Vols vs Tigers Quarterly Report · October 3, 2026

TENN0

First Quarter00:00

AUB0

First Quarter

The defense kept Tennessee from paying for a sputtering start. Auburn’s first four possessions ended in three-and-outs, the fourth carrying into the second quarter. The Tigers had no first down in the opening period. Tennessee needed the field position Jackson Ross and the defense were providing; it could not yet turn it into points.

Key Play

Auburn’s third possession went backward and ended in another punt.

Key Player

Jackson Ross — the punt game kept Auburn starting deep.

Key Stat

Auburn had no first down in the first quarter.

TENN3

Second Quarter00:00

AUB7

Second Quarter

Ranvier’s 36-yard field goal made it 3–0 at 9:51. Mariyon Dye forced a fumble that Arion Carter recovered, but Tennessee wasted the chance: Bishop’s touchdown was erased by a penalty, and Morris then lost a fumble. Brandon’s interception later gave Auburn a short field for Brown’s seven-yard score. MacIntyre entered late and completed five passes for 38 yards before the break. Tennessee still trailed, but the passing game finally had some life.

Key Play

Brandon’s interception gave Auburn possession at the Tennessee 19.

Key Player

George MacIntyre — five first-half completions after taking over.

Key Stat

Halftime: Tennessee 3, Auburn 7. Auburn had only 86 total yards.

TENN17

Third Quarter00:00

AUB7

Third Quarter

MacIntyre’s 42-yard completion to Matthews helped the Vols move 82 yards for the lead. Bishop scored from 25 yards at 8:49. Lane then intercepted Brown, returned it 32 yards, and gave Tennessee the ball at Auburn’s 44. Bishop scored on the next snap. Two consecutive offensive plays produced 69 yards and two touchdowns, with the defense supplying the second opportunity.

Key Play

Lane’s interception put Bishop one carry from a 17–7 lead.

Key Player

DeSean Bishop — touchdown runs of 25 and 44 yards.

Key Stat

Tennessee outscored Auburn 14–0 in the quarter.

TENN24

Fourth Quarter00:00

AUB14

Fourth Quarter

Brown’s long run set up his 16-yard touchdown pass to Boardingham at 10:57. Tennessee’s lead was down to three, but Auburn got no farther. Lane stopped third-and-one; Telander and Robinson stopped fourth-and-one at the Auburn 24. Bishop carried on every play of Tennessee’s five-play scoring drive, converting fourth down before scoring from five yards at 3:30. Metcalf intercepted Brown at the Tennessee one on Auburn’s final possession.

Key Play

The third- and fourth-down stops gave Tennessee the ball with 6:34 remaining.

Key Players

Bishop and the defense — the final touchdown and the final takeaway.

Key Stat

Final: Tennessee 24, Auburn 14. Bishop: 34 carries, 220 yards, three TDs.

Carter for Cancer’s Cure

Calculated Auburn pledge

$2,562

Arion Carter’s official line: three solo tackles + three assists = six total tackles; zero sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles or defensive touchdowns. Six tackles × $427 = $2,562. His fumble recovery and 1.5 tackles for loss earn no separate bonus.

Calculated season pledge: $14,591. Georgia Tech: $3,416; Kennesaw State: $3,916; Texas: $4,697; Auburn: $2,562. These amounts follow his announced pledge and credited statistics; they do not confirm payment.

Original pledge · Official Auburn box score · Prior-game totals