Tennessee Vols morning report: QB situation, jersey number changes
The Tennessee Vols football quarterback situation and jersey number changes lead our Volunteers news for Monday, Aug. 27, 2018.
It’s finally here! The first taste of the 2018 college football season began last weekend with five games, two involving FBS schools going against each other, one involving two FCS schools, and two more involving an FCS school against an FBS school. Now, though, the real fun begins, as the Tennessee Vols are set to prepare for their season-opener.
But before looking ahead to that, there was lots of news that came through over the weekend. And our morning update on Rocky Top has to cover it. We start with multiple stories related to the football program. There’s also news that came through Friday in men’s basketball.
Finally, we have recaps of two women’s sports to bring you. So yes, the academic sports year in Knoxville is in full swing. The fall season has begun. Let’s continue it with today’s news, starting with the football stories.
Jeremy Pruitt quiet on Tennessee Vols quarterback situation – WVLT
Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt said the Vols could potentially play two quarterbacks in their season-opener against the West Virginia Mountaineers. However, he hasn’t given any indication as to which quarterbacks they would be. Here’s a bit of what he said about the race.
"“It’s interesting to me [that] you all don’t ask me who’s going to be the starter at center; who’s going to be the starter at strong safety; who’s going to be the starter at mike linebacker. We don’t know that either. Again, we’ll figure it out as we get there.”"
Tennessee football players change jersey numbers – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
The Tennessee Vols’ updated roster Friday showed 13 players who changed their numbers. Three of them were non-scholarship players. The list is available on the link above.
"The number changes are likely a result of the Vols finalizing special teams roles. While rosters can have duplicate numbers — and Tennessee’s has plenty of those — players with the same jersey numbers can’t be on the field at the same time."
Tennessee basketball schedule released – Phil Kaplan, Knoxville News Sentinel
The Tennessee Vols men’s basketball full schedule came out Friday afternoon. Although the opponents were already out, the dates weren’t. Notable early games include opening the NIT Season Tip-Off against the Louisville Cardinals and also facing the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Dec. 9.
"Tennessee will host Kentucky on March 2 at Thompson-Boling Arena to highlight the SEC men’s basketball schedule for the Vols.UT upset Kentucky twice last season, beating the Wildcats 76-65 in Knoxville on Jan. 6 and again in Lexington on Feb. 6 by a 61-59 count."
Lady Vols soccer defeats Xavier – UTSports
The No. 13 ranked Tennessee women’s soccer team shutout the Xavier Musketeers Sunday at home 3-0. With the win, they moved to 3-0-1 on the season. Amy Thompson, Katie Cousins and Anna Bialczak all scored within a span of 10 minutes.
"The Vols outshot Xavier (1-3-0) 17-6 for the match, including a dominant 11-1 edge in the second half. UT goalkeeper Shae Yanez and the UT back line held the Musketeers scoreless for 86:21 before Charli Pogany made her Tennessee debut and preserved the shutout over the final 3:39 of action."
Tennessee volleyball sweeps weekend – UTSports
The Lady Vols volleyball program began its new era under first-year head-coach Eve Rackham with a three-game sweep of the Tennessee Classic at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee beat the No. 22 ranked Michigan State Spartans Friday and followed that up with wins over the Belmont Bruins and UT Chattanooga Mocs on Saturday.
"The Lady Vols hold serve at home again next weekend as they play host to Winthrop, North Florida and Indiana State in the Rocky Top Invitational.Tennessee will face Winthrop Friday night at 7:00 p.m. (ET) in Thompson-Boling arena to kick-off the tournament. The game will also air on SEC Network+."