| 2017Tennessee Volunteers football | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Division | Eastern Division |
| Record | 4–8 (0–8 SEC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Larry Scott (1st season) |
| Offensive scheme | Multiple |
| Defensive coordinator | Bob Shoop (2nd season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Neyland Stadium |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2Georgia x$^ | 7 | – | 1 | 13 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 1 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 0 | – | 8 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 10Auburn xy | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1Alabama x#^ | 7 | – | 1 | 13 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18LSU | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 19Mississippi State | 4 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss* | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | 1 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship:Georgia 28, Auburn 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The2017 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented theUniversity of Tennessee in the2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Volunteers played their home games atNeyland Stadium inKnoxville, Tennessee and competed in the Eastern Division of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fifth-year head coachButch Jones until his firing on November 12.[1]Brady Hoke was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[2]
The team finished the season 4–8, 0–8 in SEC play in last place in the Eastern Division and the SEC. This were the first team in Tennessee's football history to lose eight games in a season, as well as the first to not win an SEC game since becoming a charter member of the conference in 1932.[3] It is still the worst on-field record in Tennessee history.
Departures of scholarship players from the2016 team.
| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Barnett | 9 | DE | 6'3 | 265 | JR | Nashville, TN | Entered2017 NFL draft | [4] |
| Alvin Kamara | 6 | RB | 5'10 | 215 | RS JR | Norcross, GA | Entered2017 NFL draft | [5] |
| Josh Malone | 3 | WR | 6'3 | 200 | JR | Gallatin, TN | Entered2017 NFL draft | [6] |
| Dylan Wiesman | 71 | OL | 6'4 | 310 | Senior | Cincinnati, OH | Graduated | |
| Kenny Bynum | 51 | LB | 6'1 | 235 | RS Senior | Jacksonville, FL | Graduated | |
| Corey Vereen | 50 | DL | 6'2 | 249 | Senior | Winter Garden, FL | Graduated | |
| Cameron Sutton | 23 | DB | 5'11 | 186 | Senior | Jonesboro, GA | Graduated | |
| Jalen Reeves-Maybin | 21 | LB | 6'0 | 230 | Senior | Clarksville, TN | Graduated | |
| Jason Croom | 18 | TE | 6'5 | 246 | RS Senior | Norcross, GA | Graduated | |
| Malik Foreman | 13 | DB | 5'10 | 190 | Senior | Kingsport, TN | Graduated | |
| Joshua Dobbs | 11 | QB | 6'3 | 210 | Senior | Alpharetta, GA | Graduated | |
| LaTroy Lewis | 4 | DL | 6'4 | 256 | RS Senior | Akron, OH | Graduated |
| 2017 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Offense
| Defense
| Special teams
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| College recruiting information (2017) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
| Terrell Bailey CB | Marrero, LA | John Ehret | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Sep 15, 2016 | |
Recruit ratings:Scout:  Rivals:  247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Marquez Bembry ATH | Atlanta, GA | Mount Vernon Presbyterian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | Mar 14, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Kivon Bennett DT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | St. Thomas Aquinas | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | Jun 20, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| James Brown TE | Orlando, FL | Jones | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Oct 30, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| LaTrell Bumphus TE | Savannah, TN | Hardin County | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | Jun 18, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Matthew Butler DE | Garner, NC | Garner | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | Dec 21, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| K'Rojhn Calbert OT | McMinnville, TN | Warren County Senior | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | Nov 16, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Ty Chandler RB | Nashville, TN | Montgomery Bell Academy | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Aug 15, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Brent Cimaglia K | Franklin, TN | Fred J Page | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jun 5, 2016 | |
