Hoops Preview: #11/12 Lady Vols vs. UCLA

Hoops Preview: #11/12 Lady Vols vs. UCLA

Posted on November 20, 2022

No. 11/12 Tennessee (2-2) will meet UCLA (4-0) in Imperial Arena on Paradise Island, Bahamas, at noon ET on Sunday in the semifinal round of the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Lady Vols evened their record by racing by Rutgers, 94-54, on Saturday in the opening round. The Big Orange led from start to finish and built a 54-point lead before turning things over to the reserves.

UT had entered the tournament with a 1-2 mark against three teams who participated in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, including No. 14/15 Ohio State on the road (L, 87-75), UMass at home (W, 74-65) and No. 12/11 Indiana at home (L, 79-67). The game vs. Rutgers marked Tennessee’s third against a Big Ten foe in 2022-23, with UT improving to 81-17 vs. that league after suffering losses to Ohio State and Indiana in games one and three.

UCLA advanced on Saturday by holding off South Dakota State, 72-65 in a battle of teams receiving votes and residing just outside the top 25 in both the AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls. The Bruins pocketed a trio of home wins before making their way to The Bahamas, handling Cal Poly, UC Riverside and Troy over the course of six days.

This will mark the 21st meeting between the Lady Volunteers and Bruins, with the Big Orange holding an 18-2 advantage.  The teams are 1-1 vs. one another at neutral sites after UCLA won the most recent meeting in College Park, Md., 89-77, in the NCAA First Round on March 23, 2019. That Bruin triumph snapped a 15-game losing skid to the squad from Rocky Top.

Tennessee is in the midst of a six-game campaign-opening gauntlet over a two-week period. UT played three games in the first seven days of the season and now is in the midst of a three-games-in-three-days stretch in the B4A tourney, followed by a two-in-three-day run at home on Nov. 25 (Colorado) and 27 (Eastern Kentucky).

Broadcast Information

  • FloHoops will stream the Tennessee vs. UCLA contest, with Jill Painter Lopez (PxP), Isis Young (Analyst) and Dani Wexelman (Reporter) on the call for games at the Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream, with Voice of the Lady Vols Brian Rice in his first season behind the mic. He will be joined by studio host Andy Brock. 
  • A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com. 
  • For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on the Vol Network Affiliates tab.
  • Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.

Storylines

  • Sunday’s match-up is Tennessee’s first vs. two Pac-12 opponents this season. The Lady Vols will travel to the West Coast to play at No. 2/2 Stanford on Dec. 18 as part of the programs’ annual clashes that date back to 1988.
  • Tennessee rookie Justine Pissott and UCLA freshman Kiki Rice joined forces to win a gold medal with the 2022 USA U18 National Team at the FIBA U18 Women’s Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, over the summer.
  • Rickea Jackson has led the Lady Vols in scoring the past three games, tallying 24, 17 and 26 after opening the season with nine points at Ohio State. She is averaging 22.3 points per game during that span.

What’s Next?

  • The lower half of the bracket features another semifinal matchup between Marquette and Gonzaga at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
  • The winners of Sunday’s semifinal contests will advance to Monday’s Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis championship game at noon on ESPN. 
  • The losers of the semifinal games will play for third place at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, with ESPNU televising.
  • Kevin Fitzgerald and Carolyn Peck are on the call for those ESPN/ESPNU broadcasts.

First Time At B4A, Third Time In The Bahamas

  • This is the Lady Vols’ first appearance at the Battle 4 Atlantis, but it is their third trip to The Bahamas.
  • They are visiting their third different island, having twice participated in the Junkanoo Jam Tournament on two other isles. 
  • In 2013-14, the Tennessee women went 2-0 and won the Lucaya Division at the Junkanoo Jam in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.
  • UT defeated Virginia, 76-67, and SMU, 87-47, in Freeport. 
  • In 2018-19, the Lady Vols traveled to Resorts World Bimini and won both games there to capture the Junkanoo Division crown at the Junkanoo Jam. 
  • In Bimini, the Big Orange turned back Clemson, 78-66, and UAB, 73-69 in overtime.
  • Thus far at the B4A, UT is 1-0 after streaking past Rutgers, 94-54, in opening round play on Saturday.

