The thing about a UAB football vs Tennessee Volunteers football matchup is that it usually feels like a foregone conclusion. On paper, it is. You have the massive SEC powerhouse from Knoxville—a program with a stadium that seats over 100,000 screaming fans—taking on a Birmingham team that, not too long ago, literally ceased to exist for a few years. It’s the classic "buy game" dynamic.
But if you’ve actually watched these games, you know the score doesn't always tell the whole story.
Honestly, the 2025 meeting was a perfect example of why these matchups are kinda fascinating. Tennessee walked away with a 56-24 win, and yeah, that looks like a blowout. But it was also a weird afternoon where UAB’s Jalen Kitna threw for over 360 yards while his running game essentially got stuck in a blender. It was a game of extremes that perfectly encapsulated the history between these two programs.
The 2025 Showdown: Dominance and Defensive Walls
When UAB traveled to Knoxville on September 20, 2025, they were walking into a buzzsaw. Tennessee was coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to Georgia and they were looking to take their frustration out on someone. That "someone" happened to be the Blazers.
Tennessee’s offense under Josh Heupel is basically a track meet with pads on. They score fast. Like, "don't go to the concession stand or you’ll miss two touchdowns" fast.
Quick Hits from the Recent Matchup
- Joey Aguilar's Efficiency: The Vols QB went 15 of 22 for 218 yards and three scores. He basically did his job and then sat on the bench for most of the second half.
- The Ground Game: Tennessee racked up 235 rushing yards. DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and Star Thomas all found the end zone.
- UAB's Passing Bright Spot: Jalen Kitna actually had a massive day through the air with 364 yards. Brandon Hawkins Jr. and Kaleb Brown both caught long touchdowns.
- The Rushing Nightmare: UAB was held to just 23 net rushing yards. You aren't winning many games in the SEC footprint with that stat.
The first half was a massacre. 42-7 at the break. But UAB didn't just quit. They kept slinging the ball, and if you’re a Blazers fan, you at least saw a passing attack that could compete. The problem was the Tennessee defense, led by Tim Banks, which recorded its lowest rushing total allowed in the Heupel era.
Why UAB Football vs Tennessee Volunteers Football is More Than a Blowout
Historically, Tennessee has never lost to UAB. The record sits at 6-0 in favor of the Vols. But it hasn't always been a 30-point margin. If you go back to 2010, you'll find the game that almost changed everything for the UAB program.
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September 25, 2010. Neyland Stadium.
UAB, led by quarterback Bryan Ellis, pushed the Vols to the absolute brink. It was a 32-29 double-overtime thriller that still haunts some of the older Tennessee faithful. The Blazers trailed 23-7 at the half but roared back with two-point conversions and a relentless defense. It took a Matt Sims 25-yard touchdown pass in the second overtime to save Tennessee from what would have been one of the biggest upsets in school history.
That game proved that the Blazers aren't just a "directional school" you can overlook.
The 2005 meeting was another nail-biter. Tennessee was ranked No. 3 in the country at the time. They won 17-10, but the Blazers’ defense held a high-powered Vols offense scoreless for the entire second half. It was ugly, gritty, and way closer than anyone in Knoxville wanted it to be.
The Evolving Identity of the Programs
Tennessee is currently in a renaissance. Since Josh Heupel took over in 2021, the program has regained its status as a national contender. They play with a pace that is frankly exhausting to watch. In the 2025 game, they averaged a touchdown drive every couple of minutes in the first quarter. That’s the "Heupel Effect."
On the other side, UAB is still carving out its place in the American Conference. The 2025 season saw them under the leadership of a new defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, and they've been trying to find a balance between a high-flying passing game and a defense that doesn't leak points.
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The disparity in resources is real. Tennessee's NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) collective is one of the most powerful in the nation. They can recruit elite talent like Mike Matthews and Chris Brazzell II. UAB has to be more "scrappy." They find gems in the transfer portal or overlooked high schoolers who have a chip on their shoulder.
Tactical Takeaways: What the Numbers Say
If you look at the 2025 stats, you see the blueprint for how Tennessee beats teams like UAB. They don't just beat you; they overwhelm your depth.
- First Quarter Pressure: Tennessee outscored opponents 83-7 in the first quarter through their first four games of 2025. They start fast to break the opponent's spirit.
- Rushing Defense: Holding an opponent to 23 yards on 19 carries is elite. It forces the other team to become one-dimensional, which is why Kitna had to throw 51 times.
- Third Down Conversion: Tennessee converted 7 of 13 third downs. UAB was just 5 of 15. That’s how you keep drives alive and tire out a defense.
UAB actually had more passing yards (371 vs 275) and more time of possession (nearly 34 minutes). Usually, if you win those two categories, you’re in the game. But Tennessee’s explosive plays—like Kaleb Beasley’s 23-yard fumble return and the 32-yard TD run by Peyton Lewis—neutralized the Blazers' steady progress.
Looking Ahead: Will We See This Again?
Scheduled matchups between these two aren't an every-year occurrence. UAB’s future schedules are filled with regional rivals like Troy and Samford, while Tennessee is focused on the gauntlet of the expanded SEC.
However, these games serve a purpose. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to refine the "system" before heading into the meat of the SEC schedule (like their 2025 trip to Alabama that followed shortly after). For UAB, it’s a massive payday for the athletic department and a chance for their players to play on the biggest stage in college football.
If you're a fan looking for "actionable" ways to follow this series or similar matchups, here is what you should do:
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Keep an eye on the transfer portal trends for UAB. They often pick up SEC-caliber talent that didn't get enough playing time at bigger schools, which is exactly how they stay competitive in these "guarantee" games.
Check the opening lines. Historically, UAB has been a decent bet to cover the spread against Tennessee, even if they don't win the game. The 2010 and 2005 games were much closer than the Vegas experts predicted.
Watch the "middle" of the Tennessee schedule. The Vols often schedule these games right before or after a massive rivalry game (like Florida or Alabama). This is when they are most vulnerable to a "look-ahead" or "let-down" performance.
The UAB vs Tennessee story is one of David vs. Goliath, where David occasionally has a really good sling, even if Goliath usually wins by 30.
To get a better feel for the atmosphere at these games, you should look up highlights of the 2010 double-overtime finish; it remains the gold standard for how exciting a non-conference "buy game" can actually be when the underdog refuses to go away. Also, tracking the recruitment of players like Joey Aguilar and Jalen Kitna provides a clear window into how the talent gap is managed between the SEC and the American Conference.