Vols Get Final Non-Conference Game as They Host UConn For Homecoming

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It’s Homecoming week on Rocky Top as No. 19/16 Tennessee will host UConn on Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium following back-to-back road games over the past two weekends.

“We’re continuing to get better,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “We’re looking forward to Homecoming week here. I know it’s a noon kickoff, but I expect our fans to show up and show out in a great way and create a great environment. It’s a great opportunity to welcome back so many of our alumni here, so looking forward to that.”

The Vols will be looking to build off of one of their better offensive performances of the season after racking up 481 total yards in Saturday night’s 33-27 win at Kentucky.

Redshirt senior tackle John Campbell Jr. was named to SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week after helping pave the way for 253 yards on the ground against the SEC’s No. 2 ranked rushing defense.

“He’s grown through the season, and he’s continued to improve,” Heupel said when asked about Campbell’s impact this season. “Being named Co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, that is great recognition for him on how he’s played this week and also on how he’s played throughout the course of this season. He plays extremely physically. He finishes. He looks and plays the part of a Tennessee offensive lineman.”

The explosive backfield duo of Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson were the primary benefactors of UT’s ability to control the line of scrimmage, combining for 195 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win over the Wildcats.

Wright compiled 90 of his 120 rushing yards on just five carries in the first half, which included a season-long 52-yard rushing touchdown on the Vols’ opening drive to set the tone.

“He’s playing exceptional football,” Heupel said. “Big, strong, physical and has the last gear to take it the distance when he gets into the open grass. His efficiency in what we’ve done, just understanding the schemes against the defensive looks that he’s getting. Being able to press it, hit the holes at the right time, and he’s been a really special player.”

Sampson closed the game out for the Big Orange with an incredible fourth quarter performance, converting five clutch first downs in the game’s final nine minutes. He had a nifty 17-yard catch-and-run on third-and-10 and then provided the game-sealing score one play later with a 12-yard burst that gave Tennessee a 33-24 advantage with 7:30 to play.

The ability to consistently run the ball against very stout defenses has been a key component of the Vols’ offensive success this season.

“It’s huge for us,” starting center Cooper Mays said. “I think that’s kind of the identity we wanted to build here. It’s been satisfying to see the running game do what it’s doing. Just super happy with the guys that are behind us. I’ve known for a while that these three guys were going to be really special, and they were going to be really, really good players for us, and they already have been. Just really special what we have going on right there.” 

This Saturday’s Homecoming clash against the Huskies will kick off at noon and be televised on the SEC Network.