Tennessee football celebrated a successful season opener on September 5, with freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon making a remarkable debut. Following the Vols' commanding 56-9 victory over Furman, Brandon was seen sharing a moment with his parents in the north end zone of Neyland Stadium, a testament to the personal significance of his first start. His performance drew accolades from teammates, including wide receiver Braylon Staley, who enthusiastically declared, "This is the man right here," highlighting the excitement surrounding the young quarterback.
Head coach Josh Heupel expressed satisfaction with Brandon's performance but noted that he was not surprised by what he saw on the field. "I don’t think he did anything that surprised me," Heupel remarked, emphasizing the confidence the coaching staff had in Brandon's abilities. Heupel acknowledged that the team had faith in Brandon's preparation and experience leading up to the game, stating, "We’re just … trusting that what you’ve seen on the field through the body of work is going to show up on gameday too." Despite being the youngest player to start at quarterback for the Volunteers, Brandon managed to keep his composure and execute the game plan effectively.
In his first outing, Brandon showcased his skills by throwing for 226 yards and achieving three touchdown passes, while also contributing significantly on the ground with 68 rushing yards and two additional touchdowns. His performance was particularly notable as he became the first player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to throw for three touchdowns and rush for two in his first career start since Cam Newton accomplished the feat in 2010.
Heupel praised Brandon's ability to manage his emotions and the game, stating, "He managed what we were doing, the purpose of what we were trying to accomplish extremely well." He highlighted Brandon's solid communication and decision-making skills, as well as his ability to extend plays with his athleticism. The coach acknowledged the positives in Brandon's performance, noting, "It was a lot of positives from him."
While Brandon's rushing ability was a key asset, Heupel expressed the need for caution regarding how often the quarterback engages in risky runs. Some of Brandon's ten rushing attempts involved direct confrontations with the Furman defense, but Heupel emphasized that he does not want to limit Brandon's strengths. "When you have a quarterback that can do that ... you have the ability to play 11-on-11 at times and so you’re applying pressure to defenses in a different way," Heupel explained, indicating that Brandon's dual-threat capability could create unique challenges for opposing defenses.
Despite the encouraging start, Heupel acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. He noted, "Quarterbacks played smart and efficient today, all of them did. So it’s a good start, lot to learn from and move on to a big one next week." As the Vols prepare for their upcoming challenges, Brandon's debut performance sets a promising tone for the season ahead.
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