Head Coach Josh Heupel
On the teams’ focus this week…
“Practice has been really good. They have been locked in. They are excited about this one. They understand the type of opponent that we’re playing. Preparation has been really good. For us, the timing of the bye week, I think came at the right time for us, where we were at. It’s been good.”
On the opportunities for big plays against Texas A&M’s pass defense…
“There aren’t a ton. Alabama hit some big pass plays, but in this football game, the line of scrimmage is going to be critical. People get caught up from their defensive perspective – the amount of sacks. And that is true, but they have been really good against the run too. All those things have played off of each other. They force teams into a bunch of third-and-longs, so line of scrimmage is going to be critical in maintaining some form of balance in this one, and then out on the perimeter, you have to go make plays in one-on-one situations. All those pieces have to come together.”
On Texas A&M’s run defense…
“Their entire defensive line is big, strong, physical, has ability to bend, they’re athletic. They are violent and disruptive in the run game. They have the ability to get after the quarterback. They’ve done that with pressures, and they’ve done that with their front four as well.”
On Coach Heupel’s battles with Texas A&M as a player…
“The first one that comes to mind would just be as a player; they have a good atmosphere there at Kyle Field. I have had a lot of battles with them, and typically they show up and they are ready to play. In this one, I anticipate it being a great environment here inside of Neyland Stadium, and we need our fans to show up. I hope they enjoyed their bye week, but they better be rested, recovered and ready to roll in this one. They need to be a factor in the football game. I am looking forward to seeing them in the checkered Neyland on Saturday afternoon.”
On his memories of Eric Berry as a player…
“Yeah, memories as a player, whether he was in college or was in the NFL, a dynamic play maker that changed the way the game was played in the middle of the football field. He played violently, played downhill, just one of the best to ever play the position. I feel that way in college, but also at the next level. Haven’t had a bunch of opportunities to have a lot of interactions with him. I’m really excited to get a chance to spend some time with him here on Friday. He’ll be with us tomorrow and certainly on gameday, too.”
On still anticipating Doneiko Slaughter and Dont’e Thornton Jr. back on Saturday…
“Yeah, guys that have been nicked up and have all had good work. We typically wait until Friday or pregame warmups to make a final determination from our medical staff and the player themselves, but we anticipate those guys being ready to roll.”
On Eric Berry’s family being back on campus and the impact of them being here for the weekend…
“People that have had a huge a huge footprint on this program and left it better than they found it as they came through here and are great legacies inside this program. For Eric, his whole family to be here and to have a chance to reconnect with this current program, this current staff, I think is huge. Again, he’s one of the best that’s ever done it, and for us to have an opportunity to celebrate that is huge.”
On who has stepped up as an outside receiver since Bru McCoy’s injury against South Carolina…
“Chas Nimrod, Kaleb Webb, (Dont’e Thronton Jr.) being back, all those guys have stepped up and done a really nice job. I anticipate all those guys playing at a high level. Their football journey is going to continue to grow, but I believe those guys will play really well in this one and down the stretch for us.”
On Joe Milton III’s health coming off the bye week…
“Joe’s been tough and weathered through every nick and bump that he has had throughout the course of the season. The bye week was good timing for him, too.”