University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: December Practice
December 12, 2016 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee senior Joshua Dobbs, redshirt junior Alvin Kamara, junior Derek Barnett and junior Josh Malone spoke to reporters after practice on Monday in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
Tennessee (8-4) will play Nebraska (9-3) in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. The game will feature a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. The Vols are ranked No. 21 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings. The Cornhuskers are No. 21 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll.
The players spoke about the team's preparations for the Music City Bowl.
#6 Alvin Kamara | RS Junior Running Back
After over a week away from the practice field for finals, the Vols practiced on the indoor field on Monday. Kamara said that the team is focusing on fundamentals right now.
"Haven't practiced in a week or so, so it felt good to be back out there. Guys getting moving and getting a sweat going, just getting comfortable back around. We've been away for a little bit off the field so it always feels good to get back on the field. Get some work in with your brothers."
#11 Joshua Dobbs | Senior QB
This past weekend Dobbs accepted his invitation to play in the 68th Annual Reese's Senior Bowl. He said that he was honored to be invited and he is excited for the opportunity to showcase his skills. Dobbs, who was named Athlon's SEC Offensive Player of the Year, has one more game for the Orange and White before he heads down to Mobile, Alabama, and he and his teammates are excited for the challenge that awaits them in Nashville.
"The guys are excited to get back on the field. I know the opportunity to play, especially in the state of Tennessee, in Nashville, to be able to go and defend our territory, defend the state of Tennessee, we're definitely excited for the opportunity."
#9 Derek Barnett | Junior Defensive Lineman
Barnett has garnered All-America nods from several major outlets, including First Team honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press and a Second Team spot for Sporting News. When asked about his postseason honors, Barnett was quick to credit his teammates.
"I don't think it's an individual accomplishment. I think it's a team accomplishment. I told my teammates that. I just said, 'thank you' to my linebackers, defensive backs and defensive line, who have to work with me in the back end covering guys. So, it's not an individual accomplishment. It's a team accomplishment."
#3 Josh Malone | Junior Wide Receiver
Malone has enjoyed a fantastic junior season to date. He has notched career highs with 45 catches for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 10 touchdowns are tied for second in the SEC and fifth-most in program history and they are the most by a Vol since Robert Meachem caught 11 in 2006.
"It was a very special thing for me to hit double digits because I know how hard that is in college football, especially at Tennessee. To be up there with those other receivers who hit double digits is an honor. It was very special for me because it took a lot of hard work to get there."
