2023 Tennessee Volunteers football team

2023 Tennessee Volunteers football
Citrus Bowl champion
Citrus Bowl, W 35–0 vs. Iowa
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	East Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 17
AP	No. 17
Record	9–4 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach	Josh Heupel (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Joey Halzle (1st as OC)(3rd overall season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Tim Banks (3rd season)
Base defense	4–3 multiple
Home stadium	Neyland Stadium
Seasons ←  2022 2024  →

2023 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
No. 4 Georgia xy		8	–	0					13	–	1
No. 8 Missouri		6	–	2					11	–	2
No. 17 Tennessee		4	–	4					9	–	4
Kentucky		3	–	5					7	–	6
Florida		3	–	5					5	–	7
South Carolina		3	–	5					5	–	7
Vanderbilt		0	–	8					2	–	10
West Division
No. 5 Alabama xy$^		8	–	0					12	–	2
No. 9 Ole Miss		6	–	2					11	–	2
No. 12 LSU		6	–	2					10	–	3
Texas A&M		4	–	4					7	–	6
Auburn		3	–	5					6	–	7
Mississippi State		1	–	7					5	–	7
Arkansas		1	–	7					4	–	8
Championship: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Volunteers were led by Josh Heupel in his third year as Tennessee's head coach.

Tennessee was ranked 9th by 247Sports in the 2023 college football recruiting class. ^[1]

The team played its home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. This was also expected to be the final year for the East division as the East and West divisions will be eliminated once Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC in 2024.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	12:00 p.m.	vs. Virginia *	No. 12	Nissan Stadium Nashville, TN (SEC Nation)	ABC	W 49–13	69,507
September 9	5:00 p.m.	Austin Peay *	No. 9	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN+/ESPN+	W 30–13	101,915
September 16	7:00 p.m.	at Florida	No. 11	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	ESPN	L 16–29	90,751
September 23	4:00 p.m.	UTSA *	No. 23	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	W 45–14	101,915
September 30	7:30 p.m.	South Carolina	No. 21	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	W 41–20	101,915
October 14	3:30 p.m.	Texas A&M	No. 19	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (SEC Nation)	CBS	W 20–13	101,915
October 21	3:30 p.m.	at No. 11 Alabama	No. 17	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Third Saturday in October / SEC Nation)	CBS	L 20–34	100,077
October 28	7:00 p.m.	at Kentucky	No. 21	Kroger Field Lexington, KY (rivalry)	ESPN	W 33–27	61,665
November 4	12:00 p.m.	UConn *	No. 17	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	W 59–3	101,915
November 11	3:30 p.m.	at No. 14 Missouri	No. 13	Faurot Field Columbia, MO	CBS	L 7–36	62,621
November 18	3:30 p.m.	No. 1 Georgia	No. 18	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry / SEC Nation)	CBS	L 10–38	101,915
November 25	3:30 p.m.	Vanderbilt	No. 21	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	W 48–24	101,915
January 1, 2024	1:00 p.m.	vs. No. 17 Iowa *	No. 21	Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl)	ABC	W 35–0	43,861
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after October 31) – Released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

^[2]

