NEED TO KNOW
Top 25 Units
Tennessee is ranked in the FBS top 25 in scoring offense (34.8 - 22nd), scoring defense (18.4 - 21st), total offense (466.4 - 13th), total defense (319.6 - 21st), rushing offense (227.8 - 3rd) and rushing defense (97.3 - 13th). The Vols are one of only four FBS teams who are in the FBS top 15 in both rushing offense and rushing defense, joining Air Force, Oregon and UCLA. They lead the SEC in both categories.
Seven Wins and Counting
Following last weekend's victory over UConn, UT has won at least seven of its first nine games in back-to-back seasons, a first for the program since 2003-04. That's also the last time the Vols won eight of their first 10 contests in back-to-back seasons, which Tennessee will try to do at Missouri this Saturday. With its win at Kentucky on Oct. 28, the Big Orange secured bowl eligibility for the third straight season for the first time since 2014-16. The Vols also reached the six-win mark prior to November for the second consecutive year, marking the first time the program has done so in back-to-back seasons since 1998-99. Prior to last year's 8-0 start after the completion of October, Tennessee had not hit the six-win mark prior to November since 2006.
Causing Havoc
The Vols' defense has lived in opponents' backfields this season, ranking sixth in the FBS and second in the SEC in tackles for loss per game (8.2). Tennessee has posted three games this year with double-digit TFLs, including 13.0 in last Saturday's win over UConn. The Big Orange are also tied for ninth nationally in sacks per game (3.3) and have recorded at least one sack in 13 consecutive contests.
Wright Running Wild
Junior running back Jaylen Wright is having a breakout season for the Vols and has emerged as one of the top rushers in the country. The Durham, North Carolina, native enters Saturday's game tied for the national lead in 100-plus yard rushing games with six. Wright also leads the SEC and ranks second in the FBS in yards per carry (7.51) while leading the league with 30 runs of 10 or more yards.
Last Time Out
Tennessee extended the nation's third-longest home winning streak to 14 with a dominant 59-3 win over UConn on Homecoming in Neyland Stadium. The Vols produced three defensive touchdowns in a game for the first time in school history as defensive end Tyler Baron had a 24-yard scoop-and-score, safety Jaylen McCollough returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half and linebacker Aaron Beasley had a 39-yard pick six one drive later.
Eight different Vols scored in the game, including Wright, who went over 100 yards rushing for an SEC-best sixth time this season, highlighted by an 82-yard touchdown - tying for the ninth-longest rush in UT history - on the second play of the game. Joe Milton III accounted for three touchdowns and was 11-of-14 for 254 yards and two scores through the air - all in the first half. Milton fired the two longest pass plays of the season - a 60-yard TD to Ramel Keyton and an 83-yard TD to Squirrel White. Milton also rushed for a 6-yard TD. Linebacker Elijah Herring was the Vols' leading tackler with eight, while Baron finished with 2.0 tackles for loss. The Vols averaged a Josh Heupel-era high 10.0 yards per play and finished with 650 yards of total offense.
