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American college football season
The 2021 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee , and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by first-year coach Josh Heupel .
Ranking
Position
Name
Home State
★★★★
OT
Addison Nichols
Georgia
★★★★
QB
Tayven Jackson
Indiana
★★★★
WR
Cameron Miller
Tennessee
★★★
EDGE
Joshua Josephs
Georgia
★★★
TE
Brody Foley
Ohio
★★★
WR
Marquarius (Squirrel) White
Alabama
★★★
WR
Chas Nimrod
Arkansas
★★★
RB
Dylan Sampson
Louisiana
★★★
OG
Mo Clipper Jr.
Georgia
★★★
OT
Brian Grant
Florida
★★★
OG
Masai Reddick
Michigan
★★★
DT
Jordan Phillips
Florida
★★★
LB
Elijah Herring
Tennessee
★★★
LB
Kalib Perry
Kentucky
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance 8:00 p.m. Bowling Green * SECN W 38–6 84,314
September 11 Noon Pittsburgh * Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ESPN L 34–41 82,203
September 18 Noon Tennessee Tech * Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ESPN+ /SECN+ W 56–0 80,053
September 25 7:00 p.m. at No. 11 Florida ESPN L 14–38 88,478
October 2 Noon at Missouri SECN W 62–24 45,655
October 9 Noon South Carolina Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) ESPN2 W 45–20 89,437
October 16 7:30 p.m. No. 13 Ole Miss Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) SECN L 26–31 102,455
October 23 7:00 p.m. at No. 4 Alabama ESPN L 24–52 100,077
November 6 7:00 p.m. at No. 18 Kentucky ESPN2 W 45–42 61,690
November 13 3:30 p.m. No. 1 Georgia Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) CBS L 17–41 100,074
November 20 7:30 p.m. South Alabama * Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ESPNU W 60–14 75,203
November 27 3:45 p.m. Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) SECN W 45–21 77,349
3:00 p.m. vs. Purdue * ESPN L 45–48OT 69,489
[ 2]
Bowling Green at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bowling Green
0
6
0 0 6
Tennessee
14
0
14 10 38
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : September 2Game time : 8:00 p.m.Game weather : Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C)Game attendance : 84,314Referee : Steve MarloweTV announcers (SECN ) : Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color) and Cole Cubelic (sidelines)
Pittsburgh at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Pittsburgh
0
27
7 7 41
Tennessee
10
10
7 7 34
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : September 11Game time : NoonGame weather : Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 82,203Referee : Stuart MullinsTV announcers (ESPN ) : Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (color) and Tom Luginbill (sidelines)
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee Tech
0
0
0 0 0
Tennessee
14
14
21 7 56
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : September 18Game time : NoonGame weather : Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)Game attendance : 80,053Referee : Kyle OlsonTV announcers (SECN +/ESPN +) : Kevin Brown (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (color) and Abby Labar (sidelines)
Tennessee at No. 11 Florida
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee
7
7
0 0 14
No. 11 Florida
10
7
14 7 38
at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium , Gainesville, FL
Date : September 25Game time : 7:00 p.m.Game weather : Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)Game attendance : 88,478Referee : Matt LoefflerTV announcers (ESPN ) : Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), and Katie George (sidelines)
Game information
First quarter
Florida – Malik Davis 4-yard pass from Emory Jones, (Jace Christmann kick) 9:20
Tennessee – Tiyon Evans 47-yard pass from Hendon Hooker, (Chase McGrath kick), 7:05
Florida – Jace Christmann 47-yard field goal, 1:07
Second quarter
Tennessee – JaVonta Payton 75-yard pass from Hendon Hooker, (Chase McGrath kick), 11:31
Florida – Nay'Quan Wright 23-yard run, (Jace Christmann kick), 4:15
Third quarter
Florida – Kemore Gamble 13-yard pass from Trent Whittemore, (Jace Christmann kick), 12:21
Florida – Rick Wells 9-yard pass from Emory Jones , (Jace Christmann kick), 2:04
Fourth quarter
Florida – Malik Davis 9-yard run, (Jace Christmann kick), 1:39
Passing leaders
TEN – Hendon Hooker – 13/23, 221 yards, 2 touchdowns
FLA – Emory Jones – 21/27, 209 yards, 2 touchdowns
Rushing leaders
TEN – Jabari Smith – 11 carries, 60 yards
FLA – Emory Jones – 15 carries, 147 yards