International Success

  • Tennessee is making its fourth in-season trip outside the U.S. and sixth international excursion during the past 10 years, holding a 14-0 mark on foreign soil soil during that stretch, including 8-0 in games that count toward season records after Saturday’s win.
  • This is the program’s 10th all-time international excursion, and UT is 25-7 on foreign soil.
  • This is the Lady Vols’ first trip outside the country since going to The Netherlands, Belgium and France in August 2019 prior to Kellie Harper‘s first season at Rocky Top. Seniors Jordan Horston, Tamari Key and Jessie Rennie had just arrived at Tennessee.
  • The B4A is UT’s first in-season international trip since the 2018 Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, Bahamas.
  • UT has been to Freeport, Bahamas/2013 Junkanoo Jam (2-0); Cancun, Mexico/2017 Cancun Challenge (3-0); Bimini, Bahamas/2019 Junkanoo Jam (2-0); and now Paradise Island, Bahamas/2022 Battle 4 Atlantis for NCAA countable competition.
  • Foreign Tours and records include Brazil in June 1987 (1-4), England in January 1992 (2-1), Belgium/France/Switzerland in August 1999 (5-0), Italy/Greece in August 2003 (3-2), Italy in 2015 (3-0) and The Netherlands/Belgium/France in 2019 (3-0). 
  • Not counting in these totals are trips to U.S. territory tournaments in San Juan, Puerto Rico/San Juan Shootout in November-December 2002 (3-0); and two appearances in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I./Paradise Jam in Nov. 2005 (3-0) and Nov. 2010 (2-1).

Looking Back At The Rutgers Game

  • No. 11 Tennessee took a commanding victory in its first game at the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis, defeating Rutgers, 94-54, in Imperial Arena on Saturday afternoon.
  • The Lady Vols (2-2) shot a sizzling 53 percent from the floor, including 48 percent from behind the arc, and were led by senior forward Rickea Jackson who poured in 26 points on 11-of-12 shooting while grabbing six boards in only 20 minutes of duty. Senior guards Jordan Horston and Jasmine Powell were also in double figures with 12 each, as well as redshirt-sophomore Marta Suárez who finished with 10. Powell and Suárez led UT with eight assists and seven rebounds, respectively.
  • All 15 of UT’s active players saw the floor with 12 contributing at least two points toward the final score.
  • Kaylene Smikle was the high scorer for Rutgers (3-2) with 16 on the day. Kassondra Brown and Awa Sidibe were also in double figures with 12 and 10, respectively.

Jordy Returns

  • UT’s decorated 6-2 guard Jordan Horston, who had been out of the lineup after being sidelined with a lower extremity injury in the UMass game on Nov. 10, was back in the starting five vs. Rutgers.
  • She played 15 minutes and finished with 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal.

Making Runs

  • Tennessee was explosive offensively against the Scarlet Knights, posting three double-digit scoring streaks of 11-0 and 10-0 in the second quarter and a 22-0 run in the third.
  • Prior to Saturday’s game, UT had not posted a double-digit run during the 2022-23 season.

Big-Time Bench Play

  • Every active player on UT’s roster saw the floor against Rutgers, combining for 37 points and 23 rebounds.
  • Marta Suárez led that effort with 10 points and seven boards, while Karoline Striplin scored her first points of the season, finishing with six.

Suarez Gets Her Groove Back

  • Redshirt-sophomore Marta Suárez, who missed last season due to injury, turned in 10 points against the Scarlet Knights, marking her first 10-point performance since dropping 10 against UConn on Jan. 21, 2021.

Powell Performing

  • Senior Jasmine Powell, who transferred to UT from Minnesota, has scored in double figures in three of four games this season.
  • The 5-foot-6 point guard scored 19 at Ohio State, 16 vs. Indiana and 12 vs. Rutgers.
  • Powell is Tennessee’s second-leading scorer at 12.8 per contest and paces the Lady Vols in assists with 5.8 per contest after dishing out a season-high eight on Saturday vs. Rutgers.

A Look At UCLA

  • UCLA is now 4-0, after collecting home victories over Cal Poly (84-48), UC Riverside (64-43) and Troy (95-83), and then opening play at the Battle 4 Atlantis with a 72-65 victory over South Dakota State.
  • The Bruins have three players averaging double figures in points entering Sunday’s game.
  • Charisma Osborne, a 5-9 senior guard, sets the tone for UCLA, producing sparkling averages of 22.3 points and 9.0 rebounds.
  • Osborne is on preseason watch lists for the Wooden Award and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.
  • Also scoring in double figures for UCLA are 6-4 redshirt sophomore forward Emily Bessoir (11.3) and 5-11 freshman forward Gabriela Jaquez (10.3).
  • Gina Conti, a 5-11 graduate guard, is on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List. She currently is averaging 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds.
  • Freshman Kiki Rice (9.3 ppg., 3.8 rpg.) joined Tennessee rookie Justine Pissott in winning a gold medal with the 2022 USA U18 National Team at the FIBA U18 Women’s Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, over the summer.

UT/UCLA Notes

  • This marks the 21st meeting between the Lady Vols and UCLA, with UT possessing an 18-2 record in the series.
  • UT is 1-1 at neutral sites, 8-1 at home and 9-0 on the road vs. the Bruins.
  • UCLA ended a 15-game Big Orange series win streak on March 23, 2019, as the No. 20/24 Bruins took down an unranked UT team, 89-77, in College Park, Md., in the NCAA First Round.
  • All 20 games between these teams have been completed in regulation.
  • Tennessee is 68-24 all-time vs. programs in the Pacific-12 Conference.
  • Kellie Harper is 0-1 vs. UCLA, falling to the Bruins as head coach at NC State, 74-54, on March 21, 2010.

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols vs. UCLA / Credit: UT Athletics
Jimmy’s blog: South Carolina leaves Tennessee defense in a sandstorm

Jimmy’s blog: South Carolina leaves Tennessee defense in a sandstorm

Posted on November 20, 2022

By Jimmy Hyams

A Tennessee defense that showed up against Pitt and LSU and Kentucky and in the second half against Missouri, disappeared under a sandstorm at South Carolina on Saturday night.

The Gamecocks, fueled by a beleaguered quarterback, blasted the fifth-ranked Vols 63-38, ending any hopes Tennessee had of making the College Football Playoffs.

It was a stunning outcome, considering UT (9-2) was favored by 22 points and Carolina (7-4) was coming off a humiliating 38-6 loss at Florida in which the Gators rushed for an eye-popping 374 yards.

Not only did Carolina fall to Florida, but it lost 23-10 at home to Missouri, a team Tennessee mauled 62-24 last week.

While TCU and Ohio State and Michigan were avoiding upsets, Tennessee’s defense couldn’t escape the brilliant play of Carolina quarterback Shane Rattler. The Oklahoma transfer – who entered the game with more interceptions (9) than touchdown passes (8) – completed 30 of 37 passes for 438 yards and a school-record six touchdowns.

Rattler, once a Heisman Trophy candidate at Oklahoma, outplayed Tennessee’s Heisman hopeful, Hendon Hooker, who was 25 of 42 for 247 yards and two touchdowns before going down untouched with an apparent knee injury late in the game.

“Shane Rattler – unbelievable,’’ said Carolina coach Shane Beamer.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was concerned about Rattler’s potential entering the game.

“Streaky,’’ Heupel said of Rattler. “We said we couldn’t let him get hot. He got hot tonight. He made plays in the pocket and out of the pocket.’’

Rattler led Carolina to scoring drives on each of its five first-half possessions for a 35-24 lead. He led the Gamecocks to four more scores on five full possessions in the second half.

It made you wonder: Where was this guy against Missouri? Or Florida? Or Georgia?

While Rattler was brilliant, one of Tennessee’s preseason worries reared its head: The secondary.

Tennessee couldn’t cover and couldn’t tackle.

It made Carolina’s offensive look like the Kansas City Chiefs.

“We didn’t cover tight enough,’’ Heupel said.

Tennessee didn’t cover at all. It was too soft on third-and-short situations. It left gaping holes in zone coverage. It couldn’t keep up in man coverage. It allowed a conversion on third-and-20. It allowed 453 passing yards. It forced one punt in 10 possessions.

