Tennessee football kicked off its season with a commanding 56-9 victory over Furman on September 5, showcasing the talents of freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon in his first career start. Following the game, Brandon celebrated with his family in the north end zone of Neyland Stadium, while his teammates, including wide receiver Braylon Staley, lauded his performance. Staley enthusiastically declared, "This is the man right here," emphasizing the high expectations surrounding the young quarterback.
Head coach Josh Heupel expressed satisfaction with Brandon's debut, noting that he was not surprised by the freshman's performance. Heupel stated, “I don’t think he did anything that surprised me. We’re just … trusting that what you’ve seen on the field through the body of work is going to show up on gameday too.” Heupel highlighted Brandon's ability to stay composed and manage the game effectively, which is crucial for a player of his age.
Brandon's statistics from the game were impressive, as he threw for 226 yards, completing three touchdown passes, and added 68 rushing yards along with two rushing touchdowns, all in less than three quarters of play. His performance made history, as he became the first player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to achieve the feat of throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for two in his first career start since Cam Newton did so for Auburn in 2010.
Despite being the youngest quarterback to start for the Volunteers, Brandon displayed remarkable poise. Heupel praised his ability to manage emotions and the game itself, saying, “He managed what we were doing, the purpose of what we were trying to accomplish extremely well. Communication was really solid, and decision-making was really good.” Brandon also demonstrated his athleticism by extending plays with his legs and taking care of the football, contributing to a positive overall assessment from his coach.
While Heupel acknowledged the need for continued improvement, he was pleased with how Brandon handled the pressure of his first start. He remarked, “Quarterbacks played smart and efficient today, all of them did. So it’s a good start, a lot to learn from, and move on to a big one next week.” Heupel also noted the importance of allowing Brandon to utilize his running ability, which adds a unique dynamic to the Vols' offense. “When you have a quarterback that can do that, you have the ability to play 11-on-11 at times, and so you’re applying pressure to defenses in a different way,” he explained.
As the season progresses, Tennessee football fans will be eager to see how Faizon Brandon develops under Heupel's guidance and how the young quarterback continues to impact the team's performance. With a solid opener behind him, Brandon's journey as the starting quarterback for the Volunteers is just beginning.
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