Daniel Bituli
Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) holds the trophy next to wide receivers Marquez Callaway (1) and Josh Palmer (5) after the team's 23-22 win over Indiana in the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Tennessee scores twice late to stun Indiana 23-22 in Gator

By Mark Long Jan. 02, 2020 10:52 PM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway, left, is hit by Missouri defensive back Christian Holmes, right, as he tries to catch a pass during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. Holmes was flagged for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee clinches bowl berth, beats Missouri 24-20

By Joe Walljasper Nov. 23, 2019 11:53 PM EST

Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli gets to his feet after recovering a blocked punt against South Carolina during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, tenn., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (Scott Keller/The Daily Times via AP)
Bituli takes unusual path to leading role on Vols’ defense

By Steve Megargee Nov. 21, 2019 05:39 PM EST

Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (4) blocks the kick of Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks (37) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Guarantano's 2 TD passes rally Tennessee past Kentucky 17-13

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 09, 2019 11:21 PM EST

UAB wide receiver Myron Mitchell (5) is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) and linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee bounces back from dreadful start to season

By Steve Megargee Nov. 05, 2019 04:10 PM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs for yardage in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings making most of second chance

By Steve Megargee Oct. 31, 2019 05:31 PM EDT

South Carolina's Ryan Hilinski, bottom, gets sacked by Florida's Zachary Carter, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Columbia, SC. Florida defeated South Carolina 38-27. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida vs. Georgia shapes up as playoff elimination game

By Steve Megargee Oct. 31, 2019 04:01 AM EDT

Tennessee offensive lineman K'Rojhn Calbert (74) and quarterback Brian Maurer (18) celebrate with fans after their 41-21 win over South Carolina in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee beats South Carolina 41-21 without Maurer

By Steve Megargee Oct. 26, 2019 07:52 PM EDT

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) checks on quarterback Brian Maurer (18) who was hurt on the play against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Alabama survives Tua injury, beats Tennessee 35-13

By John Zenor Oct. 20, 2019 12:37 AM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer (18) throws to a receiver in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols confident QB Maurer will play against No. 1 Alabama

By Steve Megargee Oct. 14, 2019 03:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2018 file photo, Mississippi State football defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, talks about senior players' leadership with reporters during the Mississippi State Media Day, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will see familiar faces Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 when the Bulldogs visit Tennessee. Shoop was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State's Shoop ready to face his former team

By Paul Jones Oct. 10, 2019 02:49 AM EDT

Members of the Pride of the Southland band perform as they wear the University of Tennessee superfan shirt after designing his own UT shirt and wearing it to his school before an NCAA college football game against Chattanooga Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols finally get 1st win with 45-0 blowout of Chattanooga

By Steve Megargee Sep. 14, 2019 03:20 PM EDT

Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs for yardage as he is chased by Georgia State safety Cedric Stone (9) and linebacker Ed Curney (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee, BYU trying to bounce back from miserable openers

By Steve Megargee Sep. 06, 2019 10:24 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 7, 2019, file photo, Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney walks on the field during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee is about to get an early indication of whether its offense has improved as much as the Volunteers believe it has under new coordinator Jim Chaney. The Vols are paying the former Georgia offensive coordinator $1.5 million this season to boost an attack that ranked last in the Southeastern Conference in yards per game each of the last two years. That offense will try to show more firepower Saturday when Tennessee opens the season by hosting Georgia State. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
Chaney's offense gets early test as Vols host Georgia State

By Steve Megargee Aug. 30, 2019 12:15 PM EDT

In this Aug. 2, 2019 photo, Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Wanya Morris (64) runs a drill during NCAA college football practice in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt knows the perils of playing freshmen. But as much as Pruitt wants to remain patient, Tennessee's roster situation demands that he gives some opportunities to his youngest players. (Calvin Mattheis//Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Tennessee likely to play several freshmen in season opener

By Steve Megargee Aug. 27, 2019 03:08 PM EDT

FILE -In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Tennessee's Bryce Thompson (20) returns a kick in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida in Knoxville, Tenn. Thompson has been arrested on a domestic assault charge stemming from an argument with his girlfriend. A woman told police the argument began Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, after she found another woman's fake eyelashes in Thompson's room. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Tennessee suspends cornerback after domestic assault charge

By Steve Megargee Aug. 26, 2019 09:39 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) is pressured by Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn. Darrell Taylor is coming off a breakthrough season but believes he’s capable of doing even better. Taylor recorded eight sacks last year, the most of any Southeastern Conference player who’s back this fall. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Tennessee pass rush relying heavily on Darrell Taylor

By Steve Megargee Aug. 21, 2019 02:56 PM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) celebrates with wide receiver Josh Palmer (84) after the two connected for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee bowl hopes alive with 14-3 win over Charlotte

By Rhiannon Potkey Nov. 03, 2018 08:42 PM EDT

Tennessee takes break from SEC competition to host Charlotte

By Steve Megargee Nov. 02, 2018 12:25 PM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee insists it isn't dwelling on its blown lead from a week ago or looking ahead as it takes a break from Southeastern Conference...

South Carolina running back Mon Denson (34) runs with the ball against Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Tennessee 27-24. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Leaky run defense remains problematic for Tennessee

By Steve Megargee Oct. 30, 2018 04:09 PM EDT