FRISCO, Texas – A second-half explosion and five double-figure scorers led the way for No. 11 Tennessee, as the Vols ran past No. 2 Gonzaga Friday at the Legends of Basketball Classic exhibition, 99-80.
After heading into halftime trailing by four points, Tennessee outscored Gonzaga by 23 points in the second half—holding the Bulldogs to 16 points in the game’s final 13 minutes after they scored 64 points in the opening 27 minutes.
Making his first appearance in a Tennessee uniform, graduate transfer Tyreke Key led the way with a game-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range.
Nkamhoua recorded a double-double on the night, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds.
As a team, Tennessee shot 57 percent from the field on the night—including 46 percent from 3-point range (13-for-28). The Vols had 28 assists on 36 made baskets.
Defensively, the Vols limited preseason AP All-American Drew Timme to 8-for-18 shooting on the night. Preseason second-team All-SEC selection Josiah-Jordan James did not play for Tennessee.
Neither team led by more five points for the first 29:10 of the game, but Tennessee took control of the contest by going on a 12-1 run to take a 77-65 lead—highlighted by five points apiece from Key and Plavsic.
From there, Tennessee continued to steadily built its lead. After trading baskets with the Bulldogs, the Vols rattled off another run—this time 12-2, capped off by a Phillips 3-pointer to push Tennessee’s lead to 91-72 with 5:16 remaining.
Neither team led by more than five points during a high-scoring, back-and-forth, first half—with Gonzaga taking a 54-50 lead into the break.
Tennessee shot 57 percent (17-for-30) from the field during the first half and made eight 3-pointers, while Gonzaga shot 59 percent (19-for-32).
Six players made multiple field goals during the first stanza for the Vols, led by Key—who scored 16 first-half points on 4-for-5 shooting, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Zeigler had eight points and five assists.
UP NEXT: Tennessee officially opens its 2022-23 season on Monday, Nov. 7, inside Thompson-Boling Arena against Tennessee Tech at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on SEC Network+. Tickets remain available at AllVols.com.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After concluding non-conference play with an emphatic 65-24 Homecoming victory over UT Martin last week, No. 3/3 Tennessee jumps back into conference play to begin its stretch run with a top-20 matchup against #19/17 Kentucky on Saturday night inside a sold-out Neyland Stadium.
The Vols will look to record their fifth win over a ranked opponent this season when the Wildcats come to town for Saturday’s border battle under the lights. UT will be rocking its “Dark Mode” uniforms for the game, which will feature a black helmet for the first time in program history.
The matchup will pit the SEC’s top scoring offense and second-ranked scoring defense against one another. Tennessee enters the game having scored 30 or more points in 10 straight games (longest active streak in the SEC) while Kentucky hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in 11 consecutive games (longest active streak in the FBS).
BROADCAST INFO
Saturday’s contest will be televised on ESPN as Chris Fowler (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call. Kickoff is slated for 7:06 p.m. ET.
Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 81) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 983), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins at 5 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY INFO
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee’s 2022 gameday policies, please visit the Tennessee Football Gameday Information page on UTSports.com. The gameday timeline as well as other important information is listed below.
Will Call Opens at Gate 21 – 3 p.m. Truly’s Tailgate Opens – 3 p.m. Vol Village Opens – 3:30 p.m. Vol Walk – 4:45 p.m. Gates Open – 5 p.m. Pride of the Southland Band March – 5:20 p.m. (Pedestrian Bridge) Pregame Light Show* – 6:40 p.m. *Light Sensitivity Warning: Strobe lights will be in effect Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 6:52 p.m. National Anthem/Flyover – 6:55 p.m. ESPN Broadcast Begins – 7:00 p.m. Vols Run Through the T – 7:03 p.m. Kickoff – 7:06 p.m.
TICKETS AND PARKING
Tickets and parking passes to all Tennessee Athletics events, including football, are now digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security and reduce the risk of ticket fraud as well as make the process more convenient for fans.
Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).
Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!
Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue.
The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.
Fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app, which now houses the Coca-Cola GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in a light show and much more. Search “Tennessee Athletics” in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this link to download: http://utsports.com/app
GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Neyland Stadium Fan Experience Enhancements Fans can enjoy several enhancements to the gameday experience at Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field this fall, including new state-of-the-art videoboards above both end zones and the North End Zone Social Deck, among others.
For more information on all of the new stadium and gameday fan experience enhancements, click HERE.
Neyland Lights, Fireworks: The spectacular fireworks show that debuted last season during pregame and following UT touchdowns and victories returns in 2022. The dramatic LED light show is also back to accentuate pregame and in-game festivities. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early on Saturday night for the pregame light show that will begin at 6:40 p.m. Fans with light sensitivity should note that strobe lights will be in effect for all light shows performed in Neyland Stadium.
Toyota Volunteer Village: Toyota Volunteer Village, located across from Circle Park, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Vol Village opens at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. Josiah and the Greater Good will be the featured band for this Saturday’s game.
New this season will be a video wall for fans to check out other games around college football. A new food court, along with appearances by Smokey and the Spirit Squad are also new to Vol Village this season. Face painting and axe throwing will be available on Saturday, as well.
Truly’s Tailgate: Located outside Gate 9, fans can stop by for food and drinks at Truly’s Tailgate. Fans may enter Truly’s prior to gates opening without having a ticket scanned. When gates open, fans will need to scan their ticket to enter Truly’s. New food options this season include Texas Roadhouse and Big Orange Bites.
Truly’s will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday and remain open for the majority of the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks, television entertainment and additional restroom options. Truly’s will close at the end of the third quarter.
Another Week, Another Ranked Showdown Saturday night’s primetime showdown against No. 19/17 Kentucky will mark the fifth time in eight games that the Vols will face a top-25 opponent. By taking down then No. 3/1 Alabama two weeks ago, Tennessee recorded its fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. UT and TCU are the only FBS programs this season with four victories over AP Top 25 ranked teams at the time of meeting. It’s the first time since 1998 that the Vols have defeated four or more ranked teams in a regular season and first time since 2001 if you include bowl game victories. Head coach Josh Heupel is 5-4 against ranked teams in his two seasons leading the Big Orange.
Hyatt Flying High Jalin Hyatt has elevated his game to new heights this season, entering Saturday’s contest ranked among the SEC and national leaders in a handful of receiving categories after three consecutive impressive performances. The South Carolina native is one receiving touchdown shy of tying the Tennessee single season record and leads the FBS with 12 touchdown catches this season after three straight multi-scores games. Hyatt is the first UT receiver to record multiple touchdown receptions in three straight games since Marcus Nash in 1997 and also ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards per game (109.9).
The junior wideout has been a big play machine this season, leading the country with nine 30-plus yard receiving played, eight 40-plus yard receiving plays and three 60-plus yard receiving plays. Hyatt is coming off a seven-catch, 174-yard, two-touchdown outing in the first half against UT Martin following a legendary performance in UT’s win over Alabama on Oct. 15 where he recorded six catches for a career high 207 yards and five touchdowns.
Fast, Fun, Real In the last two seasons combined under head coach Josh Heupel (including 2022), Tennessee is averaging a nation-best 2.92 plays per minute. During that same span, the Vols are averaging a nation-best 1.74 offensive points per minute. Ohio State is second in that category at 1.57. This season alone, the Vols are first in the nation in offensive points per minute (1.87) and sixth in offensive plays per minute (2.84).
Of UT’s 56 scoring drives this season, 31 have come in two minutes or less (55.4 percent). From 2018-20, Heupel’s UCF teams averaged a nation-high 3.04 plays per minute. Since the start of the 2018 season, Heupel-coached teams lead the nation in offensive plays per minute (2.99, min. – multiple seasons coached), offensive points per minute (1.68, min. – multiple seasons coached) and offensive plays per game (77.87, min – multiple seasons coached).
Ball Hawking, Aggressive Defense Paying Dividends The Vols’ defense under coordinator Tim Banks has been aggressive and opportunistic all year long, forcing 13 turnovers through seven games, which ranks tied for second most in the SEC. For comparison, UT had just 13 takeaways in 13 games last season. The Big Orange also rank fourth in the league in tackles for loss per game (6.29) and sacks per game (2.43).
SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee leads series, 82-26-9 Saturday’s meeting between the Vols and Wildcats will be the 118th in the all-time series. Tennessee has played and beaten Kentucky more than any other opponent in program history.
The Big Orange are 34-3 against the Cats since 1985, but UK has come away victorious in two of the previous five meetings, including the last time the two programs faced off inside Neyland Stadium in 2020. UT emerged with a hard-fought 45-42 victory over No. 18 Kentucky in Lexington last season.