Recruit ratings:Scout:  Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Trey Coleman RB | West Monroe, LA | West Monroe | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | Jun 18, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Eric Crosby DT | Virginia Beach, VA | Ocean Lakes | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 297 lb (135 kg) | Apr 22, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Princeton Fant WR | LaVergne, TN | LaVergne | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | Jun 18, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Maleik Gray S | LaVergne, TN | LaVergne | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Jun 12, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Will Ignont LB | New Market, AL | Buckhorn | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Oct 26, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Theo Jackson S | Nashville, TN | Overton | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jun 18, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Deandre Johnson DE | Miami, FL | Miami Southridge | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Dec 11, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Jacquez Jones WR | Clearwater, FL | Clearwater | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | May 20, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Timothy Jordan RB | Bartow, FL | Bartow | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | Jan 23, 2017 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Cheyenne Labruzza CB | Albany, LA | Albany | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | Apr 16, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Riley Locklear OL | Huntington, WV | Spring Valley | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jul 9, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Will McBride QB | League City, TX | Clear Springs | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Dec 12, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Jordan Murphy WR | Hattiesburg, MS | Hattiesburg | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 169 lb (77 kg) | Jul 21, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Solon Page III OLB | Marietta, GA | Kell | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | Apr 16, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Josh Palmer WR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | St. Thomas Aquinas | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jan 24, 2017 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Shanon Reid OLB | Fort Myers, FL | Dunbar | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Dec 6, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Shawn Shamburger S | Moultrie, GA | Colquitt County | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Nov 5, 2016 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Trey Smith OT | Jackson, TN | University School of Jackson | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | Dec 5, 2016 | |
Recruit ratings:Scout:  Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Ryan Thaxton DE | Alexandria, VA | St. Stephen's & St. Agnes | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Jan 17, 2017 | |
| Recruit ratings:Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Scout: 15 Rivals: 15 247Sports: 17 ESPN: 15 | ||||||
Sources:
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Tennessee announced its 2017 football schedule on September 13, 2016. The 2017 schedule consisted of seven home games, four away, and one neutral site game in the regular season. The Volunteers hosted SEC foesGeorgia,South Carolina,LSU, andVanderbilt, and traveled toAlabama,Florida,Kentucky, andMissouri.[8]
The Volunteers hosted three of its four non–conference games which were againstIndiana State from theMissouri Valley Football Conference,UMass, who competesindependently, andSouthern Miss fromConference USA. They traveled toAtlanta, Georgia, for theChick-fil-A Kickoff againstGeorgia Tech from theACC.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4 | 8:00 p.m. | vs.Georgia Tech* | No. 25 | ESPN | W 42–412OT | 75,107 | |
