KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 9/11 Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, along with running back Alvin Kamara, tight end Ethan Wolf and defensive end LaTroy Lewis, spoke to reporters on Monday in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio, previewing the Vols’ upcoming home game against the No. 1/1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) prepare for their 99th all-time matchup against Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC), as UT looks to snap a current nine-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide and improve upon a 20-24-1 all-time record against Alabama in Knoxville. UT is facing a top-ranked Crimson Tide squad for the third time in the last five seasons.
Kickoff from Neyland Stadium is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce calling the game action.
Following a 49-30 win last week at No. 16-ranked Arkansas, Alabama now owns the longest winning streak in FBS, having won 18 consecutive games dating back to last season’s loss against Ole Miss (Sept. 19, 2015). The Crimson Tide leads the SEC in scoring offense (44.8 points per game) and ranks third in scoring defense (15.8 points per game).
Last week, Tennessee scored three touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter and rallied to force overtime against No. 6-ranked Texas A&M, but seven UT turnovers and too many empty possessions led to the Vols’ first loss of the season, 45-38, in double overtime at Kyle Field. The Vols’s 684 total offensive yards against the Aggies marked the third-most in program history, while UT’s 1,539 total offensive yards through the first three games of SEC play are the most in school history.
Butch Jones | Head Coach | 4th Season
“There are a lot of areas to improve upon. I was really proud of our players for their effort, mentality, and the never-quit mantra. What can I say? There aren’t many teams in the country that can go on the road against an opponent like that, in that type of environment, against the eighth-ranked team in the country, turn the football over, have some penalties, and then have the opportunity to win the game in overtime. That speaks volumes. There were a lot of lessons learned and things to improve on. When you step back and look at it, Texas A&M had way too many explosive plays. They had 40 carries for a little over 100 yards, and then we give up nine carries that led to 250 yards of rushing. We had some missed tackles, missed fits in gaps and weren’t getting off blocks. Those are things we have to get fixed with Alabama coming in here. We have to make sure to improve and get that corrected immediately.
“I have been very outspoken about it and everyone in our program understands that you can’t turn the football over… You have to give A&M credit, though. They have been doing that all year. They have led the SEC in creating turnovers in the red zone. They do a good job with that. For us, we have to look at things we can control and turnovers are one of those things. When I look at the turnovers, sometimes it’s individuals fighting for extra yards and trying to make plays. Sometimes, that is going to happen with the style of play and effort, but we have to work to get it corrected. I can promise you that we will continue to work.
“This will be our fourth-consecutive game against a ranked opponent and second against a Top-10 team. I was doing national media interviews today, and we were talking about it. I would challenge anyone in the country with the schedule we have had the last few years. We have played the No. 8 team and now the No. 1 team. Alabama is very deserving of that ranking.
“The last thing I want to follow up and address is the status of Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He is still looking at different options for what he wants to pursue. He has all the time he needs. I think he has earned that right. I understand and respect the jobs [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][the media] do. Let this young man determine what he wants to do. We have talked about him. There needs to be no more tweets or discussions about it. I hope that you will respect that because Jalen has earned that right to make a decision when he feels it’s appropriate for him.
“Moving on to Alabama, what can I say? They have an 18-game winning streak. They’ve had eight-consecutive games where they have scored a non-offensive touchdown, so they find ways to score points via special teams and defense. They are explosive on offense. They have playmakers all over and have a big, imposing offensive line. They do a great job of protecting Jalen Hurts, who has done a good job of managing their offense. His running ability adds another element to their offense. They are 12th in the country in total defense. They are No. 1 in fewest yards rushing allowed. I think this is the best Alabama team we have faced since we have been here. Not to take anything away from other teams, they have all been very talented. I have a lot of respect for Coach Saban and what is going on in Tuscaloosa. They are disciplined and bring it every game. For them, every game is important because their name is Alabama. That is something that we have talked to our players about. We have created a reputation for ourselves now, and everyone respects Tennessee and our program and players. That is a great responsibility to play your best week-in and week-out. Not everyone can do that. It takes its toll on you from a mental fatigue standpoint. Alabama does it the best of anyone I have ever seen.”
Alvin Kamara | Running Back | RS Junior | Norcross, Ga.
After setting a new Tennessee record with 312 total all-purpose yards on 30 touches against Texas A&M, Alvin Kamara is preparing with the rest of Team 120 for Alabama’s defense and linebackers this week.
“They’re opportunistic. They’re opportunistic and they’re looking to make a play on every play. They’ll be trying to put a hand on [Joshua] Dobbs, trying to put a hand on the ball carrier every chance they get. Being able to understand and recognize that is going to be big for us this week. Like I said, they are a sound defense and they play great, team ball together. We’re going to get in the film room and get some good preparation going this week.”
Ethan Wolf | Tight End | Junior | Minster, Ohio
Despite the loss to No. 6-ranked Texas A&M last Saturday, Tennessee’s offense put together one of its most impressive games in program history, combining for 684 total offensive yards (third-most all-time for UT). Among the records and career highs, running back Alvin Kamara became just the second-ever Volunteer to pull off a 100-yard rushing/100-yard receiving game (also, Jamal Lewis in 1997).
“Starting with the offensive line, they stepped up. We needed them to play big roles and they did and they didn’t miss a beat. We expected that from them and they came out and performed and Alvin [Kamara] is sometimes a guy that gets overlooked but he is a heck of a player and he is a great teammate, as well. He might not always be talking all the time, but he has a funny personality when he decides to speak. He is a great teammate and a heck of a player as [everyone] saw on Saturday.”
LaTroy Lewis | Defensive Lineman | RS Senior | Akron, Ohio
With less than four minutes remaining in the first half against Texas A&M, junior defensive end Derek Barnett shifted out of formation to cover a slot receiver and deflected a pass, recording his second career pass breakup. Teammate and fellow defensive end LaTroy Lewis not only praised Barnett’s efforts but also his ability to recognize and adjust to the play prior to the snap.
“I think Derek thinks he is Darrelle Revis. [Laughs] But he is a ball player and that is what big time ball players do. It is a testament to our nickel, safety and corner to adjust with him on the fly. He did a good job. He had a look that was problematic and he problem solved. That is what good football players do.”
More Sound Bites
Running back Alvin Kamara
(On keeping in touch with his former Alabama teammates)
“I do still have friends at Alabama. We talk and just pray for each other’s safety every game and keep up with each other. It’s another game. I was at Alabama a couple years ago, but I’m at Tennessee now and loving my teammates and loving where I’m at now. That’s all I’m focused on.”
Tight end Ethan Wolf
(On helping younger teammates learn to move past a loss)
“What I do is take the positives from the game and know the things I need to work on. They are pretty clear. We understand that we did a lot of good things and we are a really good football team. Just like any other game, you have to put it behind you and focus on the next one because in this conference, we are going right into playing Alabama. There is no time to think about the game a week before whether its a win or a loss. We have to go in and fix our deficiencies as players and a team.”
Defensive lineman LaTroy Lewis
(On Tennessee’s confidence entering Alabama game week)
“This game excites me. I think our team confidence and our team as a whole has improved a lot from last year. I think we are a confident team. We played well against them last year, but then again that was Team 119 and we now have a completely new dynamic to our team. We gotta come in preparing to go out and execute. Its just like any other game.”
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