NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Before adopting a dog, you might want to make sure it’s a real organization before potentially losing hundreds of dollars. Russell Rescue Tennessee has been a target with people impersonating them online.

“Russell Rescue is an all-volunteer dog rescue we specialize in small dogs,” Volunteer Tara Shaver said.

Theo is one of the many dogs Russell Rescue Tennessee has helped give a forever home. They’re looking to do that for more of the 200 hundred dogs they have, but they’ve been running into some issues.

“Imposter pages are popping up, and they’re responding to comments on our Facebook page, and it makes it look like that we are responding,” Shaver said.

Pages like that have been offering to hold puppies for people if they pay, the problem is they’re fake. It’s getting worse too. They say fake accounts used to be reported about once a month, recently it’s happening every day.

“If they see someone reaching out who appears to be us, and then they’re asking for money to hold a dog, or they’re asking for more money, or they’re saying, well, you know, we could offer you this other dog, then people start to question the legitimacy of Russell Rescue Tennessee because they’re just not sure. You know what’s truth and what’s not,” Shaver said.

There are three steps the AARP says you should take to verify an organization is legitimate. One, do your research, and check to see when the page was made and if they have any followers. Two, meet the dog in person before agreeing to adopt. Three, never pay upfront.

“It’s as much about protecting ourselves as it is helping protect other people who maybe don’t get this message, and helping to remove those scammers before they can take advantage of people,” Shaver said.

If you think you found a fake organization or have fallen for a scam some resources can help on AARP’s website here.

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Why the Offensive Versatility of Tennessee Separates them from the Pack

The Tennessee Volunteers had one of the most impressive performances of Week 2, which resulted in them moving from No. 14 to No. 7 in the most recent AP Top 25 poll following their dominant 51-10 win over NC State in Charlotte on Saturday.

Tennessee’s offense had their way versus the Wolfpack, getting it done in the run game and the pass game with an offensive attack led by redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. A scheme that Volquest‘s Brent Hubbs believes is misunderstood and dangerous for any defense they face this season.

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“I don’t think anybody truly understands the versatility of the Josh Huepel offense, it’s the Art Briles system that he’s tweaked,” Hubbs said at the On3 Roundtable. “And everybody thinks of Jalin Hyatt going down the middle of the field against Alabama and they think of just over the top throwing plays, explosive plays, 60-70 yard touchdowns.”

“The reality of this offense is they’re very much rooted in the run game and they can play the run game in a variety of ways.”

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After leading the SEC in passing yards per game in 2022, Heupel and the offense adapted last season and led the conference in rushing. But so far this season with Tennessee’s personnel on offense, the offensive mastermind has been able to place the Vol’s rushing attack in a position where they may now be at the peak of their powers.

“They got RPO off of it, they can run the stretch, they can run tight end lead, power. They got into a two tight end set Saturday night against NC State to kind of neutralize some of that 3-3-5 look that State plays. And Dave Doeren, NC State’s head coach, said after the game we weren’t expecting that and we really hadn’t prepared much for that. And Tennessee got into it, liked it, and stayed in it, and adapted to it,” Hubbs explained.

The Vols rushed for 249 yards on Saturday, highlighted by 132 yards and two scores on the ground for running back Dylan Sampson and Iamaleava ending the game as the team’s second-leading rusher with 65 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown of his own. A ground attack that will only make things easier for the young, talented signal caller in the passing game.

“So the versatility that they have in the run game makes Tennessee unique and I think we’re only going to see Nico get better as the season goes along here,” Hubbs added. “But they can run the football effectively with Dylan Samson, those backs, to take some of the pressure off of Nico. Which I think is a good thing, it’s not going to be all on him to make a bunch of plays if they can continue to run the football schematically the way that they did.”

Iamaleava threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns as well in Saturday’s game, and it will surely be fascinating to continue watching him grow within Tennessee’s offense and see what heights he can potentially lead the Volunteers to this season.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s Heisman odds are on the move after the team’s win against NC State.

It was a massive weekend for the Tennessee Volunteers as they walked out of the Duke’s Mayo Classic with a 51-10 victory over NC State, who was ranked at the time. The Volunteers dominated on both sides of the ball and their impressive win vaulted them all the way into No. 7 in the AP poll rankings. Their spot in the rankings wasn’t the only thing that saw a shift this weekend though.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has quickly become a name to know in the college football world. He looked impressive against Chattanooga in week one and now with a ranked win added to his resume people are really starting to pay attention. So much so that Iamaleava’s Heisman odds have since changed, according to Draft Kings. Last week, Iamaleava was pinned at +1400 odds to win the Heisman and now those odds are even lower.

Iamaleava is not yet in Heisman finalist territory just yet but if the Volunteers keep playing like they have then it is likely he will end up in that range. So far on the season, Iamaleava has thrown for 525 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 74.5 percent of his passes. The Volunteers will host Kent State this weekend which will be broadcasted on SEC Network. Kickoff is set for 7:45 PM.

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