| September 9 | 4:00 p.m. | Indiana State* | No. 25 | SECN | W 42–7 | 99,015 | |
| September 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 24Florida | No. 23 | CBS | L 20–26 | 87,736 | |
| September 23 | Noon | UMass* |
| SECN | W 17–13 | 95,324 | |
| September 30 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 7Georgia |
| CBS | L 0–41 | 102,455 | |
| October 14 | Noon | South Carolina |
| ESPN | L 9–15 | 98,104 | |
| October 21 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 1Alabama | CBS | L 7–45 | 101,821 | ||
| October 28 | 7:30 p.m. | atKentucky | SECN | L 26–29 | 57,543 | ||
| November 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Southern Miss* |
| SECN | W 24–10 | 95,551 | |
| November 11 | 7:30 p.m. | atMissouri | SECN | L 17–50 | 50,637 | ||
| November 18 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 21LSU |
| ESPN | L 10–30 | 96,888 | |
| November 25 | 3:00 p.m. | Vanderbilt |
| SECN | L 24–42 | 83,117 | |
| |||||||
| Week | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 25 | 25 | 23 | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches | 24 | 21 | 23 | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CFP | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released | ||||||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 41 |
| •No. 25 Tennessee | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| 1 | 0:06 | GT | TaQuon Marshall 1-yard run (Shawn Davis kick) | GT 7–0 |
| 2 | 8:11 | TENN | John Kelly 1-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 1:11 | GT | KirVonte Benson 1-yard run (Davis kick) | GT 14–7 |
| 3 | 9:19 | GT | Marshall 1-yard run (Davis kick) | GT 21–7 |
| 3 | 0:42 | TENN | Marquez Callaway 10-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (Medley kick) | GT 21–14 |
| 4 | 13:08 | GT | Marshall 6-yard run (Davis kick) | GT 28–14 |
| 4 | 11:49 | TENN | Callaway 50-yard pass from Dormady (Medley kick) | GT 28–21 |
| 4 | 1:29 | TENN | Kelly 11-yard run (Medley kick) | Tied 28–28 |
| OT | GT | Marshall 1-yard run (Davis kick) | GT 35–28 | |
| OT | TENN | Kelly 1-yard run (Medley kick) | Tied 35–35 | |
| OT2 | TENN | Kelly 2-yard run (Medley kick) | TENN 42–35 | |
| OT2 | GT | Marshall 13-yard run (Conversion failed) | TENN 42–41 | |
In arenewed rivalry with theGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the Tennessee Volunteers traveled toAtlanta to play in their secondChick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The Volunteers never had the lead in regulation play but scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 28 and force overtime. Each team traded touchdowns through two overtimes with Georgia Tech ultimately seeking to win the game on a two-point conversion. However, quarterback TaQuon Marshall could not complete the pass, and Tennessee secured the 42–41 victory.[11]
In his first start as a Volunteer, quarterbackQuinten Dormady went 20-for-37 for 221 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns, both to wide receiverMarquez Callaway.[12] Running backJohn Kelly ran for 128 rushing yards and four touchdowns.[13] After averaging 47 yards on six punts, five of which pinned the Yellow Jackets inside their 20-yard line, punter Trevor Daniel was namedRay Guy Award Punter of the Week.[14]
Following the game, Tennessee head coachButch Jones stated, "That was a very good college football game. I have a lot of respect for Georgia Tech. I am really proud of our players. We spoke all week long about a will to win, and that was the kind of game to find out our will to win. We knew that this was going to be a game that you had to show some resolve and some grit, and you had to play complementary football." He added, "The resolve and resiliency of our defense, even though we gave up [535] yards rushing, we still managed to force two takeaways, and offensively, we didn't turn the football over, which was paramount to winning the football game."[15]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| •#25 Tennessee | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| 1 | 14:46 | TENN | Ty Chandler 91-yard kickoff return (Aaron Medley kick) | TENN 7–0 |
| 1 | 2:49 | TENN | Carlin Fils-Aime 4-yard run (Medley kick) | TENN 14–0 |
| 2 | 9:03 | TENN | Fils-Aime 30-yard run (Medley kick) | TENN 21–0 |
| 2 | 0:53 | TENN | Brandon Johnson 19-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (Medley kick) | TENN 28–0 |
| 3 | 10:07 | INS | Jacquet McClendon 23-yard pass from Cade Sparks (Jerry Nunez kick) | TENN 28–7 |
