Tennessee

‘Worst quarter I’ve seen the Titans play’: Tennessee Titans fall apart in first quarter vs Commanders

Published

1 year ago

December 1, 2024

‘Worst quarter I’ve seen the Titans play’: Tennessee Titans fall apart in first quarter vs Commanders

The Tennessee Titans opened Sunday’s game with the Washington Commanders with a three-and-out on offense with two false start penalties thrown in, an ominous sign of what was to come in the first quarter.

Tennessee fell behind 21-0 to Washington in a disastrous first quarter that included three Commanders touchdown drives allowed, two Titans turnovers and more catches for left tackle JC Latham than the Titans receiving corps.

It was an all-systems failure for the Titans on Sunday in such a thorough fashion that hadn’t been seen yet in 2024 despite a poor 3-8 campaign.

Let’s go through the lowlights:

The Titans offense opened the game by losing 12 yards in a three-and-out that included false starts by Latham and Nicholas Petit-Frere.

After a Brian Robinson TD run, Tennessee’s second drive stalled out near midfield when Will Levis’ deflected pass landed in the hands of Latham for the rookie left tackle’s first career catch. But it didn’t move the chains, and the Titans had to punt.

Down 14-0 after a Jayden Daniels TD run, Tony Pollard was stripped on a second-down carry by Mike Sainristl, who recovered the ball he forced.

The Titans defense did get put into a difficult spot at 14-0 after the Pollard fumble, but that was after two Commanders touchdown drives that included Robinson’s 40-yard touchdown run and Daniels’ touchdown carry.

Washington ended the first quarter with 109 rushing yards. And Terry McLaurin, the Commanders top receiving option, already had four catches for 46 yards, including a touchdown catch.

After McLaurin’s TD catch to extend the Washington lead to 21-0 with 23 seconds remaining in the quarter, Jha’Quan Jackson returned the kickoff — and fumbled. Washington recovered the ball and proceeded to score on a second McLaurin touchdown reception.

But at least that TD happened in the second quarter.

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Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

43 minutes 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.

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Tennessee

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Published

13 hours 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.

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Dragos Cazacu signs with Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee announced the signing of graduate student Dragos Cazacu on Wednesday. He is from Constanta, Romania.

“Dragos is someone we believe can translate all of his professional experience and success seamlessly to high level college tennis,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “He’s a very mature young man who has finished university in Romania, so we know the type of student athlete we are getting. Winning ITF Pro Circuit titles, all while doing his degree back home shows he will transition nicely to Tennessee in January.”

Cazacu competed on the ATP Tour prior to Tennessee. His highest ranking was No. 763 in singles and No. 495 in doubles.

Tennessee will begin its spring men’s tennis season versus ETSU on Jan. 9, 2026 at Goodfriend Tennis Center. SEC competition will begin Feb. 21, 2026 at Kentucky.

The Vols’ home opener in SEC play is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026 versus Auburn at Goodfriend Tennis Center.

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