Line Of Scrimmage Battle Looms Large Ahead of Trip to #12 Missouri

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers head into the final quadrant of the 2023 regular season, the Big Orange will expect a physical challenge with each remaining contest against three consecutive SEC Eastern Division foes. Looking forward to Saturday's road finale at No. 12 Missouri (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS), the battle in the trenches will be key as the Vols seek their second-straight SEC victory outside of Knoxville.

Tennessee (7-2, 3-2 SEC) enters the weekend with the top ranked rushing defense in the SEC, allowing just 97.3 yards per game which also ranks 13th in the FBS. The Vols are coming off a season-low 35 yards surrendered on the ground against UConn this past Saturday in a 59-3 victory, their sixth game limiting an opponent to less than 100 rushing yards this season.

Missouri running back Cody Schrader will present a challenge on Saturday as the redshirt senior leads the SEC in rushing yards (919) and yards per game (102.1) while ranking second in the league in rushing touchdowns (10). In Tuesday's post-practice media session, UT defensive line coach Rodney Garner was asked to compare the task of facing Schrader to taking on Kentucky running back Ray Davis — who entered the Oct. 28 contest against the Vols as the league's top back in yardage and was held to just 42 yards on 16 carries in UT's 33-27 win in Lexington.

"You come into the game, and Kentucky had one of the most prolific run games that we had faced up until that point," Garner said. "We really put a big emphasis on trying to create a new line of scrimmage, trying to play more vertical, trying to force them to make jump cuts prior to what they were. It's the same thing with (Schrader).

"They're very similar, but this guy may be just a tad more physical where the guy at Kentucky was faster. I think they both do a really good job of pressing the blocks and just finding the soft spot, just squaring up the shoulders (and) getting downhill. We've got to do a great job of playing vertical, creating knock backs, (and) be able to tear up blocks. We've got to keep our pads square. We've got to tackle. We can't miss tackles. All the little things are what it comes down to playing in this conference. Just play a great, sound, fundamental game."

On the other side of the coin, the Volunteers also lead the conference and rank third nationally in rushing offense (227.8 yards per game). According to redshirt senior guard Ollie Lane, the UT offensive line takes great pride in that number as it serves a testament to the hard work put in by all eleven players operating efficiently and effectively.

"Being able to be rated at the top means a lot to us," Lane said during Tuesday's player availability. "Coming through this whole offseason, that was a big point of emphasis for us, that we have to be able to run the ball. That's SEC football everywhere. There is a big emphasis on running the ball, and being able to be the best at it is a huge testament to the hard work we put in this entire offseason."

Video and full comments from Garner and wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope can be viewed below, along with select quotes and video from Lane, redshirt senior defensive lineman Elijah Simmons, freshman linebacker Jeremiah Telander and junior running back Jaylen Wright.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Nov. 7, 2023

Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garner

On Elijah Simmons' performance against UConn...
"Obviously, I think he's getting healthier. He had a good spring. He was having a good camp until he got hurt and then he was out until midseason. He's just getting himself back in shape and becoming more consistent. I thought he played his best game he's played since we've been here. There's still much room for improvement. I think he knows that. He's just got to keep pressing and pick up where he left off."

On how he's seen Missouri's passing offense improve from last year...
"Missouri, when you look at them it starts with the quarterback. He's a really good football player. He has a really good command presence. He can lead, he can throw the ball and he's elusive. He can run. He puts a lot of stress on you. Starting with him, but then you look at their receiving core, those are some special guys that he's got out there to throw the ball to. You look at No. 3 (Luther Burden III), No. 1 (Theo Wease Jr.), No. 7 (Cody Schrader) and No. 5 (Mookie Cooper) - they've got a group of guys that are real good football players that he does a really good job of throwing the ball to. Obviously, their offense is very diverse and does a really good job there. No. 7, the running back, is a physical, tough guy that does a really good job of running behind his pads. He brings his own blocker. They're doing a good job of playing team offense if you ask me."