| 3 | 2:12 | TENN | Marquez Callaway 37-yard pass from Dormady (Medley kick) | TENN 35–7 |
| 4 | 0:56 | TENN | Jeff George 11-yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano (Medley kick) | TENN 42–7 |
In their home opener, the #25 Tennessee Volunteers hosted theIndiana State Sycamores in the teams' first-ever meeting. From the opening kickoff, which Tennessee freshman running back Ty Chandler returned 91 yards for a touchdown, the Volunteers scored 28 unanswered points.[17] Indiana State's only touchdown came early in the third quarter. Tennessee scored twice more to win their home-opener, 42–7.[18] Following the game, Chandler was named SEC Freshman of the Week.[19]
Tennessee head coachButch Jones called the outcome "a good win." He added, "With the short turnaround, I thought [our players] did a very good job all week long of trying to prepare their bodies and their minds, so I'm really proud of them. I thought one of the keys to the game was third-down defense and being able to get off the field."[20]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #23 Tennessee | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| •#24 Florida | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 26 |
| 1 | 7:39 | UF | Eddy Piñeiro 27-yard field goal | UF 3–0 |
| 2 | 8:11 | UF | Piñeiro 41-yard field goal | UF 6–0 |
| 2 | 2:58 | UT | Brent Cimaglia 51-yard field goal | UF 6–3 |
| 4 | 14:23 | UF | CJ Henderson 16-yard interception (Piñeiro kick) | UF 13–3 |
| 4 | 8:36 | UT | John Kelly 34-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | UF 13–10 |
| 4 | 5:13 | UF | Brandon Powell 5-yard pass fromFeleipe Franks (Piñeiro kick) | UF 20–10 |
| 4 | 4:43 | UT | Ethan Wolf 28-yard pass from Quentin Dormady (Medley kick) | UF 20–17 |
| 4 | 0:50 | UT | Medley 27-yard field goal | Tied |
| 4 | 0:00 | UF | Tyrie Cleveland 63-yard pass from Franks | UF 26–20 |
In a defensive battle throughout much of the game, the #23 Tennessee Volunteers faced theirrivals, the #24Florida Gators inGainesville. Down by 10 points in the fourth quarter, Tennessee recovered to allow kicker Aaron Medley to tie the game at 20, after getting stalled in Florida territory with less than a minute to play.[22] As time expired, Florida quarterbackFeleipe Franks threw a 63-yard pass to open wide receiverTyrie Cleveland for a touchdown, sealing a 26–20 victory.[23]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| •Tennessee | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | 4:33 | UT | John Kelly 12-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | UT 7–0 |
| 2 | 2:57 | UMASS | Ross Comis 5-yard run (Michael Schreiner kick failed) | UT 7–6 |
| 2 | 0:25 | UT | Tyler Byrd 8-yard pass from Quentin Dormady (Medley kick) | UT 14–6 |
| 3 | 7:52 | UT | Medley 40-yard field goal | UT 17–6 |
| 3 | 2:51 | UMASS | Sadiq Palmer 13-yard pass from Andrew Ford (Logan Laurent kick) | UT 17–13 |
Tennessee and UMass played each other for their first meeting in the 2017 season.[25] Tennessee survived an upset attempt by the winless Minutemen in Neyland Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Tennessee was able to breakthrough on a John Kelly 12-yard rushing touchdown. UMass scored later in the quarter but missed the extra point to make the score 7–6. Tennessee scored late in the first half on a Tyler Byrd reception from Quinten Dormady to make the halftime score 14–6. Tennessee distanced themselves with a 40-yard field goal by Aaron Medley midway through the third quarter. UMass pulled within one score on a Sadiq Palmer reception from quarterback Andrew Ford late in the third quarter. Both teams were scoreless in the fourth giving Tennessee the victory.[26]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •#7 Georgia | 10 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 41 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 13:37 | UGA | Rodrigo Blankenship 38 yard field goal | UGA 3–0 |
| 1 | 6:10 | UGA | Javon Wims 12-yard pass fromJake Fromm (Blankenship kick) | UGA 10–0 |
| 2 | 7:13 | UGA | Fromm 9-yard run (Blankenship kick) | UGA 17–0 |
| 2 | 4:14 | UGA | Fromm 4-yard run (Blankenship kick) | UGA 24–0 |
| 3 | 1:04 | UGA | Sony Michel 21-yard run (Blankenship kick)) | UGA 31–0 |
| 4 | 12:00 | UGA | Brian Herrien 1-yard run (Blankenship kick) | UGA 38–0 |
| 4 | 5:34 | UGA | David Marvin 19-yard field goal | UGA 41–0 |
