Tennessee opens its season Saturday against Furman, and the day in Knoxville is shaping up clean and sunny. Rain looks unlikely for now, though that can always shift.
The Vols will also use the opener to honor Dolly Parton, with athletic director Danny White saying on X that there will be more than helmet stickers working in her tribute.
"Please stay hydrated. We’ll have free water fill-up stations located throughout the concourse.
Drink it. Please.
I promise it’s free. In addition, our helmet stickers won’t be the only way we honor Dolly on Saturday.
We've got tributes planned throughout the game and I’d strongly encourage y’all to stay in your seats for the end of the halftime show (and again in between the third and fourth quarters) Fired up to see everyone Saturday. Go Vols,"
This matchup is Tennessee’s only FCS game of the season, and Furman arrives unbeaten after beating Anderson. That makes the Paladins the first opponent on the schedule with a win already in the books.
There’s plenty of fresh energy around this Tennessee team, starting with a new defensive coordinator - the program’s first since 2021. On offense, the biggest storyline is Faizon Brandon, who will make his first career start as a true freshman. He is the first Tennessee true freshman to open a season at quarterback since Brent Schaeffer in 2004.
At the same time, Tennessee brings back some familiar firepower. DeSean Bishop returns after topping 1,000 rushing yards last season, and Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley are back as well. Arion Carter is also listed among the returning talent, though he will not play in this game because of an NCAA-led suspension.
Saturday’s game is set for 3:30 PM EDT on SEC Network +, with streaming available on the ESPN App.
Live updates will be available throughout the game on Vols On SI.
In Other News...
Tennessee Has An Early O-Line Concern Before Georgia Tech
Tennessee got through its opener against Furman without much drama, but the biggest pregame wrinkle came along at center, where returning starter Sam Pendleton was held out after an injury turned up following warm-ups. Josh Heupel said afterward that Pendleton is expected to be ready for the Georgia Tech game, which at least keeps the concern in the short term rather than turning it into something more serious.
Nic Moore stepped in for Pendleton and handled the spot well in his first start, giving Tennessee a workable answer if the situation lingers into next week. Still, center is one of those positions where continuity matters, especially with a bigger test coming up, so the Vols will be watching closely to see whether Pendleton is back in time to restore the line to its intended look. [Read more 🡒]
Faizon Brandon Gave Tennessee Fans A Debate They Didn't Expect
Faizon Brandons first college game gave Tennessee exactly the kind of start fans dream about, even if it also stirred up a conversation they probably werent expecting. In a 56-9 win over Furman, the freshman handled the moment cleanly, completing 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns while adding 68 rushing yards and two more scores, all without turning the ball over.
Mike Matthews and Ethan Davis also left their mark, with Matthews hauling in two touchdown catches and Davis grabbing the games first scoring reception. Brandons debut was polished enough to get Tennessee supporters talking about what comes next, and now the debate is less about whether he belonged on the field and more about what this performance might mean as the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Has An Early Shot With A Five-Star In-State Prize
Tennessees recent run of high-profile recruiting traffic has kept the program busy, and it has also put an early spotlight on the next wave of talent. Among the visitors were five-star Cayden Daughtry, four-star Micah Gordon and five-star Bentley Lusakueno, a sign that the Volunteers are trying to stay active with elite prospects while building relationships well ahead of signing day.
Now the attention shifts to a younger in-state target with serious upside. Five-star small forward DJ Okoth, ranked No. 17 overall in the class of 2028, has already lined up unofficial visits to Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt this fall, giving the Vols an opening in a recruitment that is still in its early stages. With multiple offers already in hand, Okoths first round of visits could help shape how quickly Tennessee can move from being an early presence to a real factor. [Read more 🡒]