Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In coordination with DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Knoxville Police Department and Metro Drug Coalition are teaming up for a medication take back event this weekend.
The event will be held Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Food City on Mountain Grove Drive in Knoxville.
You can drop off any unused or unwanted medications at this event so they can be disposed of safely. No questions asked.
To learn more, please click here.
The NBA tips off its 79th year Tuesday and seven former University of Tennessee standouts are on active rosters around the league.
VFLs in the NBA this season include Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons), Keon Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers), Julian Phillips (Chicago Bulls), Josh Richardson (Miami Heat), Jaden Springer (Boston Celtics) and Grant Williams (Charlotte Hornets).
All-time, Tennessee boasts 55 NBA Draft selections, including eight since 2019.
The newest member of that group is Knecht, who was drafted by the Lakers in June 2024 at pick No. 17, becoming the highest-drafted Volunteer since Marcus Haislip went No. 13 in 2002. Knecht is the 10th top-20 pick in Tennessee history and the first since Tobias Harris went No. 19 in 2011.
During his lone season at Tennessee as a fifth-year guard, Knecht led the SEC in scoring at 21.7 points per game, good for eighth-best in the country. The SEC Player of the Year and runner-up for Associated Press National Player of the Year added 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per outing, while shooting 45.8 percent overall, 39.7 percent beyond the arc and 77.2 percent at the line.
On Thursday night, Knecht posted 35 points—including 20 consecutive Laker points in the fourth quarter and overtime—and seven rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point range to lead Los Angeles to a preseason victory at Phoenix.
Harris, entering his 14th professional season, is in his second stint with Detroit after playing for the organization in parts of three seasons (2016-18). In the 2023-24 regular season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harris appeared in and started 70 games, averaging 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and a 35.3 percent clip from 3-point range. He scored 20-plus points 27 times, with 30-plus points on four occasions.
Johnson a fourth-year pro who played at Tennessee during the 2020-21 campaign, has appeared in 82 career games (12 starts) for the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers. He has recorded averages of 5.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 14.3 minutes per game, while shooting 36.3 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from 3-point range.
Phillips, embarking on his second season in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, appeared in 40 games as a rookie in 2023-24 and averaged 2.2 points and 0.9 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per contest. He shot 41.6 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc. On Jan. 28 at Portland, Phillips matched a career-high scoring mark with 11 points, to go along with two rebounds. On Jan. 2, he logged a career-high three blocks at Philadelphia.
Richardson, now in his 10th professional season, is in his second stint with Miami after being drafted by the franchise in 2015 and spending his first four NBA seasons there. He is coming off an injury-shortened 2023-24 season in which he recorded averages of 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, while connecting on 44.4 percent of his attempts from the field.
Springer, in his fourth year in the NBA and first full season with the reigning champion Boston Celtics, saw action in 49 games last year—32 as a member of the 76ers and 17 with Boston. Taken with the 28th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Springer averaged 3.3 points per game in 2023-24, en route to earning an NBA title in a reserve role with the Celtics.
Williams, a league veteran entering his sixth season of professional basketball, is set to suit up for his hometown Charlotte Hornets in 2024-25, after being traded at the deadline last season. Originally drafted by the Boston Celtics with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williams logged a career-high 10.3 points per game in 2023-24, split between the Mavericks (47 games) and the Hornets (29 games).
OPENING DAYS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Knicks at Celtics (Springer) – 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Timberwolves at Lakers (Knecht) – 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Pacers at Pistons (Harris) – 7 p.m. ET
Nets (Johnson) at Hawks – 7:30 p.m. ET
Magic at Heat (Richardson) – 7:30 p.m. ET
Hornets (Williams) at Rockets – 8 p.m. ET
Bulls (Phillips) at Pelicans – 8 p.m. ET
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After Tennessee’s gritty, thrilling victory over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide on The Third Saturday in October, the Southeastern Conference office announced that a pair of Volunteers were recognized with weekly league honors. Junior running back Dylan Sampson was tabbed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while senior center Cooper Mays earned SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.
Sampson rushed for a career-high-tying 139 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns to lead Tennessee’s offense to a 24-17 win over the Tide. Both of Sampson’s scores came in the second half, and 83 of his 139 yards came after contact. His 139 rushing yards on Saturday were the most by a player against Alabama since Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU had 163 on Nov. 4, 2023.