Roster

2023 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class RB 0 Jaylen Wright Jr WR 1 Dont'e Thornton Jr. Jr RB 2 Jabari Small Sr RB 6 Dylan Sampson So QB 7 Joe Milton III  Sr QB 8 Nico Iamaleava Fr WR 9 Ramel Keyton Sr WR 10 Squirrel White So QB 13 Gaston Moore  Jr WR 15 Bru McCoy  Sr WR 17 Michael Bittner  Sr QB 18 Ryan Damron Fr RB 20 Khalifa Keith Fr QB 21 Navy Shuler  Jr WR 22 Jack Jancek  Jr RB 23 Cameron Seldon Fr RB 25 DeSean Bishop Fr TE 27 Emmanuel Okoye Fr RB 28 Patrick Wilk  So WR 29 Jack-Henry Jakobik Fr WR 31 Jackson Locke  So TE 34 McCallan Castles  Sr WR 35 Garrett Young Fr WR 36 Nathan Roberts Fr RB 42 Hunter Barnes  Fr TE 43 Titus Rohrer  Fr TE 44 Luke Shouse  Jr TE 46 Cody Duncan  So OL 51 Vysen Lang Fr OT 53 Jeremiah Crawford Sr OT 54 Gerald Mincey  Jr OL 55 Braeden Krivosh  Jr OL 56 Mo Clipper Jr.  Fr OL 57 Connor Meadows  Fr C 63 Cooper Mays Sr G 64 Ayden Bussell Fr C 65 Parker Ball  Sr OL 66 Dayne Davis  Sr G 68 Masai Reddick  Fr OL 69 Gus Hill  Fr G 70 Andrej Karic  Jr OL 72 Addison Nichols  Fr OT 73 Brian Grant  Fr OT 74 John Campbell Jr.  Sr G 75 Jackson Lampley  Sr G 76 Javontez Spraggins Sr OT 77 Larry Johnson III So OL 78 Ollie Lane  Sr OT 79 Shamurad Umarov Fr WR 80 Nate Spillman Fr WR 81 Chas Nimrod  Fr WR 82 Dayton Sneed Fr WR 83 Trey Weary  Fr WR 84 Kaleb Webb  Fr WR 85 Nathan Leacock Fr TE 86 Ethan Davis Fr TE 87 Jacob Warren  Sr TE 88 Charlie Browder  So TE 89 Hunter Salmon  Sr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 0 Doneiko Slaughter Sr CB 5 Kamal Hadden  Sr DE 27 James Pearce Jr. So LB 44 Elijah Herring So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK 19 Charles Campbell  Sr	Head coach Josh Heupel Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Game summaries

vs Virginia

See also: 2023 Virginia Cavaliers football team

Game One – Virginia Cavaliers (0–0) vs No. 12 Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Virginia	0	3	7	3	13
No. 12 Tennessee	7	14	14	14	49

at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: September 2, 2023
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 69,507
• Referee: Matt Loeffler
• TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (12:05) TENN – Dylan Sampson 9-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 2:55; Tennessee 7–0) Second quarter (4:41) TENN – Dylan Sampson 3-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 90 yards, 4:52; Tennessee 14–0) (1:42) UVA – Will Bettridge 30-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:59; Tennessee 14–3) (0:06) TENN – Joe Milton III 1-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:36; Tennessee 21–3) Third quarter (10:52) TENN – Joe Milton III 1-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 3:10; Tennessee 28–3) (7:23) TENN – Dylan Sampson 2-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:28; Tennessee 35–3) (3:05) UVA – Perris Jones 17-yard run (Will Bettridge kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:18; Tennessee 35–10) Fourth quarter (13:36) TENN – Jacob Warren 11-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 2:03; Tennessee 42–10) (11:06) TENN – Dylan Sampson 3-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 1:40; Tennessee 49–10) (0:39) UVA – Will Bettridge 40-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:57; Tennessee 49–13)

Statistics	UVA	TENN
First downs	12	29
Total yards	64–201	85–499
Rushing yards	40–95	52–287
Passing yards	106	212
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–24–0	23–33–0
Time of possession	32:54	27:06

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Virginia	Passing	Tony Muskett	9/17, 94 yards
	Rushing	Perris Jones	7 carries, 39 yards, TD
	Receiving	Malachi Fields	4 receptions, 63 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	21/30, 201 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	12 carries, 115 yards
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	3 receptions, 66 yards

vs Austin Peay

See also: 2023 Austin Peay Governors football team

Game Two – Austin Peay Governors (FCS) (0–1) at No. 12 Tennessee Volunteers (1–0) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Austin Peay (FCS)	3	3	0	7	13
No. 12 Tennessee	3	10	10	7	30

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: September 9, 2023
• Game time: 5:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Steve Marlowe
• TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Justin Kutcher (play-by-play), Dave Steckel (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (11:06) PEAY — Maddux Trujillo 45-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:54; Austin Peay 3–0) (5:51) TENN – Charles Campbell 28-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:01; Tied 3–3) Second quarter (8:15) PEAY – Maddux Trujillo 34-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 6:39; Austin Peay 6–3) (4:55) TENN – Charles Campbell 37-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:11; Tied 6–6) (0:15) TENN – Joe Milton III 6-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 2:04; Tennessee 13–6) Third quarter (13:30) TENN – Ramel Keyton 5-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 1:21; Tennessee 20–6) (6:33) TENN – Charles Campbell 22-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 2:30; Tennessee 23–6) Fourth quarter (9:01) PEAY – Trey Goodman 52-yard pass from Mike DiLiello (Maddux Trujillo kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 2:30; Tennessee 23–13) (8:03) TENN – McCallan Castles 43-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:58; Tennessee 30–13)

