KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee football team will open SEC play this week at home, hosting the Florida Gators in Neyland Stadium at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.

“When I was growing up, it was always the first big SEC game of the year,” head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “I always loved to watch it – always a lot of passion with both fan bases, a lot of tradition. I’m thankful to have the chance to be a part of it.”

The Volunteers enter the Eastern Division matchup looking to earn their second consecutive victory against the Gators in Neyland after rallying to score 38 straight points en route to a 38-28 win in 2016. Last week against UTEP, UT put together 512 yards of total offense.

“After watching this past week’s game, when you look at it offensively, it’s probably the best game we’ve played this year in terms of putting more plays together,” Pruitt said. “We had the penalties putting us in bad yardage on third downs, but we did put several plays together. As far as average yards per play, it was somewhere in the plus six range which is our best for the season. We’ve got to eliminate the penalties and take care of the football.”

Palmer, Receiving Corp Coming Together

Through just three games in 2018, the Vols’ wide receivers have converted four plays of 50 yards or more, already tying last season’s total.

“We come together as a group, and we push each other a lot in practice,” sophomore wide receiver Josh Palmer said. “So, when we see stuff happen in the game, we’re not really surprised because we know what we can do.”

The Brampton, Ontario native has reeled in two catches this season that have gone for more than 50 yards, including a career-long 53-yard reception against UTEP. Palmer credits his improvement to the offense and offensive coordinator Tyson Helton.

“It could have been anybody in those plays, making those catches,” Palmer said. “When I’m put in those positions, I have to come up with the ball and that’s the thing Coach emphasizes – to make the play when it comes to you. I just try to stay level-headed and focus on what we have to do and what Coach Helton calls.”

Johnson Balancing Civil Engineering, Football

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Johnson has started seven straight games for the Vols dating back to last year, logging starts at left guard, right guard and center all while balancing a demanding civil engineering academic schedule.

“It’s a little hard not going crazy at times,” Johnson said. “You have to put a lot of things to the side. You have to know what’s important. It’s school and football, so there’s not much time to do much of anything else except for sleep.”

Although a lot of work, Johnson described the balancing act as fun and said he learned from VFL Joshua Dobbs.

“I actually shadowed him a couple classes trying to figure out what I was going to do,” Johnson said. “I thought about doing aerospace and I thought about doing mechanical and I settled on civil. So, he taught me a lot of tricks about how to get it done, time management, stuff like that and it definitely applied when I went down the road and started working on civil.”

The Brentwood, Tenn., native is set to graduate with a degree in civil engineering this December in just two-and-half years.

Tennessee Player Quotes

Senior Defensive Back Micah Abernathy

On being a veteran player preparing for play against Florida:

“I feel like we need to circle every game on our schedule, whether its in-conference or out-of-conference, every game is just as important as the next.”

On the transition between safety and nickelback:

“You just have to know your assignment, really, know that you’re playing different receivers, whether it’s the tight end or just another defense in general. I feel like I’m doing well and am trying to continue to get better every week.”

On how his assignments change between position transitions throughout the game:

“It’s little things like run-pass reads, knowing where your receivers are going to go based off of leverage and splits and things like that.”

On the way last year’s game ended and how it motivates the team for this year:

“Like I said, every game is important. Regardless of last year, this is a new season, new team and that’s what we’re focusing on – the next game.”

Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Ryan Johnson

On his class schedule:

“It’s a lot of work but it’s fun. It’s interesting and I’m enjoying it.”

On how tough it is to balance both football and civil engineering:

“It’s a little hard not going crazy at times. You have to put a lot of things to the side. You have to know what’s important. It’s school and football, so there’s not much time to do much of anything else except for sleep. So, you have to learn how to cram 50 pounds into a 10-pound sack, but you figure it out.”

On if he learned anything from VFL Joshua Dobbs:

“I definitely did. I actually shadowed him a couple classes trying to figure out what I was going to do. I thought about doing aerospace and I thought about doing mechanical and I settled on civil. So, he taught me a lot of tricks about how to get it done, time management, stuff like that and it definitely applied when I went down the road and started working on civil. It was a great help to have somebody that’s been there, done that, to teach me some of the things that not everybody else in the engineering world can teach you that they haven’t really been there.”

On what the rivalry means to him growing up a Tennessee fan:

“I can remember when I was three years old, this is the rivalry everybody talks about – UT and Florida. This is the game that I’ve always loved to play in. When I was a kid, this is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be a Tennessee football player playing Florida at home. This means everything to me. It’s huge. I know it means a lot to Vol Nation and I’m really excited about this game.”

On Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer talking with the team:

“I think Coach Fulmer has been really encouraging. He’s always been there, been very encouraging. I can’t say he’s been specific on anything, but it’s great to have him here and I’m really excited and proud that he’s here as our athletic director.”

Redshirt Senior Running Back Madre London

On first SEC game:

“It’s just like any other game. You have to put your best foot forward and do what you have to do. You don’t want to be embarrassed on the football field, but it does amp up a lot of things knowing it’s a rivalry game like Michigan/Michigan State. Everything we are doing this week is to beat Florida.”

On first night game:

“Sold out crowd, 100 and something thousand, you can’t ask for anything more. It’s a night game. The atmosphere is going to be crazy, and I can’t wait.”

On readiness for the Florida game:

“We’re ready. The West Virginia game didn’t go well, but it was the first game. We executed well these past two games. The game we lost were mental mistakes we had. We need to fix up the details and execute more and don’t shoot ourselves in the foot.”

On upcoming SEC slate:

“It is more exposure for our football team, and it is a great way to start our dynasty.”

Sophomore Wide Receiver Josh Palmer

On the wide receiver group’s comradery:

“We come together as a group, and we push each other a lot in practice. So, when we see stuff happen in the game, we’re not really surprised because we know what we can do.”

On his confidence:

“My confidence is coming along. From last year to this year, I’m just really improving my skillset and honing my skills in – trying to be the best receiver I can.”

On David Johnson’s coaching and how it has helped him develop:

“He’s a great coach – he’s always pushing us, and he likes to teach us the game inside and out. A couple days ago, we learned what type of defense the defensive line plays, so when the blitz comes we know when we have to release, when we have to run downfield. He’s doing a great job with that.”

On his improvement from last year:

“I credit it to the offense, and Coach Helton putting us in the best positions. It could have been anybody in those plays, making those catches. When I’m put in those positions, I have to come up with the ball and that’s the thing Coach emphasizes – to make the play when it comes to you. I just try to stay level-headed and focus on what we have to do and what Coach Helton calls.”

UT Athletics