Tennessee suffered their worst lost at Neyland Stadium in school history against the Bulldogs. In a game Georgia dominated from start to finish, Tennessee only was able to put up 142 total yards, with 91 scrimmage yards coming from running back John Kelly.[27][28]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •South Carolina | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| Tennessee | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 1 | 10:26 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 29 yard field goal | 3–0 TENN |
| 1 | 1:36 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 33 yard field goal | 6–0 TENN |
| 2 | 10:31 | SCAR | Parker White 47 yard field goal | 6–3 TENN |
| 2 | 0:33 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 24 yard field goal | 9–3 TENN |
| 3 | 1:02 | SCAR | A.J. Turner 20 yard run | 9–9 |
| 4 | 5:17 | SCAR | Parker White 21 yard field goal | 12–9 SCAR |
| 4 | 1:13 | SCAR | Parker White 36 yard field goal | 15–9 SCAR |
In a sluggish game for both offenses, South Carolina overcame a 9–3 halftime deficit to defeat Tennessee 15–9.[30]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| •#1 Alabama | 7 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 45 |
| 1 | 8:21 | BAMA | Bo Scarbrough 1 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 7–0 BAMA |
| 2 | 4:48 | BAMA | Bo Scarbrough 1 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 14–0 BAMA |
| 2 | 1:18 | BAMA | Damien Harris 11 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 21–0 BAMA |
| 3 | 12:39 | BAMA | Irv Smith Jr 14 yard pass fromJalen Hurts (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 28–0 BAMA |
| 3 | 6:03 | TENN | Daniel Bituli 97 yard interception return (Brent Cimaglia kick) | 28–7 BAMA |
| 3 | 3:13 | BAMA | Andy Pappanastos 25 yard field goal | 31–7 BAMA |
| 4 | 12:59 | BAMA | Tua Tagovailoa 23 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 38–7 BAMA |
| 4 | 4:49 | BAMA | Henry Ruggs III 60 yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Andy Pappanastos kick) | 45–7 BAMA |
For the 11th straight time, the Crimson Tide defeated the Volunteers in their annual rivalry game.[32] Tennessee's lone score came on a 97-yard pick-six from Daniel Bituli off ofTua Tagovailoa in the third quarter.[33]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 6 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| •Kentucky | 7 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 29 |
| 1 | 13:26 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 30 yard field goal | 3–0 TENN |
| 1 | 10:16 | UK | Benjamin Snell Jr. 6 yard run (Austin MacGinnis kick) | 7–3 UK |
| 1 | 4:34 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 24 yard field goal | 7–6 UK |
| 2 | 14:57 | UK | Benjamin Snell Jr. 2 yard run (Austin Macginnis kick) | 14–6 UK |
| 2 | 8:37 | TENN | Ty Chandler 1 yard run (Brent Cimaglia kick) | 14–13 UK |
| 2 | 5:58 | UK | Benjamin Snell Jr. 1 yard run (Austin Macginnis kick) | 21–13 UK |
| 2 | 1:25 | TENN | Ty Chandler 1 yard run (Brent Cimaglia kick) | 21–20 UK |
| 3 | 3:40 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 30 yard field goal | 21–23 TENN |
| 4 | 13:24 | TENN | Brent Cimaglia 45 yard field goal | 21–26 TENN |
| 4 | 0:33 | UK | Stephen Johnson 11 yard run (Benjamin Snell Jr. 2-point pass) | 29–26 UK |
For only the second time in the last 33 meetings, and despite having a turnover margin of 4–0, the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Tennessee Volunteers by a score of 29–26.[35] The victory marked only Kentucky's third over the Volunteers since 1984.[36]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| •Tennessee | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| 1 | 10:59 | TENN | Jarrett Guarantano 3 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | 7–0 TENN |
| 2 | 8:16 | USM | Parker Shaunfield 27 yard field goal | 7–3 TENN |
| 2 | 2:42 | TENN | Aaron Medley 38 yard field goal | 10–3 TENN |
| 3 | 5:15 | TENN | John Kelly 20 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | 17–3 TENN |
| 3 | 3:17 | TENN | John Kelly 3 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | 24–3 TENN |
| 4 | 6:45 | USM | Kwadra Griggs 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick) | 24–10 TENN |
The Volunteers snapped a four-game losing streak in the 24–10 victory over Southern Miss. Running backJohn Kelly recorded two touchdowns and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano had one rushing touchdown.[38]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| •Missouri | 14 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 50 |
