Media Monday: Missouri Game

Head Coach Butch Jones

(Opening Statement)
“Good afternoon. Before we start, I want to make sure everyone knows this, that I am aware of the alleged incident that occurred over this weekend. Right now we are in the process of gathering all the information. Once we have that appropriate information we will act in a very decisive manner which we have proven over time to do here at the University of Tennessee. That is all I will comment on that situation.

“Getting back to the Kentucky game. I thought a very, very, very good team win. It starts with situational football. Again, we started playing our style of defense, third downs, getting off the field on third downs. we generated nine three-and-outs. That is a byproduct of winning on first and second down, also third down as well. Nine three-and-outs gives you a great opportunity to control field position, which we were able to do. That was one of the keys to winning the game going into it, was the the ability to win the field position game. I thought we improved tremendously in our overall communication, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Two takeaways, one for touchdown, which I thought really seized the momentum, captured it, got our fans involved. Then we didn’t turn the football over, which was great to see.

“But many things that we have to do to improve upon. Playing a very talented Missouri football team. First of all, our landmarks on the quarterback. We still didn’t keep contain the way we needed to with an active quarterback. So that is somewhere we have to take monumental strides in moving forward.

“Mack Crowder, there has been a lot of speculation in terms of his injury, he has a high ankle sprain, a little bit with his knee, a knee sprain. Right now I would say he is probably questionable for the game. We will see how he progress throughout the course of the week. The other individual is Austin Sanders, he has a mild ankle sprain. Everyone else returns. So those are the two injuries that really occurred in the game.

“When you look at Missouri, they have won seven SEC road games in a row. Nine road games overall, which is very, very impressive. When you think about them, it first starts defensively. They are number one in the SEC in sacks, number six in the country overall. Number 16th in the country in scoring defense, and 22nd in the country in total defense. They have the ability to dominate a football game. Best tandem of defensive ends we have faced to date in Shane Ray. Which some individuals think will be the first overall pick int he NFL draft and Marckus Golden as well. When you look at the formula for truly winning in this conference, all juniors and seniors on the defensive side of the ball and really on their football team. So you can’t put a value amount on experience.

“Return game, 12th in the country, Marcus Murphy is a very, very dynamic performer.

“Offensively, it all starts with Maty Mauk. I know Maty exceptionally well, his family exceptionally well join through the recruiting process out of Kenton, Ohio. Son of a head coach, he thinks that way. He can improvise, make plays with his legs. Very, very accurate. The thing that comes to mind most when you think of Maty Mauk is his competitive greatness. He is a great competitor. Very, very good running backs. Wide receivers, a lot of length, can go up, play the ball in the air, high point the ball. And very, very physical offensive line. So a very, very complete football team in Missouri, very well-coached, very dynamic. Very good on special teams. So they will pose a lot of issues for us and a lot of challenges. So looking forward to it.

“Again, we need a home field advantage for us, a fifth sellout which we will need. We have to improve greatly this week in moving forward against a talented football team.

“So I will answer any questions that you may have.” (On the targeting call against Brian Randolph)
“There is no appeals process. A couple years ago there was an appeals process. It’s a point of emphasis. It’s unfortunate. Brian wasn’t being malicious. He was playing with great effort running to the football, quarterback slides, he had already left his feet so he was actually going low. We teach them in the quarterback slides and he hits him above the shoulder. But you know, it is the rule. It is a point of contention and a point of emphasis. You will have to sit out for the first half. Todd Kelly Jr.will take his place but there is not an appeals process.”

(On how Todd Kelly Jr. did entering the game after the ejection)
“I think he did some good things. He was forced into a challenging situation. TK prepares every week as though he is the starter. He’s very cerebral so I thought he did really good things.”

(On Todd Kelly Jr. not playing as much on defense)
“I think just the high level of consistency. What Brian [Randolph] and even LaDarrell [McNeil] bring to the table is a high level consistency. Those live game repetitions, those opportunities and it shows. TK is an individual who takes great pride in his performance. I think the repetitions that he got in the bye week really helped him in moving forward in the Kentucky game.”

