The Tennessee football team held its breath in the second quarter of its massive SEC matchup with Texas, as starting quarterback Faizon Brandon went off with an injury. The Vols QB got landed on by a defender and stayed on the ground with an apparent shoulder injury. He then walked off the field, gingerly holding his arm, and went to the medical tent for about 15 minutes of real time. Brandon ultimately came back into the game, though, as the Volunteers went into halftime against the Longhorns down 10-3.

Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon leaves the game after taking this hit: pic.twitter.com/z299F9o5ZP

— Bunch Formation (@BunchFormationP) September 26, 2026

Sophomore QB George MacIntyre came in at QB for Tennessee and played a series, going 1-of-3 for six yards. Brandon returned to the game after he had his right shoulder checked out.

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The first half of Tennessee-Texas was a slugfest, with both teams struggling to move the ball. Tennessee has just 88 yards of total offense in the first half, with 40 passing yards and 48 rushing yards. Faizon is 8-of-11 for 34 yards passing and has -1 rushing yard.

Texas has been a little better, hence the touchdown lead. The Longhorns have 127 passing yards but just 20 rushing yards, and 110 of those passing yards for Arch Manning came in the first quarter.

As this game goes to the second half, the Vols will look to the home crowd to give them a boost and help them upset the No. 1 team in the land. In addition to the top team in the country coming in, this game has extra meaning for Tennessee as Texas comes in with Arch Manning, the nephew of the greatest QB in Volunteers history.