The 2023 Tennessee football season starts with a matchup against Virginia in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.
The game between No. 12 Tennessee and Virginia will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Follow this thread for updates and more throughout the game.
More from RTI: No. 12 Tennessee vs Virginia: How to Watch, Key Stats, Betting Odds
Pregame
- C Cooper Mays ruled OUT
- DL Elijah Simmons ruled OUT
- Kamal Hadden and Doneiko Slaughter starting cornerbacks
- Jaylen Wright announced as the starting running back
- 80-degree weather in Nashville
Tennessee takes the field as Joe Milton breaks it down with his offense – @rockytopinsider pic.twitter.com/ufOPLDsJC7
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) September 2, 2023
1st Quarter
Virginia defers to the second half and Tennesseee will receive the ball to start this game.
- Dee Williams and Cam Seldon back at kick return
Tennessee Drive 1
Eight plays, 62 yards, 3:46 off the clock –
Tennessee scores on the first drive of the season. Jaylen Wright took the Vols to the red zone with power running up the middle. Tennessee scores their first touchdown on a 4th and 5 swing pass from Joe Milton to RB Dylan Sampson on the nine-yard line.
Virginia Drive 1
Tennessee forces a three-and-out from the UVA offense. Incomplete over the middle, Beasley in coverage. Incomplete down the sideline, Kamal Hadden in coverage. Complete to the right, Walker makes the tackle.
UVA punts at 1Q, 11:15
Tennessee Drive 2
Tennessee turns the ball over on downs after not being able to convert on 3rd and 1 from their own 29-yard line. Virginia takes over just nine yards away from the red zone.
Virginia Drive 2
Virginia starts close to their own redzone and moves the ball up to the 11 yard line. Tennessee stuffs a quarterback draw on 3rd and goal to set up a fourth down. Virginia misses the 28-yard attempt wide right and turns the ball over to Tennessee.
Vols start at 6:11 in the first quarter.
Tennessee Drive 3
Ramel Keyton drops a downfield would-be touchdown on a great throw from Joe Milton. Tennessee runs for four on second down, pass incomplete and almost intercepted on third down.
Jackson Ross with a bad 17-yard punt. 5:26, 1Q.
Virginia Drive 3 (5:26, 1Q)
Virginia starts at the UT 40
- James Pearce blows up 1st down
- Vols DL blows up second down
- 3rd and 15 – James Pearce Jr sacks QB Tony Muskett. Loss of 7.
Tennessee Drive 4 (3:47, 1Q)
Tennessee starts at UT 25
- Milton to Keyton on first down for 11 yards
- Milton screen to Thornton complete
- Milton scrambles up the middle for a big gain
- Wright up the middle
- Milton incomplete on the deep seam
- Milton sacked for a big loss on 3rd down, out of field goal range.
Virginia Drive 4 (1:26, 1Q)
Virginia starts at UVA 20
- Tyre West tackle for loss
- Incomplete pass to the left
- James Pearce Jr. sack on third down
Virginia punts, Tennessee’s Dee Williams fumbles the punt after 19 yards. UVA recovery.
Virginia takes over on their own 31-yard line.
Virginia Drive 5 (15:00, 2Q)
Three and out for the Cavs.
Tennessee Drive 5 (12:32, 2Q)
Tennessee starts on the 7
- Small 5 yard rush
- Small 7 yard rush
- Milton incomplete to White, tipped ball
- Milton incomplete to McCoy
- Milton incomplete to Keyton
Virginia Drive 6 (11:37, 2Q)
Virginia starts at UT 47
- Three and out from the UVA offense
- False start on the punt attempt
Tennessee Drive 6 (9:33, 2Q)
Tennessee starts on the UT 10
- Small 13 yard rush
- Milton complete to Castles
- Tennessee false start
- Milton complete to McCoy, called back due to holding on Campbell
- Milton completes a deep ball to Keyton for 41 yards
- Milton incomplete to McCoy on a deep ball to the endzone
- Small rush
- Small screen pass
- Small rush on 4th down, converts
- Touchdown Tennessee, Dylan Sampson 3 yard rush
HALFTIME: No. 12 Tennessee 21, Virginia 3
Third Quarter
Virginia Drive
- Virginia goes 3 and out to start the second half as Tennessee DL Tyler Baron found a sack on third down
Tennessee Drive
- Jaylen Wright continues a strong day on the ground. The vision, the footwork, the balance, all been spot on.
- WR Squirrel White banged up on a play after three straight receptions, was able to jog off the field on his own power.
- Virginia LB Langston Long under review for targeting on Tennessee WR Bru McCoy
- No targeting on the play after a review
- Touchdown Tennessee – Joe Milton runs into the endzone untouched for the one yard score
Tennessee leads 28-3 at 10:52 in the third quarter
Virginia Drive
Virginia starts at UVA 20
- Cavs go four-and-out and turn the ball over on fourth down
Tennessee Drive
Vols start at UVA 30
- Dylan Sampson records his third touchdown of the ballgame after Tennessee moves the ball 30 yards into the endzone on six plays.
Tennessee leads 35-3 with 7:23 left in the third quarter
Virginia Drive
Virginia starts on the UVA 25
- Virginia marches all the way down the field behind a solid run game and scores their first touchdown on a 17-yard rush to the endzone
Tennessee leads 35-10 with 3:05 left in the third quarter
Tennessee Drive
Tennessee starts on the UT 25
- Tennessee goes three-and-out with only six yards gained on the drive
- Jackson Ross punts
Virginia Drive
Virginia starts on the UVA 28
- Virginia goes three-and-out with only four yards gained on the drive
- Dee Williams has a massive 55-yard punt return for Tennessee that sets up the Vols near the red zone
Fourth Quarter
Tennessee Drive
Tennessee starts on the UVA 27
- Joe Milton and Jacob Warren connect for the 11-yard passing touchdown in the Virginia endzone
Tennessee leads 42-10 with 13:36 left in the fourth quarter
Virginia Drive
Virginia starts on the UVA 21
- Virginia goes three-and-out while quarterback Tony Muskett is taken out of the game for an injury
- Dee Williams has another stellar punt return to put the Vols into Virginia territory off the bat
Tennessee Drive
Tennessee starts on the UVA 40
- Freshman Nico Iamaleava checks in as quarterback for the Volunteers
- Touchdown Tennessee – Three-yard rushing score for Dylan Sampson, his fourth score of the day
Tennessee leads 49-10 with 11:06 remaining in the game
Virginia Drive
Virginia drive starts on the UVA 25
- Virginia gained two first downs and 30 yards on seven plays
- Arion Carter snuffs out a third down run leading to a punt
Tennessee Drive
Tennessee drive starts on the UT 10
- Cameron Seldon and Ethan Davis make their collegiate debuts
- Tennessee goes three-and-out and punts on fourth-and-one
Virginia Drive
Virginia drive starts at the UVA 31
- Virginia goes 47 yards on 10 plays
- Will Bettridge makes a 40-yard field goal
Tennessee leads 49-13 with 39 seconds left.
Tennessee Drive
Tennessee drive starts at UT 25
- Tennessee runs out the clock with two runs
