Volunteers’ trip to College Station delayed Friday as SEC monitors situation; kickoff remains scheduled for Saturday afternoon
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE GameDay Center) — Tennessee’s preparations for a pivotal SEC road game against Texas A&M were disrupted Friday afternoon after a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop affected flights departing for U.S. airports.
The No. 8 Volunteers were scheduled to depart McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville around 4 p.m. Friday for College Station, Texas. However, the FAA’s ground stop came just minutes before the team’s planned departure.
Reports indicated the Tennessee team was already aboard its plane and sitting on the tarmac when the disruption occurred.
There was no immediate timetable for when the flight could depart, leaving the team’s travel plans uncertain as staff explored alternative ways to get the Volunteers to Texas.
The Southeastern Conference said it is monitoring the situation.
The timing creates an added challenge for Tennessee ahead of one of its most important games of the season. A delayed departure or an overnight bus trip could cut into the players’ rest and preparation time before Saturday’s matchup.
As of Friday evening, Saturday’s kickoff remained scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern time at Kyle Field in College Station.
Vols Look to Build on Kentucky Win
Tennessee enters the matchup at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play, looking to build on last weekend’s convincing 34-6 victory over then-No. 6 Kentucky at Neyland Stadium.
The win helped the Volunteers jump five spots to No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, keeping their postseason hopes firmly in the conversation.
Texas A&M enters Saturday’s game with a 4-5 record and a 1-5 mark in conference play.
The matchup will be played at Kyle Field, which has a listed capacity of 102,733.
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