Eight months have passed since Tennessee culminated a surprisingly strong 11-2 season with a 31-14 thumping of Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
This duration has lasted longer for some than others, but Volunteers third-year coach Josh Heupel summed up the feelings of many folks from Morristown to Memphis when he entered Monday’s news conference and offered a familiar expression.
“It’s football time in Tennessee,” Heupel said.
The Vols will open their much-anticipated 2023 season Saturday (noon Eastern on ABC) at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium against Virginia, a program that was 3-7 last November when an on-campus shooting resulted in the deaths of three players: Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. The Cavaliers then canceled their final two games against Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech.
A moment of silence will take place before Saturday’s kickoff, and Tennessee players will wear a helmet decal to recognize the Cavaliers who lost their lives.