Vols Excited For Home Opener Against Austin Peay

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With Saturday’s home opener against Austin Peay on deck, the 9th-ranked Tennessee football team took Haslam Field Tuesday morning to begin on-field prep for the in-state matchup. The Vols and Governors square off at 5 p.m. ET inside Neyland Stadium for UT’s first home game since Week 10 of the 2022 campaign.
 
Coming off a 49-13 neutral site triumph last week against Virginia in Nashville, Tennessee’s young players remain eager for the opportunity to play in UT’s riverside gridiron cathedral. Twenty-four newcomers saw their first action in Orange & White at Nissan Stadium, and many more look to make their debuts and seize opportunities inside Neyland Stadium donning the “Artful Dodger” Smokey Grey uniforms this weekend.

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks spoke on returning to Neyland and the value of live game reps for Tennessee’s players as the staff continues to develop its roster, which includes back-to-back elite signing classes.
 
“I think every rep is valuable,” Banks said during Tuesday’s media availability. “Obviously, it was great playing in Nissan Stadium, but getting a chance to get back to Neyland is something that everybody is fired up for. Obviously, Austin Peay is coming in here, (a program) that we have a great deal of respect for. People that are in our state, a lot of players from this state are on that team. We know we’re going to have our hands full just to defend these guys and play at the level that we need to play at.”

One player that has seized opportunity this fall is redshirt senior offensive lineman Ollie Lane, who grew up 20 miles from Neyland Stadium in Corryton, Tennessee. The Gibbs High School product made his sixth career start for the Vols and first at center in the season opener, playing 48 clean snaps and helping the Vols pile up 287 rushing yards on the afternoon.
 
“It means a lot,” Lane said. “I think this was career start number six for me, so it means a lot every time I get that opportunity to go out there and not only represent the T, but to represent my hometown of Corryton as well. All of them that have supported me to get to that point are still a huge impact in my life. Any time you get to wear the Orange and White as a kid that grew up watching the Orange and White, it’s an honor and privilege to be able to do it.”