Shields-Watkins Field reset for Vols to host Gators after Morgan Wallen concerts

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Friday afternoon, crews were putting the finishing touches on Shields-Watkins Field inside Neyland Stadium.

The more than century-old football stadium served as the host site of two record-breaking concerts for Gibbs graduate and East Tennessee native Morgan Wallen nearly three weeks ago.

In that time, the Vols played on the road in both Oklahoma and Arkansas and completed one of the team’s two bye weeks.

Wallen’s concerts were held on Friday and Sunday nights on Sept. 20 and 22.

Immediately Sunday after Wallen left the stage, UT crews got to work removing the old turf, and bringing in the new.

“I just think the time the turf management team put in to get it done, there were a lot of early mornings and late nights to make sure it was down and in place and all that heavy rain really helped it to lock and be ready to go and as you can see it looks great,” said Jason Baum, executive associate athletics director.

UT crews worked closely with partner Carolina Green to get turf from North Carolina to Knoxville and in place before rains from Hurricane Helene complicated the process further.

Baum told WVLT News while they beat the rain to get the field in place, rains from the storm helped the new turf lock into place.