“At the end of the day,’’ said Heupel, “we didn’t coach or play well. I’m disappointed for our players. They hurt. Our coaches hurt. I hurt.’’

UT defensive tackle Latrell Bumphus was at a loss to explain the poor performance.

“It’s a bitter pill,’’ Bumphus said. “It’s hard to swallow. Give them credit. They were the better team tonight and it showed.’’

Tennessee’s defense, which played without linebacker Jeremy Banks (undisclosed reason), allowed Carolina to convert eight of 11 third downs and two of two on fourth down.

The Gamecocks’ 63 points were their most ever as an unranked team against a top five team. The previous high was 42 points.

Carolina certainly flipped the switch on Tennessee.

The Vols entered the game with a high-powered offense, but it was Carolina that put up 63 points.

UT entered the game as one of the nation’s fastest starting teams, but the Gamecocks led 21-7 after the first quarter.

UT entered the game leading the nation in points and total yards, but it was Carolina that was unstoppable, scoring nine touchdowns and rolling up 606 yards.

UT entered the game with creative play calling, but Carolina befuddled the Vols with speed sweeps, a wildcat package, a throwback pass to the quarterback and pass routes that had wideouts running open in the porous Vols’ secondary.

Beamer is now 12-1 when Carolina scores first while Heupel is 0-7 when his team falls behind by 11 points.

“We’ve got a resilient bunch,’’ Beamer said. “I’ve been telling people we’ve got a good football team and we sure as hell showed it tonight.’’

You sure as hell didn’t show it against Florida. Or Missouri. Or Georgia.

But on this night, Carolina was clicking and it left Tennessee in a sandstorm.

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Highlights/Photos/Postgame/Stats/Story: Hot-Shooting Jackson Propels No. 12/11 Lady Vols Past Rutgers, 94-54

Highlights/Photos/Postgame/Stats/Story: Hot-Shooting Jackson Propels No. 12/11 Lady Vols Past Rutgers, 94-54

Posted on November 19, 2022

Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Powell/Harper/Jackson Postgame Presser | Photo Gallery

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – No. 11 Tennessee took a commanding victory in its first game at the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis, defeating Rutgers, 94-54, in Imperial Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Vols (2-2) shot a sizzling 53 percent from the floor, including 48 percent from behind the arc, and were led by senior forward Rickea Jackson who poured in 26 points on 11-of-12 shooting while grabbing six boards in only 20 minutes of duty. Senior guards Jordan Horston and Jasmine Powell were also in double figures with 12 each, as well as redshirt-sophomore Marta Suárez who finished with 10. Powell and Suárez led UT with eight assists and seven rebounds, respectively.
 
All 15 of UT’s active players saw the floor with 12 contributing at least two points toward the final score.
 
Kaylene Smikle was the high scorer for Rutgers (3-2) with 16 on the day. Kassondra Brown and Awa Sidibe were also in double figures with 12 and 10, respectively.
 
Tennessee jumped out early to a 7-0 lead started by back-to-back layups from Jackson and capped off with a trey from Powell. Rutgers got on the board just over two minutes into the game off a Brown layup. The Lady Vols went on to lead by as many as 13 before Smikle set off a 6-0 Scarlet Knight run in the closing minute of the quarter that trimmed the Lady Vol lead to 22-15.
 
RU whittled the Big Orange’s lead down to six with a free throw at the start of the second period, but Tennessee responded with an 18-3 run spanning just three minutes and 40 seconds that put UT ahead 40-19 by the 5:13 mark. Eleven of those points were scored by Jackson who racked up 18 first-half points while going a perfect seven of seven from the floor.
 
Brown snapped the Rutgers scoring drought with a pair of free throws with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Scarlet Knights scrapped back within 14 at 42-28 off a 7-0 run, but the Lady Vols closed out the half with 10 straight points punctuated by Powell’s third 3-pointer of the game just before the buzzer, moving the halftime score to 52-28.
 