On Elijah Simmons returning from his injury...
"Elijah was out for most of the season, so he wasn't even out there with me. He was with the training room (staff). Since he's been back, it's just been getting himself back into shape. For a guy to be out seven or eight weeks, you really worry about, especially a big guy that's had a history of struggling with gaining weight, but we were pleased that he didn't let it get out of control. But still, it was still the same thing about getting himself back into playing shape. It's different than running with the trainers and strength staff and all of that than getting out there and actually practicing or doing the strain of football-related things. I think he's more dialed in, he's more in tune to what he's trying to accomplish, so he's been more attentive to details and hopefully that's just going to carry over and continue to build and that's he's getting a body of work that he wants to build upon. I know he feels good about himself. I think he felt good about how he played this past Saturday. Hopefully he'll go and start stacking good on top of good and that we don't ride the rollercoaster."

On the key to stopping runs from Missouri compared to Kentucky...
"You come into the game, and Kentucky had one of the most prolific run games that we had faced up until that point. The running back was averaging almost six yards a carry. We really put a big emphasis on trying to create a new line of scrimmage, trying to play more vertical, trying to force them to make jump cuts prior to what they were. It's the same thing with this guy. They're very similar, but this guy may be just a tad more physical where the guy at Kentucky was faster. I think they both do a really good job of pressing the blocks and just finding the soft spot, just squaring up the shoulders (and) getting downhill. We've got to do a great job of playing vertical, creating knock backs, (and) be able to tear up blocks. We've got to keep our pads square. We've got to tackle. We can't miss tackles. All the little things are what it comes down to playing in this conference. Just play a great, sound, fundamental game."

On his journey as a successful coach at Tennessee…
"I think that's compliments to the young men in the program who have bought into what we've been preaching. We're blessed to have some really good young men. I think guys have been beaten down. It had been a long time since Tennessee had been back to the elite status that Tennessee's used to. So, for those guys that started out with us that first year, for us to win seven games, I thought that was great. And then back it up to last year and just seeing the improvement, I think they're taking more pride in getting the program back to where it belongs. These kids have bought into it. They're doing the little things. Leadership is starting to show up in the locker room, which I think anytime in this league that you have a good program, it needs to be peer-led. We don't mind leading as coaches, but we have to be honest with ourselves. For it to be really effective, we need the kids to buy into it and we need the kids to hold each other accountable. I think our guys have done a much better job of doing that. Not having to start over that we're at day one every day, we're able to move the needle and pick up where we left off. Still got a long way to go, we all know that. We've got to continue to improve in all facets of our game. We can't ever become satisfied. Not that we've done anything to be satisfied with, but we've got to keep working hard to try and improve every day."

On how he coaches the defensive line to counter additional attention offenses give their pass rush...
"We just got to strain. Obviously, we've got to strain. Ball is coming out quick, they're max protecting, they're chipping, it's part of football. We've got to just continue to work on our fundamentals. Pre-snap, see some things better, where the back and the tight ends line up. Respect the chip. Being able to chip the chipper. Just different things from a fundamental standpoint to be more efficient in what we're doing. That's a part of it. That's respect. I'm glad people do respect us. Now we've got to get better."

Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope

On the growth in the wide receiver room this season…
"I think that's been kind of the word of the year is just growth. I think the relieving part about that word is we've yet to peak. I think as those guys continue to work, the best version of themselves we'll continue to see. Got a bunch of guys in new spots, bunch of guys getting used to new roles. I think, ultimately, that detail, the intensity that it takes to prepare each week. I think just repetition, (doing) that over and over is why guys are becoming more comfortable and now you've been able to see them make more plays as of late. I think as they continue to work their playing, that'll continue to come."

