Tennessee
Titans vs Dolphins key moments: How Tennessee Titans won against Miami Dolphins
The Tennessee Titans earned their first win of the season in a 31-12 romp of the Miami Dolphins on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tennessee scored 31 points despite just 102 passing yards and 244 total yards due to a suffocating defense and ball control. Mason Rudolph did not commit a turnover in the three-plus quarters in relief of Will Levis, who injured his shoulder while diving for a first down in the first quarter.
Miami’s offense struggled to 184 total yards in Tyler Huntley’s first start with the team.
Here are the three key moments in Monday’s Titans victory:
Scenario: Titans 9, Dolphins 3 at halftime after Nick Folk’s 47-yard field goal
Tennessee led just 6-3 with 16 seconds left following a bad Dolphins punt near midfield, and the Titans had no timeouts.
Mason Rudolph found Tyler Boyd over the middle for a 27-yard gain, and the Titans offense hustled to the line to clock the ball with one second left.
Because of that hustle, Nick Folk was able to successfully kick a 47-yard field goal to push the lead out to six points in a game starved for explosive plays and points. Folk finished the game with five field goals, including three from longer than 50 yards.
GENTRY ESTES: The Titans win a game! (And it was without Will Levis)
Scenario: Titans 16, Dolphins 6 with 6:00 left in third quarter after first TD of the game
Tony Pollard finally gave the Titans an explosive spark with a 41-yard run down the left sideline to set up 1st and goal midway through the second quarter. It was the longest play of the game for either team.
One play later, Tyjae Spears made a nifty move out of the wildcat formation and scored galloping into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run.
GOOD AND BAD: Winners and losers from Tennessee Titans absolute beatdown of Miami Dolphins
Scenario: Titans 22, Dolphins 12 with 3:36 left fourth quarter after failed two-point try
Miami had its best drive of the game midway through the fourth quarter on a 7-minute drive that was capped off by a Tyler Huntley 1-yard TD run in a 16-point game. Down by 10 now, Miami opted to go for a two-point conversion. But Huntley’s pass was intercepted by Quandre Diggs.
Tennessee held onto its two-score lead and cruised to its first victory of 2024.
Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
More Vols News
Tennessee
Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal
Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.
Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.
Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.
Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape
The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.
Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.
Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.
Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.
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