KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee continues its three-game homestand to finish the regular season with a matchup against South Alabama on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
Both teams enter the game with identical 5-5 records and will be looking to secure bowl eligibility with a win on Saturday night.
BROADCAST INFO
The game will be televised on ESPNU with Clay Matvick (PxP) and Rocky Boiman (analyst) on the call. Kickoff is slated for 7:32 p.m. ET.
Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) and satellite radio (Sirius Ch. 137, XM Ch. 190, Internet Ch. 961). A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com and the Official Gameday App.
Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with Kasey Funderburg handling sideline duties. Big Orange Countdown begins at 6 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY INFO
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee’s 2021 gameday policies, please visit the Tennessee Football Gameday Information page on UTSports.com. Some important information is also listed below.
Tickets and Parking
Tickets for Saturday’s game that can be purchased at AllVols.com.
While Tennessee Athletics does not control prices of any tickets obtained via the secondary market, Vol fans are reminded that Vivid Seats is the only secondary marketplace with a 100 percent buyer guarantee on the validity of tickets for Tennessee home games.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early. Gates to Neyland Stadium open at 5:30 p.m. Fans with digital tickets are strongly encouraged to download them to their mobile devices before arriving on campus. Those with a parking permit, either printed or mobile, are asked to have their permit ready to display upon entering their parking lot.
To expedite entry into the stadium, it is recommended that each individual hold their own ticket to optimize scanning procedures. All tickets will be electronically scanned to verify authenticity. Tickets will be scanned as patrons enter the stadium, and once a ticket has been scanned, it cannot be reused by another guest.
For more information on electronic tickets, view the Mobile Tickets Video or visit our Mobile Delivery FAQ page.
Tennessee Athletics App
Fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app, which now houses the Coca-Cola GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in a light show and much more. Search “Tennessee Athletics” in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this link to download: http://utsports.com/
GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Fan Experience Upgrades
With this year being the 100th season at Neyland Stadium, Shield-Watkins Field, Tennessee Athletics has unveiled several new, exciting fan experience enhancements for the 2021 football season. Among the new gameday enhancements are new LED stadium lights, ungraded fireworks and “I Will Give My All” signs throughout the stadium.
More info on all of the new gameday enhancements can be found HERE.
LED Lights: A vibrant, state-of-the-art LED lighting system has been installed inside Neyland Stadium. A dramatic LED light show will accentuate pregame and in-game festivities.
Fireworks: The traditional fireworks show is moving and now bigger than ever. Fireworks will now be showcased from the roof of the north end zone and the east and west skybox rooftops during pregame and following UT touchdowns and victories.
“I Will Give My All”: As fans make their way to their seats, they can participate in a similar tradition as the Volunteers who take the field. “I Will Give My All” signs have been installed above the portals entering each section of Neyland Stadium. Just as the team is reminded to “Give My All” before running through the T pregame, each fan entering the stadium is encouraged to do the same.
Vol Village: Make sure you visit Vol Village presented by Toyota for a whole new fan experience. It’s FREE for all fans with or without a game ticket. There will be live music, activities for everyone of all ages, food trucks, and more. Vol Village, located in a great spot to see the Vol Walk (begins at 5:15 p.m.) and the Band March is just across from Circle Park. The Toyota Vol Village on Nov. 20 will feature musical guest Gabe Burdulis, face painting, tailgate games and Salute to Service activities, including a flight simulator and military vehicles! Fans can stop by from 4-7 p.m.
Truly’s Tailgate: Truly’s Tailgate, located outside Gate 9 will open at 4:30 p.m. and stay open through the end of the third quarter. Any fans with tickets to the game can stop by for food and drinks during that time.
In-Game Recognitions: Former Lady Vol great Tamika Catchings will be recognized on the field in the first quarter for her recent induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and her 2020 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Catchings is the 10th Tennessee player to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She followed in the footsteps of her head coach at UT, the late Pat Summitt, who was the first and only other person associated with the Lady Vol program to be welcomed into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
WBB Ticket Promo: Anyone who attends Saturday’s football game is eligible to receive free admission to Sunday’s women’s basketball game vs. No. 12 Texas by showing their football ticket at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket window before the game.
