The Official #16 Tennessee @ South Carolina Game Thread, 7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

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YankeeVol

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#16 Tennessee Volunteers: 0-0 (0-0 SEC)

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South Carolina Gamecocks: 0-0 (0-0 SEC)

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GAME 1 | SEPT. 26, 2020 | 7:30 P.M. ET | COLUMBIA, S.C. | WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM (80,250)


Weather: Hi: 85 / Low: 67 // Precip: 6%
Line: UT -3.5
O/U: 44


TV: SEC Network / Watch
Radio:
Vol Network / Listen
Satellite Radio:
Sirius Ch. 83 // XM Ch. 83 // Online: Ch. 83
Online: ESPN App

South Carolina Game Notes
 
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Season Opener Info

Tennessee's season opener at South Carolina will kick off a 10-game conference only slate for the 2020 season. The Sept. 26 opener is the latest on the calendar for the Vols since opening the 1962 campaign on Sept. 29 against Auburn. It's also the first time UT will begin a season against an SEC team since facing Georgia on Sept. 3, 1988.

The Vols are 91-26-6 all-time in season openers. Saturday's contest will also mark the first time Tennessee has opened a season with a true road game since facing UCLA in Pasadena on Sept. 1, 2008.
 
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The Streak

The Vols finished the 2019 season as one of the hottest teams in college football, posting six straight victories to end the year, capped off by a thrilling comeback win over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

UT's six-game winning streak is the fifth-longest in the FBS and the third-longest in the Power 5. The streak began with last season's win over South Carolina on Oct. 26. Tennessee has claimed three consecutive wins away from Neyland Stadium during the streak, as well.
 
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Palmetto State Vols

This Saturday's game will serve as a homecoming of sorts for four Tennessee players. Defensive backs Bryce Thompson and Kenney Solomon, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and punter Paxton Brooks all hail from the Palmetto State.

Thompson and Hyatt both starred at Dutch Fork High School located in Irmo, which is just 12 miles northwest of Columbia. Brooks' hometown of Lexington is also just 12 miles from South Carolina's campus.
 
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Preseason Honors
A host of Volunteers have garnered preseason accolades this year. Trey Smith has been the headliner with numerous preseason honors to his credit, including unanimous preseason All-America recognition.

Tennessee had five players named to both the Preseason All-SEC coaches and media teams, which is the most since 2016.

Preseason All-SEC Team Selections

For a complete list of UT players who have earned preseason honors, check Page 5 of the game notes.
 
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Series History: South Carolina

Vols lead series, 26-10-2 (9-7-2 in Columbia)
The Vols snapped a three-game losing streak to the Gamecocks last season, scoring a pair of special teams touchdowns en route to a convincing 41-21 victory that jump started the six-game winning streak to end the year.

Despite the overall success against South Carolina, Tennessee will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Gamecocks in Columbia, where the Vols haven't won since a 45-42 overtime victory in 2014.
 
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About South Carolina

The Gamecocks, who enter year five under the leadership of head coach Will Muschamp, are looking to rebound from a disappointing season in 2019 that saw them lose five of their final six games to finish 4-8. South Carolina was picked to finish fifth in the eastern division in the SEC preseason poll.

USC finished towards the bottom of the league in total offense (371.9) and total defense (393.3) last season but did a good job limiting turnovers, committing just 14 all year, which was good for fifth in the SEC and 20th in the country.

South Carolina boasts five Preseason All-SEC selections in offensive lineman Sadarius Hutcherson, defensive backs Israel Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn, defensive lineman Aaron Sterling and linebacker Ernest Jones.

Despite returning their leading passer from last season in sophomore signal caller Ryan Hilinski, the Gamecocks have opted to start Colorado State grad transfer Colin Hill at quarterback for the season opener. Hill has played in 18 games while making 11 starts throughout his collegiate career, completing 263-of-433 passes for 3,323 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He is also familiar with new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who coached him at Colorado State.

Defensively, it'll be Jones and Mukuamu leading the way for the Gamecocks. Jones led the team with 97 tackles from his MIKE linebacker spot a year ago, adding 5.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions, as well. Mukuamu led the team with four interceptions and had nine pass breakups to go along with 59 tackles in 2019.
 
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