Tennessee prepares for season opener against Furman at Neyland Stadium

No. 18 Tennessee hosts Furman on September 5 at 3:30 pm ET in a season-opening matchup at Neyland Stadium. The game marks the collegiate debut for freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who becomes the youngest starting quarterback in school history at age 18. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles also makes his Tennessee debut, leading a unit that must adjust to the absence of safety Edrees Farooq following his season-ending knee injury. Furman enters the contest with a 1-0 record after a 20-3 victory against Anderson University, a game defined by a heavy rushing attack that controlled the clock in the second half. The Paladins look to overcome early season special teams struggles, as kicker Nathan Chapman missed two of four field goal attempts in his debut. Tennessee previously played Furman twice in the 1940s and enters this encounter with the objective of finalizing roster preparations before traveling to Georgia Tech.

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