AL LESAR
Florida head coach Billy Napier watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker sparks No. 11 Tennessee over No. 20 Florida, 38-33

By Al Lesar Sep. 24, 2022 07:44 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Despite an upper-body injury and the absence of his favorite

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) walks off the field after being injured during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 11 Vols can start ending No. 20 Gators' hold on rivalry

By Al Lesar Sep. 22, 2022 03:20 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Coach Josh Heupel learned quickly just what playing Florida

Tennessee defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) breaks up a pass intended for Akron wide receiver Daniel George (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hyatt's big plays lead No. 15 Tennessee over Akron, 63-6

By Al Lesar Sep. 17, 2022 10:43 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — What Jalin Hyatt did Saturday night was a long time coming.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel yells to an official after Pittsburgh wide receiver Jared Wayne (5) made a catch along the sideline that was ruled a catch during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Pittsburgh. After review, the catch call was overturned. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 15 Tennessee hosts Akron to fix issues before SEC slate

By Al Lesar Sep. 15, 2022 01:36 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Coach Josh Heupel's 15th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers have one

Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) intercepts a pass intended for Ball State wide receiver Yo'Heinz Tyler during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker leads Tennessee over Ball State, 59-10

By Al Lesar Sep. 01, 2022 10:44 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hendon Hooker threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns and ran

Vanderbilt running back Rocko Griffin (24) dives into the end zone ahead of Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee hands rival Vanderbilt season-ending loss, 45-21

By Al Lesar Nov. 27, 2021 07:17 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Josh Heupel passed both tests among the SEC Class of

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) is congratulated by wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Alabama Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols look to finish Heupel's debut season strong vs Vandy

By Al Lesar Nov. 26, 2021 09:46 AM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Josh Heupel took over a Tennessee program depleted by

South Alabama tight end Lincoln Sefcik (88) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker leads Tennessee's rout of South Alabama 60-14

By Al Lesar Nov. 20, 2021 11:17 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — All season, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has stressed

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talks on his headset during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bowl eligibility up for grabs for Tennessee, South Alabama

By Al Lesar Nov. 18, 2021 10:39 AM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee can take a very big step Saturday night in

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches the video board during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
No. 1 Georgia braces for challenge against Tennessee offense

By Al Lesar Nov. 11, 2021 11:48 AM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Top-ranked Georgia hasn’t seen an offense like

Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) is lifted by offensive lineman Orlando Umana (51) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 13 Ole Miss beats Tennessee 31-26; fans pelt field

By Al Lesar Oct. 17, 2021 12:30 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — No. 13 Mississippi held off Tennessee 31-26 on Saturday

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches his players warmup before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Kiffin, No. 13 Mississippi visit Vols in offensive showdown

By Al Lesar Oct. 14, 2021 10:20 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is throwing quite a party for Lane Kiffin's

Former Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson holds up a plaque as his induction into the National Football Foundation and College Hall fo Fame is announced during halftime of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker throws three TDs, leads Tennessee past South Carolina

By Al Lesar Oct. 09, 2021 03:41 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Part of the growth process of a college football

Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel, left, and Allie Green IV, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee-South Carolina pits pair of SEC's new coaches

By Al Lesar Oct. 07, 2021 09:31 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two of the Southeastern Conference’s new head coaches

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Hendon Hooker wins starting quarterback job at Tennessee

By Al Lesar Oct. 04, 2021 04:03 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hendon Hooker has played well enough to finally earn

Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans (8) dives in for a touchdown as he's hit by Tennessee Tech linebacker Seth Carlisle (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker in on 4 TDs, leads Tennessee to easy win, 56-0

By Al Lesar Sep. 18, 2021 03:49 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee played Saturday's game with one eye on

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel yells to his players during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols hope to fix flaws against Tennessee Tech no matter QB

By Al Lesar Sep. 16, 2021 11:01 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee appears to have another quarterback quandary

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Pickett leads Pitt past Tennessee, 41-34

By Al Lesar Sep. 11, 2021 04:17 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kenny Pickett threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates with tight end Lucas Krull (7) after throwing him a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pitt defense will be tested by Tennessee's up-tempo offense

By Al Lesar Sep. 09, 2021 02:57 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Volunteers are about to see if the Pitt

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) celebrates a touchdown against Bowling Green with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Heupel's debut ends in Tennessee's 38-6 win

By Al Lesar Sep. 03, 2021 12:05 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — If Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel's offense is going