Sham. Jeremiah. DeSean. George. Four young men who remind me why I love Tennessee football.
Let’s start with what matters most: the players.
Sham Umarov — the power of doing the little things that make great things happen.
In the second quarter, George MacIntyre ran 12 yards for a first down. When they replayed the play from the drone camera behind the players, I saw Sham make the block that cleared George’s path. It was poetry in motion. That is teamwork. That is commitment. And that is the kind of unselfish effort that deserves recognition. Sham, keep doing those little things that make a tremendous difference!
DeSean Bishop — determination you can measure in yards.
DeSean rushed for 120 yards on 32 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and added a 10-yard reception. That is a spectacular workload and a testament to his determination. DeSean, keep running hard, keep fighting for every yard, and keep showing Tennessee what you can do!
Jeremiah Telander — a defensive force who keeps making his presence known.
I believe it was the third quarter when it seemed every other name coming from the commentators was “Jeremiah Telander.” His stat line told part of the story: five combined tackles, including two solo tackles and one tackle for loss. Jeremiah, your effort matters. Keep bringing that energy, keep making plays, and keep leading by example!
George MacIntyre — a glimpse of what Tennessee can become.
That 12-yard run for a first down was more than a successful play. It was a glimpse of a young quarterback learning, competing, and gaining valuable experience. And thanks to Sham’s block, we saw teamwork at its best. George, keep learning, trust your preparation, and keep building toward the future. Tennessee believes in what you can become!
These four young men deserve more than a passing mention in a game recap. They deserve our praise, our encouragement, and the opportunity to keep growing. They are developing their skills, learning to compete under pressure, and building the foundation of Tennessee football’s future.
Now, let’s talk about the part of college football that concerns me.
I have to own it: I was wrong about some things. But yesterday’s game left me with difficult questions about discipline, accountability, officiating, and the growing influence of sports gambling.
Tennessee was flagged 12 times for 90 yards. In my view, the penalties and the resulting loss of scoring opportunities were enormously costly. I believe three touchdowns were taken off the board, potentially changing the scoreboard by 18 to 21 points. That deserves careful examination, not merely frustration from the stands.
I am also troubled by the relationship between the growing integration of gambling into college sports and the public’s confidence in the game. When a betting line favors one team before kickoff and the game unfolds amid a string of costly penalties and disputed decisions, fans can understandably begin asking difficult questions. That does not prove that a betting line influenced officiating, but it makes transparency, accountability, and public confidence more important than ever.
Greed can corrupt institutions. We see it in business, politics, and other corners of public life. College sports must not lose sight of the young people who dedicate themselves to representing their schools while the business surrounding them grows ever bigger.
And yes, there is no “I” in TEAM. Tennessee made too many mistakes. We do not know everything happening behind closed doors or in the locker room, so I cannot pretend to know every coaching decision or disciplinary measure. But I do believe the team must find a way to improve its discipline, make meaningful adjustments, and execute when it matters most.
Coach Heupel and his staff have a responsibility to help these players turn mistakes into lessons. They also have a responsibility to advocate firmly and professionally for their team when calls appear questionable. Accountability and fair treatment should never be competing priorities.
The goal is not to tear Tennessee down. The goal is to make Tennessee better.
Looking ahead, I want to see discipline on the field, accountability in coaching, and leadership that stands up for the program when legitimate concerns arise. Those things matter if Tennessee football is going to flourish in the years ahead.
And now, back to the future.
For me, following Tennessee football has to remain personal. I need to connect with the young men behind the jerseys—their hard work, their growth, their setbacks, and their successes.
Sham. Jeremiah. DeSean. George.
You are the reason I am excited about what lies ahead. You are more than numbers on a stat sheet or names in a headline. You are young men working to become better football players, better teammates, and better leaders. You deserve to hear when your efforts make a difference, and you deserve encouragement when the road gets difficult.
To these four players as well as the whole team: keep working, keep believing, keep learning, and keep giving Tennessee your best. One game does not define you. One mistake does not define you. What matters is how you respond, how you grow, and how you help the man beside you.
I am still excited about the 2026 Tennessee season, and I am looking forward to the games that remain. I want to see this team learn from its mistakes, build on its successes, and give us more moments of that beautiful teamwork we saw in Sham’s block and George’s run.
The business of college sports may give us plenty to debate. But the young men on that field give us something worth believing in.
Haven is here for the players, here for the Vols, and I am cheering for the future.
