Tennessee – Page 5 – Syndication Server

Kim Caldwell provides medical update for Kaiya Wynn

Tennessee basketball head coach Kim Caldwell provides medical update for Lady Vols’ guard Kaiya Wynn.

Kim Caldwell enters her first season as the Lady Vols’ basketball head coach for the 2024-25 campaign.

Tennessee will tipoff its regular-season versus Samford on Nov. 5 at Food City Center. The season opening contest is slated for 6:30 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+.

Caldwell provided a medical update on Tuesday regarding Tennessee senior guard Kaiya Wynn.

“Wynn has suffered a torn Achilles in her right leg and is expected to miss the 2024-25 season,” Caldwell announced.

The 6-foot guard was one of five Lady Vol basketball players to appear in all 33 games last season. She averaged 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Wynn is from Nashville, Tennessee and has appeared in 94 contests since 2021 for the Lady Vols, averaging 2.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

During the summer, Wynn traveled to South Africa and Botswana for a service and leadership trip with the VOLeaders Academy.

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell through the years

Kim Caldwell. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Bru McCoy named semifinalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year

Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy named a semifinalist for the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year.

Redshirt senior Bru McCoy has appeared in all seven games for Tennessee during the 2024 football regular-season.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound wide receiver has recorded 20 receptions for 289 yards, while also totaling 15 rushing yards on two attempts.

Following Week 8, McCoy was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. The Witten Award honors the type of exemplary character and commitment to community, family and teammates.

McCoy returned to the field in 2024 after suffering a season-ending fracture-dislocation of his right ankle versus South Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023.

McCoy is the fourth Tennessee football player to be named a semifinalist during the award’s eight-year history (Trey Smith 2019, Hendon Hooker 2022 and Joe Milton III 2023).

Witten played tight end for Tennessee from 2000-02, while also playing 17 seasons in the National Football League for Dallas and the Raiders.

PHOTOS: Jason Witten through the years

Josh Heupel named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

Tenenssee’s Josh Heupel named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week after defeating Alabama.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel earned coaching honors after the Vols’, 24-17, win versus Alabama in Week 8.

Heupel was named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week on Tuesday.

“Coach Heupel and his Volunteers made a statement on Saturday,” Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, said. “The Volunteers have seen a resurgence since he took over in 2021, and they look poised to have another big season under his leadership.”

Heupel has also been named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List.

The Vols have wins over Chattanooga, North Carolina State, Kent State, Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama this season. Tennessee suffered its only loss at Arkansas on Oct. 5.

Tennessee has its second and final open date on Saturday in Week 9. The Vols will return to action against Kentucky on Nov. 2 at Neyland Stadium.

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field after beating Alabama

Tennessee’s leaders for tackles through seven games

A look at Tennessee’s leaders for tackles through seven games during the 2024 college football season.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) is ranked No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll in Week 9. The Vols will have their second open date of the regular-season on Saturday.

Through seven contests, redshirt senior defensive back Will Brooks is leading Tennessee in tackles. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound safety has recorded 37 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss.

Brooks is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. After the Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17, in Week 8, Brooks met with media and was asked what the victory meant to him.

“It meant a lot,” Brooks said. “Beating Alabama is always a great feeling, especially for this fanbase, for all of the players and all of the coaches. It was just an unbelievable moment, and it was super exciting.”

Below are Tennessee’s top five leaders for tackles after Week 8.

Will Brooks (37)
Arion Carter (33)
Keenan Pili (29)
Jermod McCoy (24)
Joshua Josephs (23)

Will Brooks. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Two Vols earn SEC honors after Alabama win

Two Tennessee players earn SEC football honors after defeating Alabama in Week 8.

Tennessee recorded its second consecutive win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Week 8. The Vols were victorious, 24-17.

Two Tennessee student-athletes earned Southeastern Conference honors following their Week 8 performances against the Crimson Tide.

Running back Dylan Sampson earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while center Cooper Mays was named Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Sampson tied his career-high for rushing yards (139) against Alabama. He also scored two rushing touchdowns on 26 attempts.

Against Alabama, Mays extended his streak of not allowing a sack to 21 consecutive games. He played all 76 snaps without allowing a sack or committing a penalty.

SEC football Week 8 awards

Offensive Player of the Week
Dylan Sampson, running back, Tennessee

Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Jalon Walker, linebacker, Georgia
Nick Emmanwori, safety, South Carolina

Special Teams Player of the Week
Damian Ramos, place kicker, LSU

Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Emery Jones, tackle, LSU
Cooper Mays, center, Tennessee

Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Tonka Hemingway, tackle, South Carolina
Mykel Williams, tackle, Georgia

Freshman of the Week
Jadan Baugh, running back, Florida

Dylan Sampson. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee receives commitment from 2026 defensive lineman

Tennessee football receives commitment from 2026 defensive lineman.

Tennessee received a commitment for its 2026 recruiting class on Monday. Defensive lineman Tyson Bacon committed to the Vols from Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama.