Both teams struggled offensively following halftime with neither scoring until almost 90 seconds into the quarter when Sidibe knocked down a jumper. Horston opened the second-half scoring for UT with a three on the fast break at the 8:12 mark and went on to score eight straight points, building Tennessee’s lead up to 30 a minute and a half later.
 
Kai Carter knocked down a jumper for Rutgers with 6:40 left in the period, but Jackson hit back-to-back layups to set off a 22-0 Lady Vol scoring streak that spanned the rest of the quarter and was contributed to by six different UT players, sending the game into the final stanza with Tennessee up by 50 at 82-32.
 
Sidibe opened the fourth with a jumper to cut the deficit down to 48, but Jackson responded with a layup that was the first of six straight Tennessee points to give UT its largest lead of the game at 88-34 with 8:07 to play. The Lady Vol reserves got some quality minutes during the closing minutes, with sophomores Kaiya Wynn and Karoline Striplin both logging two buckets apiece as Tennessee road out the clock to a 94-54 victory.
 
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will be back in action at noon Sunday, facing the winner of the UCLA and South Dakota State. The contest will be streamed on FloHoops (subscription required) and can also be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream.
 
MAKING RUNS: Tennessee was explosive offensively against the Scarlet Knights, posting three double-digit scoring streaks of 11-0 and 10-0 in the second quarter and a 22-0 run in the third. Entering today’s match, UT had yet to post a double-digit run during the 2022-23 season.
 
BIG TIME BENCH PLAY: All active players on UT’s bench saw the floor against Rutgers, combining for 37 points and 23 rebounds. Suárez led that effort with 10 points and seven boards, while Karoline Striplin scored her first points of the season, finishing with six.
 
SUÁREZ GETS HER GROOVE BACK: Redshirt-sophomore Marta Suarez, who missed last season due to injury, turned in 10 points against the Scarlet Knights, marking her first 10-point performance since dropping 10 against UConn on Jan. 21, 2021.

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Week 12 SEC score predictions straight-up and spread; No. 5 Tennessee at South Carolina; 7 more league games

Week 12 SEC score predictions straight-up and spread; No. 5 Tennessee at South Carolina; 7 more league games

Posted on November 19, 2022

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Here’s a look at my Week 12 SEC football game predictions.

Check back on my “Vince’s View” blog page for future posts including weekly SEC football and NFL game predictions. Bookmark my blog page and check back often.

2022 Week 11 Straight-Up Record: 6-1 (86%)
2022 Week 11 Spread Record: 4-3 (57%)
2022 Season Straight-Up Record: 72-17 (81%)
2022 Season Spread Record: 52-37 (58%)
2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 92-34 (73%)
2021 Season Spread Record: 63-63 (50%)

TWO WEEKS REMAIN IN THE REGULAR SEASON

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Austin Peay (7-3) at No. 8 Alabama (8-2, 5-2 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
Noon ET • SECN+, ESPN+
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077)
SiriusXM: 81
Line: Alabama -44.5
Pick vs. Spread: Alabama -44.5
Score Prediction: Alabama 45 Austin Peay 0

ETSU (3-7) at Mississippi State (6-4, 3-4 SEC)
Series: MSU leads, 1-0
Noon ET • SECN+, ESPN+
Starkville, Miss. • Davis-Wade Stadium at Scott Field (60,311)
SiriusXM: 113/192
Line: Miss State -38.5
Pick vs. Spread: Miss State -38.5
Score Prediction: Miss State 56 ETSU 7

UMass (1-9) at Texas A&M (3-7, 1-6 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
Noon ET • SECN+, ESPN+
Bryan-College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
SiriusXM: 111/191
Line: Texas A&M -33.5
Pick vs. Spread: UMass +33.5
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 17 UMass 7

Florida (6-4, 3-4 SEC) at Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5 SEC)
Series: UF leads, 43-10-2
Noon ET • SEC Network
Last: UF, 42-0 (2021 at Gainesville)
Nashville, Tenn. • FirstBank Stadium (40,350)
SiriusXM: 384 – 137/190
Line: Florida -14.5
Pick vs. Spread: Florida -14.5
Score Prediction: Florida 34 Vanderbilt 17

