Brothers Osborne, Lauren Alaina and Dustin Lynch helped announced the nominees in six categories for the 51st annual CMA Awards on ABC’s Good Morning America on today (Sept. 4). The remaining six categories were announced via GoodMorningAmerica.com, Yahoo and Good Morning America’s Facebook page.
Miranda Lambert tops the list of nominees with five nominations, while Little Big Town and Keith Urban each garnered four nominations. Eric Church, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton each earned three nominations. Brothers Osborne, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Old Dominion and Jon Pardi copped two nominations each.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will team up for the 10th time to co-host the upcoming CMA Awards, which will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8-11 p.m. ET, on ABC.
Check out the nominees below.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist, producer, and mix engineer)
“Better Man” – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff, Keith Urban; Mix Engineer: Chris Lord-Alge
“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt; Producer: Zach Crowell; Mix Engineer: Zach Crowell
“Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi; Producer: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Mix Engineer: Eric Masse
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and producer)
The Breaker – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce
From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Heart Break – Lady Antebellum; Producer: busbee
The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Producer: Dave Cobb
The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse
SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the songwriter)
“Better Man” — Songwriter: Taylor Swift
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Songwriter: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Olsen
“Body Like A Back Road” — Songwriter: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
“Dirt On My Boots” — Songwriter: Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
“Tin Man” — Songwriter: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the group)
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the duo)
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Brothers Osborne
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each artist)
“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris)
“Funny How Time Slips Away” – Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
“Kill a Word” – Eric Church (feat. Rhiannon Giddens)
“Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney (with P!nk)
“Speak to a Girl” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the musician)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar)
Derek Wells (Guitar)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and director)
“Better Man” – Little Big Town; Director: Becky Fluke and Reid Long
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Director: Carter Smith
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 25/24 Tennessee will open its 2017 season on Monday, Sept. 4, against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The game will feature an 8 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN with Rece Davis (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) in the booth and Maria Taylor reporting from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius and XM satellite radio will also carry the game on Channel 80.
On Aug. 9, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game announced that the Tennessee-Georgia Tech game is sold out.
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones enters his fifth season at the helm of the program and has led the Vols to four-straight wins in season openers. Monday’sgame will mark the second time under Jones that the Vols will have opened the season at a neutral site. Tennessee took a 59-30 win over Bowling Green in the 2015 opener at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Monday
On Aug. 31, 2012, the Vols defeated NC State, 35-21, in their only other appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
The Big Orange will be one of the first teams to play in the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The stadium will host another Chick-fil-A Kickoff game on Saturday as No. 1 Alabama takes on No. 3 Florida State. The SEC currently holds a 7-1 advantage over the ACC in those games. Overall, the SEC is 9-2 when playing for the Old Leather Helmet.
UT’s Labor Day meeting with the Yellow Jackets will mark the 25th time that the Vols have played on a Monday. UT is 12-11-1 all-time in Monday games.
Tennessee is officially 107-59-4 (.630) all-time in night games (those beginning after 6 p.m. local time).
Renewing An Old Rivalry
Tennessee and Georgia Tech have squared off 43 times and the Vols lead the all-time series 24-17-2. UT has won the past five games between the teams, including their last meeting in 1987 when the Vols took a 29-15 win in Neyland Stadium.
Both schools have a rich college football history as Tennessee begins is 121st season of football and Georgia Tech has been playing on the gridiron since 1892. The Yellow Jackets’ greatest coach was Bobby Dodd, who coached GT from 1945-66. Before that he starred as a player for Tennessee, lettering from 1928-30 and earning All-America honors in 1930.
Tennessee is 117-65-2 all-time against current members of the ACC. Georgia Tech is 210-216-4 against the current members of the SEC.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee head coach Butch Jones held his final media availability on Friday in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio before the Vols kick off the 2017 season against Georgia Tech.
The No. 24/25-ranked Vols’ game week officially started on Wednesday as the team made practice schedule adjustments to prepare for its 2017 season opener versus the Yellow Jackets on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will air live on ESPN and be broadcast by Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis and Maria Taylor.
“It’s a great opportunity for our football program on a national stage to go play in a great environment and a great venue on Monday night,” Jones said. “As a kid growing up, these are the type of experiences and the type of environments that you dream about playing in. That’s why these individuals come to the University of Tennessee, to play in meaningful games like this on a national stage.”
Tennessee and Georgia Tech will meet for the 44th time, but it will be the first game between the two schools since 1987. The Vols hold a 24-17-2 edge in the all-time series.