Receiving leaders
Tackling leaders
TEN – Trevon Flowers, 15 tackles
FLA – Trey Dean , 11 tackles
Tennessee at Missouri
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee
28
17
10 7 62
Missouri
3
7
7 7 24
at Faurot Field , Columbia, MO
Date : October 2Game time : NoonGame weather : Rain, 72 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 45,655Referee : David SmithTV announcers (SECN ) : Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), and Andraya Carter (sidelines)
South Carolina at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
South Carolina
0
7
7 6 20
Tennessee
28
10
0 7 45
at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee
Date : Saturday, October 9, 2021Game time : 12:00 p.m.. EST Game weather : Sunny • Temperature – 70°FGame attendance : 89,437Referee : James CarterTV announcers (ESPN2 ) : Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (color) and Taylor McGregor (sideline)Box Score
Game information
First quarter
(9:18) TENN – Jalin Hyatt 3-yard pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 66 yards, 4:29.
(6:46) TENN – JaVonta Payton 39-yard pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 0:35.
(0:58) TENN – Hendon Hooker 11-yard run (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:18.
(0:12) TENN – Velus Jones Jr. 21-yard pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 0:33.
Second quarter
(5:40) TENN – Tiyon Evans 45-yard run (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 1:43.
(2:04) SC – Kevin Harris 6-yard run (Parker White Kick). Tennessee 35–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:36.
(0:00) TENN – Chase McGrath 25-yard field goal. Tennessee 38–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 2:04.
Third quarter
(7:15) SC – Payton Mangrum 44-yard pass from Kai Kroeger (Parker White Kick). Tennessee 38–14. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:18.
Fourth quarter
(12:18) SC – Kevin Harris 1-yard run (2PT Pass Failed). Tennessee 38–20. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 7:04.
(4:45) TENN – Len'Neth Whitehead 2-yard run (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 45–20. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:06.
Statistics
SC
TENN
First downs
22
24
Plays–yards
75–370
72–472
Rushes–yards
153
247
Passing yards
217
225
Passing: comp –att –int
21–34–1
17–23–0
Time of possession
33:55
26:05
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SC
Passing
Luke Doty
19/31, 167 yards
Rushing
Kevin Harris
16 carries, 61 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Payton Mangrum
1 reception, 44 yards, TD
TENN
Passing
Hendon Hooker
17/23, 225 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Tiyon Evans
16 carries, 119 yards, TD
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
6 receptions, 103 yards, TD
No. 13 Ole Miss at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 13 Ole Miss
10
14
7 0 31
Tennessee
9
3
7 7 26
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : October 16Game time : 7:30 pmGame weather : Sunny, 59 °F (15 °C)Game attendance : 102,455Referee : Marc CurlesTV announcers (SECN ) : Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color) and Cole Cubelic (sidelines)
Game information
First Quarter
(9:50) MISS – Snoop Conner 1 yard rush, Caden Costa kick Ole Miss 7–0 ; 4 plays, 11 yards, 0:58
(4:35) TENN – Matt Corral intentional grounding in end zone Ole Miss 7–2
(3:51) TENN – Cedric Tillman 16 yard pass from Hendon Hooker, Chase McGrath kick Tennessee 9–7 ; 3 plays, 49 yards, 0:37
(0:44) MISS – Caden Costa 30 yard field goal Ole Miss 10–9 ; 11 plays, 57 yards, 3:01
Second Quarter
(11:27) MISS – Dannis Jackson 33 yard pass from Matt Corral, Caden Costa kick Ole Miss 17–9 ; 8 plays, 54 yards, 2:30
(5:30) MISS – Snoop Conner 1 yard rush, Caden Costa kick Ole Miss 24–9 ; 12 plays, 91 yards, 3:37
(0:00) TENN – Chase McGrath 39 yard field goal Ole Miss 24–12 ; 6 plays, 62 yards, 0:53
Third Quarter
(12:38) TENN – Jabari Small 1 yard rush, Chase McGrath kick Ole Miss 24–19 ; 8 plays, 77 yards, 2:18
(2:04) MISS – Dontario Drummond 16 yard pass from Matt Corral, Caden Costa kick Ole Miss 31–19 ; 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:02
Fourth Quarter
(13:41) TENN – Hendon Hooker 5 yard rush, Chase McGrath kick Ole Miss 31–26 ; 9 plays, 88 yards, 3:14
Statistics
MISS
TENN
First downs
29
29
Total yards
510
467
Passing yards
231
245
Rushing yards
279
222
Penalties
10–75
6–48