Statistics	PEAY	TENN
First downs	19	17
Total yards	75–339	65–456
Rushing yards	34–79	32–228
Passing yards	260	228
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	29–41–1	21–33–0
Time of possession	39:01	20:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Austin Peay	Passing	Mike DiLiello	29/39, 260 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Mike DiLiello	21 carries, 36 yards
	Receiving	Trey Goodman	3 receptions, 70 yards, TD
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	21/33, 228 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	13 carries, 118 yards
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	5 receptions, 52 yards, TD

at Florida

See also: 2023 Florida Gators football team and Florida-Tennessee football rivalry

Game Three: No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers (2–0) at Florida Gators (1–1) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 11 Tennessee	7	0	3	6	16
Florida	6	20	0	3	29

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

• Date: September 16, 2023
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 90,751
• Referee: Scott Walker
• TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color), and Holly Rowe (sidelines)

Game information

First quarter (5:33) TENN – Ramel Keyton 11-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:01; Tennessee 7–0) (4:10) FLA – Trevor Etienne 62-yard run (Adam Mihalek kick blocked) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:23; Tennessee 7–6) Second quarter (9:28) FLA – Montrell Johnson Jr. 4-yard run (pass failed) (Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 7:28; Florida 12–7) (7:20) FLA – Graham Mertz 1-yard run (Trey Smack kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:32; Florida 19–7) (2:22) FLA – Montrell Johnson Jr. 18-yard pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:30; Florida 26–7) Third quarter (9:31) TENN – Charles Campbell 42-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 46 yards, 5:29; Florida 26–10) Fourth quarter (9:55) FLA – Trey Smack 27-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 5:05; Florida 29–10) (8:41) TENN – Bru McCoy 55-yard pass from Joe Milton III (pass failed) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:14; Florida 29–16)

Statistics	TENN	FLA
First downs	17	21
Total yards	64–387	67–349
Rushing yards	30–100	43–183
Passing yards	287	166
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	20–34–1	19–24–0
Time of possession	22:32	37:28

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	20/34, 287 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	16 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Bru McCoy	5 receptions, 94 yards, TD
Florida	Passing	Graham Mertz	19/24, 166 yards, TD
	Rushing	Trevor Etienne	23 carries, 172 yards, TD
	Receiving	Eugene Wilson III	6 receptions, 44 yards

vs UTSA

See also: 2023 UTSA Roadrunners football team

Game Four – UTSA Roadrunners (1–2) at No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers (2–1) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
UTSA	0	0	14	0	14
No. 23 Tennessee	14	17	0	14	45

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: September 23, 2023
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (14:40) TENN – Joe Milton III 81-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 1 play, 81 yards, 0:14; Tennessee 7–0) (10:03) TENN – Dylan Sampson 10-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 2:56; Tennessee 14–0) Second quarter (14:23) TENN – Kaleb Webb 18-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:26; Tennessee 21–0) (11:10) TENN – Ramel Keyton 48-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:17; Tennessee 28–0) (3:21) TENN – Charles Campbell 29-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 1:43; Tennessee 31–0) Third quarter (7:32) UTSA – Joshua Cephus 3-yard pass from Owen McCown (Chase Allen kick) (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:28; Tennessee 31–7) (5:16) UTSA – Tykee Ogle-Kellogg 43-yard pass from Owen McCown (Chase Allen kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 1:13; Tennessee 31–14) Fourth quarter (12:42) TENN – Jabari Small 2-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 4:40; Tennessee 38–14) (10:17) TENN – Dylan Sampson 41-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, 0:33; Tennessee 45–14)

Statistics	UTSA	TENN
First downs	16	21
Total yards	81–319	66–512
Rushing yards	40–88	33–303
Passing yards	231	209
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	30–41–2	18–33–0
Time of possession	37:12	22:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UTSA	Passing	Owen McCown	18/20, 170 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Kevorian Barnes	13 rushes, 40 yards
	Receiving	Joshua Cephus	7 receptions, 58 yards, TD
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	18/31, 209 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Dylan Sampson	11 carries, 139 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	1 reception, 48 yards, TD

vs South Carolina

See also: 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks football team and South Carolina-Tennessee football rivalry

Game Five – South Carolina Gamecocks (2–2) at No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (3–1) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
South Carolina	10	0	7	3	20
No. 21 Tennessee	14	10	7	10	41

