NEED TO KNOW
Neyland at Night
Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first night game in Neyland Stadium. On Sept. 16, 1972, No. 7 Tennessee topped Joe Paterno's No. 6 Penn State, 28-21. Saturday's battle against the Zips will be the second night game for the Vols this season after defeating Ball State, 59-10, in the season opener.
Takeaways
Tennessee's defense has forced multiple turnovers in three straight games dating back to last season. They have collected at least one interception in four straight contests, which is UT's longest streak since doing it in five consecutive games in 2018. The Vols have recorded four takeaways thus far this season, which ranks tied for fourth in the SEC.
Putting Up Points
A year after setting a school-record for points in a season and becoming the FBS' most improved offense (No. 7, 39.3 ppg), Tennessee has picked up where it left off. The Vols are averaging 46.5 points per game, which is No. 1 in the SEC and No. 14 in the FBS. UT has put up at least 30 points in five straight games. The Big Orange average 492.5 yards per game of total offense this season, a mark that ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 23 in the FBS.
Vols in the Polls
Tennessee is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the second straight week, while making its debut in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Vols are No. 15 in the AP and No. 16 in the Coaches. It's UT's first top-15 ranking since Oct. 4, 2020, when the Vols assumed the No. 14 spot after besting Missouri, 35-12.
Josh Heupel's UCF teams were ranked a total of 27 weeks in his three seasons in Orlando. Their highest ranking in the Heupel era was No. 7 when it played in the 2018 AAC Championship Game and then the Fiesta Bowl.
UT holds two wins over top-20 teams in the Heupel era with both coming on the road. The Vols defeated No. 18/17 Kentucky, 45-42, last season in Lexington, and they topped No. 17/14 Pitt, 34-27, in overtime on Sept. 10. That victory was UT's first over a ranked non-conference opponent on the road since it beat No. 6 Miami, 10-6, on Nov. 8, 2003, in Orange Bowl Stadium.
Beasley Bringing the Boom
Senior linebacker Aaron Beasley has been all over the field for the Vols to start the season, leading the team with 22 total tackles and ranking second in the SEC with 11.0 tackles per game. The Georgia native led all players and tied a career high with 14 tackles in Tennessee's road victory over Pitt last weekend. He also added a tackles for loss, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries in the win over the Panthers.
