Tennessee hosts Kennesaw State in final nonconference test before SEC play
The No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers return to Neyland Stadium on Saturday for their final nonconference game of the regular season, hosting Kennesaw State in a matchup that will test depth and adjustments for the Vols after a recent injury to a key offensive player.
Tennessee (2-0) will play Kennesaw State (1-1) on Sept. 19 with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. The game serves as a closing tune-up before Tennessee embarks on its nine-game Southeastern Conference schedule.
What to know about Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State’s trajectory has been rapid: the program moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision for the 2024 season and captured the Conference USA title in 2025, finishing 10-4. But the Owls are in a rebuilding phase after losing a significant portion of that championship roster.
Key departures include starting quarterback Amari Odom, who transferred to Syracuse, the interior offensive line, the top receiver and the top three running backs from last year’s team. The losses have forced new personnel into prominent roles and tested the program’s depth.
This season Kennesaw opened with a dominant 47-0 win over West Georgia but fell 31-17 to Georgia State on Sept. 12. In that loss, quarterback Ricky Collins threw for 260 yards and a touchdown and produced a few explosive plays in the passing game. However, the Owls struggled to establish a running attack, allowing 230 rushing yards (4.9 per carry) after yielding 4.6 yards per rush a year ago.
Tennessee’s adjustment after Ethan Davis’ injury
Tennessee suffered a setback when tight end Ethan Davis sustained a season-ending ACL injury in the Volunteers’ most recent game at Georgia Tech. Davis’ absence leaves a void in both blocking and receiving matchups that Tennessee will need to address.
With Davis out, sophomore DaSaahn Brame is expected to step into the starting tight end role. Brame, listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, has shown downfield receiving ability and flashes of blocking proficiency but remains a developing player in that phase of the game. The coaching staff’s capacity to incorporate Brame into both the passing and run-blocking schemes will be a key storyline for Tennessee’s offense.
The team also added South Alabama transfer Tren—(note: reporting material cut off in source) who figures into depth charts and rotational plans, but Tennessee’s offense will need to re-balance personnel groupings and play calls without Davis’ consistent presence.
Matchup factors and what to watch
- Run game vs. run defense: Kennesaw State’s inability to generate a reliable ground attack in its loss to Georgia State could influence Tennessee’s defensive approach, which will seek to force more one-dimensional passing situations.
- Quarterback play: Tennessee’s offensive rhythm and Kennesaw State’s reliance on Ricky Collins’ arm — especially on explosive plays — make quarterback decision-making and protection important.
- Tight end usage: With Davis sidelined, how Tennessee deploys Brame and alternative tight ends in blocking sets and the red zone will affect scoring efficiency.
- Coaching connections: Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State’s head coach, has ties to Tennessee as a former Vols running backs coach, adding an extra subplot when the Owls visit Neyland.
| Team | 2026 record (entering game) | Notable recent result |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 2-0 | Won season opener and last nonconference game before SEC slate |
| Kennesaw State | 1-1 | Lost 31-17 to Georgia State after 47-0 win over West Georgia |
Context for the Volunteers’ season
Saturday’s contest provides Tennessee one final opportunity to fine-tune offensive and defensive packages before facing SEC competition. The Volunteers are protecting a national ranking and will aim to maintain momentum while integrating personnel changes caused by injury.
Kennesaw State arrives as a program that has seen quick success but is adjusting to roster turnover. The Owls have already shown the capacity for big plays through the air with Collins, but Tennessee’s defense will look to limit explosive passing while exploiting an unsettled run game.
Fans at Neyland can expect a charged atmosphere and a matchup that pits a nationally ranked power program against a rising Group of 5 school led by a coach familiar with Tennessee’s culture. The outcome will likely reveal how well the Vols can adapt to a midseason personnel shift and how Kennesaw State’s retooled roster responds under pressure.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
