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
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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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