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
34:09
25:51
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Ole Miss
Passing
Matt Corral
21/38, 231 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Matt Corral
30 carries, 195 yards
Receiving
Dontario Drummond
2 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
17/26, 233 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Hendon Hooker
23 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
6 receptions, 93 yards
The game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes in the 4th quarter as some Tennessee fans started to throw objects onto the field, including a golf ball that hit Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin in the leg. The eruption occurred after officials ruled that Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren was short on 4th-and-24 with just under a minute left to play.[ 3] On the Monday following the game, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced that Tennessee would be fined $250,000 due to the fans' actions.[ 4]
Pregame line
Over/under
ALA -27.5
66.5
Tennessee at No. 4 Alabama
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee
14
0
3 7 24
No. 4 Alabama
7
14
3 28 52
at Bryant-Denny Stadium , Tuscaloosa, AL
Date : October 23Game time : 7:00 pmGame weather : Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 100,077Referee : Alex MooreTV announcers (ESPN ) : Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), and Katie George (sidelines)
Statistics
Tennessee
Alabama
First downs
10
32
Total yards
346
574
Rushing yards
64
203
Passing yards
282
371
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
19:34
40:26
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
19/28, 282 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing
Tiyon Evans
7 carries, 30 yards
Receiving
Cedric Tillman
7 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Bryce Young
31/43, 371 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing
Brian Robinson Jr.
26 carries, 107 yards, 3 TD's
Receiving
Jameson Williams
6 receptions, 123 yards
Tennessee at No. 16 Kentucky
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee
14
10
14 7 45
No. 18 Kentucky
7
14
14 7 42
at Kroger Field , Lexington, KY
Date : November 6Game time : 7:00 pmGame weather : Sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)Game attendance : 61,690Referee : Steve MarloweTV announcers (ESPN2 ) : Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (color), and Dawn Davenport (sidelines)
Statistics
Tennessee
Kentucky
First downs
17
35
Total yards
461
612
Rushing yards
145
225
Passing yards
316
387
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
13:52
46:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
15/20, 316 yards, 4 TD’s
Rushing
Jabari Small
4 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
31/49, 372 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
22 carries, 109 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
13 receptions, 166 yards, 1 TD
No. 1 Georgia at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 1 Georgia
7
17
3 14 41
Tennessee
10
0
0 7 17
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : November 13Game time : 3:30 p.m. EST Game weather : Sunny, 49 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 100,074Referee : James CarterTV announcers (CBS ) : Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color) and Jamie Erdahl (sidelines)Pregame line : Georgia −19.5 • Odds to win : Georgia 88.1% • Game summary : ESPN
Game information
First quarter
(11:43) TENN – Velus Jones Jr. 9 Yd pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick) (Tennessee 7–0 )
(9:11) UGA – James Cook 39 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Tied 7–7 )
(1:39) TENN – Chase McGrath 24 Yd Field Goal (Tennessee 10–7 )
Second quarter
(9:42) UGA – Jack Podlesny 40 Yd Field Goal (Tied 10–10 )
(7:24) UGA – Stetson Bennett 9 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 17–10 )
(0:37) UGA – James Cook 23 Yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 24–10 )
Third quarter
(4:41) UGA – Jack Podlesny 26 Yd Field Goal (Georgia 27–10 )
Fourth quarter
(13:14) UGA – James Cook 5 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 34–10 )
(7:03) UGA – Kenny McIntosh 5 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 41–10 )
(3:38) TENN – Cedric Tillman 12 Yd pass from Joe Milton (Chase McGrath Kick) (Georgia 41–17 )
Statistics
UGA
TENN
