Smokey XII to make Neyland Stadium debut after rescue

Smokey XII, a two-year-old bluetick coonhound named Neyland, will make his on-field debut at the University of Tennessee’s Orange & White Game after being found through the East Tennessee rescue community and evaluated by the school's Smokey search team. He has been fostered by a College of Veterinary Medicine employee and given gradual acclimation training while handlers plan to monitor his comfort during appearances.

Smokey XII, a two-year-old bluetick coonhound called Neyland, is scheduled to make his on-field debut at the University of Tennessee’s Orange & White Game this Saturday. He was first identified through the East Tennessee bluetick coonhound rescue community and later evaluated by the university’s Smokey search team as the successor to Smokey XI. Neyland has been fostered by an employee of UT’s College of Veterinary Medicine and has undergone gradual acclimation training that included exposure to recordings, small crowds, and basketball games. Veterinary staff say they will monitor his body language and limit his time on the field as needed. Key details: - Smokey XII is the twelfth live mascot in University of Tennessee history and is two years old. - The dog, named Neyland, came to the university’s attention through the local bluetick coonhound rescue community and a devoted dog lover who helped find a permanent home. - He has been fostered by a College of Veterinary Medicine employee and has received staged acclimation training. - The Orange & White Game will not be at full stadium capacity because of ongoing construction, which reduces immediate crowd size. - Veterinary handlers plan to monitor his comfort and bring him off the field as needed, and they reported this approach may continue into the fall. Summary: Smokey XII’s debut marks a public step in the dog’s transition from rescue to university mascot and reflects preparation by the veterinary and handling teams. Staff will observe his responses during the Orange & White Game and adjust his time on the field based on his comfort. The university has indicated similar monitoring is likely to continue through much of the year.