Tennessee

No. 6 Tennessee visits No. 15 Oklahoma to highlight weekend's SEC action

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

Press Room

No. 6 Tennessee visits No. 15 Oklahoma to highlight weekend's SEC action

Things to watch this week in the Southeastern Conference:

Game of the week

No. 6 Tennessee (3-0) at No. 15 Oklahoma (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, (ABC).

It’s the Sooners’ first Southeastern Conference game and the league opener for both teams. The Volunteers’ season has been a walk in the park so far, outscoring Chattanooga, NC State and Kent State by a combined 191- 13, an SEC-record margin through three games.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was the starting quarterback for Oklahoma’s 2000 national championship team, finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting. He was also the Sooners’ offensive coordinator for four seasons starting in 2011.

The game features two talented young quarterbacks, Tennessee redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava and Sooners sophomore Jackson Arnold. Iamaleava directs an offense that leads the nation in scoring (63.7 points per game) and ranks second in total yards (639.3 yards per game) and third in rushing (336.3). Dylan Sampson has powered a prolific ground game by rushing for nine touchdowns already.

Arnold is leading the Sooners with 159 rushing yards while passing for 484 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions. Both led their teams in the bowl game last season.

The Vols are favored by 7 points, according to BetMGM.

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and linebacker Kobie McKinzie sing the school song after they defeated Tulane during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams

Napier watch

There are three other league games: Vanderbilt at No. 7 Missouri, Arkansas at Auburn and Florida at Mississippi State.

The most intriguing might just be the Gators and embattled coach Billy Napier against Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs, who were humbled 41-17 by Toledo. Napier is 6-11 in SEC games and the loss to Texas A&M was his seventh straight against Power 4 opponents. Speculation about his job security has continued to ramp up.

The biggest nonconference matchup features No. 16 LSU against UCLA. The Tigers lost 38-27 at UCLA to open the 2021 season in the programs’ only previous meeting. They’re favored by 24-1/2 points, per BetMGM.

Impact player

Texas quarterback Arch Manning may get his first career start. The top-ranked Longhorns’ coach Steve Sarkisian has labeled starter Quinn Ewers as “questionable” for the game against Louisiana-Monroe with an abdominal strain. Manning passed for four touchdowns and ran 67 yards for another in a 56-7 win over UTSA. If Ewers isn’t fully healthy, this would appear to be a game where he could easily sit out.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning, left, throws against Colorado State during... — Texas quarterback Arch Manning, left, throws against Colorado State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Credit: AP/Eric Gay

Inside the numbers

Three SEC defenses have yet to allow a touchdown: No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Mississippi and Tennessee. … Ole Miss is the first SEC team to score 150 points and allow fewer than 10 through three games, according to ESPN. … … Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has eight passing touchdowns and six rushing TDs in just three games. That’s six more than his first three starts last season. … Arkansas leads the nation with 15 rushing touchdowns, including six from Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson. … LSU has won 16 straight nonconference game in Tiger Stadium and 65 of its last 66. … South Carolina and Akron’s only other meeting came on Dec. 1, 2018 after both teams had early season games called off because of weather.

Bye Bye

The biggest SEC game of the early season is a week away. Georgia and No. 4 Alabama both have open dates before their showdown in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28. The Bulldogs just dropped from the top spot in the rankings after a 13-12 win over Kentucky. The Crimson Tide have won Kalen DeBoer’s first three games by a combined 121 points. It will be a rematch of the SEC championship game won by Alabama.

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Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

7 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Tennessee

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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