Tennessee

Tony Vitello explains why Blake Burke was ejected from Tennessee baseball’s game vs Illinois

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Tony Vitello explains why Blake Burke was ejected from Tennessee baseball’s game vs Illinois

Blake Burke was ejected following a fifth-inning home run in Tennessee baseball’s 8-3 win against Illinois at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Sunday.

It is unclear what Burke did to warrant an ejection following his home run, which pulled the Vols within 3-2 against Illinois.

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello told reporters after the game both teams were warned after “both catchers were talking to each other during (Illinois’ Camden) Janik’s at-bat.”

“Blake hit the home run, and as he crossed home plate, I don’t know what he said, but he was clearly talking to the catcher about the home run or telling him about it,” added Vitello. “Which he’s a smart enough guy. He can see where the ball landed. There’s no need to do that.”

The first baseman will miss UT’s home game Tuesday against Eastern Kentucky.

The No. 8 Vols (16-1) swept Illinois (5-9) for the third straight weekend series sweep and 14th straight win.

“We’ll come out of today being the bad guys, and maybe something gets posted or you hear ‘Blake Burke got thrown out. He’s a bad guy.’ But I used to coach pitchers. I don’t remember back then anybody throwing a baseball, 90 mile-an-hour objects at guys when they’re not looking at it. But it started about six years ago. Our guys are guilty of doing it. I’m not calling our their guy. He’s doing what he’s got to do,” said Vitello.

BIG NIGHT FOR FRESHMAN: Dean Curley becomes first Tennessee baseball freshman to have three-homer game

Dalton Bargo replaced Burke at first base following the ejection, which was UT’s first for a player since Christian Moore was ejected against Vanderbilt on April 22 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Burke’s homer was his sixth of the season as he has been on a tear of late. The junior was hitting .367 entering Sunday.

Gentry Estes of The Tennessean contributed to this story.

Source link

Click to comment

Tennessee

Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

Published

2 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.

ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”

In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.

The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.

ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.

This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.

Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.

Source link

Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

14 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Source link

Tennessee

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.

UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.

Game times and television designations will be announced later.

Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.

Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.

Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.

Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.

Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.

Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.

Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.

Tennessee football 2026 schedule

Sept. 5: Furman
Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
Sept. 26: Texas*
Oct. 3: Auburn*
Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
Oct. 17: Alabama*
Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
Oct. 31: Open
Nov. 7: Kentucky*
Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
Nov. 21: LSU*
Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*

*SEC game

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.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

Source link