Conference play took center stage across Tennessee this weekend, highlighted by Tennessee’s three-point battle with No. 1 Texas in Knoxville. Austin Peay won an in-state matchup with UT Martin, ETSU and Chattanooga opened Southern Conference play with victories, while Middle Tennessee dropped its Conference USA opener and Vanderbilt fell in their SEC opener. Memphis had the weekend off. In the NFL, the Tennessee Titans nearly completed a last-minute comeback in New York before falling to 0–3.
FBS
No. 14/13 Tennessee Volunteers — L 17–20 vs. No. 1 Texas
Tennessee pushed the nation’s top-ranked team to the final minutes at Neyland Stadium. The Vols pulled within three when Faizon Brandon connected with Mike Matthews for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:22 remaining, but Texas recovered the ensuing onside kick. Tennessee fell to 3–1 overall and 0–1 in SEC play.
Recap: UTSports.com
Vanderbilt Commodores — L 20–27 at Auburn
Vanderbilt suffered its first loss of the season in its SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium, dropping the Commodores to 3–1.
Recap: VUCommodores.com
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders — L 13–23 at Jacksonville State
MTSU dropped its Conference USA opener after Jacksonville State scored 13 unanswered points in the second half. The Blue Raiders fell to 2–2 overall and 0–1 in conference play.
Recap: GoBlueRaiders.com
FCS
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles — W 34–14 at Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech picked up another road victory in the in-state matchup with TSU.
Recap: TTUSports.com
No. 11 Austin Peay Governors — W 35–12 vs. UT Martin
Austin Peay trailed 12–7 at halftime before exploding for 28 unanswered second-half points. Chris Parson threw for 254 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 82 yards and two scores. The victory was Austin Peay’s program-record ninth consecutive home win.
Recap: LetsGoPeay.com
ETSU Buccaneers — W 58–31 vs. Western Carolina
ETSU opened Southern Conference play with an offensive explosion in the Blue Ridge Border Battle. The Bucs scored 34 first-half points and improved to 3–2 overall and 1–0 in league play with their third consecutive victory over Western Carolina.
Recap: ETSUBucs.com
Chattanooga Mocs — W 27–8 at The Citadel
Chattanooga improved to 3–2 overall and 2–0 in Southern Conference play with a convincing road victory in Charleston. The win was UTC’s fifth straight at The Citadel and moved head coach Rusty Wright into sole possession of third place on the program’s career wins list.
Recap: GoMocs.com
UT Martin Skyhawks — L 12–35 at No. 11 Austin Peay
UT Martin actually carried a 12–7 lead into halftime, but Austin Peay scored 28 unanswered points after the break. The Skyhawks fell to 1–4.
Recap: UTMSports.Com
Tennessee State Tigers — L 14–34 vs. Tennessee Tech
Tennessee State dropped its conference matchup with the Golden Eagles, falling to 1–4 on the season.
Recap: TSUTigers.com
Division II / NAIA
Carson-Newman Eagles — W 35–21 vs. Newberry
Carson-Newman continued its unbeaten start, improving to 5–0 with another South Atlantic Conference victory.
Recap: CNEagles.com
Cumberland Phoenix — L 21–28 at Campbellsville
Cumberland suffered its second loss of the season in its first Mid-South Conference road test.
Recap: GoCumberlandAthletics.com
NFL
Tennessee Titans — L 7–12 at New York Giants
The Titans came painfully close to their first victory of the Robert Saleh era. Tennessee trailed 12–0 before Cam Ward connected with Wan’Dale Robinson for a touchdown with 5:39 remaining. Ward then drove the Titans to the Giants’ seven-yard line in the final minute, but his pass into the end zone was intercepted with 17 seconds remaining. Tennessee actually outgained New York 262–238 but fell to 0–3.
Recap: TennesseeTitans.com
