Tennessee football: Photo gallery from Vols’ 59-10 win vs. Ball State
Unlike last year, Tennessee football managed to put on a show in its opener. The Vols flat-out dominated the Ball State Cardinals 59-10, and the fun started almost immediately with an interception on the first play of the game. UT is now 1-0, and fans have lots of reasons to believe in the program’s potential after what they saw in this one.
Thursday’s opener wasn’t just about the success on the field, though. The Vols entered a newly renovated Neyland Stadium that saw the return of the V-O-L-S letters, this time on either side of the scoreboard. There was also a new jumbotron in the north end zone, adding even more flare.
All of that made it a night to remember, similar to how in 1996 they beat the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 62-3 to honor the expansion of the north end zone. Heupel and the Vols are off and running, and there’s no telling what’s in store for them after this one. Before looking ahead, though, let’s take a look at the photos from Tennessee football’s memorable victory.
Recent openers haven’t been all fun for Tennessee football. As we mentioned, they looked ugly in last year’s opener, and 2020 was the COVID-shortened year, so while they won a thriller at the South Carolina Gamecocks, it certainly wasn’t a win they could relax in. They lost their openers in 2019 and 2018 and needed overtime to win them in 2017 and 2016.
It’s safe to say that makes this the most fun opener Tennessee football was able to enjoy since they blew out the Bowling Green Falcons in 2015. That year ended up being the best season the Vols have enjoyed since the Phillip Fulmer era came to an end. Could that be an omen?
We can’t say any of that for sure just yet, but the Vols look to be in good shape. You couldn’t have asked for a better setting. Neyland Stadium was rocking, the offense was clicking, the defense was shockingly good, and now they are on to the next one. Up next will be a trip to the Pittsburgh Panthers, who won a thriller Thursday, on Saturday, Sept. 10.