Tennessee handled business against Kennesaw State, rolling to a 42-9 win in a game the Vols were supposed to control. They did exactly that, and a few position groups stood out well enough to make the result look comfortable from start to finish.
At quarterback, both Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre got on the field, though MacIntyre’s role was limited to handing the ball off. Brandon had some shaky moments after putting the ball in harm’s way, but he still put together a solid outing.
He finished with two touchdowns and was especially effective as a runner, accounting for one of his three scores that way. It was a decent performance from the young quarterback, just not an elite one.
The backfield, though, was a different story. The running backs earned an A+ in this one, and it’s not hard to see why.
All three backs who took snaps found the end zone, and Tennessee kept rolling even with two of its top four options out. Daune Morris and Hunter Barnes both turned in strong games and helped power the offense.
Out wide, the receivers had their moments, but the passing game never fully opened up. Brandon dealt with pressure from the interior of the offensive line and, at times, from the edge as well. Braylon Staley’s performance still stood out as his best showing, but the Vols didn’t consistently generate the kind of separation downfield that would have made this a big day for the group.
The tight ends were solid as blockers, though they didn’t leave a major mark as receivers. Still, the game did offer a look at some new faces after Ethan Davis’s injury. That was enough for a C+ grade.
Up front, the offensive line had its rough stretches early, but the group settled in as the game went along. The interior wasn’t especially sharp, yet Jesse Perry and David Sanders Jr. were both dominant. That unit should be one to keep an eye on next week.
The defensive line also drew plenty of attention. It was one of the groups worth watching closely, and it looked like one of the better units in the entire state. Tennessee’s front finished with a sack and two tackles for loss, while also making a number of strong interior plays that kept Kennesaw State backs from getting to the second level.
Linebacker was another strength. The group piled up more than 20 total tackles, and captain Arion Carter was right in the middle of it all. He finished with multiple tackles for loss, a sack, and eight tackles.
The secondary, however, didn’t come away with a turnover. That isn’t always the only thing that matters, but Tennessee will want more there going forward after a bend-don’t-break showing against the Owls.
In Other News...
Tennessee Fans Have A New Checker Neyland Twist For Texas
Checker Neyland is back in a big way this Saturday when Tennessee hosts Texas, and this time the Vols are putting a fresh spin on the familiar orange-and-white pattern. Fans have a new way to make sure they land in the right color block for Neyland Stadium, with seat information available online so everyone can check whether they are supposed to wear orange or white before heading through the gates.
The concept has become one of Tennessees most recognizable gameday traditions, and it has taken on extra weight in the Josh Heupel era as the Vols have continued to lean into the atmosphere it creates. With Texas coming to town, the visual inside the stadium should be as much a part of the night as the football itself, and Tennessee supporters will be watching closely to see how the latest Checker Neyland setup looks once the crowd fills in. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Lost A Trusted Piece At The Worst Possible Time
Tennessees tight end room took a major hit at exactly the wrong time, with Ethan Davis set to miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering an ACL injury. It is a frustrating loss for a player the Vols have leaned on, but there is at least one bit of good news for Tennessee moving forward: Davis has already said he plans to return for a fifth season in Knoxville.
Now the attention shifts to how the Vols absorb that blow in the short term, starting with their upcoming game against Texas. Tight ends coach Alec Abeln said he believes the rest of the group is ready to handle the extra load, and Tennessee will need that confidence to show up quickly with a trusted option suddenly out of the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Freshman QB Faces His First Real SEC Measuring Stick
Through three games, Faizon Brandon has given Tennessee plenty to feel good about in the opening stretch of the 2026 season. The freshman has looked steady and explosive, throwing for 552 yards and six touchdowns while adding 137 rushing yards and three more scores, production that has already put him on the national radar and helped the Volunteers enter SEC play with a real sense of momentum.
The first conference test, though, arrives in a hurry, and it comes with an awfully bright spotlight attached. ESPNs updated Total QBR rankings place Brandon sixth in the SEC with a 79.0 rating, and Tennessees opener against No. 1 Texas will immediately show how that early success translates against a defense and opponent built for the biggest stage. Arch Manning has been sharp for the Longhorns, and for Brandon, this is the kind of measuring stick that can say a lot without answering everything. [Read more 🡒]