No. 1 Georgia (10-0, 7-0 SEC) at Kentucky (6-4, 3-4 SEC)
Series: UGA leads, 61-12-2
3:30 p.m. ET • CBS
Last: UGA, 30-13 (2021 at Athens)
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
SiriusXM: 81 – 137/190
Line: Georgia -22.5
Pick vs. Spread: Georgia -22.5
Score Prediction: Georgia 38 Kentucky 10

Western Kentucky (7-4) at Auburn (4-6, 2-5 SEC)
Series: AU leads, 2-0
3 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
SiriusXM: 111/191
Line: Auburn -5.5
Pick vs. Spread: Western Kentucky +5.5
Score Prediction: Auburn 27 Western Kentucky 24

No. 5 Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 SEC) at South Carolina (6-4, 3-4 SEC)
Series: UT leads, 28-10-2
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Last: UT, 45-20 (2021 at Knoxville)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
SiriusXM: 81 – 113/192
Line: Tennessee -21.5
Pick vs. Spread: Tennessee -21.5
Score Prediction: Tennessee 49 South Carolina 13

No. 14 Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC) at Arkansas (5-5, 2-4 SEC)
Series: ARK leads, 37-39-1
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Last: UM, 52-51 (2021 at Oxford)
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
SiriusXM: 158/203 – 135/201
Line: Ole Miss -1.5
Pick vs. Spread: Ole Miss -1.5
Score Prediction: Ole Miss 48 Arkansas 42

New Mexico State (4-5) at Missouri (4-6, 2-5 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
7:30 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621)
SiriusXM: 137/190
Line: Missouri -29.5
Pick vs. Spread: Missouri -29.5
Score Prediction: Missouri 35 New Mexico State 3

UAB (5-5) at No. 6 LSU (8-2, 6-1 SEC)
Series: Tied, 1-1
9 p.m. ET • ESPN2
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
SiriusXM: 136/202
Line: LSU -14.5
Pick vs. Spread: LSU -14.5
Score Prediction: LSU 45 UAB 10

Check back for my blog posts, “Vince’s View,” here.

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net

KNOXVILLE, TN – November 12, 2022 – Defensive back Tamarion McDonald #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Football Preview: Playoff Push Continues as #5 Vols Head to Palmetto State to Take On Gamecocks

Football Preview: Playoff Push Continues as #5 Vols Head to Palmetto State to Take On Gamecocks

Posted on November 19, 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Holding steady at No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Tennessee will look to continue its winning ways this Saturday in an SEC east clash against South Carolina at a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

A win would lock up the first 10-win season for the Volunteers since 2007 and the program’s first season with 10 regular-season victories since 2003.

BROADCAST INFO

Saturday’s primetime matchup will be televised on ESPN as Chris Fowler (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call. Kickoff is slated for 7:08 p.m. ET.

Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 113 or 192) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 963), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com​ and the Tennessee Athletics App.

Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with VFL Jayson Swain handling sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins at 5 p.m. ET.

GAMEDAY INFO

For any Tennessee fans making the trip to Columbia, the most up-to-date information on South Carolina’s gameday policies can be found at the South Carolina football gameday information page.

NEED TO KNOW

Push for the Playoff
Tennessee enters Saturday’s game right in the middle of the College Football Playoff hunt, coming in at No. 5 for the second week in a row following a 66-24 thrashing of Missouri last week that saw the Big Orange set school records for points against an SEC opponent and total yards (724).
 
The Vols are seeking their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff and first trip  to a New Year’s Six bowl game since defeating Texas A&M 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl following the 2004 season.
 
Keepin’ It 100
Rocky Top has become a go-to destination for wide receivers since head coach Josh Heupel arrived. Over the past two seasons, UT ranks third nationally with 18 individual 100-yard receiving performances. The Vols have had 10 individual 100-plus yard receiving games this season, which is tied for second nationally behind Ohio State’s 11. Four different Tennessee pass catchers have eclipsed the 100-yard mark at least once this year (Jalin Hyatt – 5, Bru McCoy – 3, Cedric Tillman – 1, Squirrel White – 1).

Hooker to Hyatt
There hasn’t been a more deadly and explosive combination in college football this season than quarterback Hendon Hooker and Hyatt. Both are having historic seasons for the Orange and White and have been racking up the honors along the way.
 