Tennessee and Georgia Tech are both coming off 9-4 campaigns and will both feature new quarterbacks. Neither team has named a starting quarterback. The Yellow Jackets are expected to be a formidable foe having rushed for 258.1 yards per game last season behind head coach Paul Johnson’s famed triple-option attack.
“I think any time you play a very good football team, that adds not only to game week excitement but that really goes all the way back to when this football team was born in January,” Jones said. “Playing a meaningful game against a great quality opponent who’s had a lot of great success, I think that helps in terms of your offseason and that these players understand what’s going on. It will be great for our program.”
The Vols last played in the season-opening Chick-fil-A Game in 2012, defeating NC State, 35-21.
Continuity on the Offensive Line
After working over a week side-by-side, Jones believes the continuity of the offensive line extends deeper than the starting five.
“Well, you can’t beat continuity,” he said. “It’s also the number six or number seven individual that may have to go into a game. You never have enough depth, as we all know, with what occurred last year.”
Jones thinks that the continuity has helped from a communicative perspective and allowed the group as a whole to better understand what is expected of them from a physicality, leverage and knowledge standpoint.
“Anytime they can all work together as one unit really helps,” Jones said.
It’s All About Discipline
Discipline will be an important factor for Jones and the Tennessee defense on Monday night as the Vols must stop the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack.
“When you play this type of offense,” said Jones, “everything is about your eye discipline and understanding your job in executing your role.”
In addition to discipline, Jones said the Vols are going to have to be to play in space and be a great tackling team.
“Really, it comes down to every individual understanding their roles and responsibilities and also understanding the challenges of their roles and their responsibilities. It comes down to which football team has the overall discipline to execute for a long period of time,” Jones added.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Head Coach Butch Jones
(Opening Statement)
“It’s good to see everyone. We did get the results back on Darrin Kirkland Jr. and unfortunately, it wasn’t the news we wanted to hear. He will be out the entire season. It is a situation where you do not want to jump to conclusions until you get all the medical evidence that you need. We were looking at it with a very positive outlook that it could be three to four to five weeks but unfortunately, that’s not the news that came about. He will miss the entire season. I know Darrin is extremely disappointed and his family is extremely disappointed, but just like anything in life, he will be better for it. He will work exceptionally hard and we look forward to getting him back.”
(On moving forward following Kirkland’s injury)
“It’s all about moving forward. Again, we have some individuals that have played a lot of snaps for us. Colton Jumper started nine or ten games for us so he will be ready to go. Dillon Bates and freshman Will Ignont are at the mike position as well. So again, a lot of these individuals gained a lot of valuable repetitions last year with Colton being one of those at the mike. We will move on from here. That is football. That’s just the way it is. I’m excited to see what those individuals can do starting Monday night.”
(On what the team will lose by not having Joshua Dobbs under center for the first time)
“Well, anytime you’re starting a quarterback that has the kind of experience that Josh Dobbs had, it’s very comforting as a coach. This is because he’s played meaningful games and he’s had live reps. However, it is about more than just the quarterback, it’s about the other ten individuals around him executing and doing their jobs. We always say that the quarterback doesn’t have to win the game for you, but he can lose the game for you. It’s all about decision making processes, taking care of the football, managing the offense, making the right throws and making the right progressions. As we all know, Georgia Tech is a blitz orientated football team and they do a very good job with it. I think it is more than just the execution at the quarterback position; it’s about all eleven individuals that are on the football field. We have great confidence in our quarterbacks. We have tried to put them in every situation we can, whether it’s from a management standpoint or a decision making standpoint. They are prepared. I know they are anxious and ready to play.”
(On naming a starting kicker)
“It’s still ongoing. There is a possibility [that we could split duties] and that will be determined by the length of the field goal. So, that’s still ongoing. We’re still competing. We have a pretty good idea with that and everything is charted. We’ve marked landmarks, yard lines on the field and compiled the data not just this week or the last two weeks, but the entire length of camp. It’s a body of work over a long period of time when we started about a month ago.”
(On the competition at linebacker)
“Well, they’ll compete each and every day. This game is a different circumstance in and of itself from their style of play and everything that goes about them. Again, it’s a body of work over time. As we all know, individuals grow and mature at different rates. There may be someone that may not be quite ready to play right now, but through practice times and repetitions by game two, game three, game five, game six, they are ready to play. It’s a long football season. We’re going to need everyone on board.”
