SPORTS LEDGER July 2024 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 1B The
Tennessee Football Looking For Ten Win Season In 2024 By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Last fall the University will begin that quest with a home game against UT Chattanooga at 11:45 CT on August 31. The following week,
of Tennessee led the Southeastern Conference with a total home game attendance of 713,405, which is an average of over 101,000 fans at each game in Neyland Stadium. The 2023 season marked the first time since 2006 that the Volunteers sold out every home game. Josh Heupel’s team gave the Vol Nation something to cheer about all season, as the program won nine games and finished with a No. 17 ranking in the AP and AFCA Coaches Poll. Overall, the Volunteers were 9-4, with the four losses coming against SEC foes Florida, Alabama, Missouri and Georgia, all of which finished in the top eight of the final polls. Tennessee closed out the last season with a 35-0 shutout over Iowa in the program’s first Citrus Bowl appearance in decades. The win marked the Vols’ first shutout victory in a bowl game since the 1957 Gator Bowl, when Tennessee defeated Texas A&M 3-0. The nine win 2023 season catapulted Tennessee to 20 victories over the past two years, representing the winningest stretch for the program since the 2003-04 seasons. This fall, the Volunteers will be looking to pick up at least 10 wins and reach postseason play. Tennessee
Tennessee with be at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC for a neutral site match-up against NC State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 CT on September 7. The Volunteers will return home on September 14 to host Kent State, before opening up SEC action at conference newcomer Oklahoma on September 21 in Norman, OK. Following an open week, Tennessee will travel to Arkansas on October 5, before returning to Neyland Stadium for four straight SEC games. The Volunteers will host Florida on October 12 and head into the annual third weekend of October rivalry against Alabama on October 19. Tennessee with be under lights for home games against Kentucky on November 2 and against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 9. On November 16 the Volunteers will head to Athens, GA for what could be one of the most anticipated games of the season against the UGA Bulldogs. Tennessee will close out its 2024 home season against UTEP at noon on November 23, before closing out the year at in- state rival Vanderbilt on November 30.
Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
Saban Field Dedication is September 7 Conceptional rendering of the exterior of Saban Field at Byant-Denny Stadium.
since 2008, the Crimson Tide was 37-15 overall against top- 10 teams. Alabama was also ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 15 straight years (2008- 22), which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92). “We are thrilled to honor Coach Saban with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium,” said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. “He is one of the greatest coaches of all time, impacting countless lives far beyond football. What he and Ms. Terry mean to The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa community is immeasurable. They continue to be tremendous ambassadors, and we look forward to celebrating with them in September.” Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners, joining Notre Dame's Frank Leahy for the most in college football history. He is the only coach to ever have Heisman Trophy winners at three different positions (RB, WR, QB). Additionally, Crimson Tide players secured 60 national individual awards. Under his watch, 66 All-America honors were won by 58 different individuals from 2008-2023. Eight players were named two-time All-Americans along with 46 consensus honors and 25 unanimous selections. Will Anderson Jr. became the first two-time unanimous All-American in Alabama history. Saban's success also translated to NFL success for his players with a record 49 players chosen in the first round of the draft (44 at Alabama). His Alabama players have been paid over $2 billion over the last 16 NFL seasons. Off the field, Alabama football saw a total of 656 degrees earned, including 103 master's degrees. Through the Nick's Kids Foundation over $13 million has been distributed to students, teachers and children's causes at over 150 charities since the Sabans’ arrival in Tuscaloosa. Also, 21 homes have been built in the community through Habitat for Humanity.
The University of Alabama will formally recognize seven-time national champion head football coach Nick Saban by naming the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in his honor. The Honorary Degrees and Recognition Committee of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution on July 19 approving the naming honor, and the Board of Trustees will formally adopt the resolution and present it to Saban at its September meeting. The dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will take place on Saturday, September 7 at halftime of the Crimson Tide’s football game versus South Florida. "We are humbled that The University of Alabama has honored us with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant- Denny Stadium,” said Saban. “The remarkable success that the football program has achieved over the past 17 years is a reflection of the hard work of many student-athletes, coaches and staff. Being leader of the process at Alabama has been the greatest privilege of my life. Terry and I are grateful for the naming of Saban Field, which forever celebrates our accomplishments." Saban coached for 28 years at the collegiate level and won six of his seven national championships at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017 and 2020). He compiled a 297- 71-1 (.806) collegiate coaching record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa. Saban’s teams won a combined 11 SEC titles, nine of which came with the Crimson Tide. “Dedicating the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Saban Field is a fitting way to honor Coach Saban's extraordinary contributions to The University of Alabama,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “Coach Saban and Ms. Terry have significantly enriched our community, and this recognition celebrates their lasting legacy. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for bestowing this great honor.” In his six national championship seasons at Alabama, Saban’s teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and,
Jax State will take on a Southeastern Conference opponent during the 2026 season. Athletic Director Greg Seitz announced that the Gamecocks will travel south to Auburn on September 26, 2026 to take on the Tigers for the first time since the 2015 season when the host Tigers came away with a 27-20 overtime win. "We're very excited about the opportunity to return to the Plains and play Auburn in 2026," said Seitz. "This will be a great experience for our football program, fans and alumni to watch the Gamecocks in Jordan-Hare Stadium. This is the second non-league opponent announced by Jax State for 2026, joining a home game against Georgia Southern the week prior to heading to Auburn. The Gamecocks are coming off one of the most successful FBS debut seasons in history, posting a 9-4 record and winning the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 2024 season begins on August 29 at AmFirst Stadium against Coastal Carolina on CBS Sports Network. Jax State Football To Play Auburn
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Alabama Football Attends SEC Media Day First Year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, along with Tyler Booker, Jalen Milroe and Malachi Moore, traveled to Dallas, TX to participate in the 2024 Southeastern Conference Football Kickoff Media Days. The Crimson Tide is set to kickoff the DeBoer Era on Saturday, August 31 against Western Kentucky at Bryant Denny Stadium at 6 p.m. Alabama will remain in Tuscaloosa the following week for a home game against UCF. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The Crimson Tide will travel to Wisconsin on Sept. 14, before opening SEC action at home against Georgia on Sept. 28.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Jax State celebrates winning the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl this past season.
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