ABOUT KENTUCKY
Kentucky is led by Mark Stoops, who is in the midst of his 10th season as head coach and has built the Wildcats into one of the league’s most consistent programs during his tenure in Lexington. Stoops has led UK to 10-plus wins in two of the past four years and has the Cats ranked inside the top 20 entering this weekend’s matchup.
Dynamic senior signal caller Will Levis leads the Wildcats’ offense. His combination of athleticism, arm strength and improved accuracy have him among the top NFL draft prospects at the quarterback position this year. In six games played, Levis is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,635 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Levis has a talented trio of wide receivers to distribute the ball to in Tayvion Robinson (25 rec., 392 yds, 3 TDs), Barion Brown (24 rec., 350 yds, 2 TDs) and Dane Key (20 rec., 322 yds, 3 TDs). Brown is also a dangerous return man who is a valuable weapon on special teams.
To compliment the passing attack, the Wildcats boast one of the SEC’s top running backs in senior Chris Rodriguez Jr. After missing the first four games of the season, Rodriguez has provided a jolt to UK’s ground game with 72 carries for 395 yards (5.5 avg) and three scores, averaging 131.7 yards per contest over the Cats’ last three games.
Kentucky also features one of the conference’s top defenses, something that has become a staple under Stoops’ during his time as head coach. The Wildcats rank second in the league in scoring defense (16.4 points per game) and total defense (295.4 yards per game) entering Saturday’s game.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Heading into a five-week gauntlet of SEC play, the third-ranked Tennessee Volunteers wrap up their three-game homestand Saturday night when the No. 19/17 Kentucky Wildcats visit Neyland Stadium for the 118th all-time meeting in the series (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Two days out from the SEC East divisional clash, head coach Josh Heupel met with members of the media Thursday morning to wrap up media proceedings for the week and preview the border battle. With his Vols off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 1998, Heupel praised his team’s ability to ‘refocus, regroup and be consistent’ in their approach to practice every single week.
“The only (game) that matters as a competitor is the next one, right?” Heupel remarked. “Everyone is talking about the last one, but you’re only as good as your next performance. Being able to refocus, regroup and be consistent. What’s been great about this team and the reason that one week at a time up until this point we’ve found a way to be the best team on the field is their preparation and the way they practice. At the end of the day, you have to go cut it loose on gameday and play harder for longer than your opponent.”
In a matchup to pits the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense against a top-10 scoring defense, the Vols will aim to make a statement early on. This season, Tennessee is outscoring its opponents 96-24 in the first quarter, but Heupel made sure to emphasize the importance of playing sharp for the full 60 minutes.
“It’s important that you play well for 60 minutes,” Heupel said. “Would we love to get off to a fast start? Yes, absolutely, but you guys have seen games unfold differently, and you just have to keep playing. Would love to start fast, but we will go play ball and play for 60 minutes.”
Thursday’s press conference transcript can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Oct. 27, 2022
On Mark Stoops’ coaching success at Kentucky… “He has done a good job of building up the program from the ground up. They play hard, they play smart and they are a physical football team. You put those three things together, you have a chance to continue as a program, and they have done that.”
On how valuable Ramel Keyton has been in Cedric Tillman’s absence… “It has been huge. From the first game that he stepped in, (the moment) has not been too big for him. He has operated and functioned at a really high level. He has made a bunch of plays. You can see the trust that Hendon has with him. It is important offensively that you have guys that you trust in all of those positions, otherwise they have the ability to key in, double, or roll coverage to somebody. Ramel’s play has been huge for us.”
On examples of leadership within this team… “There are so many moments of that taking place. I think one of the biggest things is when you are on the practice field. I just go back to our spring practice this year, we were intentional in trying to give them opportunities, but at each position, a leader having a minute or two in the middle of practice to re-group, re-focus and re-energize their position group. You saw guys at every position do that consistently on a daily basis. It might be (Byron Young) with the d-line, might be Jacob Warren with the tight ends, obviously, Hendon (Hooker) has done a phenomenal job. The ownership the guys at the DB (defensive back) position have had with the entire unit. You feel their energy, their focus, their purpose every day. If something has not been right, it has not always been a coach or me that has had to call the group up and get it right. They are taking ownership, and you see it on the practice field in the way that they coach each other. That was so remarkably different this spring versus a year ago. Those are some moments, dating all the way back to spring ball. But then, during the course of play, if it does not go right, the energy and look from those leaders and being able to re-group their guys on the sidelines has been massive. I am really proud of the guys that are on our leadership council and the guys that take ownership of our locker room.”
