You know that feeling. It’s a Saturday in October. The air in Knoxville has that specific crispness, and you’re stuck in your car or maybe just pacing the garage because you can't bear to look at the TV during a third-and-long. You flip on the radio, and there it is—the voice. For decades, that voice was John Ward. Then it was Bob Kesling. Now, we’re in a whole new era.
Getting a reliable tennessee football play by play isn't just about hearing who ran for three yards. It’s about the soul of the program. Honestly, most people think they can just pull up a generic tracker on their phone and get the "experience." They're wrong. A stat sheet tells you the "what," but the play-by-play call tells you the "how" and the "why."
The New Era: Mike Keith and the Vol Network
If you haven't heard by now, the legendary Mike Keith has officially taken over as the "Voice of the Vols" for the 2025 season. It's a massive shift. Keith spent 27 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, famously calling the "Music City Miracle." But he’s a Knoxville guy at heart. He started at WUTK as a student when he was just 19.
He isn't alone in the booth, though. Ramon Foster, an 11-year NFL veteran and former Vol standout, is right there with him. This duo changes the vibe of the tennessee football play by play entirely. Foster brings that "in the trenches" perspective that’s usually missing from local broadcasts. He knows exactly why a blitz failed because he used to be the one picking it up.
How to Listen (Without the Lag)
One of the biggest gripes fans have is the delay. You see a spoiler on Twitter (X) and then hear the play thirty seconds later. It’s brutal. If you want the real-time experience, you’ve basically got three options:
- The Flagship: WNML (99.1 FM or 990 AM) in Knoxville is the gold standard. If you’re in East Tennessee, this is your best bet for the lowest latency.
- The App: The official Tennessee Athletics app (powered by SIDEARM Sports) offers free live audio. It’s convenient, but the "buffering" wheel of death is a real risk if your 5G is spotty.
- SiriusXM: Great for road trips. You can usually find the Vol Network feed on the SEC channels. Just be prepared for a 10-20 second delay compared to the local terrestrial radio.
Why the Radio Call Still Beats the TV Broadcast
TV announcers are fine, but they’re often national guys who spent two hours prep-reading a media guide. They call Josh Heupel’s offense "fast" and leave it at that.
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The local tennessee football play by play is different. It’s granular. You’ll hear about the backup left guard who’s playing through a stinger. You’ll hear the specific crowd noise at Neyland that the TV cameras often muffle.
"It's about the cadence. A good play-by-play man doesn't just describe the action; he paints the geometry of the field." — This is something old-school scouts always say, and it holds up.
When Nico Iamaleava drops back, a national TV announcer might just say "he throws deep." Mike Keith is going to tell you the safety cheated toward the hash, the receiver gave a subtle head-fake at the 40, and the ball is spiraling toward the checkerboards.
Tracking the 2025 Season Play-by-Play
If you’re a stats nerd (like me), you’re probably looking for a play-by-play log after the game. The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. Looking back at the Georgia game—a heartbreaking 41-44 loss—the play-by-play log shows a team that has evolved.
We’re seeing a much higher "success rate" on first-down runs than in previous years. In the win against Arkansas (34-31), the play-by-play data revealed a staggering 50.94% conversion rate on third downs for the season. That’s elite.
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Where to Find the Raw Data
For those who want to do their own film study or just settle an argument at the bar:
- StatBroadcast: This is what the media uses. If you can find a live link on gameday, it’s the most detailed feed available.
- UTSports.com Game Center: After the clock hits zero, they post a full PDF of every single play. It’s dry, it’s long, and it’s beautiful.
- CFBStats: Perfect for looking at season-long trends, like how many yards per play the Vols are averaging (currently sitting around 6.50).
What Really Happened With the "Voice of the Vols" Legacy?
People still talk about John Ward. They always will. His "Give Him Six!" call is the soundtrack of every Big Orange fan’s childhood. Bob Kesling had the impossible task of following a ghost, and he did it with class for over two decades.
But the move to Mike Keith in 2025 wasn't just about a change in voice. It was a change in strategy. The Vol Network (under Learfield) wanted a "pro" feel. They wanted a broadcast that felt as high-octane as the offense on the field. Keith brings a pace that matches Heupel’s tempo. If the Vols are snapping the ball every 18 seconds, the announcer has to be able to talk that fast without tripping over his tongue.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to master the art of following the tennessee football play by play, stop relying on the ESPN scroll. It’s slow and lacks context.
First, download the Tennessee Athletics app and familiarize yourself with the "Vol Network Personnel" page. Knowing who is on the sideline (like Pat Ryan or Brent Hubbs) helps you understand whose "reports" you’re hearing during timeouts.
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Second, if you're attending a game at Neyland, bring a small pocket radio. The stadium WiFi is notoriously "kinda" hit or miss when 101,915 people are trying to post a selfie at once. A transistor radio gives you Mike Keith’s call in your ear with zero lag. It’s the ultimate way to watch the game.
Finally, keep an eye on the "Big Orange Countdown." It starts 90 minutes before kickoff. Most people skip the pre-game, but that’s where the best tactical play-by-play previews happen. They’ll tell you exactly which matchups to watch, which makes the actual game call much easier to follow.
The 2025 season is proving that how we "consume" Tennessee football is changing. But whether it’s through a digital stream or an old-school FM signal, the play-by-play remains the heartbeat of the Big Orange.
Actionable Insight: For the best experience, sync your radio to the TV broadcast. Use a "radio delay" app or device to pause the Vol Network audio for a few seconds so it perfectly matches the TV picture. This lets you see the high-def hits while hearing the expert local call.
Resource List:
- Official Audio: Tennessee Athletics App (Google Play/App Store)
- Live Stats: UTSports.com/Coverage
- Radio Flagship: 99.1 The Sports Animal (Knoxville)