Big Orange Report September 17, 2026

 

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On Tennessee's first snap from scrimmage, DeSean Bishop burst through the line of scrimmage and played bumper cars with the Georgia Tech defense for a 33-yard gain. That play set the tone for the Big Orange offense for a dominating performance by the infantry. UT finished with 299 yards on the ground led by Bishop. The senior rambled for 150 yards on 20 carries. Sophomore Daune Morris was also impressive, running for 96 yards on just 10 carries in the game.

Perhaps one of the most impressive spectacles in the victory was the performance of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles pass rush. Knowles was sending safeties, corners and linebackers on blitzes and the Yellowjackets blockers seemed confused and bewildered for much of the game. For a brief time, Knowles took his foot off the gas in the third quarter but fired things back up when Tech scored twice. Frankly, it was a defensive scheme not seen from a Vol defense in many moons or perhaps, never.

Arion Carter returned to tie for the team lead in tackles with eight. Senior linebacker Jeremiah Telander lined up at multiple positions and produced two of the game's biggest mood changing plays with an interception and a sack that stalled a GT drive.

The staff will be working this week to clean up the problem of penalties for sure. The Vols were flagged 15 times in the game with five of those calls giving Tech first downs. Three of the penalties were called against one reserve defensive back so maybe this is not a big deal but will still be addressed in practice and film work as the squad moves towards Saturday.

Kennesaw State

Kennesaw State limps into Knoxville after taking it on the chin last Saturday. The Owls had opened the season by thumping West Georgia 47-0 but hit a wall in week two when they lost to Georgia State 31-17.

The Owls are the defending champions in the Conference USA this season and despite losing over half their starters are still picked to finish third in the league by the media that covers that conference. The head coach might be a familiar name to many Vol fans. Jerry Mack, who was named Coach of the Year in the C-USA last fall, was in charge of running backs at Tennessee 2021-23. He left Knoxville to coach the running backs for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 before being named head man at Kennesaw.

Key Matchups

Vol offensive line vs. Marcus Patterson, Baron Hopson and Jaiden Grimes-- The veteran defensive linemen, Patterson and Grimes, are run stuffers that can also beat one on one blocking in pass situations. Hopson is an above average linebacker that plays sideline to sideline and he can cover pass receivers in the short to medium zones. This will be a good test for UT blockers as they prepare to move into league contests.

Tennessee wide receivers vs. Kennesaw defensive backs-- The Owls boast three veteran DBs that were all listed on the league's preseason all-star teams either first, second or third team selections. The goal here for the Vol pass catchers is to prove they can defeat man coverage against proven defenders. Mike Matthews is going to draw plenty of attention from the Owls' defensive staff during game preparations.

Watch for This

The left side of the Vol offensive line is sturdy and solid but coach Elarbee has not yet established the right combination on the right side of the blocking front. Veteran tackle Donovan Haslam, a transfer from West Virginia, might get a shot at the right tackle this weekend. Haslam (6-4, 350) is a mountain of a man that Elarbee called "the meanest player he has ever coached."

Vol Notes

The Tennessee women's soccer and volleyball teams are both ranked as the schedules head into conference play. The soccer squad is unbeaten and No. 8 in the rankings while the volleyball team sits at No. 17 and is coming off a win over LSU. 

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