NEED TO KNOW
Record-Setting Start
Tennessee has outscored its opponents 191-13 through the first three games of the 2024 campaign. The plus-178 point differential through three games is the largest in SEC history and second-most by any FBS team in the AP Poll era (since 1936). Baylor's 2013 team was first at plus-186.
The Vols have scored 50-plus points in the first three games of a season for just the second time in school history and first since 1913. That year, UT beat Carson-Newman 58-0, Athens 95-0 and Maryville 75-0. UT joined 2018 Alabama as the only SEC programs to accomplish the 50-point feat in the AP Poll era.
Dominant Defense Continues
The Vols have gone 16 consecutive quarters - four full games - without allowing an offensive touchdown, which is tied with Georgia for the longest current streak in the nation. The 16-quarter run without allowing an offensive touchdown is tied for the third-longest streak in school history and longest overall for UT since keeping its opponent out the end zone in 18 consecutive quarters across five games from 1965-66.
The four-game streak without allowing an offensive touchdown is the longest for UT since shutting out 15-straight opponents from Nov. 5, 1938 to Dec. 9, 1939, under Gen. Robert Neyland. The current streak began with the first quarter of the 2024 Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa.
This season, opponents have scored only via an interception return (NC State) and two field goals. In the FBS this season, the Vols are second in the nation in both total defense (160.7 ypg) and third in scoring defense (4.3 ppg). UT is one of only three FBS programs to not allow an offensive touchdown this season, joining Georgia and Ohio State.
Oklahoma Connections
Tennessee's staff has no shortage of connections to the University of Oklahoma with four on-field coaches having either played and/or coached for the Sooners in the past. Head coach Josh Heupel returns to his alma mater, as the 2001 OU graduate quarterbacked the Sooners to their last national championship in 2000 and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. From 1999-2000, Heupel posted a 20-5 record, passing for 7,456 yards and 53 touchdowns. Overall, in program history, he still ranks fifth in passing yards and fifth in touchdown passes. The 2000 consensus first-team All-American guided the Sooners to a perfect season, capped with a 13-2 win over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl.
Heupel spent 11 years as an assistant at Oklahoma. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant from 2003-04, in which the Sooners reached the national title game both seasons. He then served as quarterbacks coach from 2006-14. He also served as co-offensive coordinator for OU from 2011-14 and coached Heisman Trophy winners Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008). In total as an assistant and as a player, Heupel owned a 137-36 (.792) record at Oklahoma with 10 10-win seasons and seven Big 12 championships.
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle is a two-time graduate of OU and played quarterback for the Sooners from 2006-08 under Heupel. Halzle got his coaching start at Oklahoma as a graduate assistant and offensive quality control assistant from 2009-14 and was part of five Big 12 championship teams.
Special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler was a defensive graduate assistant at OU with Heupel from 2003-04 and secondary coach Willie Martinez coached defensive backs for the Sooners from 2010-11.
Must-See Vols, ESPN College GameDay
ESPN College GameDay will be on hand in Norman for this Saturday's ranked showdown between the Vols and Sooners. It will be Tennessee's 25th appearance all-time on the show and its fourth during the Heupel era. The Big Orange are 2-1 in their previous three games under Heupel when College GameDay is on-site.
