KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With only four days remaining until Tennessee’s Labor Day season opener against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, the Vols’ staff and players are putting the final touches on their game plan for the Yellow Jackets.
Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Larry Scott, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach Charlton Warren, along with four players met with the media early Tuesday afternoon in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio to give updates on the team’s preparation for Georgia Tech.
Vols Expecting “Sound” Play from Veteran Georgia Tech Defense
UT heads into Monday’s showdown at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium expecting to face a veteran Georgia Tech defense that is very sound and will not make many mistakes.
“You can tell they are a veteran bunch on defense,” Scott said. “There aren’t many times when you see a guy out of a gap that he should be in or a coverage bust. When I think about it, they play well together and are very sound. They force you into a system that makes you execute.”
Senior offensive lineman Jashon Robertson commented on the experience the Yellow Jackets’ defense has not only by its starters but the players behind them as well.
“Georgia Tech’s defense is a group of guys who have a lot of playing experience, especially on the backend,” Robertson said. “Even the guys who aren’t necessarily returning starters have also played a lot of valuable reps, so with this defense I see a bunch of guys who are well coached and just some blue-collar guys that work really hard to get off blocks and things like that.”
Shoop Happy with Defense’s Progress
Much of the talk surrounding UT’s defense during the lead up to Monday’s opener is the challenge they will face in stopping Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. Shoop said he has been pleased with what he’s seen out of his defense during its preparation for the Yellow Jackets.
“First of all, I think the graduate assistants and the scout team have done an excellent job, and that’s not easy to simulate,” Shoop said. “Coach (Jones) has given us the reign to use different players, and those guys have done a great job. And then our players have really made a conscious effort.”
In particular, Shoop harped on was the importance of eye discipline when it comes to defending an attack like Georgia Tech’s.
“It’s not necessarily the physical piece, it’s having your eyes in the right spot at all times. If one guys gets just slightly out of position, against another operation it would be a three to five yard gain, but against these guys it could be a significant chunk play.”
One thing the Big Orange will have to learn on is the experience and depth at the safety position. Junior defensive back Micah Abernathy talked about the advantage to having so many guys that can contribute on the back end of the defense.
“We got a lot of starters back there, we know that, the coaches have told us that. We understand that we’re going to need as many people to play this year to stay fresh,” Abernathy said.
Warren also touched on the ability to rotate an array of players throughout the secondary.
“We have three or four guys at safety and three or four guys at corner that have shown the ability to produce and be consistent,” Warren said.
“I think in a game like this and any game with a long season ahead, I think you want to go into it and, if the guys are ready and prepared and earned it, you want to play them. I think we have some guys that have done that, where you don’t feel like you have to play one guy the entire game, which helps our team.”
The overall theme of fall camp is something that Shoop believes will translate seamlessly into this week’s game against Georgia Tech.
“The theme of the season has been details, accountability, toughness, and those are things that are required to beat these guys,” Shoop said. “From day one, whether it was in the spring, in the summer, in camp, or now as we get into game week, the guys have really been consistent. Our good practices have been good and even the ones that aren’t great haven’t been really bad, so it’s been really positive so far.”
Additional Quotes
Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Larry Scott
(On if he did anything to simulate play-calling duties during the offseason)“The biggest thing you have to do during the offseason is to put together the foundation and system. You have to really drill it home for the guys. You build from there. The only way you can is to get out and put the football on the ground and play football.”
(On what he sees from Georgia Tech’s defense)
“They are very sound. You can tell they are a veteran bunch on defense. There aren’t many times when you see a guy out of a gap that he should be in or a coverage bust. When I think about it, they play well together and are very sound. They force you into a system that makes you execute. It’s kind of like a bend-don’t-break mentality. They will play their defense, and they will play it well. They rely on you to make a mistake or turn the ball over. Typically, that is what you get from a defense like that. Those are some of the things we have noticed on film.”
(On how far the passing game has come since the beginning of camp)
“That has really cleaned up. Guys started to understand the focus that we were asking of them with that. In certain situations, there has to be zero tolerance for balls on the ground. Our guys have really matured and grown to know what it means to have that type of focus in those type of drills. In high school, that wasn’t a big deal. You just played throw and catch. In college, every rep is a meaningful rep. Every walk through, every drill and every throw-and-catch situation is another opportunity to better. We have done much better.”
Defensive Coordinator Bob Shoop
(On if he likes what he’s seen from the defense preparing for Georgia Tech’s triple option)
“Very much so. First of all, I think the graduate assistants and the scout team have done an excellent job. And that’s not easy to simulate. Coach has given us the reign to use different players, and those guys have done a great job. And then our players have really made a conscious effort. The theme of the season has been details, accountability, toughness, and those are things that are required to beat these guys. From day one, whether it was in the spring, in the summer, in camp, or now as we get into game week, the guys have really been consistent. Our good practices have been good and even the ones that aren’t great haven’t been really bad, so it’s been really positive so far.”
(On the test Georgia Tech poses with their big play ability)
“It’s a big test. It’s not necessarily the physical piece, it’s having your eyes in the right spot at all times. If one guys gets just slightly out of position, against another operation it would be a three to five yard gain, but against these guys it could be a significant chunk play.”
