KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Vols and Mountaineers will play each other for the first time in Thursday night’s opener at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

This is the first Thursday night home game for Tennessee since 1938, when the Vols defeated Kentucky 46-0. The last Thursday home opener for Tennessee was in 1896 when the Vols defeated Williamsburg Institute 10-6.

You know about Appalachian State’s reputation as a college football giant-killer. Here are five things you might not know about the Mountaineers.

1. No stranger to winning

The Mountaineers have won 17 of their past 19 games dating to the 2014 season. Their only two losses were at Clemson (41-10) and against Arkansas State (40-27).

The Mountaineers ended the 2015 season with their first bowl victory in their first bowl appearance.

Appalachian State moved from FCS to FBS following the 2013 season. During their FCS tenure, the Mountaineers won three consecutive national championships from 2005-2007.

2. Preseason accolades

Appalachian State was the preseason pick to win the Sun Belt Conference and also tabbed with both of the league’s preseason players of the year in running back Marcus Cox and linebacker John Law.

Dec 19, 2015; Montgomery, AL, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Marcus Cox (14) is grabbed from behind by Ohio Bobcats safety Devin Jones (13) in the 2015 Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Mountaineers and defending league champion, Arkansas State, tied with five first-place votes, but Appalachian State had a four-point edge (114-110) in total points.

Cox enters the season with 4,088 career yards and has rushed for 1,000-yards in each of his first three seasons. Cox is 716 yards shy in becoming Appalachian State’s all-time leading rusher. Law has 236 career tackles and recorded four sacks and 9.5 TFLs in 2015.

3. QB Taylor Lamb is their Josh Dobbs

Third-year starting quarterback Taylor Lamb has made 23 consecutive starts heading into the 2016 season. Lamb accounted for 36 TDs last season (31 pass, 5 rush) with only nine interceptions.

The junior quarterback has thrown for 4,745 yards and has rushed for 919 yards during his time in Boone, N.C. Lamb has recorded six games in which he has scored both a passing and rushing touchdown in the same game.

4. They return 17 starters, too

Appalachian State returns 17 starters from their 2015 squad that finished 11-2. On top of returning a starting quarterback and running back, Shaedon Meadors, 6-2, 185, is the leading returning receiver. The junior receiver reeled in 21 catches for 439 yards. Left guard Parker Collins and right tackle Colby Gossett are the returning offensive linemen who started all 13 games in 2015.

Nine starters on defense return after finishing 11th in the nation last year. The Mountaineers return six defensive linemen who played in 12 or more games in 2015. Seven linebackers and six defensive backs who played in at least 11 games also return.

As far as the specialists, Appalachian State returns senior punter Bentlee Critcher and replace outgoing kicker Zach Matics.

5. Appalachian State vs. the SEC

Appalachian State is 0-5 against the SEC, and each game was on the road.

1999 – at Auburn (L, 22-15)
2005 – at LSU (L, 24-0)
2008 – at LSU (L, 41-13)
2010 – at Florida (L, 48-10)
2013 – at Georgia (L, 45-6)

Appalachian State played South Carolina nine times before the Gamecocks joined the SEC. The Mountaineers went 1-8, winning in 1975.