The tandem has been named to the semifinalist lists for the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards. Hooker is also a finalist for the Unitas Golden Arm Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award while Hyatt is in the running to win the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the nation’s top receiver.
 
With Hooker as the trigger man for the nation’s No. 1 offense, Hyatt has emerged as his go-to target, leading the nation in receiving touchdowns (15). The junior from Irmo, South Carolina also ranks first in the FBS in 30-plus yard receiving plays (14), 40-plus yard receiving plays (10), 50-plus yard plays (6) and 60-plus yard receiving plays (4).
 
Defense Doing Its Part
While Tennessee’s offense gets much of the attention, the Big Orange defense has been doing its fair share of the heavy lifting as well. In its second season under defensive coordinator Tim Banks, the Vols rank in the top 25 nationally in four different categories: rushing defense (11th – 104.1), redzone defense (20th – 76.3), turnovers gained (16th – 19) and third-down defense (25th – 32.9). UT also ranks third in the SEC with 64.0 tackles for loss and has held each of its last three opponents to seven or fewer second-half points, including shutting out Kentucky over the final two quarters in a 44-6 win on Oct. 29.
 
UT has been aggressive and opportunistic all year long, leading the SEC in turnovers forced (19) and turnover margin (+9). For comparison, the Vols had just 13 takeaways in 13 games last season.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads, 28-10-2
The Volunteers and Gamecocks will meet for the 41st time when the two teams take the field on Saturday night. Tennessee has owned the all-time series and even has a winning record when playing in Columbia (10-7-2).

A win this weekend would mark UT’s fourth straight in the series after dropping three in a row from 2016-18. Each of the last six meetings between the two programs in Columbia have come down to the wire, with all six of those contests being decided by six points or less.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina is led by second-year head coach Shame Beamer, son of legendary Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. After leading the Gamecocks to a 7-6 record and a victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s May Bowl in year one, Beamer has USC bowl eligible again in 2022.

Redshirt junior quarterback Spencer Rattler leads the offense in his first year with the program after transferring from Oklahoma in the offseason. Rattler has completed 180 of 276 pass attempts for 1,982 yards and eight touchdowns but has also thrown nine interceptions.

Junior wideout Antwane Wells Jr. has been the Gamecocks top threat in the passing game with a team high 43 receptions for 590 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore running back MarShawn Lloyd is the team’s top rusher with 100 carries for 556 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior tight end Jaheim Bell is also an extremely versatile weapon for South Carolina who has totaled 18 receptions for 190 yards as well as 47 rushing attempts for 150 yards and a pair of scores.

On the defensive side of the ball, freshman defensive back Nick Emmanwori leads the team with 66 total tackles (51 solo) from the strong safety position. Redshirt sophomore edge rusher Gilber Edmond ranks first with eight tackles for loss while fellow edge rusher Jordan Burch is tops on the team with 3.5 sacks. Cornerbacks Marcellas Dial and Darius Rush each have recorded two interceptions to lead the secondary.

-UT Athletics

Vols WR Bru McCoy / Credit: UT Athletics
Football Preview: Playoff Push Continues as #5 Vols Head to Palmetto State to Take On Gamecocks

Football Preview: Playoff Push Continues as #5 Vols Head to Palmetto State to Take On Gamecocks

Posted on November 19, 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Holding steady at No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Tennessee will look to continue its winning ways this Saturday in an SEC east clash against South Carolina at a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

A win would lock up the first 10-win season for the Volunteers since 2007 and the program’s first season with 10 regular-season victories since 2003.

BROADCAST INFO

Saturday’s primetime matchup will be televised on ESPN as Chris Fowler (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call. Kickoff is slated for 7:08 p.m. ET.

Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 113 or 192) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 963), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com​ and the Tennessee Athletics App.

Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with VFL Jayson Swain handling sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins at 5 p.m. ET.

GAMEDAY INFO

For any Tennessee fans making the trip to Columbia, the most up-to-date information on South Carolina’s gameday policies can be found at the South Carolina football gameday information page.

