#VolReport: Georgia On The Mind

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee and Georgia are familiar rivals on the gridiron having played every season for the past 20-plus years. But for the Vols on the 2014 roster, making the trip to Athens will be a new experience for nearly 85 percent of the team as Butch Jones made clear following Tuesday’s practice.

“Out of our 70 that we’ll take on the road to the University of Georgia, only 11 have ever played in a game at Sanford Stadium,” Jones told the media. “To do the math for you, that’s about 16 percent. (I’ve) never been a part of anything like that.”

Among that group of 11 returning to Athens, only three started in the 2012 shootout, all on defense: Justin Coleman, A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt.

Jones’ squad has had two weeks to prep for their SEC East foe, something that has been a major benefit to Jones, historically. As a head coach, Jones’ teams are 9-2 following an open week. Included in that is the Vols’ 23-21 upset win over #11/9 South Carolina last October.

“I thought a very good start to the week with the Tuesday practice,” Jones said. “It’s great to be back in the flow of game day. In our team meeting, speaking with the team, about what it takes to go on the road and win in the SEC in a hostile environment versus a very very good football team and all the things that go in to playing winning football.”

WORLEY CONFIDENT IN HIS LINE

Coming out of a bye week and heading into Saturday’s SEC-opener at Georgia, Tennessee senior quarterback Justin Worley says he’s as confident in his offensive line as he’s ever been.

“I feel really comfortable,” he said. “I felt comfortable going in two weeks ago at Oklahoma. Like I said earlier, they had a good team, they had a good scheme against us, and now that we’ve had another week to build some chemistry with two true freshman on the right side and Kyler Kerbyson playing left tackle for the first time, that’s huge to go into that work week and build that chemistry.”

Even with his confidence in his line, he still knows that he will have to get rid of the ball quickly to avoid Georgia’s pass rush under new defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt.

“Schematically, they’re different, that’s always going to be the case with a new D-Coordinator,” said the veteran quarterback.

“They’ve still got great athletes throughout their defense. They can fly around, they’re big up front, they force fumbles, force turnovers pretty well. You see them trying to strip the ball throughout their game, so they definitely have a new mentality in their defense and we’re going to have our hands full. It’s the SEC now.”

“You’re always going to have that internal clock, three or four seconds going off,” he said. “Any longer that you hold that, you’ve got a pretty good offensive line, or they may be only rushing three or something like that. That internal clock’s always going off.”

Worley also said that he has put last season’s close loss behind him, and is ready for another shot at the Bulldogs.

“This is a new year, new team, new season, so you can’t really dwell on the past,” he said. “We had success against them, both offensively and defensively, and we’d like to say that we should have one that game and stuff, but we’ve moved on. This is a new year and we’ve still got to go out there and play the game.”

DEFENSE FOCUSED ON STOPPING RUN GAME

With the Vols traveling to Sanford Stadium on Saturday, the defense will be focused on stopping Todd Gurley and Georgia’s highly touted running attack.

“It’s remarkably tough. With a back like Gurley, he’s real dynamic, gives you yards after carry, real explosive, fast, pretty much an all-around back. He’s really good, and not just him,” defensive lineman Corey Vereen said. “You’ve got guys behind him like (Sony) Michel and other guys. You’ve got other guys like him who can do a lot in the SEC. That’s really hard in the SEC, he’s a good back.”

Junior linebacker Curt Maggitt stressed the importance of stopping the run not just against Georgia, but against every team they face.

“I would say that’s with any team and anybody running the ball against our defense. It’s not just going to be one or two guys tackling you,” said Maggitt. “We’re looking for all eleven hats. We try to swarm to the ball every time.”

Vereen sided with Maggitt, stating that stopping the run is of importance in SEC play.

“When you get inside the depth of SEC play you know everybody’s talented, teams like Alabama. Alabama has running backs too,” Vereen stated. “Everybody has backs. When you see that, it’s basically stopping the run and everything else is just gravy at that point.”

When asked how the defense plans to stop the run, Vereen and Maggitt both offered similar responses about physicality.

“It’s pretty much just getting off blocks, holding points, tackling well, very well. Gurley likes to break tackles, every one of their backs and receivers pretty much like to break tackles,” Vereen pointed out. “They get a lot of yards after contact. Basically, just tackling, being physical at the point of attack and winning the juncture point I would say.”

“It’s very important no matter who we’re playing against. If we win on first down, that’s our thing. Get them behind the chains. That’s going to be very important,” said Maggitt. We know they’re going to want to run the ball.”

Maggitt had one final remark in regards to Georgia’s running game.

“We’re going to play our defense and we’re going to swarm to the ball, ball disruptions, and he’s (Gurley) going to feel us.”

BEST CASE SCENARIOS FOR WOLF

After sustaining a knee injury in just his second start of the season vs. Arkansas State, freshman Ethan Wolf used his time at Oklahoma to `watch’ and `listen’ to the game. In combination with a speedy rehabilitation, Wolf now feels more ready than ever to take on the Bulldogs this week.