| 1 | 9:15 | MIZZ | Ish Witter 7 yard run (Tucker McCann kick) | 7–0 MIZZ |
| 1 | 7:19 | TENN | Nigel Warrior 70 yard interception return (Aaron Medley kick) | 7–7 |
| 1 | 4:52 | MIZZ | Emanuel Hall 31 yard pass fromDrew Lock (Tucker McCann kick) | 14–7 MIZZ |
| 1 | 1:17 | TENN | Aaron Medley 48 yard field goal | 14–10 MIZZ |
| 2 | 7:25 | MIZZ | Tucker McCann 41 yard field goal | 17–10 MIZZ |
| 2 | 1:15 | TENN | Ethan Wolf 19 yard pass from Will McBride (Aaron Medley kick) | 17–17 |
| 2 | 0:18 | MIZZ | Larry Rountree III 1 yard run (Tucker McCann kick) | 24–17 MIZZ |
| 3 | 10:56 | MIZZ | Emanuel Hall 50 yard pass from Drew Lock (Tucker McCann kick) | 31–17 MIZZ |
| 3 | 4:34 | MIZZ | J'Mon Moore 23 yard pass from Drew Lock (Tucker McCann kick) | 38–17 MIZZ |
| 3 | 2:48 | MIZZ | Tucker McCann 23 yard field goal | 41–17 MIZZ |
| 4 | 14:32 | MIZZ | Tucker McCann 38 yard field goal | 44–17 MIZZ |
| 4 | 13:21 | MIZZ | Johnathon Johnson 20 yard pass from Drew Lock (kick failed) | 50–17 MIZZ |
Tennessee was forced to start Will McBride at quarterback due to injury.[40] The Volunteers suffered a 50–17 loss to Missouri, which left Tennessee at a 4–6 record for the season and 0–6 in conference.[41] The Vols' loss to the Tigers was their worst loss to an unranked opponent in the AP Poll era.[42] Head coach Butch Jones was fired following the game.[43]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •#21 LSU | 3 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 30 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1 | 6:38 | LSU | Connor Culp 30 yard field goal | 3–0 LSU |
| 2 | 13:59 | TENN | Aaron Medley 45 yard field goal | 3–3 |
| 2 | 11:31 | LSU | Darrel Williams 10 yard run (Connor Culp kick) | 10–3 LSU |
| 2 | 2:08 | LSU | Danny Etling 13 yard run (Connor Culp kick) | 17–3 LSU |
| 2 | 1:23 | TENN | Marquez Callaway 46 yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano (Aaron Medley kick) | 17–10 LSU |
| 3 | 7:26 | LSU | Derrius Guice 3 yard run (kick failed) | 23–10 LSU |
| 3 | 2:06 | LSU | Darrel Williams 6 yard run (Connor Culp kick) | 30–10 LSU |
Under interim head coach Brady Hoke, Tennessee was able to go the half trailing with a 17–10 score. LSU pulled away with 13 points in the third quarter in a game that featured a rain storm.[45] Despite the result, Tennessee outgained LSU in total yards 293–281.[46]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Vanderbilt | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 | 42 |
| Tennessee | 14 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| 1 | 10:06 | TENN | Marquez Callaway 2 yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano (Aaron Medley kick) | 7–0 TENN |
| 1 | 6:13 | VAN | C.J. Duncan 9 yard pass fromKyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 7–7 |
| 1 | 2:50 | TENN | John Kelly 1 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) | 14–7 TENN |
| 2 | 11:47 | VAN | Ralph Webb 2 yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 14–14 |
| 2 | 2:37 | VAN | Kalija Lipscomb 30 yard pass from Kyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 21–14 VAN |
| 3 | 5:22 | TENN | Aaron Medley 49 yard field goal | 21–17 VAN |
| 4 | 14:20 | VAN | Trent Sherfield 20 yard pass from Kyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 28–17 VAN |
| 4 | 6:58 | VAN | Trent Sherfield 12 yard pass from Kyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 35–17 VAN |
| 4 | 5:59 | VAN | Ralph Webb 20 yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) | 42–17 VAN |
| 4 | 4:27 | TENN | Ethan Wolf 20 yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano (Aaron Medley kick) | 42–24 VAN |
In a game that saw Tennessee lose eight games and go winless in conference play for the first time in school history, Vanderbilt dominated in total yardage 529–238.[3] Tennessee stayed in the game through three quarters, only trailing 21–17. However, Vanderbilt scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away.[48] The victory marked Vanderbilt's fourth in six games over the Volunteers, a mark that had not been seen in the rivalry since 1922–1929.[49]
Tennessee had three players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.[50]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashaan Gaulden | Safety | 3 | 85 | Carolina Panthers |
| John Kelly | Running back | 6 | 176 | Los Angeles Rams |
| Kahlil McKenzie | Defensive tackle/offensive guard | 6 | 198 | Kansas City Chiefs |
