The Official #24/18 Tennessee vs. Syracuse Game Thread, 12:00 PM ET, ABC

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YankeeVol

YankeeVol

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Aflac Kickoff



#24/18 Tennessee Volunteers: 0-0 (0-0 SEC)

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vs.

Syracuse Orange: 0-0 (0-0 ACC)

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GAME 1 | AUG. 30, 2025 | 12 P.M. ET | ATLANTA, GA. | MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM (71,000)



Weather
Hi: 80 / Low: 65 // Precip: 41%


Line: UT -13.5
O/U: 51.5


TV: ABC / Watch
Radio: Vol Network (FM 107.7 in Knoxville) / Spanish Broadcast: WNML-AM 990 / Listen / Live Stats
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 81 // Online: Ch. 81


Syracuse Game Notes

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#2
#2

NEED TO KNOW​

Heupel in Season Openers
Josh Heupel will look to remain perfect in season openers as a head coach as he enters Saturday's game against Syracuse with a 7-0 record in such games while outscoring opponents 382-70. Heupel boasts a 4-0 record in season openers with the Vols, outscoring opponents 215-32 and winning all four contests by at least 30 points.

Non-Conference Dominance Under Heupel
The Big Orange will also look to continue their dominance against non-SEC foes in Saturday's opener. UT has won 14 non-conference regular season games in a row dating back to a 56-0 victory over Tennessee Tech on Sept. 18, 2021. The Vols' last non-conference regular season loss was to Pitt on Sept. 11, 2021, in what was Heupel's second game at UT.

Tennessee is 17-3 overall vs. non-SEC foes under Heupel and has outscored non-conference opponents 967-288 in the Heupel era. The Vols have won 14 of their last 15 games overall vs. non-conference competition with the only loss occurring last December at eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

The Orange and White have also won four in a row against non-conference teams at neutral sites with victories against No. 10 Clemson in the 2022 Orange Bowl, Virginia in the 2023 season opener in Nashville, No. 20 Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl in Orlando and NC State in the 2024 Duke's Mayo Classic in Charlotte.

Joey Football Set to Make Tennessee Debut
Tennessee will start a new quarterback for the fourth straight season as graduate transfer Joey Aguilar takes the reins after earning the job in preseason camp. The Vols and Kentucky are the only SEC teams to start a new quarterback for four straight years from 2022-25.
Aguilar's unique timeline includes stops at City College of San Francisco (2019), Diablo Valley Community College in central California (2021-22), Appalachian State (2023-24) and UCLA (spring of 2025). The veteran signal caller heads into the 2025 season as the FBS active career leader in total offense per game (288.5, min. 2,500 yards). He also ranks second in career passing yards per game (270.4) among active FBS players. Aguilar will be making his 25th FBS start in his 26th career FBS game when he takes the field against Syracuse on Saturday.

Defense Setting the Standard
After having one of the nation's top defensive units last season, the Vols will once again look to lean on their talented defense that boasts eight returning starters from a year ago. With multiple time Broyles Award finalist Tim Banks coordinating the defense, UT has held opponents to under 20 points in 11 out of its last 14 games dating back to the 35-0 2024 Citrus Bowl shutout of Iowa. During this stretch, the Vols have pitched three shutouts, including two last season (71-0 vs. Kent State on Sept. 14 and 56-0 vs. UTEP on Nov. 23).
 
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#4
#4

SERIES HISTORY​

Tennessee leads series, 3-0
The Vols and Orange will square off for the fourth time when they take the field on Saturday afternoon. Tennessee will look to remain unbeaten against Syracuse after posting three consecutive victories in the series in 1966, 1998 and 2001.

The last two meetings in the series were both season openers, as well, with UT pulling out a dramatic 34-33 victory on a last second field goal by Jeff Hall in 1998 before shrugging off a slow start to down the Orange, 33-9, at Neyland Stadium in 2001. The first contest between the two programs came in the 1966 Gator Bowl, which ended in an 18-12 Tennessee victory.
 
#5
#5

ABOUT SYRACUSE​

The Orange enter year two under the direction of head coach Fran Brown, who led them to an impressive 10-3 record during his first season at the helm. Despite their success in 2024, Syracuse was picked to finish 12th in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after having to replace four NFL Draft picks and losing double-digit players to the transfer portal in the offseason.

With the departure of record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord, Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli takes over behind center after winning a quarterback battle with LSU transfer Rickie Collins in preseason camp. During his time with the Fighting Irish, Angeli played in 21 games, including appearances in both the national semifinals and championship game of the College Football Playoff. He completed 58-of-80 pass attempts for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.

Junior Darrell Gill Jr. is the top returning wide receiver for the Orange after hauling in 31 receptions for 570 yards (18.4 avg) and two touchdowns. The running back duo of Yasin Willis and Will Nixon return and will look to fill the shoes of departed leading rusher LeQuint Allen, who ran for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

Defensively, redshirt senior safety Duce Chestnut is the team's returning leader in tackles after finishing with 62 a year ago to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Defensive back Devin Grant is also back after filling the stat sheet with 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown in 2024.
 
#6
#6

GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES​

Tailgate Town: Tailgate Town is open from 8-11:30 a.m. and is located at the International Plaza, right outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Gates 2 & 3). Tailgate town features activities, contests, giveaways and tailgating staples including grills, grub and games. Enjoy games the entire family can play and win prizes including game merchandise. This event is FREE to attend.

SEC Nation: The 2025 season debut of SEC Nation will take place in Atlanta prior to Saturday's game between the Vols and Orange. SEC Nation, Marty & McGee and The Paul Finebaum Show will all be live from Tailgate Town – in the International Plaza outside Gate 2 of Mercedes-Benz Stadium – bringing fans all the insight ahead of the weekend slate.

Saturday's coverage begins at 9 a.m. with Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper before SEC Nation starts at 10 a.m. Additionally, The Paul Finebaum Show Presented by Johnsonville, will be live Friday, Aug. 29, from 3-7 p.m.

Team Walk: Tennessee's official team walk into the stadium will begin at The Home Depot Backyard area located on the east side of the stadium at approximately 9:40 a.m.
 
#14
#14
Hope everyone has been exercising your typing fingers. Be sure to stretch out. Remember, this first game is about refining your posting to prep for the season ahead.

Use your most outrageous, unhinged, and inebriated hot takes sparingly. Save your best name-calling for SEC opponent games.

Lllllllet's get ready to ruuuummmmbbbbllleeee.
 
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