“I feel 100 percent, I feel like I’m ready to go,” Wolf said. “[Making the road trip to Oklahoma] was big. I had never been on the road and into a college atmosphere. Oklahoma was like nothing that I’d experienced as far as people rooting against you. It was a big experience for me going into Georgia this weekend.”

Although watching from the sidelines in Norman was difficult, Wolf was also thankful for the chance to see defenses from a different vantage point, furthering his understand of play action on the field.

“You kind of watch more of the game, in general, as opposed to just your position,” Wolf said. “Obviously, you try to watch your position but sometimes you can’t see it. You do see the flow of things you talk about in practice. So it was helpful to see the whole defense.”

While his recovery speed has been a welcomed, pleasant surprise for Wolf and his coaches alike, every week presents new challenges and learning experiences. One of his first lessons ultimately proved to be the hardest, learning to apply a career mindset to injuries rather than a sort-sighted mindset.

“I think I could have [played against Oklahoma] but the training staff had a little hesitation,” Wolf added. “I put my career in the hands of them and I greatly appreciated the decision that they made. I’m just wearing this brace until things subside but it’s not slowing me down at all. I’m ready to go.”

SAULSBERRY, SCOTT PREP FOR ATHENS

Repetitions were promised to those in waiting with Team 118 this week and for some, the extra practice paid off in a big way. Having each experienced injuries early in the season, defensive lineman Trevarris Saulsberry and running back Derrell Scottare finally well enough to travel with the team and could make their first appearances of 2014 in Athens this Saturday.

Scott, who sustained a foot injury prior to the start of the season, will look to make his collegiate debut for the Vols as yet another true freshman, adding to Tennessee’s record-breaking number of freshmen used through the first three games of a season.

“Derrell Scott had a very, very good day at practice,” said Head Coach Butch Jones. “We gave him a great volume of repetitions and his work capacities continue to grow. He brings another element, another point of depth at the running back position so, he’ll make the trip.”

Redshirt junior Saulsberry will also look to build upon his eight career games with the Vols, possibly serving a crucial role on the defensive line as Tennessee looks to stop Georgia’s run game.

“He’ll be ready to go and right now, if we were to make the trip to Athens, Saulsberry would be on the trip as well. They continue to improve,” added Jones.

Among an impressive list of comebacks so far this fall, including tight end Ethan Wolf’s return from a recent knee injury, lineman Jacob Gilliam continued to run during today’s practice, demonstrating a strong will and desire to return to the field this season.

“Jacob is an individual, as we all know, who is extremely competitive,” Jones said. “This football team means everything to him and he’ll continue to progress. He still has a dream in the back of his mind of still playing [this season] so we’ll see.”

MEDLEY’S CONFIDENCE BOOST

Freshman kicker Aaron Medley has continued to improve and gain his confidence. Since the start of the season, Medley has converted four of six field goal attempts and all 10 of his extra point attempts.

“I think I’ve done pretty good,” Medley said. “There are two (kicks) I would like to have back but what kicker wouldn’t. It’s just making the most out of your opportunities.”

In his first road trip as a collegiate athlete, Medley learned to deal with the pressure of an opponent’s field and crowd and is looking forward to the next challenge, Georgia.

“Oklahoma was a good experience just getting out there in front of an away crowd and just taking the different warm ups,” Medley said. “The times are a little faster. There was definitely a lot of pressure at Oklahoma, but I feel more confident going into Georgia.”

During the bye week, Medley has focused on his technique and mechanics.

“I feel like I’m really hitting my stride and getting really comfortable being on the field,” Medley said.

As the first SEC game comes near, he has the mentality to achieve and progress.

“Just trying to make it like a home game,” Medley said on how he is preparing for Georgia. “Just go out there with the same warm up routine, keep everything the same and just stay focused with what you have to do as a kicker.”

“For me it’s a mental approach. Just one day at a time and treating practice like a game and staying locked in.”

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from #Team118:

HEAD COACH BUTCH JONES

»(On last year’s Georgia game being a step forward for the program)

“Well it was, but I’m going to go back to my first statement. Sixteen percent played in the game at Georgia and I’m guessing I would say probably about thirty percent played in the game here last year. Most of them were on their recruiting visit, but I thought it was a step forward. Again, we came up short and at the end of the day it’s all about winning football games. I thought it did help in our overall development because I thought our team showed some perseverance. I thought we battled adversity. I thought we made some critical plays; some fourth-and-one plays at critical stages of the game to put us in a situation to win the football game. Again, this football team is brand new, over half of it. Same thing with Georgia, but you do rely on it. I think it does help our confidence, but there’s a difference when you go on the road. They’re a different football team as well.”