In only seven games this season, Sampson has now moved into a tie for second place in UT single-season rushing touchdowns with 17, one shy of a 95-year-old school record of 18 set by Gene McEver in 1929. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native eclipsed the 100-yard mark for an SEC-leading sixth time this season, which is now tied for sixth in UT single-season history. Sampson also notched multiple rushing touchdowns for the sixth time this season after no other Volunteer this century (2000-24) had even five in a single campaign.
In terms of the UT career record books, Sampson is now fourth in rushing touchdowns (30) and sixth in 100-yard rushing games (10).
Mays paved the way for a Tennessee offense that put up 408 total yards and 214 rushing yards, the most rushing yards allowed by Alabama all season. The preseason All-American played all 76 offensive snaps and did not allow a sack or commit a penalty as Tennessee beat No. 7 Alabama for the second time in a row at Neyland Stadium.
It was the 21st consecutive game that Mays did not allow a sack, a streak that dates back to the 2022 season. According to PFF, Mays was the highest graded blocker in the game on both sides at 82.9. He led the way for a Vol offensive line that tallied 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a 7-play, 54-yard go-ahead drive with 5:52 remaining.
Tennessee has earned 10 SEC weekly honors this season and 39 during the Josh Heupel era (2021-present) — including seven Offensive Player of the Week awards and 11 Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.
Offensive Player of the Week
Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Special Teams Player of the Week
Damian Ramos, PK, LSU
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Emery Jones, OT, LSU
Cooper Mays, C, Tennessee
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia
Freshman of the Week
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Offensive Player of the Week (1)
Dylan Sampson (vs. Alabama, 10/19)
Special Teams Player of the Week (1)
Max Gilbert (at Oklahoma, 9/21)
Offensive Lineman of the Week (2)
Cooper Mays (vs. NC State, 9/7; vs. Alabama, 10/19)
Defensive Lineman of the Week (2)
Joshua Josephs (at Oklahoma, 9/21)
James Pearce Jr. (vs. Florida, 10/12)
Freshman of the Week (4)
Boo Carter (vs. Florida, 10/12)
Nico Iamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, 8/31; vs. NC State, 9/7; at Oklahoma, 9/21)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Another Hadyen Kubik double-double and an outstanding team effort for block defense led Tennessee to an upset victory (25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 25-19) against the No. 25 Auburn Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Food City Center.
The victory over AU (14-4, 4-3 SEC) marked Tennessee’s second ranked win at home for the year after also beating No. 25 UCLA in September. The team has successfully bested nine top-25 opponents during the Eve Rackham Watt era.
Kubik finished with 12 kills, 10 digs and one block to pace the Big Orange (10-7, 3-4 SEC). The junior outside hitter has now recorded a double-double in three straight matches and boasts five for the season.
Graduate student outside hitter Nina Cajic posted an all-around performance with 13 kills, six digs, three aces, three assists and three blocks. Junior middle blocker Keondreya Granberry led the Lady Vols in blocks, chipping in for eight of the team’s 13. UT now boasts five matches with double-digit blocks this season.
In total, five different players finished the day with multiple blocks. The freshmen duo of Paityn Chapman and Chelsea Sutton each recorded five in the contest. Chapman ended the match with seven kills and a dig as well. Redshirt sophomore setter Caroline Kerr added her fifth double-double of the year, tallying 27 assists, 17 digs, five kills, two blocks and one ace. On the back row defense, sophomore defensive specialist Mackenzie Plante had eight digs, while sophomore libero Katie Barrier added six.
As a team, the Big Orange finished with 43 kills on .229 hitting–well above Auburn’s SEC-best seasonal opponent hitting percentage of .168–to go along with 52 digs, 13 blocks and five aces. The Tigers ended the contest with 52 kills on .199 hitting, 47 digs, seven aces and six and a half blocks.
Tennessee dominated the first set defensively. The team tallied seven blocks, holding the Tigers to a .000 hitting percentage and 12 attacking errors. The Lady Vols had 17 digs to keep the momentum going and take control of the set, 25-19.
The second stanza was a back-and-forth effort with both teams fighting for the lead until the Big Orange went on a 7-0 run to end the frame. Kubik led the offense with six kills, as the Lady Vols finished with 16 on .361 hitting.
