Josh Heupel is known for going fast. Well, Tennessee has apparently picked that trait up from its head coach as the Volunteers are set to kick off the start of the Heupel era sooner than expected.

Tennessee has made the decision to move the 2021 season opener against Bowling Green from Saturday, Sept. 4, to Thursday, Sept. 2. This news was first reported by Brent Hubbs and Austin Price of Volquest.

Tennessee is currently the only SEC program set to play on Thursday, Sept. 2, leaving room for the SEC Network to pick up the game and broadcast the start of the Heupel era nationally.

The 2021 season opener will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

“Any time you consider moving football games to a weekday—which is rare—you want to be sensitive to out-of-town fans who have to make plans to travel to Knoxville,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White said. “In this case, the Labor Day holiday and four-month lead time should help in that regard. Sliding our opener to this Thursday primetime window gave us a wonderful opportunity for our football student-athletes to kick off their season in the national spotlight.

“This should be a fun way to begin celebrating 100 years of Neyland Stadium while also beginning an exciting new era of Tennessee football under Josh Heupel. I cannot wait to feel the electricity as the Vols come bursting through that T on Thursday night.”

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com