On Saturday’s game being labeled a ‘trap game’… “It doesn’t matter how you phrase it. The only one that matters as a competitor is the next one right. Everyone is talking about the last one, but you’re only as good as your next performance. Being able to refocus, regroup and be consistent. What’s been great about this team and the reason that one week at a time up until this point we’ve found a way to be the best team on the field is their preparation and the way they practice. At the end of the day, you have to go cut it loose on gameday and play harder for longer than your opponent.”
On any comparisons between quarterbacks Tennessee has played this year and Kentucky QB Will Levis… “It would be unfair of me to go back through all the teams that we’ve played. He is the major part of what they do on the offensive side of the ball. He does a great job of controlling it. You see them redirect protections, he’s a big part of them. Obviously play action pass, boots, movements and at times in the run game.”
On Cedric Tillman’s availability… “We will see where he’s at when we get through tomorrow and on game day. Again, Cedric is going to be a part of that decision, and our medical staff is doing what is best for him in the long term and short term.”
On how important it is to have a fast start against Kentucky’s defense… “It’s important that you play well for 60 minutes. Would we love to get off to a fast start? Yes, absolutely, but you guys have seen games unfold differently, and you just have to keep playing. Would love to start fast, but we will go play ball and play for 60 minutes.”
On his evaluation of the special teams unit… “I think they continue to get better. You guys have seen that we have a lot of young guys on there that have continued to grow throughout the course of the season. Coverage units have been really solid. Our return units continue to get better. Getting Dee [Williams] back on the punt return side of it has been big. We have created some field position with that unit. Expect us to continue to get better on all those units with as many young guys as we are playing.”
Here’s a look at my Week 9 SEC football game predictions.
Check back on my “Vince’s View” blog page for future posts including weekly SEC football and NFL game predictions. Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
2022 Week 8 Straight-Up Record: 3-2 (60%) 2022 Week 8 Spread Record: 4-1 (80%) 2022 Season Straight-Up Record: 62-13 (83%) 2022 Season Spread Record: 44-31 (59%) 2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 92-34 (73%) 2021 Season Spread Record: 63-63 (50%)
WRAPPING UP OCTOBER IN THE SEC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 Arkansas (4-3, 1-3 SEC) at Auburn (3-4, 1-3 SEC) Series: AU leads, 19-11-1 Noon ET • SEC Network Last: AU, 38-23 (2021 at Fayetteville) Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451) SiriusXM: 138/191 – 137/190 Line: Arkansas -3.5 Pick vs. Spread: Arkansas -3.5 Score Prediction: Arkansas 35 Auburn 21
Florida (4-3, 1-3 SEC) vs. No. 1 Georgia (7-0, 4-0 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 53-44-2 3:30 p.m. ET • CBS Last: UGA, 34-7 (2021 at Jacksonville) Jacksonville, Fla. • TIAA Bank Field (82,871) SiriusXM: 132/192 – 137/190 Line: Georgia -23.5 Pick vs. Spread: Georgia -23.5 Score Prediction: Georgia 38 Florida 14
Missouri (3-4, 1-3 SEC) at No. 25 South Carolina (5-2, 2-2 SEC) Series: MIZ leads, 7-5 4 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: MIZ, 31-28 (2021 at Missouri) Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) SiriusXM: 108/202 – 138/191 Line: South Carolina -3.5 Pick vs. Spread: South Carlina -3.5 Score Prediction: South Carolina 23 Missouri 17
No. 15 Ole Miss (7-1, 3-1 SEC) at Texas A&M (3-4, 1-3 SEC) Series: TAMU leads, 9-2 7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: UM, 29-19 (2021 at Oxford) Bryan-College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733) SiriusXM: 137/190 – 138/191 Line: Ole Miss -1.5 Pick vs. Spread: Ole Miss -1.5 Score Prediction: Ole Miss 31 Texas A&M 16
KNOXVILLE, TN – October 22, 2022 – The Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the UT-Martin Skyhawks and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
The attorney for Tennessee safety Jalen McCollough says he acted in self defense when he punched an intruder who mistakenly entered his apartment Oct. 9.
