Previewing Tennessee 2026 Opponents Game 1 (Furman)

[NO SIR EEE]

Game 1: Tennessee vs. Furman Paladins
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

Hey y'all, kicking off our 2026 opponent previews with our Week 1 matchup against the Furman Paladins.

Series History: A Blast From the Past
Tennessee and Furman have only shared the gridiron twice in history. The Vols own a 2-0 all-time record against the Paladins, with both meetings taking place during the World War II era:

• Sept. 20, 1941: Tennessee won 32-6
• Oct. 24, 1942: Tennessee won 52-7

When the ball kicks off in Neyland, it will mark exactly 84 years since these two programs last faced each other.

The Opponent: Furman Paladins (FCS - SoCon)

• Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (10th season, 60-43 overall)
• 2025 Record: 6-6 (4-4 SoCon)
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 62nd

Coach Hendrix has built a highly stable program, and they are coming off a balanced .500 season in a tough Southern Conference. Preseason consensus maps them right around another 6-6 trajectory for 2026, meaning they are a disciplined, respectable FCS squad but shouldn't threaten us at all.

Roster Breakdown & Key Returners
Furman returns 7 significant contributors on offense and 12 on defense.
Projected Returning Starters/Contributors by Position:

• Offense: 0 QB | 2 RB | 2 WR | 0 TE | 3 OL
• Defense: 4 DT | 3 EDGE | 1 LB | 1 S | 3 CB

The strength of this Paladin team lies heavily on the defensive side of the ball, anchored by an experienced front seven and some legitimate FCS all-conference talent:

• DL Joshua Stoneking: The absolute focal point of their defense. He is coming off a monster season racking up 79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hurries.
• LB Raleigh Herbert: A highly active linebacker who logged 72 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 5 quarterback hurries last year.
• S Billy Lewis: The secondary general who recorded 71 tackles and 2 interceptions last season.
• DT Demetrius Baldwin: A sturdy interior presence with 30 tackles and 3.5 TFLs.
• OL Chris Luna: The lone bright spot on an otherwise rebuilding offensive line. He played 820 snaps last year, allowing only 1 sack and 10 pressures.

The Outlook
With Furman returning zero significant contributors at quarterback or tight end, their offense is breaking in entirely new personnel in the passing game. Expect them to lean heavily on their run game (2 returning RBs) and try to shorten the game.

Meanwhile, their defense has some teeth up front with Stoneking, but our SEC speed and depth should overwhelm them quickly.

 

[Volador]

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[VOLdo Raine]

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You’re being generous to Furman.

 

[LETTERMAN88]

 

[GSPVol]

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Me likey.

 

[thegeneralneyland]

Sounds like a great game to let each QB take a half.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Sounds like a great game to let each QB take a half.

I could be wrong but I don't think Heupel has ever done that since he's been here. It usually is QB1 through 3, unless there was an injury, and then they put the backups in during the final quarter.

 

[GVF]

You’re being generous to Furman.

Probably was generous to Ga State too.

 

[FBtime]

Probably was generous to Ga State too.

Oh yeah...TOTALLY the same

 

[VolsFan-TX]

I could be wrong but I don't think Heupel has ever done that since he's been here. It usually is QB1 through 3, unless there was an injury, and then they put the backups in during the final quarter.

There is benefit in preparing for the 2nd half and going out to execute the revised plan.

 

[thegeneralneyland]

I could be wrong but I don't think Heupel has ever done that since he's been here. It usually is QB1 through 3, unless there was an injury, and then they put the backups in during the final quarter.

I agree, but he hasn't really had a situation like this either.