KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — For the second straight year, Tennessee is beginning its season by facing a veteran quarterback coming back from injury.

The 25th-ranked Volunteers hope they handle Bowling Green's Matt Johnson as well as they contained Utah State's Chuckie Keeton a year ago.

After leading Bowling Green to a Mid-American Conference title in 2013, Johnson injured his hip in the Falcons' 2014 opener and missed the rest of the season. Johnson says he's back at 100 percent and eager for Saturday's season opener at Nashville's Nissan Stadium.

In last year's season opener, Tennessee trounced Utah State 38-7. Keeton threw two interceptions and didn't get Utah State beyond midfield until the third quarter in his return from a knee injury that had ended his 2013 season prematurely.