Tennessee one win away from national championship game
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
No. 1 Tennessee (10-0) rugby will play for its second national championship game appearance in the last five years on Saturday.
The Vols will host No. 4 Texas A&M at Tennessee Rugby Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.
Tennessee defeated Sam Houston State, 20-0, in the Elite Eight on Nov. 22, advancing to face the Aggies in the Final Four.
Scott Tungay is in his fourth season as Tennessee’s head coach. He previewed the national semifinal matchup.
"We had some big wins against Ohio State, Clemson, Kentucky, LSU, so it has been a great season for us," Tungay said. "It is a strong Aggies’ team. We are going to back our game plan and the boys are feeling pretty confident going in. We are pretty healthy as a team, as well. Usually this late in the season, there are a lot of injuries. We still have the majority of the team healthy and available, which has been a huge part of our success in the playoffs."
Tungay replaced Marty Bradley as head coach following the 2021 season. Bradley guided Tennessee to a national championship in 2021 and has served as the Vols’ director of rugby since 2022.
Tungay discussed becoming a first-time head coach at Tennessee and rebuilding the Vols' program back into competing for national championships.
"I think even growing as a coach, I was an attack coach, more like an offensive coordinator with football terminology, I was an attack coach with the Kentucky program and then coming here as a first time head coach learning the ropes, learning the killer instinct, it has taken a few seasons to build a winning team and recruiting, but I have definitely learned a lot from Marty and Butch (Robertson)," Tungay said. "It has been a special season for us and a lot of stuff has came together."
The winner between Tennessee and Texas A&M will face either No. 2 Louisville or No. 7 Bowling Green on Dec. 13 in Houston, Texas.
Tennessee defeated Bowling Green, 36-31, in the 2021 national championship game.
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee will host Texas A&M, one win away from national title game
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos