Virginia defender Olasunkonmi Agunloye hurt celebrating fumble recovery

In a close game against Tennessee, a big Virginia play led to a disaster when one of the team’s defensive stars was hurt while celebrating.

Virginia punted it away at the end of the first quarter, and Tennessee returner Dee Williams fielded it and slipped up the middle of a big return. But he was hit hard at the end of his 19-yard return and coughed up the football. Virginia’s Olasunkonmi Agunloye recovered it.

As Agunloye ran off the field celebrating with teammates his foot appeared to strike something and he lost his balance, tumbling to the turf.

After a few moments, trainers would circle him and Agunloye would eventually be carted off. Agunloye was having an excellent first half, having already logged a sack against Tennessee.

You can view his unfortunate injury below.

The Virginia player Olasunkonmi Agunloye who recovered the Tennessee fumble looks to have blown his ACL celebrating pic.twitter.com/wfs6Z8TWol

— CFBBlueprint (@CFBBluePrint) September 2, 2023

Tennessee took an early lead in the ACC vs. SEC showdown, scoring on the game’s opening drive. The Volunteers rang up eight plays for 62 yards and capped the drive with a pass from Joe Milton to Dylan Sampson on a swing for a touchdown on fourth-and-5.

But despite being a bit overmatched in the trenches, particularly Tennessee’s defensive line overpowering Virginia’s offensive line, the Cavaliers have hung in the game quite nicely.

It’d be closer if not for a missed 28-yard field goal, too.

In any case, Virginia is certainly making it a respectable showing, trailing one of the nation’s best offenses (at least a year ago) by just seven points as the first half quickly winds down.

If you haven’t tuned in yet, information on how to do so is below.

How to watch, stream and listen

Kickoff Time: Noon ET

Location: Nissan Stadium (69,143)

TV: ABC (Joe Tessitore – Play by Play, Jesse Palmer – Color Commentator, Katie George – Sideline Reporter)

Streaming: ESPN App

Radio: WIVK-FM 107.7 and WNML-FM 99.1 in Knoxville. The Vol Network radio broadcast (Bob Kesling – play-by-play – Pat Ryan, analyst – Brent Hubbs, analyst – Jason Swain sideline) can be heard on local affiliates across the state of Tennessee. 

Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Channel 135 or Channel 191. SiriusXM App Channel 962.