2016 Tennessee Volunteers football team

The 2016 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the program's 120th overall season, 83rd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 25th within the SEC Eastern Division. The Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee and were led by fourth-year head coach Butch Jones. They finished the season 9–4, 4–4 in SEC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Division.^[1] They were invited to the Music City Bowl where they defeated Nebraska 38–24.

2016 Tennessee Volunteers football
Music City Bowl champion
Music City Bowl, W 38–24 vs. Nebraska
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 24
AP	No. 22
Record	9–4 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach	Butch Jones (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike DeBord (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Bob Shoop (1st season)
Home stadium	Neyland Stadium
Seasons ← 2015 2017 →

2016 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Eastern Division
No. 14 Florida x		6	–	2					9	–	4
No. 22 Tennessee		4	–	4					9	–	4
Georgia		4	–	4					8	–	5
Kentucky		4	–	4					7	–	6
South Carolina		3	–	5					6	–	7
Vanderbilt		3	–	5					6	–	7
Missouri*		2	–	6					4	–	8
Western Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^		8	–	0					14	–	1
No. 24 Auburn		5	–	3					8	–	5
No. 13 LSU		5	–	3					8	–	4
Texas A&M		4	–	4					8	–	5
Arkansas		3	–	5					7	–	6
Mississippi State		3	–	5					6	–	7
Ole Miss*		2	–	6					5	–	7
Championship: Alabama 54, Florida 16
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions * Ole Miss and Missouri vacated all wins due to NCAA violations. Rankings from AP Poll

Offseason

Departures

Departures of scholarship players from the 2015 team.

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Notes	Ref
Darrell Miller	15	DB	5'10	178	Sophomore	Cedar Hill, TX	Left the program	[2]
Tommy Townsend	27	P	6'1	195	RS Freshman	Orlando, FL	Transfer	[3]
Joe Stocstill	47	TE	6'2	234	RS Senior	Lewisburg, TN	Retired	[4]
Ray Raulerson	64	OL	6'4	287	RS Freshman	Tampa, FL	Transfer	[5]
Dontavius Blair	74	OL	6'7	294	RS Junior	Anniston, AL	Transfer	[5]
Cody Blanc	83	WR	6'2	206	RS Senior	Knoxville, TN	Graduated	[4]
Neiko Creamer	88	TE	6'3	233	RS Sophomore	Wilmington, DE	Transfer	[6]
Marquez North	8	WR	6'3	229	Junior	Charlotte, NC	Left for 2016 NFL draft	[7]
Ralph David Abernathy IV	5	RB	5'6	185	RS Senior	Atlanta, GA	Graduate transfer
Von Pearson	9	WR	6'3	183	Senior	Newport News, VA	Graduated
Ladarrell McNeil	33	DB	6'1	215	Senior	Dallas, TX	Graduated
Brian Randolph	37	DB	6'0	209	RS Senior	Marietta, GA	Graduated
Chris Weatherd	42	LB	6'4	225	Senior	Carrollton, TX	Graduated
Alex Ellis	48	TE	6'5	240	RS Senior	Delmar, DE	Graduated
Curt Maggitt	56	LB	6'3	246	RS Senior	West Palm Beach, FL	Graduated
Mack Crowder	57	OL	6'2	295	RS Senior	Bristol, TN	Graduated
Owen Williams	58	DL	6'2	288	RS Senior	Macon, GA	Graduated
Marcus Jackson	75	OL	6'2	306	RS Senior	Vero Beach, FL	Graduated
Kyler Kerbyson	77	OL	6'4	318	RS Senior	Knoxville, TN	Graduated
Johnathon Johnson	81	WR	5'9	186	Senior	Friendswood, TX	Graduated
Trevarris Saulsberry	96	DL	6'4	296	RS Senior	Gainesville, FL	Graduated

Winter months

During the early part of the offseason, a number of players and coaches left the program. Freshman quarterback Sherion Jones announced he was transferring from Tennessee to Colorado on January 7.^[8] He returned to Tennessee on January 27.^[9] John Jancek, a member of Butch Jones's coaching staff since his time with Central Michigan and Cincinnati, was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator on January 6.^[10] Jones said that he and Jancek "had a long discussion this morning and we both came to the conclusion that it was best to part ways. I want to thank Coach Jancek for his contributions to the University of Tennessee football program the past three years. His hard work and dedication to this program played a major role in our back-to-back bowl wins. These decisions are never easy especially for someone I have worked with at three different schools."^[10] Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was hired for the same position at Tennessee on January 9.^[11] Larry Scott, who served as the interim head coach for the final six games of the Miami Hurricanes's 2015 season, was hired to be Tennessee's new tight ends coach on January 4.^[12]

Summer months

SEC Media Days

During Tennessee's turn at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, Coach Jones and the three attending players made it clear that they were there with the mindset of "business as usual" and not to create news or hype despite being the favorites to win the SEC East. Cameron Sutton responded to questions about Tennessee's game against Florida with how the team's season will "open up with Appalachian State, who was an 11-win team last year. We don't consider ourselves worried about games long down the road. It's one week at a time, one game at a time. That's our mindset right now. We're focused on Appalachian State." Hobbs responded to the hype around Tennessee as being "outside. Noise, really. You can't really control hype. You can't really control what other people say. What you can control is how you approach each day, how you focus on the details, how are you getting better as a player and how is the team getting better every single day you step on the field? We're focused on that — what we can control because we can't really do anything (about) what we can't control." Jones responded to questions about Tennessee blowing late leads against Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas and Alabama by pointing out in "the last 18 games, we're 13–5. And the amazing thing, when you look at it of being 13–5 over the last 18 games, is those five losses have come by a combined total of 25 points. So what are we doing to take the next step as a football program? We talk about learning how to finish games, learning how to close games out. We talked about clutch plays, making critical plays at critical moments of the game."^[13]

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Tennessee received 225 of 331 first-place votes and were selected by the media as the favorite to win the SEC Eastern Division for the first time since 2005.^[14] However, the Vols were picked to lose to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game receiving 29 votes to the Crimson Tide's 223.^[15] "You want those expectations," Coach Jones said. "I think it's a compliment to everyone in our program of how far we've come. It's not where you start, it's where you finish. But I think it is a compliment in how we've grown and developed this football program."^[15]

Preseason camp

The Volunteers opened up preseason camp on August 1, 31 days prior to their kickoff against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.^[16] Among the biggest questions going into preseason camp for the Vols included the development of senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs,^[17] who would start at left tackle,^[17] maintaining overall health,^[18] how new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop would work with a stacked defensive corp and if Tennessee can live up to the expectations surrounding the team.^[18]

After the first week of camp, the biggest issue facing the team – according to Coach Jones – was the consistency in the passing game.^[19] This was compounded by a young wide receiver group that showed speed, but had many dropped balls.^[20] Another issue was that no starters for either left or right tackle had been announced.^[19] Coach Jones said he's been pleased with the competition and talent level of those fighting for the positions, but that the roles are anyone's for the taking.^[21] Jalen Hurd, who's short of the school rushing record, said he's targeting Travis Henry's career rushing record of 3,078 yards.^[19] He believes "it's reachable and, you know, you can see it, I definitely want to do it. That's a goal of mine. But obviously the biggest goal for me is just to help get my team a national championship."^[22]

