Sam Pendleton injury concerns briefly reshuffled Tennessee’s offensive-line plans for the opener, but the absence did not derail a run-first offensive display in a 56-9 win over Furman.
Josh Heupel said the decision to hold Pendleton out came after warm-ups and that he expects the center to be available for Week 2, per 247Sports’ Patrick Brown, as noted by Saturday Down South. “Just went through warm-ups and ultimately made a decision. Expect him to be ready to go next week,” Heupel said.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Pendleton did not play in Tennessee’s season opener against Furman because of an undisclosed injury.
- Tennessee still produced a dominant ground game, finishing with 329 rushing yards on 47 attempts in a 56-9 victory.
- Josh Heupel said he expects Pendleton to be ready for the Vols‘ Week 2 trip to Georgia Tech.
How Pendleton missing Week 1 affected Tennessee offense
Pendleton’s absence forced the Volunteers to adjust their interior rotation early in the opener, and there were signs of communication issues up front during the first series.
Those hiccups did not last as Tennessee leaned on its ground game and finished with 329 rushing yards on 47 attempts, a mark that smoothed over the offensive-line transitions as the game progressed.
The Volunteers also got a dynamic showing from true freshman Faizon Brandon, who passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns while adding 76 yards and two scores on the ground.
Sam Pendleton injury timeline and transfer background
Pendleton spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Notre Dame before entering the transfer portal and joining Tennessee.
He won the starting center job after arriving in Knoxville and started every game for the Volunteers in 2025.
The absence for the Furman game has been described by the staff as short-term, and Heupel expressed confidence the center will be available for the Week 2 trip to Georgia Tech.
Center continuity comparison
| Item | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Sam Pendleton recent background | Played at Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, transferred to Tennessee and started every game in 2025 |
| Tennessee Week 1 front-line production | Vols rushed for 329 yards on 47 attempts; true freshman Faizon Brandon passed for 226 yards and three TDs and rushed for 76 yards with two TDs |
What Pendleton’s status means for Tennessee’s Week 2 and SEC depth
Having Pendleton available would restore a veteran presence at center and preserve interior continuity against a tougher early-season opponent.
Week 2 at Georgia Tech will be a different test than Furman, and Tennessee’s ability to field its projected interior starters will matter for short-yardage situations and protection clarity.
Heupel’s timeline, relayed by 247Sports’ Patrick Brown, frames Tennessee’s preparation for the early road test and eases immediate pressure on younger offensive linemen.
