Tennessee hits $1.6 million tune-up with New Mexico State at the right time

Jeff Hauser

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Tennessee hits $1.6 million tune-up with New Mexico State at the right time image

No. 23 Tennessee returns home Saturday for a non-conference matchup with New Mexico State, a tune-up opportunity before closing the season with rivalry games against Florida and Vanderbilt.

The Volunteers (6-3) boast the nation’s top offense at 504.1 yards per game and rank third nationally in scoring at 43.6 points per contest. 

Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar has thrown for 2,737 yards and 21 touchdowns, while DeSean Bishop leads a balanced rushing attack with 690 yards and nine scores. Tennessee’s tempo-heavy offense also ranks 18th nationally on third down, converting 48.1% of the time.

However, the Vols remain a work in progress on defense. Tennessee is 98th in total defense and 126th in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 93.5% of their trips. That could give New Mexico State (3-6) some opportunities, as the Aggies rank 48th in red-zone efficiency.

New Mexico State enters averaging just 303 yards per game, one of the lowest marks in the FBS. Quarterback Logan Fife has thrown for 2,070 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while Donovan Faupel leads the receiving corps with 503 yards. The Aggies struggle to run the ball, ranking 136th nationally at 69.2 yards per game.

Tennessee is coming off a 33-27 loss to Oklahoma in which Aguilar threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns. The Vols are expected to use Saturday to reset and potentially evaluate depth pieces, including whether freshmen quarterbacks George MacIntyre or Jake Merklinger earn extended snaps behind Aguilar.

The Vols are paying the Aggies $1.6 million for the contest at Neyland Stadium. It's part of the $3.8 the program is spending on non-conference games this year.

Tennessee faces New Mexico State on Saturday (4:15 p.m. ET, SECN). 

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News Correspondent