Personnel

Roster & staff

2016 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 2 Jarrett Guarantano Fr WR 3 Josh Malone Jr RB 4 John Kelly  So RB 6 Alvin Kamara  Jr WR 7 Preston Williams So WR 8 Latrell Williams Fr WR 9 Marquez Callaway Fr WR 10 Tyler Byrd Fr QB 11 Joshua Dobbs Sr QB 12 Quinten Dormady So QB 13 Sheriron Jones So QB 14 Zac Jancek  Fr WR 15 Jauan Jennings So WR 17 Brandon Johnson Fr TE 18 Jason Croom  Sr WR 19 Jeff George  Jr WR 20 Vincent Perry  Fr WR 24 Michael Lacey  Fr WR 25 Josh Smith  Jr WR 26 Ben Powlas Fr RB 27 Carlin Files-Aime Fr WR 28 Will Martinez Jr RB 31 Jeremy Lewis Fr RB 35 Taeler Dowdy Fr RB 37 Jayson Sparks  Jr WR 38 Jaye Rochell  Sr RB 42 Chip Omer Fr TE 44 Jakob Johnson Jr OL 50 Venzell Boulware  Fr OL 51 Drew Richmond  Fr OL 55 Coleman Thomas Jr OL 57 Nathan Niehaus Fr OL 60 Austin Sanders  Jr OL 63 Brett Kendrick  Jr OL 64 Tommy Sprague Fr OL 66 Jack Jones So OL 68 Marcus Tatum Fr OL 69 Brian Garvey Fr OL 70 Ryan Johnson Fr OL 71 Dylan Wiesman  Sr OL 75 Jashon Robertson Jr OL 76 Chance Hall  So OL 78 Charles Mosley  So OL 79 Thomas Edwards  Jr TE 80 Eli Wolf  Fr TE 81 Austin Pope Fr TE 82 Ethan Wolf Jr TE 84 Devante Brooks Fr WR 85 Thomas Orradre  So TE 86 Andrew Craig Fr WR 87 Logan Fetzner  Jr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DL 1 Jonathan Kongbo  So DL 2 Shy Tuttle  So DB 3 Marquill Osborne Fr DL 4 LaTroy Lewis  Sr DL 5 Kyle Phillips So DB 7 Rashaan Gaulden  So DB 8 Justin Martin Jr DE 9 Derek Barnett Jr DB 10 D.J. Henderson Jr LB 11 Austin Smith So DB 12 Emmanuel Moseley  Jr DB 13 Malik Foreman Sr LB 14 Quart'e Sapp So LB 17 Dillon Bates  So DB 18 Nigel Warrior Fr DL 19 Darrell Taylor  Fr LB 20 Cortez McDowell Jr LB 21 Jalen Reeves-Maybin  Sr DB 22 Micah Abernathy So DB 23 Cameron Sutton Sr DB 24 Todd Kelly Jr. Jr DB 26 Stephen Griffin So DB 28 Baylen Buchanan Fr DB 29 Evan Berry Jr DB 30 Devin Williams  Sr DB 33 MaLeik Gatewood  Fr LB 34 Darrin Kirkland Jr So LB 35 Daniel Bituli Fr LB 36 Gavin Bryant  So DL 39 Kendal Vickers  Jr DL 40 Dimarya Mixon Jr LB 41 Elliott Berry Jr LB 47 Landon Knoll  Fr LB 48 Ja'Quain Blakely Fr DE 50 Corey Vereen Sr LB 51 Kenny Bynum  Sr DL 52 Andrew Butcher  Fr LB 53 Colton Jumper Jr DL 55 Quay Picou So DL 90 Charles Folger  Sr DL 96 Joey Cave Fr DL 97 Paul Bain  So DL 98 Alexis Johnson  Jr DL 99 Kahlil McKenzie So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK 25 Aaron Medley Jr H 31 Parker Henry  So P 36 Grayson Linde Fr H 39 Alex Jones  Fr PK 43 Laszlo Toser  Fr LS 46 Riley Lovingood  Fr LS 52 Elijah Medford  So LS 64 Logan Punch Fr P 93 Trevor Daniel  Jr PK 97 Jackson Morris Fr	Head coach Butch Jones – 4th year Coordinators/assistant coaches Mike DeBord (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach) – 2nd year Bob Shoop (defensive coordinator) – 1st year Willie Martinez (assistant head coach/defensive backs coach) – 4th year Steve Stripling (Associate head coach/defensive line coach) – 4th year Zach Azzanni (wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator) – 4th year Robert Gillespie (running backs coach/recruiting coordinator) – 4th year Don Mahoney (offensive line coach) – 4th year Larry Scott (Tight Ends Coach/special teams coordinator) – 1st year Tommy Thigpen (Linebackers Coach) – 4th year Michael Szerszen (director of strength and conditioning) – 1st year Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: November 12, 2016

2016 recruiting class

College recruiting information (2016)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Daniel Bituli LB	Nashville, TN	Nashville Christian School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	228 lb (103 kg)	Jul 18, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Ja'Quain Blakely LB	Moultrie, GA	Colquitt County	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Aug 2, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Devante Brooks TE	Washington, DC	St. John's College	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Jan 15, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Baylen Buchanan DB	Suwanee, GA	Peachtree Ridge	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	Jan 1, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tyler Byrd ATH	Naples, FL	Naples	5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m)	194 lb (88 kg)	Feb 2, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Marquez Callaway ATH	Warner Robins, GA	Warner Robins	6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m)	177 lb (80 kg)	Jan 21, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Carlin Fils-Aime RB	Naples, FL	Naples	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jul 30, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jeff George WR	Dodge City, KS	Dodge City C.C.	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jun 6, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jarrett Guarantano QB	Oradell, NJ	Bergen Catholic	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	188 lb (85 kg)	Apr 15, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Corey Henderson WR	Shreveport, LA	Memphis University School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Mar 30, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
D.J. Henderson DB	Dodge City, KS	Dodge City C.C.	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Sep 17, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Alexis Johnson DT	Fort Scott, KS	Fort Scott C.C.	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Sep 17, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Brandon Johnson WR	Plantation, FL	American Heritage	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Sep 2, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Ryan Johnson OL	Brentwood, TN	Brentwood Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	Jul 19, 2014
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jonathan Kongbo DE	Surrey, BC, CA	Arizona Western C.C.	6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m)	264 lb (120 kg)	Feb 3, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nathan Niehaus OL	Cincinnati, OH	Colerain	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	Jan 1, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Marquill Osborne DB	Charlotte, NC	Hough	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	183 lb (83 kg)	Sep 6, 2014
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Austin Pope TE	Knoxville, TN	Christian Academy of Knoxville	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	Jun 15, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Marcus Tatum OT	Daytona Beach, FL	Mainland	6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	Jan 11, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nigel Warrior S	Suwanee, GA	Peachtree Ridge	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	189 lb (86 kg)	Feb 3, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Latrell Williams WR	Lake City, FL	Columbia	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	171 lb (78 kg)	Feb 3, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 17   Rivals: 14  247Sports: 14  ESPN: 16
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016. "2016 Tennessee Volunteers football team". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016.

Returning starters

Nine players return on offense, eight on defense and two out of four on special teams specific positions.

Offense Player Class Position Chance Hall Sophomore OL Jashon Robertson Junior OL Coleman Thomas Junior OL Dylan Wiesman Senior OL Joshua Dobbs Senior QB Jalen Hurd Junior RB Alvin Kamara RS Junior RB Josh Malone Junior WR Jauan Jennings Sophomore WR Reference:[23]

Defense Player Class Position Malik Foreman Senior CB/S Justin Martin Junior CB Cameron Sutton Senior CB Derek Barnett Junior DE Corey Vereen Senior DE Kendal Vickers RS Junior DT Jalen Reeves-Maybin Senior LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. Sophomore LB Reference:[23]

Special teams Player Class Position Aaron Medley Junior K Trevor Daniel RS Junior P Reference:[23]

Current depth chart

Defense [24] NB Rashaan Gaulden Malik Foreman FS Micah Abernathy Nigel Warrior WLB MLB Colton Jumper Darrin Kirkland Jr. Cortez McDowell Colton Jumper SS Todd Kelly Jr. Stephen Griffin CB Emmanuel Moseley Justin Martin DE DT DT DE Derek Barnett Kendal Vickers Kyle Phillips Corey Vereen Jonathan Kongbo Kyle Phillips Quay Picou LaTroy Lewis CB Malik Foreman Justin Martin Offense [24] X Josh Malone Marquez Callaway W Josh Smith Tyler Byrd LT LG C RG RT Brett Kendrick Jashon Robertson Dylan Wiesman Jack Jones Chance Hall Drew Richmond Venzell Boulware Coleman Thomas Dylan Wiesman Marcus Tatum TE Ethan Wolf Jason Croom Z Jauan Jennings Brandon Johnson QB Joshua Dobbs Quinten Dormady RB John Kelly Carlin Fils-Aime Special teams PK Aaron Medley P Trevor Daniel KR Evan Berry PR Josh Smith LS Riley Lovingood H Parker Henry

Schedule

Tennessee announced their 2016 football schedule on October 29, 2015. The 2016 schedule consists of seven home games, four away games and one neutral site game in the regular season. The Vols will host SEC foes Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Missouri, and will travel to Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.^[25]

Tennessee opened the season at home for the third time in the last four seasons, when it played host to Appalachian State on September 3 in the first meeting between the two schools. The Volunteers later faced Virginia Tech in the "Battle at Bristol" at Bristol, Tennessee, on September 10 in front of the largest crowd in football history, over 156,000 fans at Bristol Motor Speedway.^[26]

Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium for two home games, Ohio on September 17 and the Florida Gators on September 24. The Volunteers have faced the Gators to start the conference schedule 13 of the last 14 years. The first of two road games occurs at Georgia on October 1. Tennessee holds a 22–21–2 edge in the rivals' series, but is also seeking its first victory in Athens since 2006. On October 8, the Volunteers make their first-ever trip to College Station, Texas, to face Texas A&M. It will also be the first regular-season meeting between the schools.^[27] Tennessee is 2–0 all-time against the Aggies in post-season play. The Volunteers will also return to tradition this year with their annual November rivalry game against Kentucky on November 12, after last being played in October 2015.

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	7:30 p.m.	Appalachian State*	No. 9	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (SEC Nation)	SECN	W 20–13 OT	100,074
September 10	8:00 p.m.	vs. Virginia Tech*	No. 17	Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol, TN (Battle at Bristol) (College GameDay)	ABC	W 45–24	156,990‡
September 17	Noon	Ohio*	No. 15	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	W 28–19	101,362
September 24	3:30 p.m.	No. 19 Florida	No. 14	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry) (College GameDay) (Checker Neyland)	CBS	W 38–28	102,455
October 1	3:30 p.m.	at No. 25 Georgia	No. 11	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry / SEC Nation)	CBS	W 34–31	92,746
October 8	3:30 p.m.	at No. 8 Texas A&M	No. 9	Kyle Field College Station, TX (College GameDay)	CBS	L 38–45 2OT	106,248
October 15	3:30 p.m.	No. 1 Alabama	No. 9	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October / SEC Nation)	CBS	L 10–49	102,455
October 29	7:15 p.m.	at South Carolina	No. 18	Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 21–24	78,696
November 5	4:00 p.m.	Tennessee Tech*		Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	W 55–0	98,343
November 12	Noon	Kentucky		Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	W 49–36	101,075
November 19	3:30 p.m.	Missouri	No. 19	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	CBS	W 63–37	101,012
November 26	7:30 p.m.	at Vanderbilt	No. 17	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	L 34–45	38,108
December 30	3:30 p.m.	vs. Nebraska*	No. 21	Nissan Stadium Nashville, TN (Music City Bowl)	ESPN	W 38–24	68,496
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 1 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Schedule Source:^[25]

‡ – Current NCAA record for largest attendance to a collegiate football game.

Rankings

Further information: 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	9	17	15	14	11	9	9	18	18	RV	RV	RV	24	RV	RV	22
Coaches	10 (1)	14	15	12	11	9	11	19	18	RV	RV	RV	24	RV	RV	24
CFP	Not released									—	—	19	17	22	21	Not released

Game summaries

Appalachian State

See also: 2016 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team

Pregame line: Tennessee −21

1 2 3 4 OT Total Appalachian State 7 6 0 0 0 13 • No. 9 Tennessee 3 0 3 7 7 20 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 7:36 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:29 Game attendance: 100,074 Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: 6 mph (9.7 km/h) • Weather: partly cloudy Referee: Marc Curles • Umpire: Brent Sowell • Linesman: Gary Jayroe • Line judge: Chris Conway • Back judge: Scott Vaughan • Field judge: Wes Booker • Side judge: Chuck Russ • Center judge: Wayne Winkler TV announcers (SECN): Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (color), Laura Rutledge (sidelines) Sources:[28]

Scoring summary 1 10:56 APST Taylor Lamb 5 yard rush (Michael Rubino kick) APST 7–0 1 6:14 TENN Aaron Medley 23 yard field goal APST 7–3 2 8:53 APST Taylor Lamb 33 yard pass to Marcus Cox (Michael Rubino kick failed) APST 13–3 3 3:00 TENN Aaron Medley 39 yard field goal APST 13–6 4 10:30 TENN Joshua Dobbs 67 yard pass to Josh Malone (Aaron Medley kick) Tie 13–13 OT — TENN Jalen Hurd fumble recovery (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 20–13

The ninth–ranked Tennessee Volunteers overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to escape with a 20–13 victory over the Appalachian State Mountaineers.^[29] In overtime, Tennessee faced third-and-goal from the 2, when Joshua Dobbs ran then lost control of the ball as he was hit while extending his arms across the goal line. Jalen Hurd recovered the fumble in the end zone, and Aaron Medley kicked the extra point. In the Mountaineers' ensuing drive, Tennessee's Micah Abernathy ended the game by breaking up an end-zone pass on fourth–and–5 from the 20.^[28] Tennessee head coach Butch Jones commented after the game: "The first game of the year is always a game of the unknowns. We're still developing our identity for this football team, but we found a way to win, and at the end of the day, that's what it's about, but we have to get a lot better. Credit App State too. They're a really good football team."^[30]

Virginia Tech

See also: 2016 Virginia Tech Hokies football team and Battle at Bristol

Pregame line: Tennessee −11

Battle at Bristol

1 2 3 4 Total Virginia Tech 14 0 3 7 24 • No. 17 Tennessee 0 24 7 14 45 Location: Bristol, Tennessee Game start: 8:23 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:39 Game attendance: 156,990 Game weather: Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C) • Wind: 4 mph (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy Referee: Daniel Capron • Umpire: Steven Woods • Linesman: John Wiercinski • Line judge: Brian Bolinger • Back judge: Kevin Schwarzel • Field judge: Jeffrey Noggle • Side judge: Bobby Sagers • Center judge: Brent Durbin TV announcers (ABC): Rece Davis (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color), Samantha Ponder (sidelines) Sources:[31]

Scoring summary 1 4:32 VT Jerod Evans 7 yard pass to Sam Rogers (Joey Slye kick) VT 7–0 1 2:48 VT Travon McMillian 69 yard run (Joey Slye kick) VT 14–0 2 14:43 TENN Joshua Dobbs 5 yard pass to Jauan Jennings (Aaron Medley kick) VT 14–7 2 9:42 TENN Joshua Dobbs 38 yard pass to Josh Malone (Aaron Medley kick) Tie 14–14 2 5:30 TENN Aaron Medley 34 yard field goal TENN 17–14 2 0:39 TENN Joshua Dobbs 5 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 24–14 3 7:04 TENN Joshua Dobbs 23 yard pass to Alvin Kamara (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 31–14 3 3:41 VT Joey Slye 26 yard field goal TENN 31–17 4 6:45 TENN Joshua Dobbs 27 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 38–17 4 6:32 TENN John Kelly 4 yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 45–17 4 3:28 VT Shai McKenzie 2 yard run (Joey Slye kick) TENN 45–24

Before an NCAA-record attendance of 156,990 in the "Battle at Bristol" against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the seventeenth-ranked Volunteers overcame a 14-point first-quarter deficit to score 24 points in the second quarter to win 45–24.^[32] Quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw three touchdown passes and had two rushing scores. Volunteers defensive back Micah Abernathy also set a school single-game record with three fumble recoveries. The Hokies ultimately lost five fumbles, three of which resulted in Tennessee touchdowns.^[31] Abernathy's performance earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.^[33]

Following the game, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones called the venue "a spectacle ... I don't think this will be duplicated or replicated." About the game, Jones stated "We didn't start out like we wanted to obviously, down 14–0, but I really liked the way we responded ... We were finally able to run the football and play Tennessee style of football."^[34] The Volunteers extend their eight-game winning streak, the longest since their 14 in a row in the 1998 and 1999 seasons, and the third longest active winning streak in the nation.^[35]

Ohio

See also: 2016 Ohio Bobcats football team

Pregame line: Tennessee −27

1 2 3 4 Total Ohio 6 6 7 0 19 • No. 15 Tennessee 7 7 7 7 28 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 12:02 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:32 Game attendance: 101,362 Game weather: Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: sunny Referee: James Carter • Umpire: Rick Lowe • Linesman: Johnny Crawford • Line judge: Tim Beard • Back judge: Dax Hill • Field judge: J. Taylor • Side judge: A. Jeffries • Center judge: Chris Garner TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cole Cubelic (sidelines) Sources:[36]

Scoring summary 1 14:22 TENN Josh Malone 20 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 7–0 1 8:45 OHIO Louie Zervos 38 Yd Field Goal TENN 7–3 1 3:04 OHIO Louie Zervos 29 Yd Field Goal TENN 7–6 2 14:38 TENN Jalen Hurd 1 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 14–6 2 11:49 OHIO Louie Zervos 30 Yd Field Goal TENN 14–9 2 6:02 OHIO Louie Zervos 30 Yd Field Goal TENN 14–12 3 4:57 TENN Joshua Dobbs 12 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 21–12 3 1:09 OHIO Jordan Reid 4 Yd pass from Greg Windham (Louie Zervos Kick) TENN 21–19 4 11:07 TENN Josh Malone 20 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 28–19

Plagued with injuries prior to and during the game against the Ohio Bobcats, the fifteenth-ranked Volunteers struggled in the afternoon heat but maintained their early lead, winning 28–19.^[37] Tennessee scored 38 seconds into the game on a 20-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs to Josh Malone. Ohio, a 27-point underdog, remained relatively close throughout the game, until Dobbs and Malone connected again for a 20-yard touchdown, and the game's last scoring drive, with 11:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.^[37] Tennessee head coach Butch Jones called it "another gritty win" and spoke on starting conference play next week, "Our goal was to be 3–0 at this point, and we are 3–0, but I think everyone will tell you that we have to get a lot better."^[38] The win over Ohio gave Tennessee their first 3–0 start since the 2004 season.^[39]

No. 19 Florida

See also: 2016 Florida Gators football team and Florida–Tennessee football rivalry

Pregame line: Tennessee −9

1 2 3 4 Total No. 19 Florida 7 14 0 7 28 • No. 14 Tennessee 0 3 14 21 38 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 3:39 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:46 Game attendance: 102,455 Game weather: Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: sunny Referee: Matt Loeffler • Umpire: Stan Weihe • Linesman: Tim Sistrunk • Line judge: Michael Shirey • Back judge: Tony Josselyn • Field judge: Bobby Ables • Side judge: Jesse Dupuy • Center judge: Chris Snead TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Allie LaForce (sidelines) Sources:[40]

Scoring summary 1 13:35 FLA DeAndre Goolsby 3 Yd pass from Austin Appleby (Eddy Piñeiro Kick) FLA 7–0 2 14:10 FLA Jordan Cronkrite 15 Yd pass from Austin Appleby (Eddy Piñeiro Kick) FLA 14–0 2 5:12 FLA Jordan Scarlett 1 Yd Run (Eddy Piñeiro Kick) FLA 21–0 2 2:39 TENN Aaron Medley 28 Yd Field Goal FLA 21–3 3 7:29 TENN Jalen Hurd 23 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) FLA 21–10 3 0:59 TENN Ethan Wolf 20 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) FLA 21–17 4 12:45 TENN Jauan Jennings 67 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 24–21 4 11:46 TENN Josh Malone 42 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 31–21 4 8:27 TENN Joshua Dobbs 5 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 38–21 4 4:17 FLA Freddie Swain 10 Yd pass from Austin Appleby (Eddy Piñeiro Kick) TENN 38–28

The 14th-ranked Volunteers trailed their rivals, the 19th-ranked Florida Gators, 21–3 at halftime. Tennessee mounted a comeback in the second half, scoring 35 unanswered points and snapping an 11-game losing streak, to win 38–28.^[41] Quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw four touchdowns, ran for another, and amassed a career-high 319 passing yards.^[42] On the defensive side, Derek Barnett had five tackles (three solo), two sacks for six yards, three tackles for loss for eight yards and one pass breakup. For their performances, Dobbs and Barnett were awarded SEC Players of the Week, with Dobbs as Offensive POW and Barnett as Co-defensive Lineman POW.^[43]

The win gave the Volunteers their 12th double-digit winning streak (10) in program history. The win streak is also the longest of head coach Butch Jones' career.^[44] Following the game, Jones spoke on the resiliency of his team, "Must win, all that – that is not the case. We are building something special here with character and competitiveness. It's just one game. We've got to go on the road next week. The resolve of these kids, with all the expectations on this football game and you go down at half time and to have that second half performance. If you don't have character in your football program, that does not happen."^[45]

No. 25 Georgia

See also: 2016 Georgia Bulldogs football team, Georgia–Tennessee football rivalry, and Hail Mary between The Hedges

Pregame line: Tennessee −4

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 11 Tennessee 0 7 7 20 34 No. 25 Georgia 7 10 7 7 31 Location: Athens, Georgia Game start: 3:39 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:36 Game attendance: 92,746 Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: sunny Referee: John McDaid • Umpire: Tom Quick • Linesman: Gary Jayroe • Line judge: David Oliver • Back judge: Grantis Bell • Field judge: Phil Davenport • Side judge: Chris Conley • Center judge: Brian Davis TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Allie LaForce (sidelines) Sources:[46]

Scoring summary 1 1:33 UGA Sony Michel run for 14 yds (Rodrigo Blankenship kick) UGA 7–0 2 11:21 UGA Blankenship 27 yd field goal UGA 10–0 2 2:00 UGA Jacob Eason fumble recovery, (Blankenship kick) UGA 17–0 2 0:12 TENN Joshua Dobbs run for 4 yds (Aaron Medley kick) UGA 17–7 3 10:31 TENN Dobbs pass to Jalen Hurd for 19 yds (Medley kick) UGA 17–14 3 4:07 UGA Eason pass to Isacc Nauta for 50 yds (Blankenship kick) UGA 24–14 4 14:53 TENN Dobbs pass to Alvin Kamara for 16 yds (Medley kick) UGA 24–21 4 2:56 TENN Corey Vereen fumble recovery (Medley kick) TENN 28–24 4 0:10 UGA Eason pass to Riley Ridley for 47 yds (Blankenship kick) UGA 31–28 4 0:00 TENN Dobbs pass to Jauan Jennings for 43 yds TENN 34–31

The 11th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers rallied from a double-digit deficit, the fourth time in five games, to defeat the 25th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, 34–31.^[47] Georgia led 17–0 in the first half but only had a 24–21 edge when starting deep in its own territory late in the fourth quarter. Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason risked a pass from his own end zone but fumbled the ball after being hit by two defenders, Derek Barnett and Cortez McDowell. Tennessee's Corey Vereen fell on it for a touchdown. Eason seemed to redeem himself within the closing seconds of the game, by driving his offense past midfield. He then found Riley Ridley, streaking down the left sideline, and delivered a 47-yard pass that Ridley took in for the score. However, in the short ensuing kickoff, Tennessee's Evan Berry's 20-yard return put his team at midfield. With four seconds left in the game, quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw a 43-yard Hail Mary pass and connected with Jauan Jennings, who was just inside the end zone and in front of most of his Georgia defenders, for the win.^[48]

Barnett's forced fumble, five tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Long snapper Riley Lovingood was named SEC Co-Special Teams POW. In the 4th quarter, he snapped the ball to punter Trevor Daniel, who booted the high ball to the UGA 6-yard line. Lovingood raced down the field to make the catch, downing the ball to set the field position for Barnett's strip sack of Eason and Vereen's fumble recovery in the end zone two plays later.^[49]

Following the game, coach Butch Jones spoke on what he told his team before that last play, "I told our kids in the huddle that we were going to come down with it—we're going to find a way. And Josh (Dobbs) threw the best ball he's thrown in his career. And what can I say about Jauan Jennings? He wasn't going to be denied." Jones added, "Again, just resiliency ... 11 straight wins ... fifth-longest streak in school history. But really the most important thing is it gets us one step closer. We needed to be 1–0 and we were 1–0. This puts us at 5–0 overall. We're just finding ways to win football games."^[50]

No. 8 Texas A&M

See also: 2016 Texas A&M Aggies football team

Pregame line: Texas A&M −6

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT Total No. 9 Tennessee 7 0 7 21 3 0 38 • No. 8 Texas A&M 21 0 7 7 3 7 45 Location: College Station, Texas Game start: 3:39 p.m. Elapsed time: 4:43 Game attendance: 106,248 Game weather: Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Clear Referee: David Smith • Umpire: Russ Pulley • Linesman: Jay Vines • Line judge: Chad Lorance • Back judge: Wayne Gautney • Field judge: Andy Britton • Side judge: M. Williams • Center judge: Michael Watson TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Allie LaForce (sidelines) Sources:[51]

Scoring summary 1 8:30 TA&M Christian Kirk 13 Yd pass from Trevor Knight (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 7–0 1 3:37 TENN Joshua Dobbs 4 Yd pass from Jauan Jennings (Aaron Medley Kick) TIE 7–7 1 2:04 TA&M Josh Reynolds 2 Yd pass from Trevor Knight (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 14–7 1 1:45 TA&M Trevor Knight 7 Yd Run (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 21–7 3 10:40 TA&M Trayveon Williams 7 Yd Run (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 28–7 3 7:10 TENN Alvin Kamara 15 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TA&M 28–14 4 6:58 TENN John Kelly 4 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TA&M 28–21 4 3:22 TA&M Trevor Knight 62 Yd Run (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 35–21 4 2:07 TENN Alvin Kamara 4 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TA&M 35–28 4 0:41 TENN Alvin Kamara 18 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TIE 35–35 OT TENN Aaron Medley 34 Yd Field Goal TENN 38–35 OT TA&M Daniel LaCamera 34 Yd Field Goal TIE 38–38 OT2 TA&M Trevor Knight 1 Yd Run (Daniel LaCamera Kick) TA&M 45–38

In only the third meeting between the two teams, the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers visited the eighth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies at College Station, Texas. The game was the first for the teams as SEC opponents since the Aggies joined the conference in 2012. After falling behind through three quarters by a score of 28–14, Tennessee scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter and rallied to force overtime.^[52] However, seven turnovers in the game led to the Volunteers' first loss of the season as Texas A&M won, 45–38, in double overtime.^[53]

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones spoke on his team's gameplay, "I'm very, very proud of our kids. Just the fight in them, the will to win. But again, you can't have seven turnovers, you can't turn the football over, you can't have the penalties we had. You have almost 700 yards of offense and you can't turn the football over. It's the details. Especially when you go on the road, the small details add up to the big details." Jones continued, speaking on the team's emotions and their next opponent, "That's life in the Southeastern Conference. It's not for everyone. The toughness that's involved day-to-day, week-to-week — the grind — and we have to get better in a hurry because we've got the No. 1 ranked team in the country coming in. So we have to improve on our deficiencies from this week."^[54]

No. 1 Alabama

See also: 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide football team and Third Saturday in October

Pregame line: Alabama −12

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 1 Alabama 14 7 14 14 49 No. 9 Tennessee 0 7 3 0 10 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 3:30 pm Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 102,455 Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: 8 mph (13 km/h) • Weather: Clear Referee: Ken Williamson • Umpire: Wally Hough • Linesman: Lane Thomas • Line judge: Mickey Bryson • Back judge: Grantis Bell • Field judge: Glen Fucik • Side judge: Rob Skelton • Center judge: Tra Boger TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Allie LaForce (sidelines) Sources: [55]

Scoring summary 1 03:29 BAMA ArDarius Stewart 29-yard run (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 7–0 1 0:14 BAMA Ronnie Harrison 58-yard interception return (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 14–0 2 09:41 TENN Alvin Kamara 7-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) BAMA 14–7 2 07:22 BAMA Jalen Hurts 45-yard run (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 21–7 3 09:02 BAMA Jalen Hurts 2-yard run (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 28–7 3 04:03 TENN Aaron Medley 37-yard field goal BAMA 28–10 3 00:49 BAMA Jalen Hurts 1 yd run (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 35–10 4 14:42 BAMA Eddie Jackson 79-yard punt return (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 42–10 4 11:38 BAMA Bo Scarbrough 85-yard run (Adam Griffith kick) BAMA 49–10

The ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers and the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide met for the 99th time to renew their rivalry on the "Third Saturday in October" for the first time in four seasons. Alabama won their 10th–straight game in the series, 49–10, the worst loss for the Volunteers since losing 59–14 at Oregon in 2013.^[56] Tennessee pulled within seven in the second quarter, after forcing a fumble on the Crimson Tide's 11-yard line. Two plays later, Alvin Kamara rushed up the middle to bring the score to 14–7. However, the Volunteers' only other score in the game came in the third quarter when kicker Aaron Medley chipped in a 37-yard field goal to make the score 28–10 at the 4:03 mark.^[57]

Following the game, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones spoke on the loss. "It's a line of scrimmage game," he said. "When you give up 438 yards rushing and offensively have 32 yards rushing, you're not even giving yourself an opportunity to be in the game. We had way too many negative yardage football plays. Again, third down conversions [only 3 of 16], getting off the field, big explosive plays." Jones added about now entering a bye week, "I think the bye week is coming at the appropriate time. We have a lot of goals to get better as a football team. Everyone has to be responsible for their own self-determination and accountability to get better during this bye week. A lot of this [week] will be spent in the training room and getting healthy."^[58] Seven Volunteers could not play due to injuries, while three others were injured during gameplay.

South Carolina

See also: 2016 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

Pregame line: Tennessee −13

1 2 3 4 Total No. 18 Tennessee 7 0 7 7 21 • South Carolina 7 7 3 7 24 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Game start: 7:15 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:40 Game attendance: 78,696 Game weather: Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: Clear Referee: James Carter • Umpire: Walt Hill • Linesman: Johnny Crawford • Line judge: Tim Beard • Back judge: Dax Hill • Field judge: J. Taylor • Side judge: A. Jeffries • Center judge: Wayne Winkler TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (color), Quint Kessenich (sidelines) Sources: [59]

Scoring summary 1 10:30 SC Rico Dowdle 1-yard run (Elliott Fry kick) SC 7–0 1 1:50 TENN Jalen Hurd 1-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) Tie 7–7 2 12:46 SC Bryan Edwards 17-yard pass from Jake Bentley (Elliott Fry kick) SC 14–7 3 1:49 SC Elliott Fry 28-yard field goal SC 17–7 3 1:35 TENN Evan Berry 100-yard kickoff return (Aaron Medley kick) SC 17–14 4 9:54 SC K.C. Crosby 35-yard pass from Jake Bentley (Elliott Fry kick) SC 24–14 4 7:03 TENN Jauan Jennings 6-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) SC 24–21

Entering the 35th meeting between the two teams, the 18th-ranked Volunteers traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the Gamecocks. South Carolina snapped a three-game losing streak and got their first victory over Tennessee in four years, winning 24–21. All four contests, during Coach Butch Jones' tenure, have been decided by three points or less.

The Volunteers committed three costly penalties in the first five minutes, which allowed the Gamecocks to score first. Within the last two minutes of the first quarter, Tennessee tied the game but was never again close in scoring, until Evan Berry returned a late third-quarter kickoff for 100 yards to put the Volunteers within three points at 17–14. Berry's touchdown tied Willie Gault's special-teams school career record of four.^[60] The teams swapped touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with South Carolina still leading by three. A last-minute drive advanced the Volunteers to the Carolina 40-yard line, but Aaron Medley's potentially game-tying 58-yard field goal fell short as time expired.^[61]

Coach Jones called his team's gameplay "unacceptable", adding "You go on the road, you can't turn the football over. There was a lack of explosive plays, missed tackles, too many penalties on special teams when you do a good job of getting the ball out on some returns. Those are momentum-killers ... We can't let this one loss define who we are. We've got to come back. But obviously, too sloppy. I'm just very, very disappointed in the way we played, particularly coming off a bye week. Give South Carolina credit, but that was unacceptable."^[62]

Tennessee Tech

See also: 2016 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football team

Pregame line: Tennessee −41

1 2 3 4 Total Tennessee Tech 0 0 0 0 0 • Tennessee 21 17 7 10 55 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 4:02 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 98,343 Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Wind: 4 mph (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Sunny Referee: Marc Curles • Umpire: Rick Lowe • Linesman: John Langlois • Line judge: Chris Conway • Back judge: Scott Vaughan • Field judge: Wes Booker • Side judge: Richard Rooker • Center judge: Wayne Winkler TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Dawn Davenport (sidelines) Sources:[63]

Scoring summary 1 14:03 TENN Josh Malone 30-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 7–0 1 8:46 TENN Josh Malone 43-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 14–0 1 5:26 TENN John Kelly 73-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 21–0 2 14:55 TENN Jauan Jennings 3-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 28–0 2 4:23 TENN Carlin Fils-Aime 2-yard run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 35–0 2 0:00 TENN Aaron Medley 19-yard field goal TENN 38–0 3 12:50 TENN Carlin Fils-Aime 1-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 45–0 4 11:57 TENN Aaron Medley 42-yard field goal TENN 48–0 4 2:54 TENN Marquez Callaway 62-yard punt return (Holden Foster kick) TENN 55–0

Tennessee hosted Tennessee Tech for its 100th homecoming game.^[64] The Volunteers snapped a three-game losing streak in a 55–0 blowout of the Golden Eagles.^[65] Tennessee also ended a season-long pattern of slow starts by producing six touchdowns and one field goal on its first eight possessions. The Volunteers had been outscored 83–24 in the opening quarter of their first eight games, but they led Tech, 21–0, after the first period and a 73-yard run by John Kelly, replacing Jalen Hurd due to his departure from the team earlier in the week. Kelly's run was Tennessee's longest offensive play this season and its longest run from scrimmage since 2006. With the win, Tennessee became bowl eligible for the third consecutive season.^[66]

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones called the victory a "complete team win." He added, "I loved their focus and I loved their mindset. I thought this was our best week of preparation. We practiced with energy, and talked all week long about returning to the standards and expectation with passion and energy and the inspiration that it takes to play this game, so I was really proud of them."^[67]

Kentucky

See also: 2016 Kentucky Wildcats football team and Kentucky–Tennessee football rivalry

Pregame line: Tennessee −15

1 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 10 3 3 20 36 • Tennessee 14 7 14 14 49 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 12:01 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:49 Game attendance: 101,075 Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NE 8 mph (13 km/h) • Weather: Sunny Referee: David Smith • Umpire: Tom Quick • Linesman: Gary Jayroe • Line judge: Jim Kelley • Back judge: Wayne Gautney • Field judge: Andy Britton • Side judge: Mike Williams • Center judge: Chad Lorance TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cole Cubelic (sidelines) Sources:[68]

Scoring summary 1 13:09 UK Stanley Williams 10 Yd Run (Austin MacGinnis Kick) UK 7–0 1 10:54 TENN Josh Smith 24 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TIE 7–7 1 3:31 UK Austin MacGinnis 37 Yd Field Goal UK 10–7 1 1:30 TENN Joshua Dobbs 1 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 14–10 2 9:27 UK Austin MacGinnis 25 Yd Field Goal TENN 14–13 2 6:27 TENN Ethan Wolf 10 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 21–13 3 12:05 UK Austin MacGinnis 33 Yd Field Goal TENN 21–16 3 10:08 TENN Josh Malone 51 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 28–16 3 3:18 TENN Alvin Kamara 17 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 35–16 4 12:30 UK Jojo Kemp 71 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) TENN 35–22 4 11:51 TENN Joshua Dobbs 45 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 42–22 4 7:12 TENN Alvin Kamara 29 Yd Run (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 49–22 4 3:58 UK Sihiem King 24 Yd Run (Austin MacGinnis Kick) TENN 49–29 4 1:41 UK Stephen Johnson 2 Yd Run (Austin MacGinnis Kick) TENN 49–36

The Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats met for the 112th time in their rivalry. The Volunteers have played the Wildcats more than any other team in program history and improved to 79–24–9 all-time in the series with a 49–36 victory. Tennessee has now won five straight against Kentucky and 31 of the last 32 meetings.^[69]

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs amassed 370 yards and five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). Dobbs, returning running back Alvin Kamara, and John Kelly combined for 369 of the team's 376 total rushing yards.^[70] The two teams totaled 1,204 yards, including 789 in rushing, the most combined rushing yards in a Tennessee game this season. The Volunteers finished with 599 total yards while Kentucky gained 635.^[71] The game also saw the return of cornerback Cameron Sutton, injured in the September 10 game, with three tackles and two passes broken up.^[72]

Head coach Butch Jones called the win a "hard fought, very very good team victory." Regarding the offense, he said, "I believe we only had five third downs the entire game, which means you're winning first downs, mixed downs, first and second down. I thought our offensive line came off the ball really well." Speaking of the defense, he said, "[there's] obviously a lot of stuff to correct and improve upon, but the one thing I thought was glaring in this game was our red zone efficiency defensively. I believe we only gave up two touchdowns in six trips ... I'm just proud of our players with the resolve and the resiliency."^[73]

Missouri

See also: 2016 Missouri Tigers football team

Pregame line: Tennessee −17.5

1 2 3 4 Total Missouri 6 14 7 10 37 • Tennessee 7 14 14 28 63 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Game start: 3:41 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:50 Game attendance: 101,012 Game weather: Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C) • Wind: W 12 mph (19 km/h) • Weather: Sunny Referee: Hubert Owens • Umpire: Walt Hill • Linesman: Tim Sistrunk • Line judge: Chuck Rice • Back judge: Martin Hankins • Field judge: Greg Thomas • Side judge: Chad Hill • Center judge: Steve Marlowe TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Allie LaForce (sidelines) Sources:[74]

Scoring summary 1 9:07 MIZZ Damarea Crockett 22-yard run (Ben Tesson kick failed) MIZZ 6–0 1 6:01 TENN Jauan Jennings 49-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 7–6 2 13:50 TENN Josh Malone 57-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 14–6 2 8:00 MIZZ Drew Lock 2-yard run (Tucker McCann kick) TENN 14–13 2 5:00 TENN Alvin Kamara 4-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 21–13 2 2:17 MIZZ Ish Witter 2-yard run (Tucker McCann kick) TENN 21–20 3 13:58 TENN Jauan Jennings 5-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 28–20 3 8:51 MIZZ Ish Witter 1-yard run (Tucker McCann kick) TENN 28–27 3 2:39 TENN Joshua Dobbs 30 yd run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 35–27 4 14:50 MIZZ Tucker McCann 28-yard field goal TENN 35–30 4 13:20 TENN Joshua Dobbs 70 yd run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 42–30 4 9:25 TENN Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 49–30 4 7:57 MIZZ Dimetrios Mason 50-yard pass from Drew Lock (Tucker McCann kick) TENN 49–37 4 5:52 TENN John Kelly 27-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 56–37 4 4:31 TENN Jonathan Kongbo 59-yard interception return (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 63–37

In the final home game of the season, senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs accounted for five touchdowns to lead the Tennessee Volunteers to a 63–37 victory over the Missouri Tigers.^[75] Dobbs passed for 223 yards, threw three touchdowns, and rushed for two more scores — including a career-long 70-yard breakaway run — to finish with a career-best 413 total yards.^[76] Total offense for Tennessee was 609 yards, 223 passing and 386 rushing. The game was relatively close until the fourth quarter, when the Volunteers outscored the Tigers 28–10. It marked the most points Tennessee had scored in a quarter this season and the first time in breaching 60 points in a game since 2009.^[77] Just as the game began in Knoxville all eyes were focused on Baton Rouge, LA, where the Florida Gators clinched the SEC East and a trip to the SEC championship game with a win over LSU, thus ending any possibility of a tie-breaker.

