University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: Vols Prepared for Test From No. 3 Georgia
October 02, 2019 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Three days out from Tennessee's SEC home opener, head coach Jeremy Pruitt liked what he saw from his team during Wednesday's practice and stressed the opportunity that awaits the Vols against No. 3 Georgia at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"We had a pretty lively practice out there today," Pruitt said. "It's good to see our guys continue to work hard … We continue to get some guys back, which is good for our football team.
"You look at last week in the off week, there were lots of things I felt we had to improve on and I felt our guys have worked hard to take some of that stuff from last week back into this week. So, we had a very positive practice."
The Vols will look to carry some of that momentum into Saturday's matchup, which will mark the third straight season that the Vols have faced a Georgia team ranked in the top 10. Last season in Athens, Tennessee battled back from down 24 points to cut Georgia's lead to 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Vols and Bulldogs have split the last four meetings overall, as well as each winning one of the last two meetings in Knoxville.
"We have a fantastic challenge on Saturday, our guys are looking forward to it," Pruitt said. "You want to play teams like this, guys came to Tennessee to play in games like this. It's a great opportunity for our football team."
Vols Up to the Challenge in the Trenches
Through four games, Pruitt has liked what he's seen from the Vols offensive line, led by redshirt senior Brandon Kennedy.
Kennedy has started all four of Tennessee's games this season at center after missing the final 11 games of the 2018 season due to injury.
"If you look at our offensive line, it starts with Brandon Kennedy," Pruitt said. "For Brandon, this is the first time that he has been this healthy in his college career, so he has had an opportunity to practice every day.
"Our guys up front have continued to work hard and compete. I felt like our best game as an offensive line since I have been here was the Florida game."
On the defensive side, Pruitt has seen weekly progression from a unit that did not return any starters from the 2018 campaign. Tennessee's matchup with Georgia will pit the unit against the SEC's top offense in rushing yards per game.
"To me I feel like our defensive line has really improved in playing the run, and this week they have a tremendous challenge because I think these guys run the football probably better than anybody in college," Pruitt said.
Taylor Looks to Continue Stellar Play Against Bulldogs
Redshirt senior linebacker Darrell Taylor had a breakout performance at Georgia last season, totaling three sacks and two forced fumbles. It was Taylor's first of two games with three or more sacks during the 2018 season.
"(Darrell) is a guy that has really good talent, he has really improved as a player," Pruitt said. "But he needs, like everyone else in our program, needs to raise his level of play like we all do."
Taylor also forced a fumble against the Bulldogs in the 2017 meeting in Knoxville. So far this season, Taylor has registered 16 tackles and one sack.
"We had a pretty lively practice out there today," Pruitt said. "It's good to see our guys continue to work hard … We continue to get some guys back, which is good for our football team.
"You look at last week in the off week, there were lots of things I felt we had to improve on and I felt our guys have worked hard to take some of that stuff from last week back into this week. So, we had a very positive practice."
The Vols will look to carry some of that momentum into Saturday's matchup, which will mark the third straight season that the Vols have faced a Georgia team ranked in the top 10. Last season in Athens, Tennessee battled back from down 24 points to cut Georgia's lead to 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Vols and Bulldogs have split the last four meetings overall, as well as each winning one of the last two meetings in Knoxville.
"We have a fantastic challenge on Saturday, our guys are looking forward to it," Pruitt said. "You want to play teams like this, guys came to Tennessee to play in games like this. It's a great opportunity for our football team."
Vols Up to the Challenge in the Trenches
Through four games, Pruitt has liked what he's seen from the Vols offensive line, led by redshirt senior Brandon Kennedy.
Kennedy has started all four of Tennessee's games this season at center after missing the final 11 games of the 2018 season due to injury.
"If you look at our offensive line, it starts with Brandon Kennedy," Pruitt said. "For Brandon, this is the first time that he has been this healthy in his college career, so he has had an opportunity to practice every day.
"Our guys up front have continued to work hard and compete. I felt like our best game as an offensive line since I have been here was the Florida game."
On the defensive side, Pruitt has seen weekly progression from a unit that did not return any starters from the 2018 campaign. Tennessee's matchup with Georgia will pit the unit against the SEC's top offense in rushing yards per game.
"To me I feel like our defensive line has really improved in playing the run, and this week they have a tremendous challenge because I think these guys run the football probably better than anybody in college," Pruitt said.
Taylor Looks to Continue Stellar Play Against Bulldogs
Redshirt senior linebacker Darrell Taylor had a breakout performance at Georgia last season, totaling three sacks and two forced fumbles. It was Taylor's first of two games with three or more sacks during the 2018 season.
"(Darrell) is a guy that has really good talent, he has really improved as a player," Pruitt said. "But he needs, like everyone else in our program, needs to raise his level of play like we all do."
Taylor also forced a fumble against the Bulldogs in the 2017 meeting in Knoxville. So far this season, Taylor has registered 16 tackles and one sack.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFB | Brazzell Brothers Second Harvest Food Bank Mobile Pantry
Friday, November 14
FB | Wendell Moe Jr. Media Availability (11.11.25)
Tuesday, November 11
FB | Miles Kitselman Media Availability (11.11.25)
Tuesday, November 11
FB | Tim Banks Press Conference (11.11.25)
Tuesday, November 11
