University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: Staff Continues Prep for the Tide
October 12, 2016 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Head coach Butch Jones and four assistant coaches spoke to the media on Wednesday as the No. 9/11 Volunteers prepare to host No. 1/1 Alabama.
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) faces off against the Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC) on Saturday for the 99th meeting all-time between the schools. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce calling the action.
The Vols are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Tide and are playing a top-ranked Alabama squad for the third time in the last five seasons. A win would be Tennessee's first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent since beating Auburn, 38-20, on Sept. 28, 1985. It would also be UT's third win over ranked opponents this season, with the other two coming against SEC East rivals Florida and Georgia.
The Volunteers are coming off a double-overtime, 45-38 loss at No. 8/7 Texas A&M last week, while Alabama went on the road to No. 16/17 Arkansas and defeated the Razorbacks in a 49-30 win.
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Larry Scott and associate head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling followed Jones to discuss Tennessee's preparation for the Tide.
Butch Jones | Head Coach | 4th Season
With one of the toughest college football schedules in the nation, resolve and resiliency have proven to be defining characteristics of Team 120. Tennessee has fought back to overcome five deficits, losing only in double overtime to No. 8/7-ranked Texas A&M last week. Throughout the season, Coach Jones has commended the Volunteers' character and mentality which could ultimately make the difference in the upcoming Third Saturday of October matchup hosting the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.
"The resolve, the resiliency of this football team is remarkable. I haven't been a part of a football season like this where, you always talk about next man in, but it's really about the next individual in. If you look at where we are sitting right now, we have just played the third toughest schedule in the United States of America, I believe. If you take away and look at not our victories, and you add Alabama to the mix, I believe our opponents have a combined record of 31-3. I think sometimes these kids need to have the credit they deserve in terms of their resiliency, their effort and you know what you're getting day in and day out in practice and its a great team to coach that way.
"I would say it's one of the most resilient teams just because of everything they've been through already in a relatively short time. What I've seen is a never quit mentality. They don't flinch. They don't blink. They don't get too emotional when things happen. They've just kind of stayed the course and that's been great to see. Again, the way they've approached each and every week--we're going to need that more. The more you win, the more that's at stake and that's what we've been talking to them about. They're in a situation right now, in a position, that none of our players have been in before. Tennessee football hasn't been in this situation in a long time. So what do you do? You take it one day at a time. You work to be 1-0 each and every week. In terms of their competitive character, their grit, their approach day in and day out, it's been great to coach."
Mike DeBord | Offensive Coordinator | 2nd Season
Against Texas A&M, sophomore running back John Kelly enjoyed a career-best performance, tying his career high with 13 carries and setting a new career high with 89 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and 101 all-purpose yards for Tennessee. Kelly also had one catch for 12 yards, while his four-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter ignited UT's late comeback against the Aggies.
"I'll be honest with you, I just thought he looked faster in the game. I really did. I know in practice, we emphasize speed all the time and always going hard but he just - to me - looked faster. He hit things quick at the line of scrimmage and then on Joshua Dobbs' run, down to the three or so, I thought he had the ball. He went through the line of scrimmage and I'm watching the play and I thought he actually had the ball and then all of a sudden he's down field blocking a safety. He gave great effort in that football game and it was fun to watch."
Bob Shoop | Defensive Coordinator | 1st Season
Defensive end Derek Barnett owns an impressive 25 sacks and 42.5 TFLs for his career. Even more remarkably, 22 of those sacks and 33.5 of those TFLs have come in SEC play. With the help of veterans Corey Vereen and LaTroy Lewis on the left end, Shoop is happy with the production and strength the unit has shown against opponents this year.
"I think defensive ends are a strength for us and Derek Barnett and Corey [Vereen] have played really well for us, but we need productivity from more than just those two guys, whether its generating a pass rush from the D-tackle, secondary or linebacker position. We probably blitzed on third down a whole bunch last week. I know Derek Barnett dropped into coverage a couple of times. He wanted to rush the passer. On those plays, the quarterback was one out of ten for 14 yards and that was a screen pass we stopped them on, which was a positive. We are trying to find creative ways to pass rush and we will do the same thing this weekend."
Steve Stripling | Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line | 4th Season
The Vols' defense has been faced with constant adversity throughout this season. From two-score deficits to injuries across every position, starting out 5-1 has not been an easy feat. When speaking to the media Wednesday, Stripling explained his thoughts for Tennessee being able to find success amidst all the challenges.
"This defense is resilient. I don't know if I have ever been involved with a defense or team that isn't fazed by anything. They just keep grinding. They don't get down or panic. No one is yelling at each other. They just sit there and get ready to go in for the next series. A little bit of that may be because of Coach Jones telling them to win the snap and win the series. They seem to be very resilient and toughness is all part of that. That is just the kind of mindset this team has."
Larry Scott | Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends | 1st Season
Under the guidance of special teams coordinator Larry Scott, several true freshmen such as Nigel Warrior and Daniel Bituli have been given the opportunity to contribute early for Team 120 in special team situations. For Scott, it's seen as a chance for the youngest Vols to get comfortable on the field and prove what they can do in SEC competition.
"One of the things you do when you're out on the road is you are recruiting the most talented players that you can. When they come in, you have to find ways of getting the talent to the field. One of those ways is really early in a player's career with special teams. Typically, if they can take on that role and get better and grow, it's a pretty good indication of how good of a player they're going to be offensively and defensively. Absolutely, it's where you hope you are going to be and that's where we are."
More Sound Bites
Head Coach Butch Jones
(On who is taking linebacker repetitions opposite of Colton Jumper right now)
"Elliott Berry gained some valuable repetitions in the Texas A&M game and we're going to need him to take that experience and really his real, true, live game experience. We need for him to really expand upon that experience. Dillon Bates is another individual. Gavin Bryant will get some reps, as well. Again, we have some individuals that are going to need to step up and that's what we spoke about. These are the times in need where your role players need to step up and we feel very confident that they will step up."
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord
(On offensive lineman Coleman Thomas having his best game vs. Texas A&M)
"Coleman (Thomas), I thought, had one of his better games. I'm talking last year to this year; I thought that he played with really good leverage and then I thought he played with more power. What I mean by that is he brought his feet. He continued to finish blocks that way and I thought that it was his best game leverage-wise and power and those things. That was good to see."
Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop
(On defensive linemen Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle)
"I think they played their best game and that was positive. Shy is still scraping the rust off and I think he scratched the surface of how good he could be and for Kahlil, that was a confidence builder. Kendal (Vickers) has been pretty productive for us. I think this is a one week season and we must do everything to win the week, but I think after this game the players need to rest and for the second half of the year we need to get more guys more reps."
Associate head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling
(On trying to disrupt Alabama's offense)
"We always talk about being disruptive up front. Obviously, you would love to do that and get them off track. They're a complete offense. They are very sound up front on the offensive line. They have outstanding running backs and wide outs. The quarterback can run with the football as well as throw it. You would like to be disruptive and be sound to keep them under control."
Special teams coordinator / tight ends coach Larry Scott
(On Jason Croom's development as a tight end)
"It's been monumental. He's made strides from week to week that excite you in his development in that role. In particular, as a blocker on the perimeter. When you have the ability and versatility with that guy because of his skill set to move him around, a lot of that is on him to be in there studying and grasping that role. In a game, things change and he's done a really good job adjusting to that for us."
