Cedric Tillman
FILE - Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman walks off the field after being injured during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron on Sept. 17, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said Monday, Oct. 3, that Tillman had surgery on his left ankle to speed up recovery from an injury. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Cedric Tillman had surgery to speed recovery for No. 8 Vols

Oct. 03, 2022 06:14 PM EDT

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

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

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

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker throws a pass against Pittsburgh during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 15 Tennessee goes for 3-0 start hosting Akron

By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2022 03:17 PM EDT

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2), leads his team from the field after he scored a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Hooker, defense lead No. 24 Tennessee past No. 17 Pitt in OT

By Will Graves Sep. 10, 2022 08:07 PM EDT

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

FILE - Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker plays against Purdue in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Hooker goes into his sixth season as the starter. He earned the job last season after coming off the bench to set program records for a 181.4 passing efficiency and a 68% completion percentage. Hooker also threw 31 touchdowns with only three interceptions. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Tennessee Vols open season hosting Ball State under lights

By The Associated Press Aug. 31, 2022 11:55 AM EDT

FILE - Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker plays against Purdue in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Hooker goes into his sixth season as the starter. He earned the job last season after coming off the bench to set program records for a 181.4 passing efficiency and a 68% completion percentage. Hooker also threw 31 touchdowns with only three interceptions. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Tennessee Vols look for more wins in Heupel's 2nd season

By Teresa M. Walker Aug. 16, 2022 10:06 AM EDT

FILE — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talks on his headset during an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee is scheduled to face Purdue in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Vols look to make statement vs Purdue in Music City Bowl

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 29, 2021 02:23 PM EST

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

Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:19 PM EST

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

South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) turns to hand the ball during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Alabama at Tennessee 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 07:27 PM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) scores a touchdown ahead of Georgia defensive back Latavious Brini (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bennett, No. 1 Georgia remain perfect, rout Tennessee 41-17

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 13, 2021 07:46 PM EST

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

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) catches a 72-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Hooker's 4 TDs help Tennessee top No. 18 Kentucky 45-42

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 06, 2021 11:15 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a touchdown past Tennessee defensive lineman Ja'Quain Blakely (48) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Young, Robinson power No. 4 Alabama past Tennessee 52-24

By John Zenor Oct. 23, 2021 10:49 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, tours the field before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee at Alabama 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to a receiver 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)
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 08:59 PM EDT