Matthews scores on Wildcat run to put Tennessee ahead at halftime at South Carolina

Tennessee spent most of the first half on Saturday afternoon in Columbia trying to climb out of a hole, and it finally got in front just before halftime thanks to an unlikely play call. With the Volunteers facing second-and-goal from the South Carolina 8-yard line late in the second quarter, wide receiver Mike Matthews took a direct snap in a Wildcat look, kept the ball to the right, cut it back and reached the end zone to give No. 11 Tennessee a 21-17 lead.

The score capped a back-and-forth opening half. South Carolina jumped ahead 14-0, Tennessee answered to pull even at 14-14, and the Gamecocks moved back in front 17-14 before the Volunteers' final drive of the half. Matthews' touchdown was the first lead of the day for Tennessee and sent the Vols into the locker room with momentum after trailing for nearly the entire half.

Matthews is a junior from Georgia who is mainly known for his work in the passing game, and he had contributed two catches for 24 yards before halftime. This score came on the ground instead, and it was his first rushing touchdown of the 2026 season to go with three receiving touchdowns this year.

For Tennessee, the play showed another way to use one of its most versatile offensive players near the goal line. It also left the harder part still to do, with a full second half remaining on the road in an SEC game the Vols could not afford to let slip after fighting back from two scores down.