Mike Matthews opened the 2026 season for Tennessee football with a bang, setting personal single-game highs with 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 56-9 win over Furman at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5.
The outing has the junior wide receiver soaring into Week 2, when the No. 18 Vols (1-0) play Georgia Tech (0-1) at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, just 22 miles from his hometown of Lilburn.
"It's a pretty good confidence-builder, but I've been working hard all offseason," Matthews said. "I kind of knew that my heart is going to show when I play on the field, so I try to play with heart. God put me in a good position and it played out the right way."
Matthews enjoyed a breakout season for the Vols in 2025, setting career highs for receptions
(32), yards (813) and touchdowns (four). Entering 2026, he's catching passes from his third different starting quarterback in as many years.
It was the first game he played with five-star freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, but they clearly have developed a quick and easy connection.
Matthews' two touchdown receptions went for 55 and 57 yards. The first came on a busted coverage from Furman, when Brandon's running ability drew a safety up enough for Matthews to run free behind the defense. Matthews had to fight through contact to haul in the second score.
"It was just like practice," Matthews said. "A lot of our deep balls have just been on point every time, so it was nothing I wasn't used to."
Matthews was happy about the win to start the season, but immediately after beating Furman, his attention turned to Georgia Tech.
"It just fills me up, makes me proud," he said about playing close to home. "But coming up, I know I got to lock in for next week, get ready for the game, prepare and just be who I am."
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Tennessee football's Mike Matthews is setting stage for return home