Auburn outhit UT in the third frame, tallying 14 kills on .545 hitting compared to the Big Orange’s six kills and .000 hitting. The Lady Vols bounced back with a strong fourth frame to prevent the Tigers from making a comeback.
Up next, the Lady Vols are headed on another three-match road trip. Tennessee will be traveling to Gainesville first to take on the Florida Gators on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised on SEC Network.
The historic Biltmore Estate has announced its plan to reopen on November 2nd after closing to repair damages following Helene.
Biltmore staff says it’s just in time for their seasonal Christmas at Biltmore.
The yearly holiday event lasts until January and features the estate covered in Christmas decorations from wreaths to garlands as well as thousands of ornaments.
They say for more than 125 years, Biltmore has been a witness to the resilience of this community. They say welcoming guests back to the estate provides critical support to the community.
November 2, 2024–January 5, 2025
A yuletide visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and the sparkle of thousands of ornaments from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village! Dazzling by day, the house is all the more magical during Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Biltmore’s most beloved of holiday traditions.
Select ticket options include Chihuly at Biltmore and FREE next-day grounds access.
The Southeastern Conference has fined the University of Tennessee after fans stormed the field following Saturday night’s win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The $100,000 fine, which was handed down yesterday (Sunday), is a result of SEC‘s policy that went into effect in June of last year.
Schools are fined $100,000 for their first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and $500,000 for a third offense.
This was Tennessee‘s first offense as the updated policy reset schools’ prior record for fines. Under the previous policy, Tennessee’s fine would have been $250,000.
TN Vols Football back in the top 10 in AP Poll Following Alabama win
The Tennessee Volunteers are back in the top 10 in the AP College Football Poll after defeating Alabama 24-17 in Knoxville.
The Vols are ranked No. 7 in the country, while Alabama dropped eight spots to No. 15 after the loss.
Oregon is now ranked as the No. 1 team and Texas fell four spots to No. 5 after being beaten by Georgia, who moved up to No. 2 in the poll.
Penn State and Ohio State are numbers 3 and 4.
Tennessee has a bye week and will take on Kentucky November 2nd in Neyland Stadium.
Roadway Closures as of October 18, 2024. Click on the map for a higher resolution image.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews are working to assess damage, inspect all state-owned bridges, and repair connectivity in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which hit Tennessee on September 27, 2024. The counties with the most significant damage are Washington, Carter, Unicoi, Johnson, Greene, and Cocke, but this has a major impact across East Tennessee. Long-term closures will be in place across the region as many routes will require significant repairs and for others, a total rebuild.
Interstate 26/40 Northern Detour
Interstate 26/40 Southern Detour
Detailed Route Closure Information
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) continues to deploy personnel at the request of affected counties and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. For more on efforts and resources provided by TEMA, click here.
Traffic Impacts
Updates about bridge, lane, and road closures will be posted to this page. For the most up-to-date closure information, please visit TDOT SmartWay.
Affected Property Owners
If you own property along the highlighted State Routes impacted by Helene, TDOT needs to speak with you about right-of-way access during the rebuilding process. Property owners can contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 833-TDOTFIX (836-8349) and following the voice prompts.
The Disaster Hotline is operational from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday – Saturday and 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. This hotline is available for community members, donors, and national/international organizations seeking information or requiring specific logistical considerations about disaster relief efforts.
Volunteer and Donation Information
Information www.TN.Gov
WIVK has teamed up with Foothills Mall to bring you 10k Shopping Spree!
Each weekday at 9am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm we will draw qualifiers from those who enter below!
Our grand prize giveaway will be conducted on December 7th!
Of all of our qualifiers we will draw our grand prize winner who will then have 107 minutes to spend $10k!
More details coming soon!
By entering to win you have a chance to qualify for our grand prize in person drawing December 7th!
