Tennessee is looking for redemption against UAB after a last-minute upset last weekend. Also looking for a second chance is Joey Aguilar, whose SEC debut didn’t go as planned. While fans will be cheering for a comfortable win over the Blazers, there will be an important figure missing from the stands today. Joey Aguilar’s mother, however, has an unfortunate announcement for fans.

Lydia Aguilar, for the very first time in her life, won’t be attending her son’s game. Because of some trouble at home in California, she won’t be able to make the trip to Neyland. She instead asked the Vols community to make up for her absence and to look over the star QB. “First game I’m missing in all years of his football journey. So if you see my boy, send over some pics or videos. I’ll be having major FOMO. Let’s Go Vols!!” she wrote on X. Lydia has been a constant presence during all of Joey’s games in his 6-year-long career.

She has always been a rock throughout Joey Aguilar’s testing but rewarding career. She was there when he started at City College of San Francisco and is right by him as he navigates his last chapter with Tennessee. Aguilar has been absolutely brilliant for Josh Heupel and Co. this season, much to their relief. And Lydia couldn’t be prouder. When Aguilar ran out in the T for the first time in Tennessee colors, she couldn’t help but shed a few tears, watching how far her son had come. It might be a little difficult for Aguilar not to see his mom in the stands today, since it is Fall Family Weekend at UT.

Joey Aguilar should have an easy stage setup against UAB today. Though Lydia will catch up with the action from home, fans will be doing just as she asked. “We got your back mom,” responded one fan. A few months ago, many thought that Aguilar and Heupel were gambling with their respective careers when the QB made the jump to Knoxville. But Aguilar proved to be a blessing in disguise, winning fans’ approval. That’s why she tries to celebrate each moment she can, which shows how loved her son is.

Lydia Aguilar notes the little moments that show how fans celebrate Joey Aguilar

There was a point in Aguilar’s career when he had thought of hanging up his cleats. “I know my mom probably had flashbacks of me as well, telling her, like, I’m not sure if I want to keep doing this,” he told ESPN. But thankfully, he soldiered on. Today, Vols fans proudly wear No. 6 in orange and white, which sure caught Lydia’s attention. “So amazing to see !!! #6,” she shared on X, hyping up the fresh arrival of jerseys bearing her son’s name.

Recently, she also expressed her gratitude to fans who painted a mural for Joey ahead of the UAB game. “Amazing !!!,” she wrote along with a reposted image of the artwork. It shows how Aguilar has seamlessly fit in at Knoxville. Some months ago, his abrupt arrival here from Westwood threw doubts over Tennessee’s run at the season. Now, Lydia Aguilar’s son is the best hope for the program’s success.

Joey Aguilar has become a star at Tennessee. Lydia can rest assured that fans will be praying for his success, as he comes back after a tough loss against Georgia. The QB’s mom will be sending her love all the way from the other side of the country, as she anxiously awaits the result of today’s clash.