2021 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Last updated

2021 Tennessee Volunteers football
Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg
Music City Bowl, L 45–48OT vs. Purdue
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record7–6 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks (1st season)
Base defense 4–3 multiple
Home stadium Neyland Stadium
Seasons
←  2020
2022  →
2021 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 1 Georgia x#^  8 –0   14 –1  
No. 18 Kentucky  5 –3   10 –3  
Tennessee  4 –4   7 –6  
Missouri  3 –5   6 –7  
South Carolina  3 –5   7 –6  
Florida  2 –6   6 –7  
Vanderbilt  0 –8   2 –10  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^  7 –1   13 –2  
No. 11 Ole Miss  6 –2   10 –3  
No. 21 Arkansas  4 –4   9 –4  
Mississippi State  4 –4   7 –6  
Texas A&M  4 –4   8 –4  
Auburn  3 –5   6 –7  
LSU  3 –5   6 –7  
Championship: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Contents

Recruiting class

RankingPositionNameHome State
★★★★OTAddison NicholsGeorgia
★★★★QB Tayven Jackson Indiana
★★★★WRCameron MillerTennessee
★★★EDGEJoshua JosephsGeorgia
★★★TEBrody FoleyOhio
★★★WRMarquarius (Squirrel) WhiteAlabama
★★★WRChas NimrodArkansas
★★★RBDylan SampsonLouisiana
★★★OGMo Clipper Jr.Georgia
★★★OTBrian GrantFlorida
★★★OGMasai ReddickMichigan
★★★DTJordan PhillipsFlorida
★★★LB Elijah Herring Tennessee
★★★LBKalib PerryKentucky

Coaching staff

NamePosition [1] Joined staff
Josh Heupel Head coach 2021
Tim Banks Defensive coordinator 2021
Kodi Burns Wide receivers 2021
Mike Ekeler outside linebackers / Special teams coordinator 2021
Glen Elarbee offensive line 2021
Rodney Garner Defensive line 2021
Alex Golesh Offensive coordinator / Tight Ends 2021
Joey Halzle Quarterbacks 2021
Brian Jean-Mary Linebackers 2021
Jerry Mack Running Backs 2021
Willie Martinez Secondary 2021

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2 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
December 30 3:00 p.m. vs. Purdue *
 ESPN L 45–48OT 69,489

[2]

Game summaries

Bowling Green

Bowling Green at Tennessee
Period1234Total
Bowling Green06006
Tennessee140141038

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: September 2
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 84,314
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color) and Cole Cubelic (sidelines)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh at Tennessee
Period1234Total
Pittsburgh0277741
Tennessee10107734

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: Noon
  • Game weather: Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 82,203
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (color) and Tom Luginbill (sidelines)

Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech at Tennessee
Period1234Total
Tennessee Tech00000
Tennessee141421756

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: Noon
  • Game weather: Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 80,053
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Kevin Brown (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (color) and Abby Labar (sidelines)

At No. 11 Florida

Tennessee at No. 11 Florida
Period1234Total
Tennessee770014
No. 11 Florida10714738

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 88,478
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), and Katie George (sidelines)

At Missouri

Tennessee at Missouri
Period1234Total
Tennessee281710762
Missouri377724

at Faurot Field, Columbia, MO

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: Noon
  • Game weather: Rain, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 45,655
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), and Andraya Carter (sidelines)

Vs. South Carolina

South Carolina at Tennessee
Period1234Total
South Carolina077620
Tennessee28100745

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature – 70°F
  • Game attendance: 89,437
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV 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.
StatisticsSCTENN
First downs2224
Plays–yards75–37072–472
Rushes–yards153247
Passing yards217225
Passing: comp–att–int21–34–117–23–0
Time of possession33:5526:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SCPassing Luke Doty 19/31, 167 yards
RushingKevin Harris16 carries, 61 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingPayton Mangrum1 reception, 44 yards, TD
TENNPassingHendon Hooker17/23, 225 yards, 3 TD
RushingTiyon Evans16 carries, 119 yards, TD
ReceivingVelus Jones Jr.6 receptions, 103 yards, TD

No. 13 Ole Miss

No. 13 Ole Miss at Tennessee
Period1234Total
No. 13 Ole Miss10147031
Tennessee937726

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 7:30 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 102,455
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color) and Cole Cubelic (sidelines)

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]

At No. 4 Alabama

Tennessee at No. 4 Alabama
Period1234Total
Tennessee1403724
No. 4 Alabama71432852

at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 7:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 100,077
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), and Katie George (sidelines)

At No. 18 Kentucky

Tennessee at No. 16 Kentucky
Period1234Total
Tennessee141014745
No. 18 Kentucky71414742

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 7:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,690
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (color), and Dawn Davenport (sidelines)

No. 1 Georgia

No. 1 Georgia at Tennessee
Period1234Total
No. 1 Georgia71731441
Tennessee1000717

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 100,074
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV 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)
StatisticsUGATENN
First downs2622
Plays–yards70–48784–387
Rushes–yards41–27436–55
Passing yards213332
Passing: comp–att–int17–29–030–48–1
Time of possession32:4027:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UGAPassing Stetson Bennett 17/29, 213 yards, 1 TD
Rushing James Cook 10 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Adonai Mitchell 5 receptions, 65 yards
TENNPassing Hendon Hooker 24/37, 244 yards, 1TD, 1 INT
RushingJabari Small12 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Cedric Tillman 10 receptions, 200 yards, 1 TD

South Alabama

South Alabama at Tennessee
Period1234Total
South Alabama070714
Tennessee1421141160

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 7:30 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,203
  • Referee: Jason Autrey
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (color)

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Period1234Total
Vanderbilt076821
Tennessee71714745

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 3:45 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,349
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), and Andraya Carter (sidelines)

Purdue

2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Period1234OTTotal
Tennessee2101014045
Purdue716715348

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,489
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), and Cole Cubelic (sidelines)

Players drafted into the NFL

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
249 Alontae Taylor CB New Orleans Saints
371 Velus Jones Jr WR Chicago Bears
5175 Matthew Butler DT Las Vegas Raiders
6199 Cade Mays OG Carolina Panthers
6204 Theo Jackson S Tennessee Titans

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References

  1. ↑ "Football Coaches". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  2. ↑ "2021 Tennessee Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ Wilson, Mike (October 17, 2021). "How Tennessee Vols fans trashed end of Ole Miss game vs. Lane Kiffin". Knox News . Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  4. ↑ Low, Chris (October 18, 2021). "SEC Fines Tennessee Volunteers $250k for fan behavior at end of loss to Ole Miss Rebels". ESPN . Retrieved October 23, 2021.


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