Game Recap: Football | October 19, 2024 | Eric Trainer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Safety Will Brooks’ interception with one minute, 28 seconds remaining sealed the deal, as No. 11/10 Tennessee’s defense was stout throughout and its offense scored all of its points in the second half to earn a thrilling 24-17 victory over No. 7 Alabama in front of a raucous crowd of 101,915 on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols (6-1, 3-1 SEC) trailed 7-0 at the half, 10-7 in the third quarter and 17-14 in the fourth before a 16-yard Nico Iamaleava pass found a diving Chris Brazzell II in the back of the end zone to put UT up 21-17 with 5:52 remaining. Max Gilbert’s 41-yard field goal with 1:30 left extended the lead to seven, 24-17.
The Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2 SEC), though, had one final opportunity, starting at its own 25. On the first play, quarterback Jalen Milroe’s pass attempt was picked off by Brooks. The Tennessee offense took two snaps to run out the clock, setting the scene for the orange-clad masses to stream onto the field and carry both goal posts out of the historic venue, reminiscent of the 52-49 Vols triumph in Knoxville two seasons ago.
Running back Dylan Sampson propelled a second-half resurgence by the Big Orange’s offense, carrying 26 times for a career-high-tying 139 yards and two touchdowns on the night. With the two scores, Sampson passed Tony Thompson (16 in 1990) and tied Reggie Cobb (17 in 1987) for the second-most single-season rushing TDs in Tennessee history. Only Gene McEver (18 in 1929) has more.
In addition to Brooks’ pick, cornerback Jermod McCoy came up with a huge one earlier in the game to prevent points by Alabama. With the Tide threatening at the UT three-yard line, the cornerback leaped high into the air to intercept a second-down Milroe pass in the end zone and return the ball 54 yards to the Alabama 46. McCoy finished the game with a team-high eight stops and added a pass break-up. Brooks also matched McCoy for tackles, including a pair of key stops that appeared to thwart potential scoring plays, and added a tackle for a loss.
The UT defense was relentless all night long, finishing with 12 quarterback hurries, three sacks and nine tackles for losses. James Pearce Jr. and Joshua Josephs each had three hurries, while Dominic Bailey added a pair of pressures. Pearce (1.5), Bailey (1) and Jeremiah Telander (0.5) all recorded sacks of the shifty Milroe, limiting his rushing total to only 11 yards on 14 attempts.
Tennessee now has held its opponents under 20 points in eight straight games, dating back to the 35-0 shutout win over Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. It marks the first time UT has accomplished the feat in its first seven games of a season since 1969.
Receivers Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton Jr. stretched the defense and helped keep the Tide defense off balance. McCoy finished with a game-high 80 receiving yards on a season-high six catches, while Thornton Jr. hauled in three balls for 70. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava finished 14 of 27 for 194 yards, with 150 of them going to those two targets.
The first half saw only one score between the teams. Tennessee’s defense forced Alabama to punt four times in seven possessions, intercepted a pass and held the Crimson Tide to a 50-yard field goal attempt that fell short late in the second stanza. UA’s defense, meanwhile, made UT punt only once, but it kept the hosts scoreless with three takeaways and benefited from two unsuccessful field goal tries of 50-plus yards by the Big Orange.
Alabama generated the only points of the opening 30 minutes early in the second stanza. Milroe found wide receiver Ryan Williams in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass with 13:01 left in the half, and Graham Nicholson’s PAT gave the Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead.
The Vol offense started clicking on the opening drive of the second half, tying the game with 6:32 to go in the third quarter. The Big Orange went 91 yards to do it, scoring in only seven plays and covering 84 of those yards on the ground. Iamaleava rushed for 31 of those and Sampson racked up 53 more, including a two-yard plunge into the checkerboard. Gilbert’s PAT made it 7-7.
Alabama retook the lead on its next possession, putting together a 10-play, 58-yard drive. Nicholson’s 35-yard field goal pushed the Crimson Tide back on top, 10-7, with 3:11 remaining in the third frame.
The Vols punched right back and seized their first lead of the game. With their five-play drive boosted by an incredible third-and-six connection of 55 yards from Iamaleava to Thornton Jr. down to the Alabama three, Sampson burst through the line on the next play to hit the checkerboard. Gilbert’s extra point provided Tennessee a 14-10 advantage with a minute to go in the third.
The Crimson Tide needed only six plays to wrestle the lead right back. Justice Haynes squirted up the middle for a seven-yard touchdown run, and Nicholson’s PAT gave Alabama a 17-14 advantage with 13:56 remaining in the contest.