He ranks as a three-star in the 247Sports Composite, No. 487 player nationally, No. 42 defensive lineman and No. 18 prospect in Alabama.

The 6-foot-3, 248-pound defensive lineman unofficially visited Tennessee on Oct. 19 for the Vols’ game against Alabama.

Tennessee offered Bacon a scholarship on April 7 after visiting for spring practices. He also unofficially visited Tennessee on July 27.

Tennessee has four commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Brandon Anderson and Bacon.

2024 SEC passing yard leaders after Week 8

A look at SEC passing yard leaders after Week 8 of the 2024 college football season.

Week 8 of the 2024 college football season has concluded for Southeastern Conference teams.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) defeated Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC), 24-17, in Week 8. The Vols will next host Kentucky (3-4, 1-4 SEC) in Week 9 at Neyland Stadium.

Following Week 8 games, Vols Wire looks at statistical leaders in the Southeastern Conference. Below are top 10 passing yard leaders in the SEC.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (2,384)
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (2,222)
Carson Beck, Georgia (1,993)
Taylen Green, Arkansas (1,741)
Jalen Milroe, Alabama (1,722)
Brady Cook, Missouri (1,545)
Payton Thorne, Auburn (1,414)
Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee (1,413)
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (1,391)
Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky (1,116)

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

SEC announces Week 10 football kickoff times, TV channels

The SEC announced kickoff times and TV information for Week 10 football games on Nov. 2.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) enters its second and final open date of the 2024 regular-season during Week 9. The Vols are ranked No. 8 nationally in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Tennessee will return to action on Nov. 2 versus Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. The matchup between the Vols and Wildcats will take place in Week 10.

The Southeastern Conference announced kickoff times for league games in Week 10. Kickoff and TV information for the Tennessee-Kentucky game is still not determined, but will be a night contest at Neyland Stadium.

SEC Week 10 TV information and kickoff times

Ole Miss at Arkansas (noon EDT or 12:45 p.m. EDT — ABC, ESPN or SEC Network)
Vanderbilt at Auburn (noon ET or 12:45 p.m. EDT — ABC, ESPN or SEC Network)
Maine at Oklahoma (2:30 p.m. EDT — SECN+/ESPN+)
Florida versus Georgia (3:30 p.m. EDT — ABC — Jacksonville, Florida)
UMass at Mississippi State (4:15 p.m. EDT — SEC Network)
Texas A&M at South Carolina (7:30 p.m. EDT or 7:45 p.m. EDT — ABC, ESPN or SEC Network)
Kentucky at Tennessee (7:30 p.m. EDT or 7:45 p.m. EDT — ABC, ESPN or SEC Network)

Josh Heupel discusses defeating Florida, Alabama in back-to-back weeks

Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel discusses defeating Florida and Alabama in back-to-back weeks.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) hosted its two biggest rivals in Florida and Alabama the last two weeks at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated the Gators, 23-17 in overtime, during Week 7 and was victorious, 24-17, in Week 8 versus the Crimson Tide.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is now 4-4 against Florida and Alabama as the Vols’ head coach since 2021. He discussed joy of having defeated two of Tennessee’s biggest rivals this season.

“Joy and being on the right side of the scoreboard each Saturday, those are two big games,” Heupel said. “Historically, our fan base, what it means to them, you know what I mean?

“To our players, it’s big games because it’s league games, and understand what it means and the things that you’re trying to go accomplish, and what you have been working for since January. You know, the last two weeks on that field, it’s just really special because of what it took to find a way to be on the right side of the scoreboard. All the ups and downs, just continuing to compete, and I’m proud of the guys for that.”

Tennessee fined for violation of access to competition area policy

Following the Vols’ win over Alabama, Tennessee is fined for violation of access to competition area policy.

Tennessee fans stormed Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday after the Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17.

The Vols have defeated Alabama in back-to-back games at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee was also victorious, 52-49, over the Crimson Tide on Oct. 15, 2022.

Both contests in 2022 and 2024 resulted in Tennessee fans storming the field. The Southeastern Conference announced Tennessee has been fined $100,000 for violation of access to competition area policy.

Tennessee also incurred a $100,000 fine after the 2022 Alabama football game. At the time, it was the Vols’ second offense under the league’s then-access to competition area policy. Under the previous policy, Tennessee was first fined following a basketball game against Florida in 2006.

The SEC released the following statement following fans storming the field after Saturday’s contest.

The Southeastern Conference announced today that the University of Tennessee will be fined for violation of the league’s access to competition area policy due to fans entering the field following its football game vs. the University of Alabama on October 19.

Tennessee will incur a fine of $100,000 for a first offense under the league’s current access to competition area policy that was revised at the SEC Spring Meetings in 2023.

For Conference contests, fines are paid to the opposing institution.

The policy states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”

Financial penalties are imposed for violations in all sports sponsored by the Conference. Institutional penalties range from $100,000 for a first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and $500,000 for a third and subsequent offenses.

The policy was originally adopted by a vote of Conference members in 2004 and financial penalties were increased by action taken by the membership in 2015 and again in 2023.

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm field after beating Alabama football