On where Dont'e Thornton Jr. has improved and if he likes him on the outside more…
"I think we've been able to get him confident, comfortable. I think early on, a lot of that, he's a kid that he wants to do so well. You kind of toe that line of pressing and being aggressive and just getting him to calm down and not press so much and just go play football. I think now you're seeing a confident version of him, which is why he's able to go make plays. The plan in practice is continuing to do that, continue to keep him confident, that way you can see him relax and play ball on Saturday."

On if there's anyone that Dont'e Thornton Jr. has been able to get advice and get confidence from…
"I think Bru (McCoy) has been awesome for all those guys. He's always in the building, he's in meetings, he's in team meetings. As devastating as it was having him go down, I think it gave him a bigger voice. He was already a leader of that group, but his voice I think, being able to speak to those guys, he's helped each and every one of those guys tremendously."

On if he saw the urgency pick up with the wide receivers after Bru McCoy's injury…
"Absolutely. You never know when that moment is going to come, that's why you always have to prepare as if you're up next. I think there was a big wake up call, not only about the urgency, but just opportunity when Bru went down. You see some guys step up and make plays. Chas (Nimrod) made a couple of huge plays the last weeks, Kaleb Webb made a really huge play last week and Dont'e (Thornton) and Ramel (Keyton) we talked about. It has to create urgency within the group, and I think it has done that."

On why Dont'e Thornton Jr. is more comfortable outside and if that's why he's more confident…
"I think it is an overstatement. We play guys in and outside most of the time. Sometimes it could be just getting them in one spot and allowing them to be comfortable and the game slows down a lot quicker. That's just kind of a summary, kind of case-by-case basis."

On Dee Williams' growth at receiver…
"He's having to learn a whole new side of football. He's been learning defensive terminology, so he's now on the offensive side. Just building him from the ground up, day one foundation. Dee has handled that task well. He has to continue to do that as the season goes on. He's been in the building, he's learning, he's asking questions, being a sponge. That's all we can ask for. It's exciting to have him in the room as well. A guy with that type of talent and what he can do with the ball in his hands is always good."

On how growth applies to him as a coach…
"It forces you to teach in new ways. It forces you to be able to articulate and inspire and motivate in different ways. The way that Squirrel (White) is motivated is not going to be the same way Jalin Hyatt was motivated. Same way with Chas (Nimrod) and Kaleb (Webb), you can't motivate them the same way Bru (McCoy) will be motivated. I think the biggest part of being a coach is having a voice, but also having an ear and knowing when and how to get through to certain players. With each group, each year is going to look different. Each group is going to take on their own DNA. As you continue to get experience with that group, I think it also lets you know how guys are triggered and what buttons to push and when to push them. That's been the biggest growth part for me this year."

On if he had a relationship with Dee Williams before he started playing offense…
"I coached him on punt returns, so the relationship was kind of seamless. I would like to think I had a good relationship with him. He's awesome. He's a great kid on punt return, worked with him there the last two years, so the connection was already there. The only piece building with him was just the terminology. Like I said, he's done a great job of being a sponge and going in and working on and off the field and becoming a wideout now."

On what went into Dee Williams getting offensive reps…
"I think hats off to that kid, his mindset has always been, 'I just want to help the team in whatever way I can'. If he's snapping or he's a placeholder, it doesn't matter. His mindset has always been that he wants to help the team. I think once we made the move to him coming to offense, naturally he's excited about that. I think he feels some of his own skillset that could be used over there, so we're going to try to create some new opportunities for him now."

On how he would describe the DNA of this team's wide receiver group…
"I think that's to be determined. I think I mentioned earlier, I think the best version of this group has yet to be out there. I think as we continue to roll the rest of the season, we have a long season the rest of the way, I think that's to be determined. I think just the way these guys have practiced these last couple of weeks, you're continuing to see guys do new things and become better. I feel like the jury is still out on that."

