FACTS & STATS: Site: Neyland Stadium (102,038) -- Knoxville, Tennessee. Television:Raycom. Home Record: UAB 0-1, Tennessee 0-0. Away Record: UAB 0-1, Tennessee 0-1. Neutral Record: UAB 0-0, Tennessee 0-0. Conference Record: UAB 0-1, Tennessee 0-0. Series Record: Tennessee leads, 2-0.
GAME NOTES: The Tennessee Volunteers put their eight-game home winning streak on the line this weekend, as they welcome the UAB Blazers to Knoxville for a non-conference showdown at Neyland Stadium. The Vols opened their 2008 campaign ranked in the Top 25, but they were knocked out of the polls following a season-opening loss to UCLA, 27-24, in overtime on September 1st. It marked the second straight season-opening loss by Tennessee, which is now 14-3 in lid lifters under head coach Phillip Fulmer. The Vols though, now return back home, where they went 7-0 last year and have won eight straight overall. Another thing working for Tennessee, is that it has never loss to a Conference USA opponent at home, going 33-0 all-time. That is certainly bad news for UAB, which is a member of C-USA and 0-2 all-time against Tennessee in Knoxville. UAB last visited Neyland Stadium in 2005 and although it put up a good fight, the Vols still emerged with a 17-10 victory. The Blazers are also off to a slow start this season, losing their opener to Tulsa (45-22) before dropping a 49-34 decision at Florida Atlantic this past weekend.
UAB's offense did its best to keep up with FAU this past weekend, but despite gaining 482 total yards it wasn't enough. The Blazers, who recorded 414 total yards, including 245 on the ground in their opener, posted 156 rushing yards this past weekend. For the season straight week, quarterback Joe Webb led the ground attack, rushing for 66 yards on 18 carries. Despite being sacked five times, he also completed 26-of-48 pass attempts for 326 yards and two scores. It was another strong outing for Webb, who rushed for 136 yards and threw for 169 yards and two scores in the opener versus Tulsa. Frantrell Forrest also put together a noteworthy effort, as he pulled down 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Forrest shined in the opener as well, catching a touchdown and returning a kickoff for another score.
The Blazers are off to a slow start mainly because of their inability to stop opposing clubs, as the defense has already yielded over 1,100 total yards. After giving up 601 yards to Tulsa in the opener, UAB was burnt for 554 yards by FAU last weekend. Opponents are averaging over 200 ypg on the ground and over 300 through the air against the Blazers, who have managed only one sack through two games. Kevin Sanders had five tackles and two PBU last weekend to pace UAB in the setback. Keon Harris, though, posted just four stops following an 11-tackle effort in the opener.
In a wild first game, the Vols were the ones who came out on the short end of a 27-24 decision in overtime at UCLA. Tennessee took a 21-17 lead on a 20-yard touchdown run by Montario Hardesty with just under two minutes left, but UCLA refused to go away and grabbed a 24-21 lead on a touchdown pass with only 27 seconds left. The Vols, though, showed their resiliency and sent the game into overcome courtesy of a Daniel Lincoln 47-yard field goal on the last play of regulation. In overtime, neither team was able to pick up a first down, but the Bruins made their field goal and Lincoln missed from 34 yards and that was the difference. Tennessee racked up 366 total yards in the contest, including 177 on the ground, but also committed two turnovers. Making just his second career start, Jonathan Crompton had his share of struggles and completed just 19-of-41 tosses for 189 yards and an interception. The ground attack helped pick up some of the slack and was paced by Arian Foster, who toted 13 times for 96 yards. Hardesty also played a role and he went for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Last season, Foster saw a bulk of the carries and rushed for 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns, so it was no surprise to see him have success in the opener.
Defensively, Tennessee was stout until the fourth quarter, when it gave up a pair of late touchdowns to UCLA on drives of 70 and 80 yards. The unit allowed a mere 288 total yards in the game, including only 29 on the ground. If that wasn't solid enough, the Vols also picked off four passes, one of which was returned 61 yards for a touchdown by Nevin McKenzie. The special teams, though, did cost Tennessee, as it had a punt blocked and returned 17 yards for a score. Ellix Wilson paced the Vols' defense with 12 stops and a sack, while Eric Berry recorded an interception. Picking off passes in nothing new for Berry, who led the team with five interceptions a season ago.
UAB hasn't shown it can stop anyone yet and it is unlikely this team will be able slow down a talented club like Tennessee. The Vols are back at home and have had plenty of time to prepare for this game, so expect them to dominate from start to finish this weekend.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tennessee 48, UAB 10
Game Date and Time
Saturday, September 13th, 12:30 p.m. (et)
Add Comment