(On if the team is overconfident after Von Pearson’s comment about being sorry for Missouri)
“No, that’s Von [Pearson] being Von. It was the emotion of the game. I think that’s his excitement with what’s going on. We understand what Missouri is all about so it’s not a big thing. It’s just him showing confidence in his teammates, and that’s Von. He’s very upbeat. He’s very positive all the time.”

(On Dylan Wiesman’s performance at center)
“I thought Dylan did some very, very good things. He’s been another one of those individuals that benefitted from the bye week or the work week of gaining a lot of repetitions at center, so he was ready to go. I thought he did some good things. Obviously, landmarks on the inside zone using his hands, running on his feet on contact on some of the gap schemes, but overall I thought his snap accuracy was important. That’s one of the things, when you’re having shotgun snaps, is the accuracy of that snap is critical because if it’s to the right or it’s high or low, the quarterback has to take his eyes off the read whether it’s in the run game or throw game. So we really stress snap accuracy. That’s one of the areas I thought he did a really good job with.”

(On if Dylan Wiesman will start at center)
“If Mack [Crowder] can’t go, he will be the starter, but also Marcus Jackson. It’s been a process all season long. We’ve had a lot of individuals take repetitions at center. Marcus Jackson will be available. Coleman Thomas played center in high school. He’s been gaining reps at center as well. Again, during the work week or bye week, we actually played Coleman at center as well. We have a number of options there.”

(On the expectations for Joshua Dobbs)
“Just to continue to improve, to lead our football team. It is the standard and expectation playing quarterback here at Tennessee. Making great decisions with the football. He’s the caretaker of the football and as we talk about that football holds all our dreams, goals and aspirations. So just making good decisions, managing the game. He’s done an extraordinary job with that. He’s making good decisions with the football. He’s distributing the ball. That’s very, very important and he’s demanding the line of scrimmage. Now just continuing to grow and develop, week in and week out, we’re seeing that evolution. We’re seeing that process. And also his leadership. Leadership comes with having some success, having confidence, and his leadership continues to grow and has elevated as well.”

(On Joshua Dobbs playing a tough defensive team in Missouri)
“They are a complete defense, and I can read you all the statistics and the statistical information, but when you watch them on film, they are very, very well coached, they are very gap conscientious and they don’t beat themselves. They make you earn every throw. They make you earn every yard that you get. When we throw the football, accuracy will be critical because they do a great job of breaking and driving. They are able to do different things coverage wise because of the talent that they have in the back end of their defense. As we all know, they are extremely disruptive up front, so it is a complete defense.”

(On confidence in defensive line versus Missouri’s offensive line)
“It’s going to be a great challenge. You’re looking at two NFL players on the left side and the right side, so it’s going to be a great challenge, and we have to do a great job of mixing up the launch points, playing football the way we’ve played. Then, it comes down to winning some one-on-one matchups as well, but I know they are looking forward to the challenge. Missouri presents so many challenges for you, and there is a reason they have had sustained success. It’s one thing to be successful for a year or two, but sustained success is critical. When you look at that program and what Coach Pinkel has been able to do, they have been able to sustain success no matter what conference they have been in. I remember him back from our days in the MAC at Toledo, and their teams always played with a hard edge, and they [were] very physical.”

(On recruiting Maty Mauk while at Cincinnati)
“Well, we were in a recruiting battle. We actually signed his receiver at Cincinnati who was the all-time leading receiver in the history of Ohio football. So, we went back and forth. His father was the President of the Ohio High School Coaches Association, so we had a great relationship with him.”

(On health of Marquez North)
“Marquez had dinged his shoulder up a little bit earlier in the week. We had the luxury–the game afforded us to pick our spots with him to try to get him back and be as healthy as you can possibly be for this stretch run, so we weren’t going to risk anything. Could he have played more? Absolutely, but it was just one of those situations where we were at the stage of the game where we didn’t want to risk anything and try to use that time to get healthy for this stretch run. So, we anticipate him becoming that much better.”

