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Tennessee football: Ranking all 15 Vols non-Saturday openers

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 4, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back John Kelly (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tennessee won 42-41 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back John Kelly (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tennessee won 42-41 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) climbs on a ladder and helps lead the Pride of the Southland Band following their 38-7 win over Utah State at Neyland Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 in Knoxville, Tenn.0901 Kcsp Ututs19 Mp
Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) climbs on a ladder and helps lead the Pride of the Southland Band following their 38-7 win over Utah State at Neyland Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 in Knoxville, Tenn.0901 Kcsp Ututs19 Mp /

12. 2014

Sunday, Aug. 31; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Similar to Josh Heupel this year, Tennessee football entered 2014 with a lot of excitement in its second season under a new head coach. This time, it was Butch Jones, and Jones was generating excitement for an entirely different reason than Heupel is generating excitement this year.

The Vols were coming off a 5-7 campaign in 2013, their fourth straight losing season and third straight without a bowl game. However, Jones had won over the fan base around this time, as he secured UT’s first top five recruiting class in 2014 since 2007, and he was in the midst of bringing in another top five class for 2015.

Rocky Top got to open his second season the Sunday before Labor Day against the Utah State Aggies. Justin Worley was back from a season-ending injury midway through 2013 and threw for over 270 yards and three touchdowns en route to a dominating victory. The defense came through and forced three turnovers.

Jones gave fans a taste of the five-star freshmen in that game with two completions to Josh Malone and a touchdown pass to Jalen Hurd. Of course, issues on the line and Jones’ problems coaching resulted in another mediocre campaign, but at least they went 7-6 this year and seemed like a program on the rise.

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