KNOXVILLE -- The Tennessee Volunteers kicked off their 2026-27 football season with a commanding victory over Furman, winning decisively by a score of 56-9. The game, held at Neyland Stadium, was highlighted by the impressive debut of true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who made an immediate impact on the field.
Brandon's first game as a Volunteer was nothing short of remarkable. He completed 13 of 17 passes, totaling 226 yards through the air, while also adding 68 rushing yards. His performance included five touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities as both a passer and a runner. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised Brandon's performance, noting, “I thought he managed what we were doing, the purpose of what we were trying to accomplish, extremely well.” He emphasized the freshman's solid communication and decision-making throughout the game.
The Vols' defense also played a crucial role in the victory, with standout performances from players like Xavier Gilliam, who recorded three sacks and five tackles for loss. The defense set the tone early by forcing Furman into a quick three-and-out on their opening drive, allowing Brandon and the offense to take control.
Tennessee struck first, with Brandon leading a methodical drive that culminated in a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ethan Davis, putting the Vols ahead 7-0. The Furman offense, led by quarterback Jake Garcia, struggled to find rhythm, failing to score in the first half as Tennessee's defense stifled their efforts.
As the game progressed, the Vols began to find their offensive groove. In the second quarter, Brandon and running back DeSean Bishop combined for three rushing touchdowns, extending the lead to 28-0 by halftime. Brandon's ability to not only throw but also run the ball effectively kept the Furman defense on its heels.
In the second half, Brandon continued to shine, launching two deep touchdown passes to wide receiver Mike Matthews, covering a total of 112 yards. These explosive plays pushed the score to 42-0, prompting Heupel to rest the freshman quarterback for the remainder of the game.
George MacIntyre took over quarterback duties and also contributed to the scoring, completing 5 of 7 passes, including a touchdown to fellow freshman TK Keys. The Vols capped off their scoring with a spectacular 73-yard touchdown run by Justin Baker in the fourth quarter, solidifying their commanding lead.
Overall, Tennessee amassed 638 total yards while limiting Furman to a mere 43 passing yards throughout the game. Coach Heupel expressed satisfaction with the performance but acknowledged areas for improvement, stating, “There’s a bunch that we’re going to need to clean up here in all three phases of the game but, overall, pleased with the performance.”
With this dominant win, the Volunteers (1-0) will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for a tougher challenge in week two against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.
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