University of Tennessee Athletics
#VolReport: Focused On The Cats
October 27, 2015 | Football
Oct. 27, 2015
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- With temperatures dipping and fall in full swing, the Tennessee football assistant coaches spoke to the media Tuesday following another productive evening practice at Haslam Field. Another important week of preparation has the Volunteer coaching staff focused firmly on the challenges that await UT in Saturday's game at Kentucky.
SOUND BITES
- Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord
(On adapting the offense during the season)
"I think we're on schedule to be where we want to be. We're not there yet. We still have things to clean up, things we have to get better at and improve fundamentally at and execution wise. So, what I really like about this group right now is their effort. This group comes out every Saturday and plays hard and that's what I really appreciate."
- Defensive Coordinator John Jancek
(On Evan Berry playing safety)
"Evan has just done a great job all year long. He's become more comfortable. He's really vocal back there and the thing about Evan is he's really smart, picks up things well and we've got to try to get his speed on the field. I think at times that shows at the safety position so there's an opportunity this week to try and get him more reps."
- Assoc. HC/D.Line Coach Steve Stripling
(On how to maintain the pressure defense they created vs. Alabama)
"I think it's an attitude, going into a really good environment again on Saturday. It'll be a physical game knowing that we got to stop the run. [Kentucky's] running back is outstanding. He's a lateral runner in that you got to put edges on the line of scrimmage and can't create any seems in there. (They have) a big, physical o-line, so again it'll be another challenge."
- Wide Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator Zach Azzanni
(On Josh Smith's hard-work mentality)
"I love how tough Josh is. That's what he does. He brings a tough element to our room. He loves the game of football. He loves the physicality of football, and that's what makes him, him. He's harder on himself than I can ever be on him, and I like players like that. That's what's aided to his development. I don't need to tell him when he makes a mistake. He knows, and he can go fix it."
- Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Robert Gillespie
(On how Jalen Hurd stacks up vs. other SEC backs)
"Jalen is a competitor. He's the kind of kid who works hard, he's always working hard after practice and just like any competitor he wants to be recognized as one of the best, and he is. As far as a production standpoint, (he is) not just a runner, he's a running back, chip blocks, pass protection, play fakes, all the small things that it takes to be great. That's the standard that he's set for himself, that's the standard that we've set for the running back position here."
- Offensive Line Coach Don Mahoney
(On freshmen Venzell Boulware and Drew Richmond)
"With Venzell and Drew, they're freshman. If they're not playing as a freshman people think they're not doing well. They're doing well! This is against the toughest league in the country and this is the toughest position in football. They're making strides, and the future is bright with them thanks to their attitude and approach."
"They're very malleable," said offensive coordinator Mike DeBord of the Wildcat defense. "They're a good defense and just one that we've got to be ready for given the different fronts and coverages that they give you."
Charged with reading those fronts and coverages is junior quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Coming off a pair of strong performances against No. 19 Georgia and No. 8 Alabama, Dobbs will look to translate his unique skillset into offensive production as UT faces yet another athletic defense.
An ability to make a variety of plays may be necessary for success against Kentucky, as demonstrated last week by Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. The senior threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 117 yards and three more scores to lift the Bulldogs to a victory over the Cats.
Defensively, Tennessee will have its hands full as it looks to contain talented running back Boom Williams, receiver Dorian Baker, and quarterback Patrick Towles.
"Boom Williams is a great back," said defensive coordinator John Jancek. "With Towles at the controls I really think they have a formula and a recipe for being very explosive. We've got to be on our toes each and every single play because they have some weapons that can do some damage."
More news and notes from the Vols as Tennessee prepares to face the Wildcats:
Vereen Shines vs. Alabama
Corey Vereen recorded the first multi-sack game of his career on Saturday, twice getting past a stout Alabama offensive line to bring down Jake Coker.
It was not the first time that Vereen, who also had five tackles in the game, enjoyed a strong performance against the Crimson Tide. In 2014, he had three tackles and forced a fumble against Alabama and in 2013 he recorded three tackles.
The 6-2, 249-pound junior defensive lineman has played in all seven games this season, starting twice and tallying 20 tackles to date. He has brought a veteran presence to the defensive line and has helped fill the void in the pass rush with Curt Maggitt out due to injury. Associate head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling had high praise for Vereen when asked about him on Tuesday.
"You know, Corey and I have talked many times and he is what you want," Stripling said. "He has got a great motor, he is a very technical kid, he has great technique, but he has just not had a lot of production. So it was great to see him get some production and get some rewards for his efforts."
Right Side, Strong Side
Chance Hall and Jack Jones have been thrust into some very difficult situations early in their career. Due to injuries on the offensive line the two freshmen were pressed into action against Georgia before earning their first career start on the road against #8 Alabama.
"The first play against Georgia where Chance went in, he had a critical decision to make on the given play call," Offensive Line Coach Don Mahoney said. "He didn't flinch in terms of the call made. He came off and I smiled to myself and I said `We're going to be just fine' and I was excited for him."
Numbers 66 and 76 have stepped into the right guard and right tackle position.
"Mentally Chance is a very smart player, he's understanding defenses more; knowing if a mistake happens, why it happens," said Mahoney. "His overall approach is getting better and better."
"Chance was in here Sunday working out in the weight room alone; trying to get better," said junior quarterback Josh Dobbs. "He came in wanting to learn. Sundays is kind of the day you come in and get treatments, but he was in there lifting after the game. It was great to see that motivation from him."
"Jack's competitive," Mahoney said. "We land the plane in Alabama and we're heading to the hotel and he's hitting me up with questions of scenarios that he's playing through in his mind. You want everyone to think that way, but here he is as a true freshman bringing up different scenarios in the game. He's competitive, he's smart and he's going to continue to get stronger."
"They were here in the spring, it allowed them to have a chance to grow with the unit that much more," Mahoney continued. "The other part about Jack and Chance they really don't want to let the other guys down. None of the guys do, but they've gone through a spring. There's a lot more that they want to prove to the Kyler Kerbysons, the Mack Crowders."
"I'm very happy with them," Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord said. "They'll just continue to get better."
"They're going to keep growing, their attitude is fantastic," Mahoney said. "Georgia, and even last week I never saw a moment when their eyes were big and they were out of their element."
"Their demeanor and maturity has been outstanding," Mahoney said. "They've really surprised me a lot. I think their poise and their sideline demeanor is outstanding."
Receivers, Running Backs Thrive In Blocking Game
Skill position blocking has been one of Tennessee's strengths this season. UT receivers have played a major role in a running game that has averaged 209.1 yards per game (fourth-best in the SEC).
Tennessee wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said that the Vols receivers take great pride in their run blocking.
"You can always tell a kid's football character by what they do when they don't have the ball in their hands," Azzanni said. "The people watching on TV don't see guys working across the field to help Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara become the guys they're becoming. There's a lot of hard work that goes into that. When we're running the ball, we've got to look at ourselves like extended offensive linemen."
Azzanni added that receivers generally start to embrace blocking as they mature and understand that there is more to the position than just catching passes.
Likewise, the Vols' running backs have excelled in pass protection this season and blocking for Joshua Dobbs on designed quarterback runs. Running backs coach Robert Gillespie called Jalen Hurd a "punishing blocker" and said that Hurd and all of UT's backs are focused on becoming complete running backs, not just ball carriers.
"Jalen is one of the best in the country at blocking," Gillespie said. "As far as shift blocking, scanning protections, we take pride in protecting our quarterback."
