Tennessee Vols morning report: South Carolina postgame, rankings

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The aftermath of the Tennessee Vols football win leads our Sept. 28, 2020 Volunteers news.

It was a great football weekend for Tennessee Vols fans. UT secured its first season-opening victory since 2017, and the start of Jeremy Pruitt’s third season on Rocky Top, while arriving a little late, occurred with a bang.

We continue with our coverage of that win in our morning update on Rocky Top. Numerous players spoke after the game, and it also had an effect on where the team stands nationally, although that part is a bit confusing given exterior circumstances.

Anyway, there is more than football news to cover as well. With other fall sports now in full swing, we have a recap of another event that took place. Yes, in the final week of September, it appears as if there is a new normal in Knoxville. That is affecting our morning report, which leads off with more football news.

Jeremy Pruitt, players speak on South Carolina win – UTSports

Saturday night saw the Tennessee Vols football team score a season-opening 31-27 win at the South Carolina Gamecocks. It was an ugly win, but UT is 1-0 nonetheless. After the game, Jeremy Pruitt, Henry To’o To’o, Josh Palmer and Jarrett Guarantano all spoke with the media. Here is a bit of what Pruitt said.

"“I’m tickled to death that we won. But, first off, I want to compliment the way South Carolina played and competed. They never quit. It’s just that the ball bounced our way a couple of times. It’s a shame with all these young men are going through that there has to be a winner and loser.”"

UT up in Coaches Poll, down in AP PollBlake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel

Following their win in Columbia, S.C., the Tennessee Vols football team moved up to No. 20 in the Coaches Poll but dropped to No. 21 in the AP Poll. The number of SEC teams ahead of them went from six to seven, as the Mississippi State Bulldogs leapfrogged them in both polls thanks to their win over the LSU Tigers.

"The coaches poll includes Big Ten teams, which have not played yet this season, but does not include the Pac-12.Tennessee dropped five spots in the AP Top 25 and ranks No. 21. The drop is because the AP poll this week includes Big Ten and Pac-12 teams. Last week’s poll did not include teams from those conferences."

Women’s soccer beats Vanderbilt – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com

A week after a tough loss at the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team returned home and scored a huge win, beating the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores 1-0. They are now 1-1 with a trip to the Georgia Bulldogs scheduled for Friday.

"Redshirt freshman forward Jaida Thomas scored the golden goal for Tennessee in the 92nd minute. The goal came off a corner kick from junior midfielder Hannah Tillett."