Big Orange Report January 9, 2026

 

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The two-point loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl was, in many ways, a repeat performance of the regular season for Tennessee. The big difference in this game was that the offense stalled and spun its wheels just as much as the defense. The Vols' offensive attack could muster only 278 yards in the game. The blocking front did a poor job of protecting the quarterback. Aguilar was under constant pressure from a team that was without its best pass rusher. Aguilar was sacked four times and the Illini forced a fumble that was recovered in the endzone for a cheap touchdown. On that play three guys poured through the protection and grabbed the UT quarterback before he had time to make a decision.

When Vol kicker Max Gilbert missed a 39-yard chip shot, the thoughts of the failed kick that might have won the Georgia game flooded the memories of many Vol fans. Obviously the missed field goal could have been the difference in the game, but of course, we will never know for sure.

The defense was once again porous and unable to get off the field at crucial moments in the game. Illinois rolled up 417 yards of total offense including 221 yards on the ground. With the outcome still hanging in the balance, the Illini hogged the football for 11:24 out of the final 15 minutes in the fourth quarter. Three crucial 15-yard personal foul penalties against the Tennessee defense kept drives alive and in the final analysis, came back to haunt the Volunteers. UT could muster only one sack in the game and the Illinois veteran quarterback had three or four crucial chunk runs to move the sticks at key moments in the contest.

Freshman Joakim Dodson's 94-yard kickoff return for a sudden six kept Vol hopes alive. Dodson displayed outstanding speed and a couple of nifty moves as he galloped coast to coast for the score. Tailback DeSean Bishop was another bright spot. He ran hard, broke tackles and got close to 100 yards rushing in the game.

In conclusion, this season was obviously disappointing in many ways for the team and a fan base that expected more after making the college playoffs just a year ago. In the next few weeks there will be soul searching and then planning just how to get out of the rut and move forward. The defensive staff will be completed and the portal searches will get underway this week. The program needs instant help and no one knows that better than head coach Josh Heupel.

New Defensive Staff

Incoming defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and head coach Josh Heupel along with Athletic Director Danny White moved at warp speed to get the new defensive staff in place. Only two coaches, Rodney Garner and William Inge, were retained from the staff of the fired Tim Banks. Garner just signed a new two-year deal that runs through January of 2028.

Knowles added three on-the-field coaches who have worked with him at previous stops. Secondary coach Anthony Poindexter moves to Knoxville from Penn State where he was on Knowles' staff this season. Also moving south from Happy Valley is defensive end/outside pass rusher coach Andrew "AJ" Jackson. From his time at Ohio State, Knowles hired Michael Hunter to mentor Volunteer cornerbacks. All the defensive coaches are now signed and under contract.  

Portal Open for Business

The Tennessee staff is already scheduling visits with potential roster additions as the transfer portal is literally flooded with players seeking a new deal and destination. Here are a few names that have already been in Knoxville or plan to take a look at Rocky Top this week. Khmari House, a linebacker from North Carolina, was the Tar Heels leading tackler this season with 70 stops. Penn State safety King Mack posted 50 total tackles and seemed pleased to have worked for Knowles last fall.

In two seasons, Colorado safety Tawfij Byard posted big numbers, 140 tackles and 16.5 tackles for lost yardage. Defensive linemen Adam Trick from Miami (Ohio) and Wake Forest stalwart Mateer Ibirogba are looking for a new home along defensive end/tackle Xavier Gilliam from Penn State. Linebacker Keaton Thomas is leaving Baylor and is expected to show up in Knoxville for a visit.

Kansas State nickle back Qua Moss (5-10, 185, 4.55) committed on Sunday afternoon. He posted 41 tackles and a pair of interceptions this season for KSU.  

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