NEED TO KNOW

Push for the Playoff
Tennessee enters Saturday’s game right in the middle of the College Football Playoff hunt, coming in at No. 5 for the second week in a row following a 66-24 thrashing of Missouri last week that saw the Big Orange set school records for points against an SEC opponent and total yards (724).
 
The Vols are seeking their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff and first trip  to a New Year’s Six bowl game since defeating Texas A&M 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl following the 2004 season.
 
Keepin’ It 100
Rocky Top has become a go-to destination for wide receivers since head coach Josh Heupel arrived. Over the past two seasons, UT ranks third nationally with 18 individual 100-yard receiving performances. The Vols have had 10 individual 100-plus yard receiving games this season, which is tied for second nationally behind Ohio State’s 11. Four different Tennessee pass catchers have eclipsed the 100-yard mark at least once this year (Jalin Hyatt – 5, Bru McCoy – 3, Cedric Tillman – 1, Squirrel White – 1).

Hooker to Hyatt
There hasn’t been a more deadly and explosive combination in college football this season than quarterback Hendon Hooker and Hyatt. Both are having historic seasons for the Orange and White and have been racking up the honors along the way.
 
The tandem has been named to the semifinalist lists for the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards. Hooker is also a finalist for the Unitas Golden Arm Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award while Hyatt is in the running to win the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the nation’s top receiver.
 
With Hooker as the trigger man for the nation’s No. 1 offense, Hyatt has emerged as his go-to target, leading the nation in receiving touchdowns (15). The junior from Irmo, South Carolina also ranks first in the FBS in 30-plus yard receiving plays (14), 40-plus yard receiving plays (10), 50-plus yard plays (6) and 60-plus yard receiving plays (4).
 
Defense Doing Its Part
While Tennessee’s offense gets much of the attention, the Big Orange defense has been doing its fair share of the heavy lifting as well. In its second season under defensive coordinator Tim Banks, the Vols rank in the top 25 nationally in four different categories: rushing defense (11th – 104.1), redzone defense (20th – 76.3), turnovers gained (16th – 19) and third-down defense (25th – 32.9). UT also ranks third in the SEC with 64.0 tackles for loss and has held each of its last three opponents to seven or fewer second-half points, including shutting out Kentucky over the final two quarters in a 44-6 win on Oct. 29.
 
UT has been aggressive and opportunistic all year long, leading the SEC in turnovers forced (19) and turnover margin (+9). For comparison, the Vols had just 13 takeaways in 13 games last season.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads, 28-10-2
The Volunteers and Gamecocks will meet for the 41st time when the two teams take the field on Saturday night. Tennessee has owned the all-time series and even has a winning record when playing in Columbia (10-7-2).

A win this weekend would mark UT’s fourth straight in the series after dropping three in a row from 2016-18. Each of the last six meetings between the two programs in Columbia have come down to the wire, with all six of those contests being decided by six points or less.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina is led by second-year head coach Shame Beamer, son of legendary Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. After leading the Gamecocks to a 7-6 record and a victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s May Bowl in year one, Beamer has USC bowl eligible again in 2022.

Redshirt junior quarterback Spencer Rattler leads the offense in his first year with the program after transferring from Oklahoma in the offseason. Rattler has completed 180 of 276 pass attempts for 1,982 yards and eight touchdowns but has also thrown nine interceptions.

Junior wideout Antwane Wells Jr. has been the Gamecocks top threat in the passing game with a team high 43 receptions for 590 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore running back MarShawn Lloyd is the team’s top rusher with 100 carries for 556 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior tight end Jaheim Bell is also an extremely versatile weapon for South Carolina who has totaled 18 receptions for 190 yards as well as 47 rushing attempts for 150 yards and a pair of scores.

On the defensive side of the ball, freshman defensive back Nick Emmanwori leads the team with 66 total tackles (51 solo) from the strong safety position. Redshirt sophomore edge rusher Gilber Edmond ranks first with eight tackles for loss while fellow edge rusher Jordan Burch is tops on the team with 3.5 sacks. Cornerbacks Marcellas Dial and Darius Rush each have recorded two interceptions to lead the secondary.

-UT Athletics

Vols WR Bru McCoy / Credit: UT Athletics

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