Tennessee Vols morning report: Josh Heupel injury updates on Cedric Tillman, Warren Burrell
LSU week is off and running for the Tennessee Vols football team, and it comes with some mixed news. Coming off their bye week, UT has a star player who just had surgery and another key starter who is now out for the season.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with more of that football coverage and news on those injuries, as UT had updates in its weekly media session Monday. A coach and two players spoke. We’ll cover that along with uniform news.
Beyond football, details of a scheduled men’s basketball event hit the stands Monday, and women’s soccer had multiple players earn awards. We’ll dive into all of that, but let’s start with everything surrounding the football team.
Josh Heupel, players talk LSU week – UTSports
With their bye in the rear, the Tennessee Vols football team is now in full prep mode for the LSU Tigers. Head coach Josh Heupel, running back Jabari Small and offensive lineman Jerome Carvin spoke with the media Monday. Heupel said Cedric Tillman had surgery and is day to day while Warren Burrell is out for the year. Here’s how he described LSU.
"“They continue to find ways to win. They’re a good football team. They’re long, they’re athletic on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and obviously have really good skill players too.”"
Small said he’s learned to embrace UT’s upcoming gauntlet, as they visit LSU, host the Alabama Crimson Tide and host the Kentucky Wildcats over the next four weeks. This is his explanation.
"“I’ve learned to embrace it. I think last year, I noticed we had a pretty tough schedule. That’s just how Tennessee is, we play the best teams every year. Nothing is easy about our schedule, nothing is easy about how we win. We have to earn everything. I am very excited about it, and it’s a challenge.”"
Carvin talked about what the bye week did for everybody despite it being so early. Here’s a bit of what he said on that front.
"“The bye week was good. It did come at a good time. We had some guys banged up. We had some guys get healed up and just get a mental break from college football. I got to sit back and watch some games, so it was all good. Now, we are in the thick of it. We are now going into a stretch, going into a lot of conference play, so we are ready to rock and roll.”"
Uniform combination revealed for LSU – Ben McKee, GoVols247
For the first time since 2017, the Tennessee Vols football team will wear its Smokey Greys when it visits LSU Saturday. It’ll also be the first time in history they’re wearing them on the road, although they wore them away from home once before, in the 2016 Music City Bowl.
"The Vols announced the return of the “Smokey Grey” alternate uniform back in August. The original “Smokey Grey” uniform will be worn this season, while new designs will be unveiled each of the next three seasons in the the “Smokey Grey Series.”"
Exhibition matchup with Gonzaga set – LegendsofBasketball.com
The Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team will face the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 28 for an exhibition game. This game will take place at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, as part of the Legends of Basketball Classic.
"The game is set for 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET), and iNDEMAND – the largest distributor of PPV and on demand programming in North America – will serve as the exclusive streaming and TV distributor of the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the McLendon Foundation."
Two soccer Lady Vols recognized by SEC – SECSports
Jaida Thomas of the Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week this week. Lawson Renie was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
"Jaida Thomas scored the game-winner in Tennessee’s 1-0 win over No. 13 Ole Miss on the road on Friday, getting a head on a cross and placing it in the side net from eight yards out in the 79th minute.…Lawson Renie anchored the Tennessee defense for the full 90 minutes in Tennessee’s 1-0 win at No. #13 Ole Miss on Friday, shutting out the previously undefeated Rebels and limiting them to just nine shots and three shots on goal."