On the relationship the wide receiver group has with Joe Milton III…
"Joe does a good job of leading those guys. He's not afraid to hold those guys accountable. He's not afraid to take accountability on his own. Those guys have done a good job of feeding off each other, talking through things and battling through some issues. I think as we continue to grow and that line of communication stays open, I think you'll get the best version of him as well. He's been awesome leading those guys."

RS-Senior OL Ollie Lane

On UT leading the SEC in rushing…
"That's the number one stat I think we look at as an offensive line. It's a testament to the hard work we put in, plus with how great our running backs see and their field vision, being able to hit a hole that we create for them is huge. But, being able to be rated at the top means a lot to us. Coming through this whole offseason, that was a big point of emphasis for us is that we have to be able to run the ball. That's SEC football everywhere. There is a big emphasis on running the ball, and being able to be the best at it is a huge testament to the hard work we put in this entire offseason."

On moving back and forth from center to guard…
"Everyone is feeling good. It's a lot more comfortable being able to move back to the position that I've been working at, and there is a confidence level that comes with that as well. Overall, I think everyone is starting to gel really well together. Spots are getting set in stone and the way that we've been working together, everything's been moving super smooth. Again, it's been a lot more comfortable being able to move back to my position at home, but still practicing that center spot and being comfortable with that just in case anything ever comes up."

On running the football against Missouri's defense…
"One thing I will say about them is that on the tape, you could see it everywhere, there are a lot of guys that play really hard snap to whistle. So that's something that you have to prepare for each week. That's just training hard in your practices and scout team work. But, pretty much it's just watching them on film and being able to break down and understand what moves they are going to go to and what they are going to do. Going back into your technique and figuring out, this is how I am going to beat them and this is what technique I'm going to use, and just kind of going through that process as you're breaking down film."

RS-Senior DL Elijah Simmons

On staying positive on the road to getting healthy…
"Just trying to keep the same exact mindset I had as I was going through camp. Not feeling down on myself. I know I was going to come back eventually. Just trying to maintain weight and try to be way better when I get back."

On what worked well for him last Saturday vs. UConn…
"Just doing what was asked of me. In practice, trying to get vertical in the gaps. Trying to not get cut out and things like that. Just doing exactly what was told to me, and it showed up in the game. Just playing how I was practicing."

On Missouri's offensive line…
"They are pretty similar. They go fast. They stretch a lot. They have a great running back. He [Missouri's running back Cody Schrader] has had a lot of success this season. The offensive line is pretty good. All in all, I will say they are pretty similar speed-wise. Everything like that."

Freshman LB Jeremiah Telander

On adjusting to the speed of the game...
"I feel like I have adjusted very well. Coaches have prepared us very well. In fall camp we were playing against the fastest offense, so just those reps helped me already. Game 10 now, I feel good, the speed has slowed down a lot for me."

On his performance Saturday against UConn...
"I feel like I performed well. I had a great week of preparation, and I felt like when my time came, I was ready. Of course, there are some things you can always fix, so we went through the film and there are some things that I took away from that game that I can get better on. Overall, I feel like I was great. I feel like my effort was really good and I had a great time out there."

On how he feels physically compared to how he did during this part of the season in high school...
"I feel great, honestly. I think our coaches do a great job of taking the load off of us, as well, with the strength, conditioning and just the way that we practice. I honestly feel really good. You're right, I haven't got as many reps, so my body feels great."

Junior RB Jaylen Wright

On Missouri this year as opposed to previous seasons…
"You know, they're an SEC team. Everybody's good. It's just this year, they're playing with their hair on fire. They've had a pretty successful season so far. So, we are expecting them to go out and play hard, so we have to come out and match their energy."

On what's allowed him to be successful running the football…
"Just my O-line being able to sustain blocks. Being patient and being detailed with all my reps. Just taking my preparation from practice all week into games."

On what his expectations were going into the season…
"Individually it was just to be the best in the SEC. To be the best in the nation, which I know I can do. I was the lead rusher last year, and that was the goal to be that again this year. I just have to keep chopping wood."

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