The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Game 8 Opponent Preview: Tennessee Volunteers
7/11/2019 4:16:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – For the third straight year, UAB will travel to SEC territory, this time heading to Knoxville, Tenn. to take on Tennessee on Nov. 2 at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff time and game coverage information is yet to be determined.
The matchup will be the fifth time the Blazers and Volunteers have squared off as Tennessee has claimed each of the previous contests at home. In the last meeting between the two sides, however, UAB pushed the game to double overtime before Tennessee managed to escape by a field goal in a 32-29 win.
Tennessee finished last season at 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt. The Volunteers picked up two wins over ranked opponents in No. 21/21 Auburn and No. 11/12 Kentucky throughout SEC play. Pruitt took the helm at Rocky Top as a first-time head coach after spending his career as a renowned defensive coordinator, collecting five national championships and mentoring a slew of future NFL starters and high draft picks over his career. Pruitt's most recent stops included Florida State (2013), Georgia (2014-15) and Alabama (2016-17).
All-Time Series: Tennessee – 4-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 25, 2010 – Tennessee 32-29 (2OT)
Current Streak: Tennessee – W4
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
In year two of the Pruitt era, Tennessee is primed for a solid season. The Volunteers had no senior starters on offense and only five senior starters on defense, setting up the return of impact players such as potential third-year starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, senior wide out Marquez Callaway, redshirt senior linebacker Darrell Taylor and sophomore defensive back Bryce Thompson. Along with the bevvy of returners across the board, the Volunteers boast one of the top recruiting classes in the nation to round out the roster and challenge the incumbent starters.
UAB will also return multiple key pieces across the board including redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston III, First Team All-Conference USA and multiple-record holding junior running back Spencer Brown, redshirt senior linebacker Fitz Mofor and redshirt junior cornerback Brontae Harris. Head coach Bill Clark has also done his part on the recruiting trail, signing one of the top classes in the conference after bringing in some of the highest rated recruits in UAB history in juco transfers RaJae Johnson (receiver), Tony Fair (defensive tackle) and former Florida defensive end Jordan Smith, among others.
When UAB most recently faced an SEC opponent in Texas A&M last season, the Blazers picked up more first downs than the Aggies, also adding 417 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Johnston III and Brown will look to replicate that success when the Green and Gold travel to Rocky Top this season.
TICKETS:
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets to any home football game. To purchase group tickets for the 2019 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.
The matchup will be the fifth time the Blazers and Volunteers have squared off as Tennessee has claimed each of the previous contests at home. In the last meeting between the two sides, however, UAB pushed the game to double overtime before Tennessee managed to escape by a field goal in a 32-29 win.
Tennessee finished last season at 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt. The Volunteers picked up two wins over ranked opponents in No. 21/21 Auburn and No. 11/12 Kentucky throughout SEC play. Pruitt took the helm at Rocky Top as a first-time head coach after spending his career as a renowned defensive coordinator, collecting five national championships and mentoring a slew of future NFL starters and high draft picks over his career. Pruitt's most recent stops included Florida State (2013), Georgia (2014-15) and Alabama (2016-17).
All-Time Series: Tennessee – 4-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 25, 2010 – Tennessee 32-29 (2OT)
Current Streak: Tennessee – W4
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
In year two of the Pruitt era, Tennessee is primed for a solid season. The Volunteers had no senior starters on offense and only five senior starters on defense, setting up the return of impact players such as potential third-year starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, senior wide out Marquez Callaway, redshirt senior linebacker Darrell Taylor and sophomore defensive back Bryce Thompson. Along with the bevvy of returners across the board, the Volunteers boast one of the top recruiting classes in the nation to round out the roster and challenge the incumbent starters.
UAB will also return multiple key pieces across the board including redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston III, First Team All-Conference USA and multiple-record holding junior running back Spencer Brown, redshirt senior linebacker Fitz Mofor and redshirt junior cornerback Brontae Harris. Head coach Bill Clark has also done his part on the recruiting trail, signing one of the top classes in the conference after bringing in some of the highest rated recruits in UAB history in juco transfers RaJae Johnson (receiver), Tony Fair (defensive tackle) and former Florida defensive end Jordan Smith, among others.
When UAB most recently faced an SEC opponent in Texas A&M last season, the Blazers picked up more first downs than the Aggies, also adding 417 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Johnston III and Brown will look to replicate that success when the Green and Gold travel to Rocky Top this season.
TICKETS:
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets to any home football game. To purchase group tickets for the 2019 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.
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