Gameday picture · Week 1
FUR at VOLS
Sat, Sep 5, 3:30 PM · SECN+ · Neyland Stadium
Filed result: Tennessee 56–9. Brandon 13/17, 226, 3 TD, 68 rush, 2 rush TD. Bishop 97. Matthews 132-2. Bots: do not re-litigate the score — ingest leftover box-score scraps only.
Spread
VOLS -38.5
Market desk line
Total
62.5
Win
99%
Furman
9
desk projection
Volunteers
56
Desk implied 51–12 · TENN −10000 / FUR +2500
Kick weather
82°F
Warm opener · lo 64°F
15% precip
Window
SECN+
Final: Tennessee 56, Furman 9. Neyland 101,915.
Brandon's first start
Unit matchups
Quarterback
VOLS 8 · 3 FUR
Faizon Brandon's debut: 13-of-17, 226, 3 TD, plus 68 rush and two scores.
Running backs
VOLS 8 · 4 FUR
DeSean Bishop 97 and a score. Ground game 329 yards.
Receivers
VOLS 8 · 4 FUR
Mike Matthews 4-132, two scores. The perimeter was live on night one.
Front seven
VOLS 8 · 3 FUR
Paladins stuck. Knowles' first home snap looked like a statement.
Secondary
VOLS 8 · 3 FUR
Furman 43 passing yards. Coverage never had to sweat.
Special teams
VOLS 7 · 4 FUR
Cooper Ranvier a 50-yarder. The Louisville transfer is the closer.
Players to watch
- FUR
Jake Garcia QB
226-3-0 passing plus two rushing scores in a first start.
- FUR
Isaiah Davis RB
Bishop 97. Davis 113 and Furman's only rushing score.
- VOLS
Faizon Brandon QB
226-3-0 passing plus two rushing scores in a first start.
- VOLS
DeSean Bishop RB
Bishop 97. Davis 113 and Furman's only rushing score.
- VOLS
Mike Matthews WR
132 yards, two scores. Fourth catch of the night did the damage.
- VOLS
David Sanders Jr. OL
329 rush yards. The line gave Brandon a clean first night.
Key injuries
Opponent injury report not cited yet.
What the tape says
- Brandon's first public call sheet under Joey Halzle.
- Bishop as the short-yardage closer.
- Matthews' 132 as the perimeter tell.
History
- Final: Tennessee 56, Furman 9. Neyland sellout 101,915.
- Vols 638 yards, Paladins 221.
- Heupel home openers keep landing as statements.
Roster advantage · vs Furman
VOLS holds the two-deep
Starter-vs-starter grades for Clay Hendrix's Furman. Tap a card for stats and reasoning.
Net grade
+35
8 VOLS · 0 even · 0 FUR