Season Opener Highlights
The Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2026 campaign in dominant fashion, routing the Furman Paladins 56-9 in a showcase of offensive firepower and defensive aggression.
Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, the first true freshman to start Week 1 since Brent Schaeffer, delivered a career‑defining performance with five touchdowns—two on the ground and three through the air—tying a freshman record previously set by Casey Clausen and Tyler Bray.
On the defensive side, Tyree Weathersby generated early momentum with a decisive sack, while senior Xavier Gilliam broke Darrell Taylor’s 2018 single‑game record by recording three sacks, contributing to a total of six sacks for the Vols defense.
The offense also saw deep connections from Mike Matthews, who found the end zone twice on long passes, and Justin Baker, whose clutch touchdown marked his biggest play since 2023. Additionally, George MacIntyre linked up with TK Keys for his first career touchdown with the Volunteers.
With the victory establishing a strong foundation, the Volunteers now turn their attention to the upcoming showdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, hoping to carry the momentum into the rest of the season.