(On the continuity of the offensive line)
“Well, you can’t beat continuity. These individuals have worked for over a week side-by-side with each other, but it’s also the number six or number seven individual that may have to go into a game. You never have enough depth, as we all know, with what occurred last year. I think, just from the communicative standpoint, that it’s really helped. Those individuals have done a really good job in terms of the communication aspect of it, what we expect of that group from a physicality stand point, from a leverage stand point and from a knowledge standpoint. Anytime they can all work together as one unit that really helps.”
(On Brett Kendrick’s health this season)
“Brett is an individual who has battled just about everything. The resolve and resiliency that he has shown has been remarkable. He is an individual who continues to work every day and we ask a lot of him. Whether he’s playing guard or tackle, he goes to work every single day. We’re going to need that mentality and that experience. He has played a lot of games throughout the course of his career and I think his ability to overcome speaks volumes. As a football player at the beginning of the season, you’re never 100 percent healthy. There’s a lot of mental toughness and things that go on behind the scenes to get your body and mind right on a weekly basis. This conference is a line of scrimmage league and it’s very physical, so we’re going to need his experience. He has come a long way in our football program, and we’re really proud of him.”
(On the quarterback situation at both Tennessee and Georgia Tech)
“Through video study and everything that goes into it, we have a pretty good idea of who the quarterback will be for us. We have a pretty good idea of who will be the quarterback for [Georgia Tech] as well. When you speak in terms of Georgia Tech, they are who they are and it’s the same thing for us. We’re going to do what we need to do to win the football game. You’re really preparing for the scheme aspect of things and what they’d expect from that position. That doesn’t really come into play.”
(On how he will use younger running backs behind John Kelly on Mondaynight)
“As we know, you can never have enough healthy running backs. The entire running back group has really done a very good job and like I said, it’s a body of work over a long period of time. Now they get an opportunity in a great environment and a great stage to go put the fruits of their labor on video, so we anticipate playing a number of backs Monday night.”
(On similarities to the Battle of Bristol and the team walkthrough at Mercedes Benz Stadium)
“It’s a great opportunity for our football program on a national stage to go play in a great environment and a great venue on Monday night. As a kid growing up, these are the type of experiences and the type of environments that you dream about playing on. That’s why these individuals come to the University of Tennessee, to play in meaningful games like this on a national stage. I think any time you play a very good football team, that adds not only to game week excitement but that really goes all the way back to when this football team was born in January. Playing a meaningful game against a great quality opponent who’s had a lot of great success, I think that helps in terms of your offseason that these players understand what’s going on. It will be great for our program.
“In terms of going into the dome, we’ll go there Sunday night. The big thing is being able to catch kicks, whether it’s punts or kickoffs, and just getting used to the environment. It’s going to be completely different and, again, it’s the maturity of a football team where you can’t let the 360 (degree) jumbotron or all of those things come into play. Those never help you win a football game. We will go in there, we’ll practice in there and we’ll make sure they’re ready for that.”
(On the status of Shy Tuttle and Josh Smith for Monday’s game)
“All I can tell you is they’ll be making the trip and they’ll be dressed. Those will probably be game-time decisions.”
(On the inexperience and the competition at the receiver position)
“We anticipate all of them playing right now. That’s an extremely young group and we’re going to have to rely on the game experience of Jauan Jennings and Josh Smith if he’s able to play. You also have some individuals who had some game reps like Brandon Johnson. That’s a group where we’re going to have to play some youngsters and they are going to have to grow up in a hurry and grow up fast.”
(On eye discipline when facing Georgia Tech)
“When you play this type of offense, everything is about your eye discipline and understanding your job in executing your role. You have a guy assigned to the dive, you have an individual assigned to the quarterback, an individual assigned to the pitch guy and then obviously the back end of the defense with their assignments on the perimeter with the receivers and their different running backs that they have in their offense. It really comes down to playing great team defense and running to the football. There are some individuals that are going to have to make you right when you’re wrong sometimes. We’re going to have to have the ability to make tackles in space. You have to be able to play in space. We have to be a great tackling team. Obviously, they are a very physical football team. We have to be able to get off blocks at the line of scrimmage. Really, it comes down to every individual understanding their roles and responsibilities and also understanding the challenges of their roles and their responsibilities. It comes down to which football team has the overall discipline to execute for a very long period of time.”
(On if he has told the players who the starting quarterback will be)
“We’ve met with all the quarterbacks and kind of went through the game plan and expectations. That dialog is always ongoing and we’re always in communication with them.”
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.”
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