While things didn’t go as planned on the field for Tennessee baseball on Friday, it was still a beautiful Knoxville night to take in some baseball. In attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in the 7-4 loss to Ole Miss to open the series were Tennessee football legend Peyton Manning and his son, Marshall Manning.
Peyton Manning played at Tennessee from 1994-97 before being selected No. 1 overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. At UT, he was a consensus All-American, Heisman Trophy runner-up and his No. 16 is retired by the program. He would go on to win a pair of Super Bowls in a Hall of Fame NFL career, as well.
Marshall Manning recently transferred to Baylor School, a reasonable drive from Tennessee’s campus. He is a quarterback recruit in the 2030 class who is worth keeping an eye on, though his cycle is still a bit away.
Peyton Manning with his son at LNS for Tennessee-Ole Miss tonight. #Vols pic.twitter.com/ULZbIZ73cV
— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) April 17, 2026
More From RTI: WATCH: Drew Gilbert Hits Home Run Shortly After SF Giants Call Him Up
The Mannings being in attendance for the game against Ole Miss is perfectly fitting, as well. Peyton Manning’s dad, Archie Manning, had a legendary career with the Rebels from 1968-70. Peyton Manning’s brother, Eli Manning, also starred for Ole Miss at quarterback.
However, it’ll be Archie and Eli getting the first laugh of the series. Tennessee struck first with a run in the bottom of the first, but Landon Mack couldn’t settle in on the mound for the Vols. Over the course 5.1 innings, he allowed six earned runs on seven hits, two walks, five strikeouts and three home runs.
Offensively, Tennessee got homers from Reese Chapman and Jay Abernathy, but never had enough to fully get back into the game.
Game two is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing on SEC Network+. Game three on Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