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: September 30, 2023
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 83 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Daniel Gatreaux
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (9:26) TENN – Jaylen Wright 42-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 94 yards, 3:02; Tennessee 7–0) (5:47) SC – Mitch Jeter 36-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:41; Tennessee 7–3) (2:03) SC – Spencer Rattler 6-yard run (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 2:52; South Carolina 10–7) (0:42) TENN – Jabari Small 2-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:21; Tennessee 14–10) Second quarter (8:50) TENN – Charles Campbell 24-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 2:14; Tennessee 17–10) (0:47) TENN – Kamal Hadden 28-yard interception return (Charles Campbell kick) (Tennessee 24–10) Third quarter (10:41) TENN – Jacob Warren 6-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:19; Tennessee 31–10) (10:28) SC – Mario Anderson 75-yard run (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:13; Tennessee 31–17) Fourth quarter (12:42) TENN – Charles Campbell 33-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 23 yards, 4:03; Tennessee 34–17) (8:35) SC – Mitch Jeter 47-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:07; Tennessee 34–20) (4:09) TENN – Dylan Sampson 6-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:26; Tennessee 41–20)

Statistics	SC	TENN
First downs	11	24
Total yards	63–333	72–477
Rushing yards	27–132	40–238
Passing yards	201	239
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–36–1	21–32–2
Time of possession	30:15	29:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Carolina	Passing	Spencer Rattler	24/35, 169 yards, INT
	Rushing	Mario Anderson	10 carries, 101 yards, TD
	Receiving	Trey Knox	7 receptions, 51 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	21/32, 239 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	16 carries, 123 yards, TD
	Receiving	Squirrel White	9 receptions, 104 yards

vs Texas A&M

See also: 2023 Texas A&M Aggies football team

Game Six – Texas A&M Aggies (4–2) at No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers (4–1) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texas A&M	7	3	3	0	13
No. 19 Tennessee	7	0	7	6	20

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: October 14, 2023
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Matt Loeffler
• TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jenny Dell (sideline)

Game information

First quarter TAMU – Max Johnson 2-yard run (Randy Bond kick), 8:29. Aggies 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:15. TENN – Jacob Warren 7-yard pass from Joe Milton (Charles Campbell kick), 1:44. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:10. Second quarter TAMU – Randy Bond 41-yard field goal, 10:48. Aggies 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:56. Third quarter TENN – Dee Williams 39-yard punt return (Charles Campbell kick), 6:47. Volunteers 14–10. TAMU – Randy Bond 24-yard field goal, 3:15. Volunteers 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:32. Fourth quarter TENN – Charles Campbell 31-yard field goal, 3:48. Volunteers 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:46. TENN – Charles Campbell 24-yard field goal, 2:31. Volunteers 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:54.

Statistics	TAMU	TENN
First downs	17	20
Total yards	277	332
Rushing yards	54	232
Passing yards	223	100
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–34–2	11–22–1
Time of possession	30:48	29:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas A&M	Passing	Max Johnson	16/34, 223 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Le'Veon Ross	15 rushes, 62 yards
	Receiving	Noah Thomas	3 receptions, 75 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton	11/22, 100 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	19 rushes, 136 yards
	Receiving	Chas Nimrod	4 receptions, 31 yards

at No. 11 Alabama

See also: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team and Third Saturday in October

Game Seven – No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers (5–1) at No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (6–1) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 17 Tennessee	13	7	0	0	20
No. 11 Alabama	0	7	17	10	34

at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Date: October 21, 2023
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C), NE @ 5 mph
• Game attendance: 100,077
• Referee: Ken Williamson
• TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jenny Dell (sideline)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TENN	ALA
First downs	22	20
Total yards	404	358
Rushing yards	133	138
Passing yards	271	220
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	28–41–0	14–21–1
Time of possession	27:41	32:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	28/41, 271 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Joe Milton III	15 carries, 59 yards
	Receiving	Squirrel White	10 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD
Alabama	Passing	Jalen Milroe	14/21, 220 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jase McClellan	27 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Isaiah Bond	3 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD

at Kentucky

See also: 2023 Kentucky Wildcats football team and Kentucky-Tennessee football rivalry

Game Eight – No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (5–2) at Kentucky Wildcats (4–2) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 21 Tennessee	10	13	3	7	33
Kentucky	0	17	7	3	27

