Excitement Abounds as Game Week Has Arrived on Rocky Top

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It's officially game week for No. 20/18 Tennessee as it hosts Furman to open the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

As is the norm in Knoxville, a full house will be on hand to watch the Volunteers kick off their 130^th season of football, marking the 28^th consecutive sellout at Neyland Stadium dating back to Sept. 17, 2022.

"It's game week in Tennessee. Ready to go play some ball. Look forward to seeing our fans," head coach Josh Heupel said to open his Monday press conference. "For a bunch of our players, first experience inside of Neyland Stadium. Everybody inside the program is excited about kicking this thing off here on Saturday. (It's a) culmination of a lot of work that goes into it, dating all the way back to last January as we started our offseason program."

After an extremely productive offseason and four weeks of preseason camp in the books, everyone is eager to find out what this version of Tennessee is all about.

"You'll continue to find more out about mental and physical toughness, emotional toughness, resiliency, next-play mindset. So, we're going to find out a lot through this 12-game journey. But Saturday is our first opportunity," Heupel said.

Vols to Honor Dolly Parton with Helmet Sticker
Heupel also revealed on Monday that the Vols will honor the incredible life of Dolly Parton with a special butterfly helmet sticker that'll be displayed throughout the 2026 season.

For Dolly. 🦋

A commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. pic.twitter.com/A1mBw9ZqxZ
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2026

The East Tennessee native, philanthropist and country music icon passed away on Aug. 25 at the age of 80.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't also talk about the passing of Dolly Parton, and all that she's meant across the world, to this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee, and a lady that was extremely proud of her roots," Heupel said. "You look at her impact, just her ability to give back and make an impact to people. Certainly here in East Tennessee, she means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here and inside the state of Tennessee too. So, we'll be wearing a sticker patch on the back of our helmet to recognize her accomplishments and everything that she's meant and had an impact here on Tennessee."

Video and a transcript of Heupel's Monday press conference can be seen below.

Head Coach Josh Heupel Transcript (Aug. 31)

Opening statement…
"It's game week in Tennessee. Ready to go play some ball. Look forward to seeing our fans. For a bunch of our players, first experience inside of Neyland Stadium. Everybody inside the program is excited about kicking this thing off here on Saturday. (It's a) culmination of a lot of work that goes into it, dating all the way back to last January as we started our offseason program. Excited to go play and compete with these guys, and you know, ultimately, we'll find out where we're at and where we got to continue to grow, but looking forward to the weekend.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also talk about the passing of Dolly Parton, and all that she's meant across the world, to this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee, and a lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back and make an impact to people. Certainly here in East Tennessee, she means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here and inside the state of Tennessee too. So, we'll be wearing a sticker patch on the back of our helmet to recognize her accomplishments and everything that she's meant and had an impact here on Tennessee.

"I also want to wish Coach Webb and our golf team good luck as they tee it up and start their season here today."

On whether he believes football teams grow the most between Game 1 and Game 2 of the season…
"I think you can improve the most from Week 1 to Week 2. Ultimately, your team's going to improve when your players focus on the improvements that they need to make and incorporate that into how they practice and ultimately the following week. But good teams continue to get better throughout the course of the season, not just week one to week two."

On his excitement level to see where his team is at on Saturday…
"I think we have a chance to be a good team. Ultimately, our preparation's got to be right this week. Dial into the details of our game plans and all three phases of it. Go compete extremely hard. This game is never perfect. Don't expect Saturday to be, but we want to play with great soundness and play our alignments, our keys, and play with great technique, and take care of the football when we have it and create some turnovers when we don't have it."

On Ethan Davis availability ahead of Week 1…
"Yeah, he'll be available on Saturday. Ramped up this past week and looks really good."

On what he learns from a team in Week 1 that he doesn't already know during training camp…
"You'll continue to find more out about mental and physical toughness, emotional toughness, resiliency, next-play mindset. So, we're going to find out a lot through this 12-game journey. But Saturday is our first opportunity."

On how Jim Knowles has pushed the offensive unit to be better during practice…
"I think as much as anything, as multiple as they are, front, coverage, presentations, rotations, it gives you the ability to work through a lot of the things that you're going to see throughout the course of the year. So, as much as anything, it's the exposure our players get to some of those things."

On why he continues to call plays for the offense…
"I mean, (Joey Halzle) does a lot of it. My background, offense, going to stay engaged in that part of the details of all of our preparation. For me, staying a part of what's gotten you to this point, hiring great people that you trust, and some of those other things. But certainly, it's still my responsibility to tie all three of it together."

On how he has seen Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley help the younger players during training camp…
"They're smart, tough, competitive. They've really grown in their approach, how they handle every day from year one, how they take care of their bodies. You see it out on the practice field, coaching guys up. Subtle details could be fundamentals, technique, could be recognizing schemes. You see them talking to their peers. Some of the young guys, it's, hey man, these are mistakes that I made when I was young. Here's how I've grown, and here's how it's impacted me. And you know, those are two guys that do it at a really high level."

On the difference between Deshawn Bishop last year compared to this year other than physically…
"He had a great off-season, and he's physically stronger with more muscle mass, more speed, and more acceleration. A year ago, he had some opportunities in games, but hadn't carried the bulk of it. Now he has a year under his belt, and he's done a great job with the ball in his hands, and does a great job without the ball in his hands too. So, he's really grown in that way. He's an experienced player that's played at a really high level, and we expect him to have a great year."

On if Heupel plans to play more than one quarterback in Game 1…
"You'll find out on Saturday."

On how live play during practice will improve the offense and the defense…
"Well, some of that live work is important for your offensive guys, skill players that have the ball in their hands. That can be live work in scrimmages, or some of our tackling drills that we do that are live. At the end of the day, tackling is body position, fundamentals, and technique. We've stressed that extremely hard during the offseason, done it during the course of spring ball and training camp. I like how we have grown, but ultimately, we'll find out when we get out there on Saturday."

On how George MacIntyre has responded to Faizon Brandon taking the starting quarterback position…
"Disappointed at first, if they're not that, then we have a real problem. But he's been great in the quarterback room and great on the practice field, he has a great energy. He's in here today with everybody, and he's continuing to grow, work and compete. He understands that he's going to get an opportunity at some point and he better be prepared when your opportunity comes."

On what Heupel sees from Furman as they've already had their game opener…
"It gives the ability to understand where they are playing people in all three phases of the game. Defensively, they return a bunch on their front, and they have a really good edge player. He's the preseason player of the year in their conference. Ultimately, every week is this, but it's about us and our preparation. We're continuing to grow and then go play our best ball on Saturday."