It’s week one! College football is finally here, and the Tennessee Vols football team is set to prepare for its second straight premature opener. They will face the Ball State Cardinals on Thursday night, the first SEC team to play this week, although the Vanderbilt Commodores have already played a game.
Anyway, our morning update on Rocky Top doesn’t actually involve a lot of news surrounding this week’s slate of games. That will likely come later, as there will be updates throughout the day, including press conferences and depth charts. We still have football news, though.
Another preseason watch list for Hendon Hooker hit the presses Friday, and there is also an update on one of their future schedules. We’ll touch on both of those plus news surrounding the volleyball program, which had its own slate of matches this weekend. There’s plenty to cover, starting with the football schedule.
Western Michigan added to 2026 football slate – WMUBroncos.com
Over the weekend, the Western Michigan Broncos announced that the Tennessee Vols football team would host them in 2026. That was part of two games they announced, as the Iowa Hawkeyes will host them in 2018.
"The first-ever meeting between the Broncos and the Volunteers is set for Sept. 19, 2026 in Knoxville, Tenn. The fourth all-time meeting between WMU and UI will take place on Sept. 16, 2028."
Hendon Hooker on Golden Arm Watch List – GoldenArmFoundation.com
In addition to being on the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien and Manning Award preseason watch lists, Tennessee Vols football quarterback Hendon Hooker was added to the Johnny Unitas Award Golden Arm Preseason Watch List on Friday. There were 76 quarterbacks who made the list.
"The award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. Candidates are chosen based on player performance on-and-off the field as we head into the 2022 college football season."
Volleyball loses two of three matches opening weekend – UTSports
After winning their first matchup in the Tennessee Classic Friday against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in five sets, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team dropped two matches Saturday, both in four sets. They first fell to the Bowling Green Falcons, and then they lost to the Purdue Boilermakers. Eva Hudson of Purdue was named MVP of the event.
"Tennessee hits the road for the season’s second weekend as it travels to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the NC State Classic. The two-day tournament runs Sept. 2-3 and will see the Lady Vols take on Elon, Colgate and NC State."