KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — South Alabama plays at Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium, its first meeting with the Volunteers since 2013.
The Jaguars (5-5, 2-5 Sun Belt) need one more win to become bowl eligible and are 28.5-point underdogs against the Volunteers (5-5, 3-4 SEC). South Alabama closes the regular season next week at home against Coastal Carolina.
Loss at Appalachian State
South Alabama lost 31-7 at Appalachian State last Saturday. The Jaguars’ defense forced three turnovers and added a fourth on special teams, but the offense did not turn any of them into points. Appalachian State scored off both South Alabama turnovers, the last on a 100-yard return of a tipped interception.
South Alabama went for it on fourth-and-3 at the Appalachian State 5-yard line and failed to convert, and the Mountaineers drove for a field goal and a 17-7 lead. The Jaguars converted two of five fourth-down attempts. On his radio show Monday, head coach Kane Wommack said the staff believed it needed big plays on the road against a good team and needed touchdowns rather than field goals.
Kicker Diego Guajardo hit the left upright on a 40-yard attempt after a high snap. The Jaguars rushed for 58 yards on 33 carries.
South Alabama opened the season 3-0 but has dealt with numerous injuries, particularly on the offensive line. Center James Jackson returned from a four-game absence with a knee injury against Appalachian State but left a few plays later. Hadon Merchant and Josh McCulloch have also been sidelined, and Anterrious Gray was ejected against the Mountaineers. Walk-on Reggie Smith replaced Gray at right guard.
Tennessee Under Josh Heupel
Josh Heupel is in his first season at Tennessee, which went 3-7 last season. The Volunteers played No. 1 Georgia closely for part of last Saturday’s game before losing 41-17. Tennessee’s recent losses also include Alabama and Ole Miss.
Heupel’s up-tempo offense relies on pre-snap reads, a power running game and vertical passes to the outside, along with a high rate of screens and run-pass options. At UCF, his teams threw 63 percent of the time against single-high safety looks.
Volunteers Offense
Tennessee averages 36.1 points, 450.6 total yards, 200.9 rushing yards and 249.7 passing yards per game. The Vols have converted 63 of 139 third downs (45.3 percent) and 10 of 21 fourth downs and have scored on 35 of 41 red zone trips, with 27 touchdowns. They have 11 turnovers, eight on fumbles. Tennessee averages 24:23 in time of possession.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker has completed 153 of 223 passes for 2,138 yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he has rushed for 465 yards and four touchdowns. Tiyon Evans leads the team with 525 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 81 carries in seven games, and Jabari Small has 436 yards and four touchdowns.
Cedric Tillman leads the receivers with 46 catches for 725 yards and six touchdowns. Velus Jones Jr. has 44 catches for 597 yards and six touchdowns, and JaVonta Payton has 15 catches for 373 yards and six touchdowns.
Volunteers Defense and Special Teams
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who spent the previous five seasons as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State, runs a 4-2-5 scheme. Tennessee allows 29.5 points, 424.9 total yards, 165.4 rushing yards and 259.5 passing yards per game. Opponents have converted 80 of 167 third downs (47.9 percent) and have scored on 37 of 39 red zone trips, with 31 touchdowns. The Vols have 12 takeaways, including nine interceptions.
Linebacker Jeremy Banks leads the team with 89 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception. Byron Young has eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, and Jaylen McCollough leads with three interceptions.
Kicker Chase McGrath has made all 46 extra points and 10 of 13 field goals with a long of 48. Punter Paxton Brooks averages 44.8 yards on 36 punts with a long of 64.
South Alabama Offense
South Alabama averages 26.4 points, 377.5 total yards, 127.3 rushing yards and 250.2 passing yards per game. The Jaguars have converted 50 of 147 third downs (34 percent) and 21 of 33 fourth downs (64 percent) and have scored on 33 of 42 red zone trips, with 28 touchdowns. They have allowed 21 sacks and committed 17 turnovers, and they average 32:22 in time of possession.
Desmond Trotter has completed 42 of 72 passes for 380 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions while starting in place of Jake Bentley, who suffered a partially torn MCL against Troy. Bentley was seen dressed and working out this week. His availability is uncertain. Bentley is 3-0 in his career against Tennessee.
Jalen Tolbert leads the receivers with 65 catches for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. Jalen Wayne has 42 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns, Caullin Lacy has 36 catches for 274 yards and tight end Lincoln Sefcik has 27 catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
Terrion Avery leads the rushers with 498 yards and a touchdown on 129 carries. Bryan Hill has 308 yards and three touchdowns on 75 carries in eight games, and Kareem Walker has 257 yards and four touchdowns on 70 carries in six games.
South Alabama Defense and Special Teams
South Alabama allows 23 points, 320.4 total yards, 119 rushing yards and 201.4 passing yards per game. Opponents have converted 44 of 139 third downs (32 percent) and have scored on 24 of 34 red zone trips, with 17 touchdowns. The Jaguars have 24 sacks and 22 takeaways, 14 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Guajardo has made 30 of 32 extra points and 10 of 15 field goals. Punter Jack Brooks averages 42.8 yards on 45 punts with a long of 54.
Previous Meeting
Tennessee beat South Alabama 31-24 in Knoxville in 2013 in the only previous meeting between the programs. South Alabama’s most recent win over an SEC opponent came at Mississippi State in 2016.