»(On Todd Kelly Jr.’s progression during the bye week)

“Well, it’s been great for TK. TK is an individual who takes great pride in his performance and he works his craft. He has been in doing extra film study, he knows when he makes the mistakes and is moving forward and you’ll see his playing time continue to increase. But we’ve been really pleased with the play of LaDarrell McNeil. He’s been really playing and performing at a high level for us. Now, what he’s done two weeks ago and the previous weeks doesn’t serve him anything moving forward into this week. Obviously we’re going to be challenged with their stable running backs and with their play action pass and their skill out on the perimeter but you know, Brian Randolph has been consistent like he always has been. But TK has done a really good job for us. We’re really pleased right now with where he’s at and we need him to continue to mature and grow and develop.”

SENIOR QUARTERBACK JUSTIN WORLEY

»(On Ethan Wolf)

“t’s huge. You can see the skill-set that he brings to the tight end position. The pass catching, the run blocking. Having him back and having him healthy is huge for our offense.”

»(On Josh Malone)

“He’s done a great job picking it up and running with it, so we look for big things out of him, and he expects the same out of himself. Any guy that we have that can come along and help our offense out, especially with the talent level that he has, it’s going to be a good addition.”

JUNIOR DEFENSIVE BACK BRIAN RANDOLPH

»(On Georgia’s run game)

“They have a lot of great backs. They have a lot of go-to guys back there. A lot of playmakers who can bust through a defense real easy, so we’re just focused on getting everyone to the ball and making sure everyone is hustling, swarm defense.”

»(On what has been the key to the defensive success)

“It’s definitely been our swarm, our effort to the ball. We have 11 hands to the ball every time. If someone happens to miss a tackle, we have another guy there to back him up.”

JUNIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN CURT MAGGITT

»(On winning at Georgia for AJ Johnson)

“It’d be great. Last time we were down there, we lost by a little bit, a couple points. I know how bad he wants it. I know how bad he wants to win every game. I told you before, my goal is to give everything I’ve got every game. Not just for the team, but for him specifically.”

» (On how the defense has played the first three weeks)

“Yeah, definitely a lot of things we can do better. The first week we went from five missed tackles to ten, and then ten the week after. That’s something we can improve on. We can make that zero. We can do better with communication and execution really. If teams don’t score, they don’t win. So, we still have a lot of work to do.”

FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK JALEN HURD

»(On road experience helping vs. Georgia)

“It did help us a lot, just because it’s good experience to have going in to Georgia, but we’re just focusing in on Georgia every day, and we’re really excited for it.”

»(On Todd Gurley)

“Gurley’s a hard runner, he runs hard every play. That’s something that I respect about him. I’ve watched him since I’ve been a junior, sophomore year of high school. He’s a guy that I look up to, but I’ve just got to go in there and focus on my things that I need to work on and just work hard.”

FRESHMAN PLACEKICKER AARON MEDLEY

»(On his thoughts watching the Georgia game last year)

“The atmosphere was great. I think there’s a more distilled rivalry between us, and I think we’re going to be out for revenge.”

»(On how the loud music in practice has helped him)

“I think it has helped me a lot just getting comfortable with adversity and you never know what’s going to happen.”

FRESHMAN TIGHT END ETHAN WOLF

»(On the importance of blocking this week vs. Georgia)

“It’s big. We have to stop the rush and make it easy on our offensive line, so it’s a big part. Obviously, this week is against better competition and you have to fine-tune all of your mechanics. We talk about the smallest, slightest mistake in the SEC can lose ball games. You really have to perfect it, make it perfect and go against these high-caliber players.”

» (On the team’s focus on discipline)

“It’s a major focus of all teams, I’m sure. We do a great job, we’re very disciplined and we understand what penalties can do to you, how they can really damage a game and lose ball games. It can ruin field position, ruin drives and so we really understand that thoroughly. We try to keep [penalties] out of our game.”

FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE BACK TODD KELLY JR.

»(On playing at Georgia)

“I’m very excited, it’s an awesome opportunity just to play in the SEC. It’s one of the best conferences in the country, everyone knows that, and it’s competitive every week. So just to go down to Georgia and experience a game like this is pretty surreal, but at the same time, you’ve got to be focused and go in with the right mindset.”

»(On last year’s game with Georgia)

“I was (at the game), and I could hardly hear the person next to me because it was so loud in Neyland Stadium, so we’re kind of expecting the same thing. Coach sets up the atmosphere as best as he can at practice to make sure that we’re ready for the loud noise and everything like that, so we’re going to be prepared and ready to play a good ball game.”

SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN COREY VEREEN

»(On if there is unfinished business with Georgia)

“You can feel it around campus, the locker room, the weight room. Everyone is locked in and ready to go. This is a big game.”

»(On his increased confidence)

“I feel a lot better. I feel looser, just more locked in. I know what I can do, knowing what’s not working so well, just knowing what I need to do on a down-to-down basis to be successful.”