University of Tennessee Athletics
#VolReport: Vols, Hogs Ready To Bounce Back
September 30, 2015 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Getting to .500 in SEC play and establishing momentum for the rest of the SEC schedule are what's on the line this week for Tennessee and Arkansas when the Vols and Razorbacks square off on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
SOUND BITES
- Sophomore OL Jashon Robertson
(On confidence in running game)
"We did a lot of good things this Saturday as far as the run game goes. There is still a lot of room to improve in everything. Of course a number like 250 yards is going to instill a lot of confidence in the run game."
(On improving in pass protection)
"I feel like it's all complementary. If you do a good job in the running game and you wear guys out; those same guys that are pass rushing you on third down, they may be a little bit more worn out. Depending on how efficient the run game is, it changes the temperament of the game when you can run the ball and stay ahead of the chains. Staying ahead of the chains and running the ball will always help pass blocking and pass protection."
- RS Sophomore WR Josh Smith
(On passing game improving)
"Each and every practice I'm seeing more and more improvement. Just because we didn't pass that much against Florida, we liked the matchups with the tight ends and running backs. In practice I feel like we are getting better, our execution is improving; we are just trying to get better each and every day."
(On tight end opening up passing game)
"The defense starts to really key on tight ends and running backs and that'll open up us. I think that's what teams are going to start doing. They're going to start looking at Ethan (Wolf) more and Jalen (Hurd) obviously more. That means the wide receivers are going to have to step up and start making plays. That's complementary football, we've got to make that happen."
- Junior DB Cameron Sutton
(On fan base's reaction after Florida game)
"I don't really hear much of the noise outside of the program. We are going to be at home this weekend. It's another opportunity to show who we are as a football team. We know our fan base is going to be there to support us through thick and thin. We are still going to come with the same mentality and same approach. Prepare well throughout the course of the week and be ready to go on Saturday."
(On fellow DB Justin Martin)
"He is improving each and every week. He is showing up on special teams. He is showing up on defense in the reps he is taking out there on the field. He is still eager, coming to me, coming to the rest of the guys and the coaching staff as well and gaining knowledge about the game and the game plan of the week. Studying our opponents and things like that. It is not surprising to me because of his care factor and his love for the game. I appreciate everything he is doing for his team right now."
- Sophomore TE Ethan Wolf
(On personal improvement this year)
"I think personally I've improved from knowing the game mentally. As a freshman last year, you are just worried about knowing what to do on a play. Now that I have the offense and the scheme ingrained in my head that I can just look at it from a more dynamic perspective on coverages and fronts. Definitely mentally, and then physically my body has changed allowing me to be a bigger threat in the passing game, and blocking as well has improved. All-around I have gotten better from year one to year two. I am happy with the way I am playing right now, but there is always room for improvement."
With Vol Nation behind them and several VFLs in attendance for the first SEC home game of the season, Tennessee's players are looking forward to Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
"It's another opportunity to show who we are as a football team," UT junior cornerback Cameron Sutton said. "We know our fanbase is going to be there to support us through thick and thin. We're still going to come with the same mentality and same approach. Again, we'll prepare well throughout the course of the week and be ready to go Saturday. We'll control the things we can control throughout the course of the game and hopefully come out with a win."
The Vols (2-2, 0-1 SEC) are one third of the way through their 12-game regular season. There's plenty of football left to be played and this week's game against Arkansas (1-3, 0-1 SEC) opens a challenging October slate.
VOLS TO HONOR 1965 TEAM SATURDAY
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones announced on Wednesday that, as part of UT Football's alumni reunion week, the Vols will be honoring the 1965 team that went 8-1-2 with a Bluebonnet Bowl win amidst terrible tragedy.
"I'm looking forward to this weekend first and foremost," Jones said. "We'll welcome back over 400 former players, Vols For Life, in our reunion. Looking forward to seeing everyone for that. We'll also be honoring the 1965 team and all the things that team went through. It's pretty remarkable [what that team went through]."
The 1965 season was Doug Dickey's second with the program. The Vols would finish 8-1-2 and earn UT's first bowl bid since 1957. The season's pivotal moment came in the aftermath of the Alabama game -- a 7-7 tie in Birmingham.
Two days after the game, line coach Charley Rash, Bill Majors, and Bob Jones were killed in an early morning car-train collision in West Knoxville. Fifty years later, persons connected with the Vols program still praise the way Dickey handled the tragedy, pulling the team together and keeping them going through the final seven games of the season.
Led by All-Americans Frank Emanuel (linebacker) and Bobby Frazier (end), the 1965 Vols closed the year with a 27-6 win over Tulsa in the Bluebonnet Bowl.
MAKE EVERY POSSESSION COUNT
Arkansas ranks third in the nation and first in the SEC in time of possession at 35:51 per game. That makes every offensive possession precious and leaves no room for mistakes.
"One of our points that we are emphasizing this week is making every possession count," sophomore tight end Ethan Wolf said. "We have to score touchdowns in the red zone. We can't settle for field goals because they'll take some possessions away. We have to make every play count, we can't have any negative yardage plays that take us off schedule."
Sophomore guard Jashon Robertson knows that every play needs to be precise and efficient when facing a team like Arkansas.
"We're looking at a team that's going to push us to have 50-60 plays max," Robertson said. "We have to be very efficient in the things that we do - staying ahead of the chains, scoring in the red zone and things of that nature."