The second-half scoring volley continued with a little “Razzle Brazzell” from the home team. A diving catch by Brazzell II capped a seven-play, go-ahead Tennessee drive. Gilbert booted the extra point to increase the Vols’ edge to 21-17 with 5:52 left on the clock.
After the Rocky Top defense forced an Alabama punt and ended another drive on downs in back-to-back series, UT’s Gilbert extended his team’s lead to 24-17 with 1:30 left, splitting the uprights from 41 yards out. It was an advantage the Vols were able to preserve to claim victory.
UP NEXT
After being idle next weekend, Tennessee returns to Shields-Watkins Field on Nov. 2 to face Kentucky in the Vols’ third straight home game. Kickoff time and TV network will be announced next week.
TENNESSEE FOOTBALL POSTGAME NOTES
Oct. 19, 2024 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Neyland Stadium
FINAL SCORE: No. 11/10 Tennessee 24, No. 7/7 Alabama 17
General Notes
Vol Captains/Coin Toss
Team Offensive Notes
Individual Offensive Notes
Team Defensive Notes
Individual Defensive Notes
Special Teams Notes
Career Highs
The following players set or tied career highs in the respective statistical categories listed below:
Offense
Defense/Special Teams
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In coordination with DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Knoxville Police Department and Metro Drug Coalition are teaming up for a medication take back event this weekend. The event will be held Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Food City on Mountain Grove Drive in…… Continue Reading
The NBA tips off its 79th year Tuesday and seven former University of Tennessee standouts are on active rosters around the league. VFLs in the NBA this season include Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons), Keon Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers), Julian Phillips (Chicago Bulls), Josh Richardson (Miami Heat), Jaden Springer (Boston Celtics) and Grant Williams…… Continue Reading
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After Tennessee’s gritty, thrilling victory over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide on The Third Saturday in October, the Southeastern Conference office announced that a pair of Volunteers were recognized with weekly league honors. Junior running back Dylan Sampson was tabbed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while senior center Cooper Mays earned SEC Co-Offensive Lineman…… Continue Reading
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Another Hadyen Kubik double-double and an outstanding team effort for block defense led Tennessee to an upset victory (25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 25-19) against the No. 25 Auburn Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Food City Center. The victory over AU (14-4, 4-3 SEC) marked Tennessee’s second ranked win at home for the year after also…… Continue Reading
The historic Biltmore Estate has announced its plan to reopen on November 2nd after closing to repair damages following Helene. Biltmore staff says it’s just in time for their seasonal Christmas at Biltmore. The yearly holiday event lasts until January and features the estate covered in Christmas decorations from wreaths to garlands as well as…… Continue Reading
The Southeastern Conference has fined the University of Tennessee after fans stormed the field following Saturday night’s win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The $100,000 fine, which was handed down yesterday (Sunday), is a result of SEC‘s policy that went into effect in June of last year. Schools are fined $100,000 for their first offense,…… Continue Reading
Hurricane Helene Recovery Roadway Closures as of October 18, 2024. Click on the map for a higher resolution image. Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews are working to assess damage, inspect all state-owned bridges, and repair connectivity in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which hit Tennessee on September 27, 2024. The counties with the most…… Continue Reading
WIVK has teamed up with Foothills Mall to bring you 10k Shopping Spree! Each weekday at 9am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm we will draw qualifiers from those who enter below! Our grand prize giveaway will be conducted on December 7th! Of all of our qualifiers we will draw our grand prize winner who will then…… Continue Reading
Game Recap: Football | October 19, 2024 | Eric Trainer KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Safety Will Brooks’ interception with one minute, 28 seconds remaining sealed the deal, as No. 11/10 Tennessee’s defense was stout throughout and its offense scored all of its points in the second half to earn a thrilling 24-17 victory over No. 7 Alabama in front of a…… Continue Reading
TENNESSEE FOOTBALL POSTGAME NOTESOct. 19, 2024 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Neyland StadiumFINAL SCORE: No. 11/10 Tennessee 24, No. 7/7 Alabama 17General Notes Vol Captains/Coin Toss Team Offensive Notes Individual Offensive Notes Team Defensive Notes Individual Defensive Notes Special Teams Notes Career Highs The following players set or tied career highs in the respective statistical categories…… Continue Reading