McCollough was charged with felony aggravated assault.
Attorney Chloe Akers filed a Memorandum of Law in General Sessions Court on Wednesday disputing the accounts of the incident in a Knoxville police report. The filing also says Knoxville police failed to interview two witnesses and that the incident did not occur near a stairwell.
The Memorandum says the intruder, Zion Spencer, entered the apartment unannounced after knocking on the door and was asked multiple times to leave but declined. Spencer, who admitted to drinking that day, said he left one apartment to get something from his car, got lost, and knocked on McCollough’s apartment before entering.
The police report says Spencer apologized multiple times, walked away and that McCollough punched him near a stairwell and that Spencer fell down the stairs.
The Memorandum says Spencer was reluctant to leave after being asked and did so only after being approached by McCollough. Spencer finally stepped out of the doorway and McCollough shut the door, one witness, McCollough’s girlfriend, said in the Memorandum.
McCollough asked Spencer to leave the premises but Spencer refused and when Spencer “became more aggressive and belligerent’’ and threatened to go back inside the apartment, McCollough punched him,
McCollough and another witness, his roommate and teammate, Warren Burrell, both stated that Spencer was standing two feet from the front door and “never turned his back and left the apartment at any time, and he was nowhere near the top of the stairs at the time of the interaction.’’
The filing cites a Tennessee legal provision that allows the use of force against someone “who (has) unlawfully and forcibly … entered a residence.’’ It says Spencer entered and “acted unlawfully. At that point, the law presumes Mr. McCollough is justified in using force against Mr. Spencer.’’
Attorney Mike Whelan, who represents Spencer, told The Sports Animal on Thursday he was unaware of the filing.
“I’m kind of surprised she (Akers) didn’t send me a copy of the motions,’’ he said.
Whelan described Spencer as a “sweet young man who went the wrong way in an apartment and got serious injuries … The punch was unjustified.’’
Whelan said Spencer had a tooth knocked out, teeth chipped and others dislodged.
“It will be a long recovery, and expensive,’’ Whelan said.
When told witnesses – McCollough, Burrell and McCollough’s girlfriend – disputed the police report accounts, Whelan said: “They are not exactly uninterested parties.
“I am certain they are claiming a different story. That doesn’t make it true.’’
When told the filing said Spencer wasn’t near the stairwell, Whelan said, “That’s the only place they found blood.’’
Whelan said McCollough’s roommate, Burrell, actually helped Spencer up off the stairs.
Akers will also file a motion Nov. 1 to expedite the preliminary hearing which is “to determine whether probably cause exists to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused omitted the crime.’’
McCollough made bail Oct. 10. By law, a preliminary hearing should be set with 30 days. It was set for Nov. 18. Akers is asking for a preliminary hearing before Nov. 10.
The filing says Akers will present to the court at the prelim hearing an “argument in favor of dismissal of this charge.’’
Akers declined to comment for this story.
While Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said McCollough has not been suspended, the starting senior safety has not played in Tennessee’s last two games. It is uncertain if he will play Saturday against Kentucky.
Akers released a statement Oct. 21 saying McCollough had “resolved this matter’’ with the University of Tennessee’s Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards following a “thorough investigation.’’
The Tennessee women’s basketball team is ranked No. 4 in the USA TODAY Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll that was released on Wednesday.
A year ago, the Lady Vols began the season at No. 12 in the coaches poll, climbed as high as No. 5 and finished 17th after three key players were sidelined by season-ending injuries.
Tennessee returns 10 letterwinners, including four full-time starters, from a squad that opened last year 18-1 and finished 25-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC (third) with a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. UT also brings aboard six newcomers, including three heralded senior transfers, a sophomore transfer who was a five-star prep recruit, and a five-star freshman signee.
Three of the squad’s top players have been named to the 2022-23 Preseason All-SEC Teams by the coaches and media, and five have been chosen for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Starting Five Preseason Watch Lists.
That preseason All-SEC list includes returnees in 6-foot-2 senior guard Jordan Horston (16.2 ppg., 9.4 rpg., 4.0 apg.) and 6-6 senior center Tamari Key (10.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 3.5 bpg.), as well as 6-2 senior forward Rickea Jackson, a transfer from Mississippi State (20.3 ppg., 6.8 rpg.). All three have been previously named to the SEC’s end-of-the-year all-conference team. Horston was a first-team choice a year ago, while Key was a second-team recipient last season and Jackson was on the second team in 2020.