(On difference between regular season record of 7-5 versus 6-6)
“Just winning. I don’t look at it that way. If you remember, our number one goal is to be the best football team we could possibly be, and the wins would take care of themselves. We have made monumental strides in the culture, in the mentality. Our players have done everything in their preparation to put themselves in position to be successful on gamedays. So, we come a long way. We still have a long ways to go, but we see progress. It’s just continuing to becomes better and better. When you win, it gains confidence, but also, it’s learning how to win in a professional level, not an amateur level. All the distractions that come with winning–how do you handle success, having that workmen-like mentality. We all know every game is a new season in and of itself, and that’s not coach speak. You look at the programs that sustained winning, they have a high level of consistency each and every week, week in and week out. There are no highs, there are no lows, it’s all flatlined, and that’s what we talk to our players about all the time. You look at some of the individuals that have really impacted our football program. Again, I can’t say enough about Derek Barnett. I know it’s been overstated, but what he is doing as a true freshman is remarkable, and he is mature beyond his years. You look at Jalen Hurd. Jalen was fighting the flu bug a little bit on Saturdaymorning, and his performance–he continues to get better and better. Josh Malone has been slowed a little bit, but his progression [is good]. The two tight ends, Daniel Helm and Ethan Wolf, can’t say enough of what’s going on there. Another individual who is a walk-on, Alex Ellis, he’s provided some stability to our tight end position. Jashon Robertson, you look at Evan Berry. I thought Evan Berry kind of changed the complexion of the game and really set the temperament for the second half with that long kickoff return. We just spoke about Todd Kelly Jr. Rashaan Gaulden is making his presence felt on special teams. I could go on and on about what these individuals are doing. It’s a great sign of things to come.”

(On players involved in alleged incidents being allowed to practice)
“No. Every situation is different in and of itself. So, I say no but I’m still going to gather the information. You know, the thing I want to do is, I want to be right rather than fast. We’ll continue to gather information and based on what we have at that particular time, we will determine whether or not they will practice but if there is anything of it, then they won’t practice. I think we’ve proven since we’ve been here that we’re always going to act accordingly and we’re going to act swiftly.”

(On whether the current investigation involved football team members)
“Yes.”

(On Jakob Johnson’s recent performance)
“I tell you, those game repetitions were extremely beneficial for Jakob. And they were beneficial for a lot of individuals. Kendal Vickers needed those game opportunities. Cortez McDowell, even though he’s had those game opportunities on special teams, he hasn’t been afforded those opportunities at the linebacker position. So, having them get the live game opportunities was critical. Jakob did some good things. Now, with the young players we were mis-aligned a number of times. That’s a point of emphasis and we didn’t have great gap control, which playing great defense is all about gap responsibility. But now we have it on video again and it’s one thing to correct it off of practice. Now to correct it off of a game video will be critical in moving forward today and for the rest of the year. Obviously, into the future as well.”

(On Emmanuel Moseley’s growth)
“We were just talking about that today, very proud of Emmanuel Moseley. He continues to put the weight on. He’s one of those individuals that continues to progress and get better and better and better. He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now. The one play he made on our sideline on the trick play, you make that play. He had great eye discipline, didn’t come off in coverage, did his job. What you look for in corners is you want length. You’re looking at arm span, that’s very very critical. You can see where the natural abilities he had with his wing span with his arm length, he was able to break that pass up. He continues to get better and better, very encouraged and excited about his progress.”

(On Russell Hansbrough)
“Boy, he’s a dynamic running back in terms of he can make you miss at the second level, but also he runs behind his pads. He’s a physical style running back. He gets the hard yards, the yards after initial contact. He runs hard, he runs north and south, and he’s proven durability over time. He kept fighting and fighting and making plays and impacting the game. It’s hard to bring him down on one tackle. Again, we have to swarm to the football and get eleven hats to the football, especially in tackling him. The thing they have on their offensive side of the ball, their running backs complement each other. Each of their running backs has a different particular skill set and they do a great job of playing off those skill sets.”

