with “Friday Night,” “Song About a Girl” and “She Don’t Love You.”

photo by Arroyo/O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com

Three Vols Named to Preseason Watch Lists

Three Vols Named to Preseason Watch Lists

Posted on July 21, 2020

DALLAS – Tennessee football continues to garner early attention with three players earning spots on preseason watch lists on Tuesday.

Offensive linemen Trey Smith and Cade Mays were among the 85 players named to the watch list for the 2020 Outland Trophy for the nation’s top interior lineman, while sophomore linebacker Henry To’o To’o was one of 98 defensive players under consideration for the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, as announced by The Football Writers Association of America.

Smith is coming off a dominant junior campaign in which he helped lead the Vols to six consecutive victories to end the season, including a thrilling comeback win over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. He was one of eight SEC players named to the first team, the most of any conference.

The Jackson, Tennessee, native received All-SEC first-team accolades from the league’s coaches and media after starting 12 games in 2019.

Smith’s incredible return to football as well as his impactful work off the field and in the community earned him the inaugural Fritz Pollard Trophy and the 2019 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. During the offseason, Smith elected to forgo the NFL Draft and return to school for his senior year.

With Tuesday’s announcement, Smith added to an already growing list of preseason recognition for the 2020 season that includes honors from the Walter Camp Foundation as well as College Football News and Street & Smith magazines. Smith and Mays both earned preseason honors from Athlon, Phil Steele and Sporting News magazines.

Mays, who will be a junior this season, transferred to UT from Georgia in the offseason after playing a key part on the Bulldogs’ offensive line the past two years, playing in 25 games while making 18 starts.

Mays was a FWAA Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman team selection in 2018. The junior showed his versatility last season, starting at least one game at every position along the offensive line except for center, while helping lead the Bulldogs to a Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor.

Smith and Mays will be part of Tennessee’s talented offensive line that has been rated among the best in the nation by SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic.

The recipient of the 75th Outland Trophy will be announced in early December. The official presentation to the winner will be made in Omaha, Nebraska, at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, scheduled for Jan. 13, 2021.

The complete Outland Trophy Watch List can be seen HERE.

To’o To’o is one of 15 SEC players to be named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list and among 30 other linebackers on the docket. The Sacramento, California, native is coming off an impressive freshman season where he recorded 72 tackles after playing in all 13 games while making 12 starts. He finished second on the team in tackles while ranking second among SEC freshmen and fourth among FBS freshmen.

A 2020 preseason first-team All-SEC selection by Phil Steele, To’o To’o helped lead the Vols during a six-game winning streak to close the 2019 season, including a game-high eight-tackle performance in a victory over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

This marks the third preseason watch list honor for To’o To’o after being named to the Butkus Award Watch List and Bednarik Award Watch List, as well.

Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The winner of the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the National Defensive Player of the Year will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

The complete Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List can be seen HERE.

2020 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Brent Cimaglia, Sr., PK
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News, Phil Steele)

Eric Gray, So., RB
Doak Walker Award Watch List
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Velus Jones Jr., Sr., WR/RS
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Brandon Kennedy, Sr., OL
All-SEC Third Team (Phil Steele)

Cade Mays, Jr., OL
Outland Trophy Watchlist
Second-Team All-American (Sporting News)
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Wanya Morris, So., OL
All-SEC First Team (College Football News)
All-SEC Fourth Team (Phil Steele)

Josh Palmer, Sr., WR
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Trey Smith, Sr., OL
Outland Trophy Watch List
First-Team All-American (Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News)
Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News, Phil Steele)

Bryce Thompson, Jr., DB
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Henry To’o To’o, So., LB
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Bednarik Award Watch List
All-SEC First Team (Phil Steele)
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon)

-UT Athletics

Tim McGraw to Celebrate Album Release With Live-Stream Event on Aug. 21

Tim McGraw to Celebrate Album Release With Live-Stream Event on Aug. 21

Posted on July 21, 2020

Tim McGraw will release his 16th studio album, Here On Earth, on Aug. 21.

Tim will celebrate the album’s release with a live-stream experience on Aug. 21 that will give fans an inside look at the new project. Tim will chat with the album’s songwriters, interact with his band and share stories about the new songs. With the backing of his five-piece band, Tim will perform songs from his past catalog as well as new tracks.

“The thing I miss the most about playing live is the connection I feel to everyone,” said Tim. “Even if we can’t physically be together this summer, hopefully this will give us a chance to share the new album and know how much we are still together seeing each other through.”

The event will stream on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now for $15.

Buoyed by the May release of the album’s lead single, “I Called Mama,” the upcoming project will be Tim’s first solo release since 2015’s Damn Country Music. Tim and wife Faith Hill released a duets album, The Rest of Our Life, in 2017.

Tim’s upcoming 16-song album features a host of top songwriters, including Tom Douglas, Lori McKenna, Shane McAnally, Marcus Hummon, Luke Laird, Ross Copperman, Laura Veltz and more.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” Tops Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart After Record-Setting Journey

Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” Tops Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart After Record-Setting Journey

Posted on July 21, 2020

After topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart in April, Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” has conquered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (streaming, sales and airplay-based) this week.

“I Hope” reached the top of the chart in its 64th week, which is the longest trek to No. 1 in the chart’s 76-year history. The tune unseated Maren Morris’ “The Bones,” which had enjoyed a 19-week reign at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Penned by Gabby, Zachary Kale and Jon Nite, “I Hope” is featured on Gabby’s recently released debut album, Goldmine.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

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