(On the biggest unknown on the defense going into Monday’s season opener)
“Just how we’ll play on game day when the lights come on. It’s a great stage and it’s a great opportunity. Part of the reason you come to Tennessee is to play in games like this, the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we’ll be the fourth football game in there after two preseason games and the Florida State-Alabama game, and our guys are excited. My unknown is because we have played on a pretty consistent basis, I’m anxious and curious to see what will happen at the first sign of adversity. The staff too, to tell you the truth, how is Charlton going to respond if one of his guys gets beat? How does Brady respond if one of his guys gets cut? I don’t know those guys in that situation so well. I feel like I have a pretty good feel for the players on our team, but I’m curious to see who’s the guy on the sideline that on third and one, says ‘come on let’s get this stop here’ or if it’s fourth down and the game is on the line or something along those lines. So those are the unknown like any opening game that you’re a little bit nervous about, I always say that I don’t worry about the things I have seen on film, I worry about the things that I haven’t, that you don’t see. Paul Johnson is going to have something up his sleeve, there’s no doubt about that. I have a ton of respect for him, and I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge.”
Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Charlton Warren
(On the possibility of playing several players in the secondary vs. Georgia Tech)
“I think the guys have had a good camp. We have three or four guys at safety and three or four guys at corner that have shown the ability to produce and be consistent. So I think in a game like this and any game with a long season ahead, I think you want to go into it and, if the guys are ready and prepared and earned it, you want to play them. I think we have some guys that have done that, where you don’t feel like you have to play one guy the entire game, which helps our team.”
(On how much the team has stressed tackling in preparations for Georgia Tech)
“For us, it’s normal football in that respect. We have to have great block destruction in defeating blocks and then we also have to be really good at making tackles in the open field. So I think for us, that’s really no different than any opponent from that standpoint. Like you said, tackling is always important.”
(On how many cornerbacks have earned the right to play against Georgia Tech)
“I think in a game for this personnel group we have three or four guys that have earned the right to play, that have shown they are consistent in what we are trying to do each and every practice. I think as the game rides along, you never say that this guy is going to get this many reps. I think we have faith that there are more two or three guys that can go in and give us meaningful snaps in a game.”
(On how camp went overall for the defensive backs)
“I think those guys have tried to buy into what we want to do. I think they have tried to play with great technique and fundamentals. I think they have been consistent and that’s the key for anybody in that position. They’ve been consistent and they are a group that is able to snap and clear and move on to the next play, whether they had a tremendous play and have to come back and do it again or whether they’ve had a bad play and have to turn around an go make up for it. I really like the way that group has been and I’m proud of their progress throughout fall camp.”
Senior Offensive Lineman Jashon Robertson
(On what he has seen out of Georgia Tech’s defense)
“Georgia Tech’s defense is a group of guys who have a lot of playing experience, especially on the backend. Even the guys who aren’t necessarily returning starters have also played a lot of valuable reps, so with this defense I see a bunch of guys who are well coached and just some blue-collar guys that work really hard to get off blocks and things like that.”
(On the chemistry of the offensive line)
“Unfortunately, over a season or even in training camps, bowl preps, or spring camps, whatever it is, sometimes things happen, it’s football. So that versatility has been built in the room and the opportunity to play multiple positions has helped us to this point. Now with this week, we have an opportunity to really gel together and create some good chemistry.”
(On possibly moving to a different positon along the offensive line)
“I definitely can move around on the interior line, whether it’s right guard, left guard, or center, that’ll be up to the coaches and where they see us all best fitting. But I’m ready to do whatever is best for the team.”
Senior Linebacker Colton Jumper
(On the hardest part of defending Georgia Tech’s triple option)
“For us, it’s just replicating that speed in practice because we know it’s going to be quick. The reads are quick. They’re a good offense and they’ve got a good offensive line so really just replicating that in practice with the scout team is going to be tough along with getting those reads really fast. Like everybody says, it’s hard to do that in practice because when they come out it’s not like what you see on film. It’s going to be way faster than that.”
(On Dillon Bates and the depth at linebacker)
“Dillon is a really athletic guy. He’s really fast and he’s a really hard worker. I think with DK out and guys like Dillon being there too, that helps a lot.”
(On the benefits of getting game reps last season)
“I think that getting those reps and getting those starting reps just tells you how to prepare and be game ready. You know you’re going to be out there on the first snap. Preparation has just really changed for me. I’ve always kind of carried myself with confidence, but having that success does help.”
Junior Defensive Back Micah Abernathy
(On the depth and rotation at the safety positions)
“We got a lot of starters back there, we know that, the coaches have told us that. We understand that we’re going to need as many people to play this year to stay fresh.”
(On the challenge of play against the triple option)
“It’s new. I’ve never played against the triple option in college, so just bringing on new challenges and we’re taking that head on. I’d say the biggest challenge is probably patience and everybody on the defense trusting that we have to read our keys and trusting that everybody else is going to do their job.”
(On the key to him having a good camp)
“I’d say my health was a big factor and my play throughout camp I’ve tried to stay focused on being healthy, my pre-practice routine, things like that.”
Redshirt Senior Punter Trevor Daniel
(On where he could improve his game)
“I would say hang time. Last year, I would kick a little too low. They would go the distance, but they didn’t have the hang, so I would hurt my guys on that. I am going to try and hang it up there this year to give them more time to get down field and make a tackle.”
(On what he has seen from Joe Doyle)
“He is a good punter as a freshman. I have seen consistency out of him. He knows his stuff. He can teach me stuff that I don’t even know about punting. Whenever I do something wrong, I will turn to him and ask what I am doing wrong. He can critique me and help me out. He knows what he is doing.”
-UT Athletics
