Vols Set to Host New Mexico State For 101st Homecoming Game
(utsports.com) Fresh off an open week, No. 21/20/23 Tennessee returns to action for its penultimate home game of the season when it hosts New Mexico State on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. at Neyland Stadium.
Saturday will serve as UT’s 101st Homecoming game. The Vols boast a 77-20-3 on-field record all-time for Homecoming.
The contest will also be Tennessee’s annual Salute to Service game. The Big Orange will honor all military branches and personnel throughout the game and wear their newest Smokey Grey series uniform, the “Volunteer Spirit”, which pays tribute to the United States Armed Forces.
NEED TO KNOW
UT to Debut New “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey Uniforms
Tying into Saturday’s Salute to Service theme, the Vols will don their new “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey uniforms. Tennessee’s defining pillar of service and selfless leadership for more than 200 years, the “Volunteer Spirit” provides the inspiration behind the newest Nike Smokey Grey series football uniform that will honor the United States Armed Forces.
Learn about all the details regarding the “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey uniforms by clicking HERE.
Vols Look to Extend Non-Conference Win Streak
Tennessee puts its non-conference regular season winning streak on the line this Saturday, having won 17 non-SEC regular season games in a row. The current streak dates back to a Sept. 18, 2021, a 56-0 victory versus Tennessee Tech. The Vols’ last non-conference regular season loss was to Pitt on Sept. 11, 2021, in what was Josh Heupel‘s second game at UT.
Aguilar Having Season to Remember
Tennessee’s passing game has been lethal all year long thanks in large part to senior signal caller Joey Aguilar, who ranks in the top 10 nationally in five different categories, including total offense (sixth – 313.6), passing touchdowns (ninth – 21), passing yards per game (fourth – 304.1), passing yards per completion (eighth – 14.04) and passing yards (sixth – 2,737). Aguilar leads the SEC in passing touchdowns, passing yards, passing yards per game, passing yards per completion, and he’s second in total offense and passing efficiency (161.0).
In conference play, Aguilar boasts a league-best 330.7 yards per game passing, and has fired 13 touchdowns in those contests, which is tied with Georgia’s Gunner Stockton for first in the SEC. The California native is the only player in league-only games averaging over 300 yards passing. Alabama’s Ty Simpson is second at 266.5. Aguilar’s 337.3 yards of total offense per game in conference play also ranks No. 1 among SEC players.
Aguilar has passed for more than 390 yards in each of his last two games (at Kentucky, vs. Oklahoma) and has produced four 300-yard passing games this season, which is tied for third in school history and are the most by a Vol in a single-season since Hendon Hooker had four in 2022.
Staley Stealing the Show
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley is having a breakout season in his second year with the program and has been recognized as one of the top freshmen in the nation. Staley was recently named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award and added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
The South Carolina native ranks second among FBS freshmen with 52 catches and leads all FBS freshmen in receiving yards with 703. He is second among FBS freshmen and first among Power Four freshmen in touchdown catches with five, as well. Staley’s playmaking skills have been on display all season as 330 of his 703 receiving yards have come after the catch.
SERIES HISTORY
First Meeting
The Vols and Aggies will square off for the first time when the two sides take the field on Saturday afternoon. This is just the third time that Tennessee has faced an opponent from the state of New Mexico. The Vols played the New Mexico Lobos in Neyland Stadium in 1983 and 1986, winning both contests.
ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE
After getting off to a 3-2 start to the season, the Aggies have dropped four straight entering this weekend’s contest against the Volunteers. They are led by second-year head coach Tony Sanchez.
New Mexico State relies heavily on its passing game and senior quarterback Logan Fife, who has passed for 2,072 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, but has also thrown 11 interceptions. Junior wideout Donovan Faupel is Fife’s top target with a team-best 43 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdowns. Cal transfer running back Kadarius Calloway leads the Aggies rushing attack with 86 carries for 313 yards and three scores.
Redshirt sophomore safety Naeten Mitchell leads NMSU on the defensive side of the ball with 70 total tackles, four pass breakups, three interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles. Fresno State transfer defensive lineman Ezra Christensen has been a disruptive force, as well, with a team-leading nine tackles for loss and six sacks on the year.
