University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: Georgia Week Begins
September 25, 2017 | Football
Tennessee prepares to renew an SEC East rivalry with Georgia that has produced thrilling games in recent years
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee football head coach Butch Jones and redshirt seniors Brett Kendrick and Kendal Vickers spoke to reporters at Monday's press conference in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) returns to SEC play this week as the Vols host No. 7/8 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
"We are looking forward to a great challenge and a great opportunity Saturday at 3:30 playing the No. 7-ranked team in the country," Jones said. "If there's a word that describes them, I would say (it is) complete. They're complete in all three phases and they go very deep into depth in all three phases."
The Vols have gone 2-2 against Georgia in the Jones era and each of those four games has been decided by one score. In 2015, the last time the game was played in Neyland Stadium, Tennessee snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bulldogs with a 38-31 victory. Last season, Joshua Dobbs' 43-yard Hail Mary to Jauan Jennings with time expiring was one of college football's best plays of the season and lifted Tennessee to a 34-31 win at Sanford Stadium.
"If you look at the past history of these games, they usually come down to the final possession," Jones said. "Again, having that mindset of whatever it takes to win the football game. It's going to be a very physical football game and we're looking forward to it on Saturday."
Veteran Vols Preparing For Athletic Georgia Team
Kendrick and Vickers are both in their fifth seasons on Rocky Top and, more than anyone, they know the tough test the annual Tennessee-Georgia game presents.
"I take a hard look at the defensive ends," Kendrick said. "Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter stand out for me. I have a lot of respect for Georgia. They have a really athletic front, and their interior guys are big and strong. The linebackers run well and play well. It's just like any other SEC game. The front seven will be a challenge, and it is something we have to step up and take care of."
Vickers and the defense are preparing for a talented Bulldog offense. Georgia is averaging 223.3 rushing yards per game and uses multiple running backs as Nick Chubb (92.8 yards per game), Sony Michel (64.0) and D'Andre Swift (49.0) are all averaging over 40 yards per game.
"They've got really great players in the backfield," Vickers said. "They have a freshman quarterback who's been making a lot of plays. Their offensive line is very good. They have guys on the outside that can make plays as well, so we just have to come into this week focused and ready to take the task because they're a good team."
Checker Neyland For UT-UGA Game
For the fourth-straight season, the fan-led initiative of Checker Neyland will take place for this Saturday's game against Georgia.
Fans are encouraged to wear orange or white, depending on their seat location. To find out if your section is orange or white, go to CHECKERNEYLAND.com and enter your section/row/seat number as it appears on your ticket or CLICK HERE for a seat map. Terrace ticket holders should enter their terrace number (Ter1, Ter2, Ter3, etc.) and do not need to enter a row or seat location. East and West Club ticket holders should enter their club with the respective number (EC1, EC2, WC1, WC2, etc.). UT students can enter their seat as in the section/row/seat number format.
Over the last three seasons, Tennessee fans have created and participated in one of the greatest sights in college football, turning Neyland Stadium into a sea orange and white in UT's iconic checkerboard pattern.
Peyton Manning To Be Honored, Joined by College Football Hall of Famers On Field and At Vol Walk
Peyton Manning will be honored at halftime on Saturday by the National Football Foundation. The midfield ceremony will serve as the NFF's official "on-campus-salute" of Manning's selection to the College Football Hall of Fame. Per Manning's request, UT's living College Football Hall of Famers will join him at the recognition and at the Vol Walk. The VFLs include: Doug Dickey, Frank Emmanuel, Phillip Fulmer, Bob Johnson, Chip Kell, Steve Kiner, Johnny Majors and John Michaels (represented by his daughter).