Head coach Butch Jones knew the game wasn't "going to be pretty", but he thought his team "really rallied". He added, "We knew it was going to be this type of game. Missouri has a very explosive offense ... It was a very fitting last game in Neyland Stadium. I'm proud of how far we've come with our football program, in the last 17 games, we're 14–3, second in the Southeastern Conference. Over the last three games, I believe we've scored over 40 points per game, and that hasn't been done since 1995 — so, a lot of good things happening. I'm proud of our seniors, and I'm proud of our football team to gut through this win and find a way to win a football game."^[78]

Vanderbilt

See also: 2016 Vanderbilt Commodores football team and Tennessee–Vanderbilt football rivalry

Pregame line: Tennessee −8

1 2 3 4 Total No. 24 Tennessee 14 17 3 0 34 • Vanderbilt 7 17 7 14 45 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Game start: 7:39 pm Elapsed time: 3:35 Game attendance: 38,108 Game weather: Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind: Calm • Weather: Clear Referee: Ken Williamson • Umpire: Wally Hough • Linesman: Lane Thomas • Line judge: Mickey Bryson • Back judge: Grantis Bell • Field judge: Bobby Ables • Side judge: Rob Skelton TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cole Cubelic (sidelines) Sources: [79][80]

Scoring summary 1 9:15 TENN Alvin Kamara 14-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 7–0 1 6:49 VAND Bailey McElwain 18-yard pass from Kyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) Tied 7–7 1 3:40 TENN Alvin Kamara 21-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 14–7 2 13:59 TENN Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 21–7 2 10:30 VAND Sam Dobbs 20-yard pass from Kyle Shurmur (Tommy Openshaw kick) TENN 21–14 2 7:57 VAND Ralph Webb 9-yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) Tied 21–21 2 6:33 TENN Aaron Medley 41-yard field goal TENN 24–21 2 3:50 VAND Tommy Openshaw 31-yard field goal Tied 24–24 2 :54 TENN Josh Malone 27 Yd pass from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley Kick) TENN 31–24 3 3:57 TENN Aaron Medley 25-yard field goal TENN 34–24 3 :49 VAND Khari Blasingame 12-yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) TENN 34–31 4 12:15 VAND Darrius Sims 3-yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) VAND 38–34 4 4:06 VAND Ralph Webb 28-yard run (Tommy Openshaw kick) VAND 45–34

With a potential trip to the Sugar Bowl on the line,^[81] Tennessee's defensive issues coupled with the offense's inability to move the ball in the second half cost the team.^[82] The Commodores looked better than they had all season offensively with quarterback Kyle Shurmer and running back Ralph Webb leading Vanderbilt to a 45–34 victory. Vanderbilt put up the last three touchdowns of the game to put the game out of reach.^[83] The loss put Jones at 2–2 against the Commodores and is considered along with the loss to South Carolina as the turning point in the downward trend for Jones's tenure at Tennessee.^[84][85]

No. 24 Nebraska

See also: 2016 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team and 2016 Music City Bowl

Pregame line: Tennessee −9.5

Music City Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total No. 24 Nebraska 0 7 7 10 24 • Tennessee 0 21 3 14 38 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Game start: 3:30 pm Elapsed time: 3:44 Game attendance: 68,496 Game weather: Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind: 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Clear Referee: M. Mothershed • Umpire: R. Meisenheimer • Linesman: Rod Ammari • Line judge: Dale Keller • Back judge: Justin Nelson • Field judge: John Morton • Side judge: Mike Weselch • Center judge: Mike McCabe TV announcers (ESPN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cole Cubelic (sidelines) Sources:[86]

Scoring summary 2nd 13:20 TENN 28-yard run by John Kelly (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 7–0 2nd 7:36 TENN 10-yard run by Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 14–0 2nd 1:36 NEB 38-yard pass to Brandon Reilly from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick) TENN 14–7 2nd 0:09 TENN 2-yard run by Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 21–7 3rd 5:52 TENN 46-yard Field Goal by Aaron Medley TENN 24–7 3rd 3:26 NEB 9-yard pass to Brandon Reilly from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick) TENN 24–14 4th 14:09 TENN 3-yard run by Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 31–14 4th 12:06 NEB 45-yard Field Goal by Drew Brown TENN 31–17 4th 10:02 NEB 9-yard run by Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick) TENN 31–24 4th 8:45 TENN 59-yard pass to Josh Malone from Joshua Dobbs (Aaron Medley kick) TENN 38–24

To finish off a season that started with excitement and high hopes and closed with four tough losses, Tennessee defeated Nebraska 38–24 in their first meeting since the 2000 Fiesta Bowl.^[87] After a scoreless first quarter where both teams had multiple drives stall out with punts, Tennessee jumped out to a 14–0 lead with rushing touchdowns from John Kelly and Joshua Dobbs. The first touchdown drive was mainly from passing the ball and the second was mainly from a balanced rushing attack. Nebraska answered with a 38-yard connection from Ryker Fyfe to Brandon Reilly. Tennessee closed out the second quarter with a Dobbs rushing touchdown from two yards out to go to the half up 21–7. The second half started inconsistent for both teams, with Nebraska fumbling and Tennessee turning the ball over downs on their first series. After a Nebraska punt, Tennessee drove mainly running the ball with two Jauan Jennings receptions to set up successful field goal to go up 24–7. On their next drive, Nebraska scored a touchdown on a drive aided significantly by a Devine Ozigbo 42-yard run that up Reilly's second receiving touchdown from Fyfe. Tennessee's next touchdown drive closed out the third quarter and started the fourth quarter. Tennessee converted three first downs to set up another Dobbs rushing touchdown to make the score 31–14. Nebraska converted a field goal on their next drive, which was set up by big receptions from De'Mornay Pierson-El and Reilly. Tennessee fumbled the ball on their next possession and Nebraska cashed in on a five-play, 31-yard drive that ended with a Fyfe nine-yard touchdown run to make the game 31–24. Tennessee was able to stop the Nebraska scoring run with a four-play, 77-yard drive that was highlighted with a Dobbs-to-Josh Malone 59-yard touchdown reception to make the score 38–24. Nebraska and Tennessee exchanged punts. Nebraska received the ball again and turned the ball over on downs after getting as close as Tennessee's 27-yard line. The drive was stalled by a Fyfe intentional grounding penalty set up by a Jonathan Kongbo sack and Fyfe later being sacked by Derek Barnett. In an effort to run clock, Tennessee ran three times on their next drive and punted. On their last drive, Nebraska turned the ball over downs. Tennessee ran the clock out on their next play to end the game.^[88][89]

Tennessee's three consecutive seasons with a bowl victory marked the first time since the 1994–1996 seasons that the program accomplished the feat.^[90] Barnett's fourth quarter sack was the 33rd of this collegiate career, a new school record.^[91]

Team players drafted into the NFL

Main article: 2017 NFL draft

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
Derek Barnett	Defensive end	1	14	Philadelphia Eagles
Alvin Kamara	Running back	3	67	New Orleans Saints
Cameron Sutton	Defensive back	3	94	Pittsburgh Steelers
Jalen Reeves-Maybin	Linebacker	4	124	Detroit Lions
Josh Malone	Wide receiver	4	128	Cincinnati Bengals
Joshua Dobbs	Quarterback	4	135	Pittsburgh Steelers

• Reference:^[92][93]