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Tennessee Football to Kickoff Season on Thursday Night For Second Straight Year

Tennessee Vols Football to Kickoff Season on Thursday Night For Second Straight Year

Jack Foster

Last year, the Vols season opener against Bowling Green took place on a Thursday night in Neyland Stadium. 

This season, the Vols will do it again, as Tennessee will take on Ball State on Thursday, September 1, at 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

Tennessee begins its season mostly bringing back the 2021 crew that went 7-6 and reached a bowl game berth in year one of head coach Josh Heupel, as star quarterback and dark horse Heisman candidate Hendon Hooker returns to Rocky Top along with No. 1 wide receiver Cedric Tillman. 

This season, Hooker will be the starter game one, as Joe Milton opened the 2021 season as the starting quarterback in the Vols' 38-6 win over Bowling Green. 

In the 21st century, Tennessee has opened the season on a day other than Saturday eight times. 

The Vols' all-time record in season-openers is 93-26-6, with a 75-14-4 record in season-opening matchups at home. 

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.

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