First downs
26
22
Plays–yards
70–487
84–387
Rushes–yards
41–274
36–55
Passing yards
213
332
Passing: comp –att –int
17–29–0
30–48–1
Time of possession
32:40
27:20
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UGA
Passing
Stetson Bennett
17/29, 213 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
James Cook
10 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Adonai Mitchell
5 receptions, 65 yards
TENN
Passing
Hendon Hooker
24/37, 244 yards, 1TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Jabari Small
12 carries, 49 yards
Receiving
Cedric Tillman
10 receptions, 200 yards, 1 TD
Pregame line
Over/under
TENN –28.0
61
South Alabama at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
South Alabama
0
7
0 7 14
Tennessee
14
21
14 11 60
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : November 20Game time : 7:30 pmGame weather : Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)Game attendance : 75,203Referee : Jason AutreyTV announcers (ESPNU ) : Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (color)
Game information
First quarter
(11:13) TENN – Jabari Small 1-yard rush (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 2:00.
(6:46) TENN – Jaylen Wright 17-yard rush (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 1:57.
Second quarter
(10:37) TENN – Cedric Tillman 27-yard pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 21–0. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 2:38.
(6:41) TENN – Princeton Fant 24-yard pass from Hendon Hooker (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 0:55.
(1:36) USA – Lincoln Sefcik 3-yard pass from Desmond Trotter (Diego Guajardo Kick). Tennessee 28–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:05.
(1:18) TENN – Velus Jones Jr. 96-yard kickoff return (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 35–7. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 1:04.
Third quarter
(12:06) TENN – Jabari Small 3-yard rush (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 42–7. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 1:54.
(7:29) TENN – Hendon Hooker 6-yard rush (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 49–7. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:57.
Fourth quarter
(12:50) TENN – Len'Neth Whitehead 5-yard rush (Chase McGrath Kick). Tennessee 56–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:06.
(11:02) USA – Jalen Tolbert 68-yard pass from Desmond Trotter (Diego Guajardo Kick). Tennessee 56–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:48.
(6:37) TENN – Team Safety. Tennessee 58–14. Drive: 3 plays, -9 yards, 1:40.
(2:43) TENN – Team Safety. Tennessee 60–14. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:18.
Statistics
South Alabama
Tennessee
First downs
13
28
Total yards
285
561
Rushing yards
69
250
Passing yards
216
311
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
37:00
23:00
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Alabama
Passing
Desmond Trotter
19/32, 216 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Kareem Walker
7 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
Jalen Tolbert
7 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
17/20, 273 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Jaylen Wright
13 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
6 receptions, 103 yards
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vanderbilt
0
7
6 8 21
Tennessee
7
17
14 7 45
at Neyland Stadium , Knoxville, TN
Date : November 27Game time : 3:45 pmGame weather : Sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)Game attendance : 77,349Referee : David SmithTV announcers (SECN ) : Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), and Andraya Carter (sidelines)
Statistics
VAN
TENN
First downs
18
25
Total yards
321
441
Rushing yards
115
285
Passing yards
206
156
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
38:16
21:44
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Mike Wright
16/31, 198 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Rocko Griffin
30 carries, 104 yards, TD
Receiving
Will Sheppard
5 receptions, 98 yards, TD
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
10/18, 156 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Jaylen Wright
15 carries, 112 yards, TD
Receiving
Cedric Tillman
6 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD
Players drafted into the NFL [ edit ]
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