COL FB: Tennessee 17, UAB 10

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The third-ranked Tennessee Vols survived what would have been a big-time upset Saturday when they edged Alabama-Birmingham, 17-10, in their season opener.

Gerald Riggs Jr. ran for 110 yards on 23 carries and Rick Clausen threw for 217 yards and a touchdown while completing 17 of 24 passes for the Volunteers, who won their 11th straight season-opener.

Erik Ainge, hit 5-of-14 passes for 57 yards and a TD and two interceptions for Tennessee, which next faces 11th-ranked Florida in two weeks.

Darrell Hackney completed 27-of-38 passes for 282 yards with a touchdown and an interception for UAB, which lost a season-opener for just the second time in six years.