(On how he handles the situation with his team)
“Well, every situation that occurs, just like in life, I treat it as a teaching opportunity, a teaching moment. We spend an inordinate amount of time in that in our Vol for Life program, our character education program, all that. We’ll discuss it, but it will be business as usual. I’m not into speculation, but we talk about instances all the time. It’ll just be another point of contention, another point of emphasis which it is all the time in our football program. We have a lot on the line. We’re representing the state of Tennessee, Vol Nation, the city of Knoxville, our student body, our fan base, our boosters, our alumni. We have a lot of positive momentum and energy going right now, and we can’t let that derail us.”

(On if the chance of being bowl eligible puts more pressure on the team)
“No pressure. If we just have the goal of being the best football team we can possibly be, that takes care of itself. We can control what we can control. That’s our effort, that’s our energy, that’s our preparation, that’s our discipline, our overall discipline to execute, and we have to stay focused on the task at hand. This has been a pretty flat lined football team all year. They’ve been very consistent. With all the adversity we’ve faced so far, the perseverance they’ve shown, there has been really no emotional highs or lows with this football team. They’ve had a workman like approach and I don’t anticipate that to be any different this week or the following week.”

(On if he has received any good luck texts from Georgia’s staff)
“No.”

(On if they talk about playing spoiler for Missouri)
“We’re here to win, win and develop our football team. I don’t think about anything else but putting our players in positions to succeed on game day with our preparation. Really, as a coach, the most stressful days of your job is throughout the course of the week. Making sure your team is fully prepared, they’ve seen every look, they’re prepared mentally, they’re prepared physically. Basically from Sunday all the way to Thursday, I’m locked in four walls in the dark watching video and being with our football team and trying to prepare our mindset, our style of play all that, just like the other coaches. So, we don’t even think about any other teams but our opponent and Tennessee.”

(On if 29 sacks has exceeded expectations)
“I don’t know if it’s exceeded. We expected to be much more athletic up front going into this season, when you look at Jordan Williams, who played defensive end, moving him to defensive tackle. Owen Williams has good quickness off the football.Danny O’Brien’s kind of a plugger. Then you look at Curt Maggitt, Corey Vereen and then the addition of Derek Barnett. So, we’re much much more athletic up front. So, we thought that would give us an opportunity to be able to impact the quarterback a little bit more. Justin Coleman has provided some stability for us in the nickel position. I think one of the biggest changes defensively has been the play of Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He adds a whole other element in terms of speed and athleticism to our line backing core. Again, he’s been very consistent week in and week out.”

(On Trevarris Saulsberry)
“He’s progressing. He’s running right now, but we don’t anticipate him being available for the Missouri game. He is making great strides. Again, I was thinking about this the other day, there are so many great stories on this football team. I know when you look at all of them; you look at Trevarris Saulsberry and all of the injuries he’s really been through. He doesn’t want it to end. He could very well say I’m done, I’m over. He wants it to keep going. You look at Jacob Gilliam. That’s remarkable. What he’s doing is absolutely remarkable. Playing at this level and how he’s contributing. I just can’t speak enough about their competitive character, their overall character. It’s important to these young men. That’s why it’s been rewarding to coaches. The affinity they have and the drive they have has been great to see. All great programs have it.”

(On the condition of running back Derrell Scott)
“Derrell Scott had broken a bone in his hand, so he was casted up. So, he just couldn’t carry the football. This week, they’re going to cut the cast down. He may go into a soft cast and we’ll know a little bit more about his availability. I would anticipate that he would be available come Saturday, but it’s all in the healing of his hand and what he’s able to do from a cast standpoint. But that’s what happened with Derrell.”

(On the number of players involved in the alleged incident)
“I’m not in to…. I’ve said that’s all I’m going to talk about.”