Additional returning starters include 5-8 graduate point guard Jordan Walker (7.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 3.5 apg.) and 6-1 junior guard/forward Tess Darby (5.3 ppg., 2.4 rpg., 49 3FGs). Two others with starting experience include 6-2 sophomore guard/forward Sara Puckett (6.4 ppg., 3.5 rpg., two starts, 2022 SEC All-Freshman) and 6-3 redshirt sophomore guard/forward Marta Suárez (4.1 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 14 starts, 2021 SEC All-Freshman, missed 2021-22 due to injury).
Newcomers besides Jackson who started at their previous schools include 5-6 senior guard Jasmine Powell (12.4 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.4 rpg., 2021 All-Big Ten Second Team at Minnesota) and Jasmine Franklin (14.9 ppg., 12.1 rpg., 2.4 bpg., two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference, 2022 MVC Def. Player of the Year at Missouri State).
On the Hoop Hall’s Preseason Starting Five Top 20 Watch Lists are Powell for the Nancy Lieberman Award (point guard), Horston for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (shooting guard), Jackson for the Cheryl Miller Award (small forward), Franklin for the Katrina McClain Award (power forward) and Key for the Lisa Leslie Award (center).
The Lady Vols host Carson-Newman at 2 p.m. on Oct. 30 in an exhibition game before playing their regular-season opener at Ohio State on Nov. 8 (8:30 p.m.) and their home opener vs. UMass at Thompson-Boling Arena on Nov. 10 (6:30 p.m.).
For ticket information for Lady Vol games, fans can go to AllVols.com.
The 11th-ranked Tennessee basketball team hits the hardwood for the first time in 2022-23 on Friday, heading to Frisco, Texas, to take on No. 2 Gonzaga in the Legends of Basketball Classic exhibition game. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET at the Comerica Center.
Fans can stream the game live online at PPV.COM or can order the Legends of Basketball Classic on TV through their cable, satellite or telco providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Dish, Verizon Fios, Altice and other leading providers. The suggested retail price will be $9.99 on all PPV platforms.
Tom Hudson (play-by-play), Dane Bradshaw (analyst) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) will have the call.
Tennessee is coming off of a season in which it captured the SEC Tournament title and finished 27-8—marking the fourth-most wins in a single season in program history. This season, the Vols feature three preseason All-SEC selections—senior Santiago Vescovi, senior Josiah-Jordan James and sophomore Zakai Zeigler. That trio is complemented by the upperclassman frontcourt duo of Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic, both of whom started more than 20 games last season.
The 113th season of Tennessee Basketball officially begins on Monday, Nov. 7, when the Vols host Tennessee Tech (7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+).
THE SERIES • Tennessee’s trails its all-time series with Gonzaga 2-4, dating to 2007. Five of those six meetings took place at neutral sites. • The last time these teams met, the seventh-ranked Volunteers upset the top-ranked and previously unbeaten (9-0) Bulldogs, 76-73, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 9, 2018. • Nine of the 10 starters from that 2018 clash went on to play in the NBA, including all five Vols. • The Volunteers are 9-7 all-time against current members of the West Coast Conference, while Rick Barnes is 3-7 vs. WCC opposition. • Second-year Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark coached Gonzaga forward Drew Timme in the Nike EYBL when Timme was a freshman and sophomore in high school. • Tennessee true freshman D.J. Jefferson is a native of Richardson, Texas (same hometown as Drew Timme), which is located 25 minutes south of Frisco. • Gonzaga sophomore forward Efton Reid III is a familiar face for returning Vols. As a freshman at LSU last season, Reid started both games against Tennessee, averaging 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds. The Vols and Tigers split those meetings, with each team winning on its home floor.
LAST SEASON • Tennessee made a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance last season and entered The Big Dance on the heels of winning the SEC Tournament in Tampa. • For the second time under head coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee was unbeaten at home last season. • The Vols finished last season with the third-best defensive efficiency in the country after finishing fifth nationally in 2020-21. • Santiago Vescovi was a first-team All-SEC selection last season while becoming only the second Vol ever to make 100 3-pointers in a single season. • After leading the Vols in scoring (13.9 ppg) last year and winning SEC Tournament MVP honors, true freshman point guard Kennedy Chandler was selected 38th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and landed with his hometown team, the Memphis Grizzlies.
