University of Tennessee Athletics
#VolReport: Sooner Than Later
September 08, 2015 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- With the first game now in the rear view mirror and the all-important 'W' achieved, No. 23 Tennessee was back to work on Tuesday out at Haslam Field, setting their sights on Saturday's top-25 clash with No. 19/17 Oklahoma.
The stage is set for a visually stunning home debut as it was announced earlier in the day that the game was officially sold out. Couple that with the return of #CheckerNeyland and the fact that Saturday's game will mark Tennessee's first non-conference game at home with two ranked teams since 2006 and you've got all the fixings for an incredible game-time atmosphere.
"It's a pretty awesome atmosphere," said Knoxville native and defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. "Everyone knows how awesome Neyland Stadium is. 102,455 with the lights on in Knoxville, Tennessee -- it doesn't get much better than that. It's awesome on the fans' part. We have the best fans in the nation."
And while the anticipation is building within the Team 119 camp, the mindset remains focused on the task at hand. As linebackers Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Curt Maggitt tell it, the challenge of facing a quality opponent like Oklahoma cannot lend itself toward distractions.
"It's going to be an electric environment, a lot of distractions with them checkering Neyland," said linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. "But I'm really just trying to focus on the game plan, focus on the task at hand. When I get on the field it's all business."
"I know we're excited to get back out there, especially with it being a home opener," Curt Maggitt said. "Every week is a big week and with Oklahoma coming in, it's a great opportunity."