NEED TO KNOW
Salute to Service Game
Saturday will serve as Tennessee’s “Salute to Service” game. There will be a C-17 flyover for the Vol Walk. During halftime, there will be a Joint Contracting Ceremony with Army and Air Force ROTC Cadets and the Pride of the Southland Band will perform a Salute to Service patriotic themed halftime show, which will include a live performance by country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood.
Points Aplenty
With 361 points, Tennessee has already eclipsed its final point total from the four previous seasons. That tally is the most through the first 10 games of a season at UT since the 1995 team (26 years ago) scored 399 through its first 10 games.
The Vols’ 344 points rank 17th in the FBS and third in the SEC. UT is averaging 36.1 points per game, good for 17th in the FBS and fourth in the SEC. In SEC-only games, the Vols are putting up 33.3 ppg, which is second in the SEC. Josh Heupel coached teams have scored at least 14 points in every game (46 games) and scored at least 20 points in 44 of 46 games.
Tillman on a Tear
Redshirt junior wideout Cedric Tillman has emerged as one of the SEC’s top receivers this season, ranking fifth in the conference with a team-high 725 receiving yards, tied for seventh with six touchdown catches and tied for ninth with 46 receptions. In conference-only games, Tillman ranks second in the SEC in receiving yards per game (93.9), second in TD catches (5) and second in receiving yards (657). He is tied for the SEC lead in SEC-only games in 20+ yard catches (10), 30+ yard catches (5), 40+ yard catches (3) and 50+ yard catches (3).
In last week’s loss to top-ranked Georgia, Tillman set career highs with 10 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown. It was the ninth 200-yard receiving game in Tennessee history and the first since Cordarrelle Patterson had 219 vs. Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. It was the first 200-yard receiving game by a Vol in an SEC game since Denarius Moore had 205 vs. Kentucky on Nov. 27, 2010.
Tillman has recorded at least six catches in five straight games, becoming the first Vol to achieve that feat since Cedrick Wilson did it the first five games of the 1999 season. The Las Vegas native has thrived in games against ranked teams, as well. Against current Top 25 teams, he is third in the nation in yards (456), ninth in the nation in catches (25) and fourth in the nation in TD catches (3).
Banks a Tackling Machine
Redshirt junior linebacker Jeremy Banks is having a breakout season for the Big Orange. The Cordova, Tennessee, native leads the team and ranks third in the SEC with a career-high 89 tackles and has posted double-digit stops in four straight games, including a career-best tying 15 last Saturday against No. 1 Georgia. Banks is also tied for seventh in the SEC with 9.0 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.5.
SERIES HISTORY
Vols lead series, 1-0
Saturday will be just the second ever meeting between the two programs. Tennessee won the only previous meeting, 31-24, in 2013. Rajion Neal ran for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Justin Worley threw for 204 yards and a pair of scores.
ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA
The Jaguars are led by first-year head coach Kane Wommack, who was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award last season while serving as the defensive coordinator at Indiana. South Alabama and Tennessee have one common opponent this season in Bowling Green, who the Vols defeated 38-6 in their season opener. The Jaguars defeated the Falcons 22-19 the following week.
Quarterback Jake Bentley, who spent four seasons as South Carolina’s starting quarterback, was having a solid season before getting injured in the Jaguars loss at Troy two weeks ago. Taking over for Bentley has been sophomore Desmond Trotter, who has passed for 380 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in four games played. Junior wide receiver Jalen Tolbert has been USA’s top weapon on offense, leading the team with 65 receptions and six touchdowns. He ranks fourth nationally with 1,140 receiving yards, averaging 114.0 per game.
Defensively, South Alabama has been susceptible to the big play but has also been successful at creating turnovers, ranking fifth in the FBS with 14 interceptions on the year. Eight different players have picked off a pass this season for the Jags. Defensive backs Darrell Luter Jr. (4) and Tre Young (3) have combined for seven interceptions.
-UT Athletics