STORYLINES • Tennessee is testing itself prior to tipping off the regular season with a pair of exhibition matchups against perennial powerhouses Michigan State and Gonzaga. • Proceeds from Friday’s charity exhibition vs. the Zags benefit The McLendon Foundation. Through the foundation, Rick Barnes recently funded an athletics department staff position at UT Martin for multiple years. • After six years on Rick Barnes‘ staff—the last three as associate head coach—Mike Schwartz in March accepted the head coaching job at East Carolina. Justin Gainey has since been elevated to UT’s associate head coach, and analyst Gregg Polinsky was bumped to a full-time assistant coach role. • Vols senior Josiah-Jordan James is likely to be inactive for Friday’s exhibition, as he works his way back to full speed following an off-season knee procedure.
ABOUT GONZAGA • Gonzaga is coming off a season in which it finished 28-4 (13-1 WCC), earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. • The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the Preseason AP Poll and received 12 first-place votes. • Gonzaga returns three starters from last season, led by 2022 All-American Drew Timme. Timme was also a named a unanimous preseason AP first-team All-American earlier this week. • Timme is coming off a 2021-22 campaign in which he averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. His scoring total led the team, while the rebound and assist totals ranked second behind eventual first-round NBA Draft picks Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard, respectively. • Along with Timme, returning starters Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther were also named preseason All-WCC. • Following last season, the Bulldogs also added two sought-after transfers to their roster—LSU transfer Efton Reid III, a former five-star recruit, and Chattanooga transfer Malachi Smith, the 2022 SoCon Player of the Year. • Gonzaga head coach Mark Few is entering his 24th season at the helm of the Bulldogs’ program in 2022-23. Few is the winningest active coach in college basketball by win percentage with a .836 mark (657-129). • After facing Tennessee, Gonzaga is set to face a strenuous non-conference schedule this season. The Bulldogs open the season by facing Michigan State and also have games against Texas, Kentucky, Baylor, Washington and Alabama all before the start of conference play—as well as the Phil Knight Legacy tournament in Portland in November.
PUT SOME ‘RESPETO’ ON HIS NAME • Santiago Vescovi was the SEC’s premiere 3-point shooter last season, and we have the numbers to prove it. His proficiency from beyond the arc only elevated during SEC play. • No other “major conference” player in the nation with at least 100 attempts shot a better percentage during conference play last year.
STAT All Games | Rank SEC Games | Rank 3FG% .403 | 2nd .445 | 1st 3FG Makes PG 2.91 | 2nd 3.17 | 1st Total 3FG Makes 102 | 1st 57 | 1st
ZEIGLER BACK FOR YEAR TWO • The final addition to last year’s Tennessee’s roster (signing on Aug. 27, 2021), Zakai Zeigler made a major impact for the Vols as an unheralded true freshman—ranking second on the team in steals (1.7 spg), third in assists (2.7 apg) and fourth in scoring (8.8 ppg). • An eventual 2022 SEC All-Defensive Team and SEC All-Freshman Team selection, Zeigler averaged 10.1 points per game in conference play, while his .866 free-throw percentage during SEC play led the team. • Zeigler finished the regular season just one steal shy of the SEC lead in steals during conference play, averaging 2.2 takeaways per game with 40 steals in 18 SEC games. Additionally, the Long Island, New York, native ranked 11th among all Division I players in steal percentage, logging a steal on 4.54 percent of opponents’ possessions when he was on the floor. • Growing into a spark plug role over the course of the season, Zeigler was the first player off the bench in a team-high 19 games.
KEY ADDS SAVVY VET TO VOLS’ BACKCOURT • In addition to Tennessee’s highly-rated crop of freshmen, the Vols also welcome Indiana State graduate transfer and Tennessee native Tyreke Key. • Hailing from Celina, Tennessee—a two-hour drive northwest of Knoxville—Key ascended to sixth on Indiana State’s all-time scoring list while averaging 14.5 points per game over four full seasons. Key departed Indiana State as the school’s sixth all-time leading scorer with 1,650 career points. • A two-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, Key sat out last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in November 2021. He enters this season having already earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Indiana State. • In 2017, Key led Clay County High School to the TSSAA Class A State title game, averaging 42.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists during three games at the state tournament. • During his senior season at Clay County, Key scored 1,380 points, breaking the 25-year-old TSSAA state record for most points in a single season that was held by former Kentucky star Tony Delk.
