Tennessee's front seven is aiming to put some heavy pressure on UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney on Saturday.

That's only part of its task.

If the Vols can get to Hackney, they need to bring him to the Neyland Stadium turf.

"If you can tackle him," UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "That's been the thing, that people have been able to pressure him from time to time and not put him on the ground.

"He's a big, strong guy who does a great job, but defending the pass starts with being able to pressure, whether you're pressuring with five, six, seven, or whether you're pressuring with four."

Hackney is definitely big and strong.

He was pushing 265 pounds last season.

He trimmed down to 241 before the start of preseason workouts.

He is listed at 6-foot-1, 240 pounds for Saturday's game.

The Vols know one thing - he's big.

"Yeah, he's big," defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona said. "I think they say he's 230. I think he's heavier than that, 260 maybe, 250, give or take. We definitely know that he is (big). The bigger you are, the harder you are to tackle."

Hackney put up some big numbers last season.

He led Conference USA in passing yards with 3,070 and tied for first in touchdown passes with 26. He needs 714 yards to break the program's career record for passing yards (7,420).

"He's a really big guy," UT defensive end Jason Hall said. "He has a great arm, great accuracy, he's been surrounded by some really good receivers the past few years. He looks impressive on tape."

Hackney, who completed 55 percent of his passes last year and was intercepted eight times, is on the watch list for three awards this season - the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, and the Maxwell Award to the nation's collegiate player of the year.

The Vols don't want Hackney getting off to a big start in the season opener.

"You give him enough time to throw the football and there's going to be an opening," Chavis said. "It has to be steady pressure. It doesn't have to be great pressure on every snap but it has to be steady. You can't give him enough time to get set and feel comfortable back there."