Tennessee Volunteers Football

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Tennessee's Hendon Hooker Overtakes C.J. Stroud as Heisman Trophy Betting Favorite

Oct 30, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to throw against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to throw against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is no longer the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker has taken over as the betting favorite to win college football's most prestigious award with -110 odds, per DraftKings SportsBook.

Here's a look at the top 10:

  • Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: -110
  • C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: +160
  • Caleb Williams, QB, USC: +1600
  • Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: +1800
  • Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: +2200
  • Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: +2200
  • Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee: +3000
  • Max Duggan, QB, TCU: +3000
  • Chase Brown, RB, Illinois: +3500
  • Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: +4000

Hooker has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in college football this season.

The 24-year-old entered Saturday's game against Kentucky having completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 2,093 yards and 18 touchdowns against one interception in seven games. He has also rushed for 315 yards and three scores on 63 carries.

Stroud has very similar passing numbers through seven games with the Buckeyes. He has completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,023 yards and 28 touchdowns against four interceptions.

At this point, it's a little too early to say who might win the Heisman, but Hooker is giving Stroud a run for his money.

Tennessee Fined $100K by SEC After Fans Stormed Field Following Upset of Alabama

Oct 16, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Tennessee Volunteers fans celebrate a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide on the field with cigars at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Tennessee Volunteers fans celebrate a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide on the field with cigars at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

It's not too often an institution will gladly pay a $100,000 fine, but the University of Tennessee surely fits under that category following Saturday's 52-49 victory over Alabama.

As soon as Chase McGrath's game-winning field goal knuckled over the crossbar as time expired, the fans at Neyland Stadium stormed the field in celebration. There were plenty of cigars to go around, fans riding the goalposts as they were carried out of the stadium and a party-like atmosphere that has been unmatched in college football this season.

The only catch is the celebration came with a cost.

Brett McMurphy of Action Network reported Tennessee was fined $100,000 by the SEC because fans stormed the field. It is a conference rule that was put in place in an effort to prevent the type of potentially dangerous scenes like Saturday's.

Tennessee President Randy Boyd didn't seem to mind:

It was arguably the Volunteers' biggest win since they won the 1998 national championship, and it propelled them to No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 and right into the middle of the College Football Playoff discussion.

If Tennessee keeps the momentum rolling all the way to a national title, it will have quite the celebration to live up to.

Tennessee Starts Donation Page to Fund New Goalposts After Alabama Upset

Oct 16, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with a cigar at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with a cigar at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Volunteers pulled off their biggest win in more than two decades with Saturday's victory over Alabama, and the fans responded accordingly by storming the field, tearing down the goalposts and taking them out of the stadium.

The only problem is Neyland Stadium needs those goalposts to host UT Martin this coming Saturday.

With that in mind, the football program announced it was starting a donation page to raise money for new goalposts with the following message:

"Y'all remember how we tore the goalposts down, hauled em out of Neyland and dumped em in the Tennessee River?

"Yeah that was awesome.

"Anywho, turns out that in order to play next week's game, we need goalposts on our field. Could y'all help us out?"

Two of the donation options are $16, representing the 16 years since Tennessee had defeated Alabama, and $52.49, representing the 52-49 final score.

The game was one of the most memorable in recent college football history with Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker and Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young going back and forth in an offensive explosion.

However, Alabama kicker Will Reichard missed a field goal in the final seconds on his team's last possession when the game was tied. Rather than taking a knee and going into overtime, Hooker responded with multiple clutch passes to set up a 40-yard field goal from Chase McGrath.

McGrath's kick knuckled over the crossbar, setting off one of the most passionate celebrations in college football in years.

Ex-NFL QB Jay Cutler Provided Tennessee Football Team with Cigars After Alabama Upset

Oct 16, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler stands on the field prior to the game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler stands on the field prior to the game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

The No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers upset the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide 52-49 on Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, and former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler surprised the team with an awesome gift after the win.

Cutler was one of the people who supplied the Vols with postgame victory cigars, per Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

The victory cigar has existed in the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry since the 1960s.

A back-and-forth second half ended when Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath drilled a 40-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win for the Volunteers. The victory ended a 15-game losing streak to Alabama and pushed Tennessee's record to 6-0.

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Hyped as CFP Contenders After Alabama Upset in Epic Game

Oct 16, 2022
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws to a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws to a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Tennessee is suddenly a legitimate national title contender after their shocking 52-49 win over No. 3 Alabama.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker needed just 15 seconds to drive 45 yards to set up the game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired.

After the thrilling victory, fans called the Volunteers one of the best teams in college football.

https://twitter.com/VerneFUNquist/status/1581397070048423936
https://twitter.com/Brettheim/status/1581372624541663232

The high-scoring battle represented a showcase for several offensive players, some of them boosting their Heisman Trophy profile in the highly anticipated game.

Hooker especially impressed against a loaded Alabama defense with 385 passing yards and 56 rushing yards, connecting with receiver Jalin Hyatt for five touchdowns.

Adding the game-winning field goal drive and many were calling him an early Heisman Trophy favorite.

https://twitter.com/JordanCrammer/status/1581414927935295488

Not to be outdone, reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young totaled 455 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Of course, the most impressive player on Alabama's offense was arguably running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who tallied 151 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.

Fans were drooling over the versatile runner's highlights during the game:

https://twitter.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1581389275127431171

Gibbs made his own case for the Heisman in this one as a productive and talented player on an elite team.

In the end, it wasn't enough for Alabama as Tennessee came out on top in the thrilling back-and-forth matchup.

Peyton Manning to be Guest Picker on 'College GameDay' Ahead of Alabama-Tennessee

Oct 14, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Tennessee Volunteers alumnus Peyton Manning talks with fans before the Tennessee Volunteers play against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Tennessee Volunteers alumnus Peyton Manning talks with fans before the Tennessee Volunteers play against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning is heading back to Knoxville.

The Tennessee legend and NFL Hall of Famer will serve as a celebrity guest picker for College GameDay on Saturday ahead of the Volunteers hosting Alabama in a crucial SEC showdown at 3:30 p.m. ET, per ESPN's Field Yates.

Both teams have started the season undefeated, with Alabama (6-0) ranked No. 3 overall by the Associated Press and Tennessee ranked No. 6. They are two of six ranked teams from the SEC, joining No. 1 Georgia (6-0), No. 9 Ole Miss (6-0), No. 16 Mississippi State (5-1) and No. 22 Kentucky (4-2).

Tennessee hasn't won an SEC title since 1998, one year after Manning left for the NFL. The Volunteers won the national title that season. They also won the SEC in 1997, Manning's final year.

Now, he'll be back in Knoxville for a crucial game as Tennessee looks to move one step closer to ending that drought.

Josh Heupel, Tennessee Agree to Contract Extension, $1M Per Year Raise

Sep 16, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 21: Tennessee Volunteers Head Coach Josh Heupel addresses the media during the SEC Football Kickoff Media Days on July 21, 2022, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 21: Tennessee Volunteers Head Coach Josh Heupel addresses the media during the SEC Football Kickoff Media Days on July 21, 2022, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The University of Tennessee and head football coach Josh Heupel reached an agreement in July on a one-year contract extension through January 2028 that includes a $1 million raise.

UT officials confirmed details of the updated contract, which includes a $5 million base salary, to ESPN's Chris Low on Friday. Word of the deal comes after the Volunteers opened the 2022 campaign 2-0 with wins over Ball State and 17th-ranked Pittsburgh.

Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Heupel signed the extension paperwork July 24, but it didn't become public until Friday.

Tennessee hired Heupel in January 2021. It marked his second head coaching job after he spent the previous three years at UCF.

The former Heisman Trophy finalist—he finished second in the voting in 2000 as a quarterback for Oklahoma—compiled a 7-6 record, including a 4-4 mark in SEC, during his first season with the Vols.

Heupel went 28-8 with the Knights, including the 2018 season when UCF finished No. 11 in the final Associated Press poll after a 12-1 campaign.

The 44-year-old South Dakota native inherited a Volunteers program that recorded three losing seasons over the four years before his arrival.

UT has showcased steady progress under his guidance, and the 2-0 record this season is joined by a promising start to next year's recruiting class, which ranks 11th in the country, according to 247Sports' rankings.

The Vols jumped to No. 15 in the AP poll following last week's victory over Pitt.

"Man, it's a big win for our football team in just, to me, the steps that we took and the ability to compete as hard and as long as we possibly can," Heupel told reporters after the 34-27 overtime thriller.

Tennessee is a heavy favorite at home Saturday against Akron, which is coming off a 52-0 loss to Michigan State, but several major tests of the Volunteers' progress await.

Their group of opponents between now and early November includes No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Alabama, No. 9 Kentucky and No. 18 Florida. That's life in the SEC in a nutshell.

The Vols are trending in the right direction, but that stretch will illustrate how much work remains to find themselves among the elite once again. UT last won a national title in 1998.

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