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Tennessee football: Ranking every win of 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877
Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877 /
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Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) waits for the snap during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) waits for the snap during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

2242. Neyland Stadium. Game: 1. 38. 6. 839. Knoxville, Tenn.. Thursday, Sept. 2

Rank: 6

It was the first SEC game of the year and took place on a Thursday night. Josh Heupel was in the perfect position to usher in his era, and early on, it seemed as if Tennessee football would be extremely fun to watch. Joe Milton III got the start, and the Vols scored touchdowns on their first two possessions to roar out to a 14-0 lead.

However, in a sign of things to come all year, they couldn’t match the intensity of that first quarter. In fact, as they would do all year, they had a hideous second quarter, allowing the Bowling Green Falcons to hit two field goals and force a turnover on downs at the end of the half.

They regrouped in the third quarter, opening the drive with a touchdown run by Milton after Jabari Small and Tiyon Evans did the work to get them down there. Evans then had a touchdown run midway through the third to put Rocky Top in complete control.

After overthrowing passes all day, Milton finally connected with Cedric Tillman for a score in the fourth quarter to put the Vols up 38-6, which the final score would be. It was a blowout win, but it was ugly enough that nobody was celebrating. There were numerous concerns at the time, although some were alleviated.

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