LIVE THREAD: No. 12 Tennessee Football vs Virginia | Rocky Top Insider

The 2023 Tennessee football season starts with a matchup against Virginia in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

The game between No. 12 Tennessee and Virginia will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Follow this thread for updates and more throughout the game.

More from RTI: No. 12 Tennessee vs Virginia: How to Watch, Key Stats, Betting Odds

Pregame

• C Cooper Mays ruled OUT
• DL Elijah Simmons ruled OUT
• Kamal Hadden and Doneiko Slaughter starting cornerbacks
• Jaylen Wright announced as the starting running back
• 80-degree weather in Nashville

1st Quarter

Virginia defers to the second half and Tennesseee will receive the ball to start this game.

• Dee Williams and Cam Seldon back at kick return

Tennessee Drive 1

Eight plays, 62 yards, 3:46 off the clock –

Tennessee scores on the first drive of the season. Jaylen Wright took the Vols to the red zone with power running up the middle. Tennessee scores their first touchdown on a 4th and 5 swing pass from Joe Milton to RB Dylan Sampson on the nine-yard line.

Virginia Drive 1

Tennessee forces a three-and-out from the UVA offense. Incomplete over the middle, Beasley in coverage. Incomplete down the sideline, Kamal Hadden in coverage. Complete to the right, Walker makes the tackle.

UVA punts at 1Q, 11:15

Tennessee Drive 2

Tennessee turns the ball over on downs after not being able to convert on 3rd and 1 from their own 29-yard line. Virginia takes over just nine yards away from the red zone.

Virginia Drive 2

Virginia starts close to their own redzone and moves the ball up to the 11 yard line. Tennessee stuffs a quarterback draw on 3rd and goal to set up a fourth down. Virginia misses the 28-yard attempt wide right and turns the ball over to Tennessee.

Vols start at 6:11 in the first quarter.

Tennessee Drive 3

Ramel Keyton drops a downfield would-be touchdown on a great throw from Joe Milton. Tennessee runs for four on second down, pass incomplete and almost intercepted on third down.

Jackson Ross with a bad 17-yard punt. 5:26, 1Q.

Virginia Drive 3 (5:26, 1Q)

Virginia starts at the UT 40

• James Pearce blows up 1st down
• Vols DL blows up second down
• 3rd and 15 – James Pearce Jr sacks QB Tony Muskett. Loss of 7.

Tennessee Drive 4 (3:47, 1Q)

Tennessee starts at UT 25

• Milton to Keyton on first down for 11 yards
• Milton screen to Thornton complete
• Milton scrambles up the middle for a big gain
• Wright up the middle
• Milton incomplete on the deep seam
• Milton sacked for a big loss on 3rd down, out of field goal range.

Virginia Drive 4 (1:26, 1Q)

Virginia starts at UVA 20

• Tyre West tackle for loss
• Incomplete pass to the left
• James Pearce Jr. sack on third down

Virginia punts, Tennessee’s Dee Williams fumbles the punt after 19 yards. UVA recovery.

Virginia takes over on their own 31-yard line.

Virginia Drive 5 (15:00, 2Q)

Three and out for the Cavs.

Tennessee Drive 5 (12:32, 2Q)

Tennessee starts on the 7