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.
Recruiting class
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
|
Coaching staff
Schedule
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
|
|
[2]
Game summaries
Bowling Green
Pittsburgh
Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee
at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
- Date: September 18 [5]
- 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
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
|
|
At Missouri
Tennessee at Missouri
at Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
- Date: October 2 [7]
- 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
at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee
- Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021 [8]
- 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.
|
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
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.[10] On the Monday following the game, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced that Tennessee would be fined $250,000 due to the fans' actions.[11]
At No. 4 Alabama
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
ALA −27.5 |
66.5
|
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
|
At No. 18 Kentucky
Tennessee at No. 16 Kentucky
at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
- Date: November 6 [13]
- 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)
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
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
|
South Alabama
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
TENN −28.0 |
61
|
South Alabama at Tennessee
at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
- Date: November 20 [15]
- 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)
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
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
- Date: November 27 [16]
- 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)
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
|
Purdue
Players drafted into the NFL
.
Tennessee had five players selected in the 2022 NFL draft.[18]
References
- ^ "Football Coaches". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Tennessee Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^ Lesar, Al (September 3, 2021). "Heupel's debut ends in Tennessee's 38–6 win". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (September 11, 2021). "Pickett leads Pitt past Tennessee, 41–34". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (September 18, 2021). "Hooker in on 4 TDs, leads Tennessee to easy win, 56–0". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Long, Mark (September 26, 2021). "Emory Jones comes up big, No. 11 Gators rout Tennessee again". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Walljasper, Joe (October 2, 2021). "Tennessee makes quick work of Missouri in 62–24 rout". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (October 9, 2021). "Hooker throws three TDs, leads Tennessee past South Carolina". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (October 17, 2021). "No. 13 Ole Miss beats Tennessee 31–26; fans pelt field". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Mike (October 17, 2021). "How Tennessee Vols fans trashed end of Ole Miss game vs. Lane Kiffin". Knox News. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Zenor, John (October 24, 2021). "Young, Robinson power No. 4 Alabama past Tennessee 52–24". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Graves, Gary B. (November 7, 2021). "Hooker's 4 TDs help Tennessee top No. 18 Kentucky 45–42". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Teresa M. (November 14, 2021). "Bennett, No. 1 Georgia remain perfect, rout Tennessee 41–17". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (November 21, 2021). "Hooker leads Tennessee's rout of South Alabama 60–14". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Lesar, Al (November 28, 2021). "Tennessee hands rival Vanderbilt season-ending loss, 45–21". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Teresa M. (December 31, 2021). "Purdue outlasts Tennessee 48–45 in OT in Music City Bowl". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Patrick (May 1, 2022). "Recapping how Tennessee fared in the 2022 NFL Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
External links
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |