The Tennessee football team is set to play its road matchup against Texas A&M as scheduled despite significant travel disruptions on Nov. 13.
The Volunteers were originally slated to depart Knoxville at 4 p.m., but their flight was grounded by a nationwide FAA emergency order, as reported by local news outlets.
The FAA cited extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns linked to an air traffic control issue, which forced all departing aircraft to remain grounded until further notice.
The team initially left the airport at 6:01 p.m. but returned to the university football facility to await further instructions, according to football SID Bill Martin.
After the ground stop ended at 8:30 p.m., the team returned to the airport shortly after 9 p.m. to begin their journey to College Station, Texas.
The Vols were finally able to depart Knoxville at 9:39 p.m. and were expected to arrive at Easterwood Field Airport at 11:38 p.m. ET.
Despite the late-night travel, the university confirmed that the game will proceed as planned on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at Kyle Field, per official social media updates.
No. 9 Tennessee enters the contest with a 7-2 record, while Texas A&M holds a 4-5 record.
This matchup marks the second time the Volunteers have traveled to play at Kyle Field.
The last meeting between the two teams at this venue occurred in 2016, when the Aggies secured a victory in double overtime.
Fans can watch the game broadcast on ESPN as both teams prepare for the SEC clash.
The travel ordeal concluded without further incident, ensuring the players reached their destination ahead of the weekend kickoff.
The university staff remained in constant communication with travel coordinators throughout the emergency grounding period, as noted in recent coverage.