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: October 28, 2023
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 61,665
• TV announcers (ESPN): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TENN	UK
First downs	24	24
Total yards	481	444
Rushing yards	254	72
Passing yards	227	372
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17–20–0	28–39–0
Time of possession	26:56	33:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	17/20, 227 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	11 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Dont'e Thornton Jr.	3 receptions, 63 yards
Kentucky	Passing	Devin Leary	28/39, 372 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Ray Davis	16 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Dane Key	7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

vs UConn

See also: 2023 UConn Huskies football team

Game Nine – UConn Huskies (1–7) at No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers (6–2) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
UConn	3	0	0	0	3
No. 17 Tennessee	14	21	21	3	59

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: November 4, 2023
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, Wind 0 MPH, 54 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Kyle Olson
• TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (color analyst), Alex Chappell (sideline)

Game information

First quarter TEN – Wright, Jaylen 82 yd run (Campbell, Charles kick), 14:27. Volunteers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 85 yards, TOP 00:28 CONN – Ruelas, Noe 22 yd field goal, 2:47. Volunteers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 06:49 TEN – Keyton, Ramel 60 yd pass from Milton III, Joe (Campbell, Charles kick), 1:38. Volunteers 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, TOP 01:01 Second quarter TEN – Milton III, Joe 6 yd run (Campbell, Charles kick), 7:25. Volunteers 21–3. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, TOP 02:47 TEN – White, Squirrel 83 yd pass from Milton III, Joe (Campbell, Charles kick), 4:34. Volunteers 28–3. Drive: 3 plays, 95 yards, TOP 00:47 TEN – Baron, Tyler 24 yd fumble recovery (Campbell, Charles kick), 3:30. Volunteers 35–3. Third quarter TEN – McCollough, Jaylen 30 yd interception (Campbell, Charles kick), 14:52. Volunteers 42–3. TEN – Beasley, Aaron 39 yd interception (Campbell, Charles kick), 11:51. Volunteers 49–3. TEN – Castles, McCallan 19 yd pass from Iamaleava, Nico (Turbyville, Josh kick), 7:30. Volunteers 56–3. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, TOP 02:21 Fourth quarter TEN – Turbyville, Josh 33 yd field goal, 8:02. Volunteers 59–3. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, TOP 02:13

Statistics	CONN	TENN
First downs	17	26
Total yards	256	650
Rushing yards	35	275
Passing yards	221	375
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–42–2	21–31–0
Time of possession	38:24	21:36

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UConn	Passing	Ta'Quan Roberson	24/40, 218 yards
	Rushing	Jalen Mitchell	8 carries, 28 yards
	Receiving	Justin Joly	8 receptions, 89 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	11/14, 254 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	8 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Squirrel White	2 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD

at No. 14 Missouri

See also: 2023 Missouri Tigers football team

Game Ten – No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers (7–2) at No. 14 Missouri Tigers (7–2) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 13 Tennessee	0	7	0	0	7
No. 14 Missouri	0	13	9	14	36

at Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny • 56 °F (13 °C) • 6 mph ESE wind
• Game attendance: 62,621
• Referee: David Smith
• TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), and Jenny Dell (sidelines)

Game information

First quarter No scoring Second quarter (14:16) MIZZ: Harrison Mevis 31 yard field goal. 3–0 Missouri (12:15) TENN: Dont'e Thornton Jr. 46 yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick). 7–3 Tennessee (10:33) MIZZ: Cody Schrader 7 yard run (Harrison Mevis kick). 10-7 Missouri (0:00) MIZZ: Harrison Mevis 46 yard field goal. 13–7 Missouri Third quarter (10:04) MIZZ: Brady Cook 3 yard run (Two point pass conversion failed). 19–7 Missouri (2:38) MIZZ: Harrison Mevis 23 yard field goal. 22–7 Missouri Fourth quarter (6:21) MIZZ: Luther Burden III 21 yard pass from Brady Cook (Harrison Mevis kick). 29-7 Missouri (5:50) MIZZ: Daylan Carnell 38 yard interception return (Harrison Mevis kick). 36-7 Missouri

Statistics	TENN	MIZZ
First downs	15	26
Total yards	350	530
Rushing yards	83	255
Passing yards	267	275
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–34–1	18–24–1
Time of possession	20:04	39:56

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	22–34, 267 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Joe Milton III	10 carries, 36 yards
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	4 receptions, 57 yards
Missouri	Passing	Brady Cook	18–24, 275 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Cody Schrader	35 carries, 205 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Cody Schrader	5 receptions, 116 yards

vs No. 1 Georgia

See also: 2023 Georgia Bulldogs football team and Georgia-Tennessee football rivalry

Game Eleven – No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (10–0) at No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers (7–3) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Georgia	10	14	14	0	38
No. 18 Tennessee	7	3	0	0	10

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: November 18
• Game time: 3:30pm
• Game weather: Sunny • 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• TV announcers (CBS/ SEC Nation ): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), and Jenny Dell (sidelines)

Game information

First Quarter (14:49) Jaylen Wright 75-yard Run (Charles Campbell Kick) (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11; Tennessee 7–0) (10:01) Peyton Woodring 42-yard Field Goal (Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 4:48; Tennessee 7–3) (3:17) Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint 18-yard pass from Dillon Bell (Peyton Woodring Kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:57; Georgia 10–7) Second Quarter (8:04) Dillon Bell 9-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:02; Georgia 17–7) (1:31) Brock Bowers 3-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:54; Georgia 24–7) (0:00) Charles Campbell 37-yard Field Goal (Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 1:31; Georgia 24–10) Third Quarter (9:24) Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint 8-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:53; Georgia 31–10) (1:03) Kendall Milton 15-yard Run (Peyton Woodring Kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 6:27; Georgia 38–10) Fourth quarter no scoring (Georgia 38–10)

Statistics	No. 1 UGA	No. 18 TENN
First downs	27	13
Total yards	472	277
Rushing yards	156	130
Passing yards	316	147
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–31–0	17–30–0
Time of possession	40:58	19:02

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
No. 1 Georgia	Passing	Carson Beck	24/30, 298 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Kendall Milton	11 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint	7 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD
No. 18 Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	17/30, 147 yards
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	9 carries, 90 yards
	Receiving	Squirrel White	5 receptions, 45 yards

vs Vanderbilt

See also: 2023 Vanderbilt Commodores football team and Tennessee-Vanderbilt football rivalry

Game Twelve – Vanderbilt Commodores (2–9) at No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (7–4) – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Vanderbilt	7	3	0	14	24
No. 21 Tennessee	14	17	14	3	48

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

• Date: November 25
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cloudy • 59 °F (15 °C)
• Game attendance: 101,915
• Referee: Ken Williamson
• TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (color), and Taylor Davis (sidelines)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VAN	TENN
First downs	22	31
Total yards	306	617
Rushing yards	78	168
Passing yards	228	449
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–32–0	31–47–0
Time of possession	34:21	25:39

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing	AJ Swann	14/23, 167 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Sedrick Alexander	11 carries, 46 yards
	Receiving	Junior Sherrill	4 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD
Tennessee	Passing	Joe Milton III	22/33, 383 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Jaylen Wright	11 carries, 75 yards
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	4 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD

vs No. 17 Iowa

See also: 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and 2024 Citrus Bowl

2024 Citrus Bowl
No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes vs No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 17 Hawkeyes	0	0	0	0	0
No. 21 Volunteers	0	14	7	14	35

at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

• Date: January 1, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 pm
• Game weather: Sunny • 67 °F (19 °C)
• Game attendance: 43,861
• Referee: Jeff Heaser (ACC)
• TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (color), and Kayla Burton (sidelines)

Statistics	IOWA	TENN
First downs	11	25
Total yards	173	383
Rushing yards	113	232
Passing yards	60	151
Turnovers	3	0
Time of possession	29:48	30:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Deacon Hill	7/18, 56 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Marco Lainez	6 carries, 51 yards
	Receiving	Kaleb Brown	3 receptions, 39 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Nico Iamaleava	12/19, 151 yards, TD
	Rushing	Dylan Sampson	20 carries, 133 yards
	Receiving	Ramel Keyton	3 receptions, 51 yards

Rankings

Further information: 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	12	9	11	23	21	22	19т	17	21	19	14	21	25	RV	25	17
Coaches	10	9	9	20	19	18	17	15	20	16	12	19	23	23	23	17
CFP	Not released									17	13	18	21	21	21	Not released

References

1. "2023 Recruit Football Team Rankings". 247 Sports. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
2. "2023 Schedule" (PDF). UT Sports. Retrieved December 22, 2022.