VOLS WELCOME FOUR SCHOLARSHIP FRESHMEN • Four scholarship freshmen make up Tennessee’s 2022 recruiting class, highlighted by five-star forward and McDonald’s All-American Julian Phillips. • Guards B.J. Edwards and D.J. Jefferson and forward Tobe Awaka round out the class. While Edwards signed with the Vols in November 2021, Jefferson and Phillips didn’t sign until May, while Awaka officially joined the team in July. • Phillips, a consensus top-20 prospect in the nation from Blythewood, South Carolina, is the seventh five-star prospect to sign with the Vols during the Rick Barnes era. Phillips graduated from Link Academy in Branson, Missouri—who he helped lead to the championship game at the GEICO National Championships and a No. 3 final ranking in the USA Today Super 25. • Edwards, a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School, led the Fighting Irish to three state tournament appearances and the 2020 Division II-AA state championship. • Named 2021 TSSAA Division II-AA Mr. Basketball, Edwards scored 2,240 total points in four seasons as a starter at Catholic—averaging 19.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. • Jefferson hails from Richardson, Texas, but graduated from Minnesota Preparatory Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jefferson averaged 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a senior and initially signed with Tulsa in November of 2021 but was released and reopened his recruitment following a coaching change following the 2021-22 season. • He then saw his recruiting stock skyrocket after a standout showing at the Iverson Classic in Memphis in April of 2022. • Named the 2022 New York Gatorade Player of the Year, Awaka graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. As a senior in 2021-22, he averaged 19.2 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. • Awaka also played AAU ball with the New York Lightning program in the EYBL—the same AAU program that current Vol Zakai Zeigler competed for.
MEDIA PICKS VOLS THIRD IN SEC • A preseason poll of SEC and national media projected Tennessee to finish third in the SEC race this season, behind Kentucky and Arkansas. • The Vols went 14-4 in SEC play last season to finish second in the league standings before proceeding to earn the SEC’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid by winning the SEC Tournament in Tampa.
COMPREHENSIVE EXCELLENCE • Tennessee’s men’s hoops squad isn’t the only team enjoying routine success on Rocky Top. • During the 2021-22 academic year, Tennessee won the SEC Men’s All-Sports Trophy and finished second in the SEC Women’s All-Sports standings. The Vols and Lady Vols captured five SEC team championships in 2021-22. • Tennessee teams currently ranked in their respective national top 25 polls include football (No. 3), women’s basketball (No. 5), men’s golf (No. 7), women’s swimming & diving (No. 7), men’s basketball (No. 11), men’s swimming & diving (No. 13), men’s cross country (No. 17) and women’s soccer (No. 18).
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll is out, and the Tennessee Lady Vols have been picked to finish second in the league in 2022-23 by the leaders of the league’s programs. That followed an earlier vote of second by a panel of media members on Oct. 18.
The coaches also selected a Preseason All-SEC Team, and three UT players were named, including seniors Jordan Horston and Tamari Key on the first team and classmate Rickea Jackson on the second team. Previously, all three players were named first-team selections by the media.
Horston, 6-foot-2 guard, averaged 16.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in 23 starts last season before suffering a season-ending injury at Alabama on Feb. 17. She was a 2022 All-SEC First Team pick by the media and coaches, and was named All-America Honorable Mention by AP and the WBCA. Additionally, Horston made the 2022 Ann Meyers Drysdale Top 10, Wooden Late Season List and Naismith Midseason List, and was the South Point Shootout Most Outstanding Player. She is a member of the 2022-23 Ann Meyers Drysdale Preseason Watch List.
Key, a 6-foot-6 center, put up 10.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks while starting all 34 contests as a junior. The school’s all-time record holder for blocked shots and triple-doubles in a career and season, she was named All-SEC Second Team by the media and coaches a year ago and is a two-time member of the SEC All-Defensive Team. Key also was named a 2022 Lisa Leslie Award Top-Five Finalist and was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist. She is a member of the 2022-23 Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List.
Jackson, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged an SEC-leading 20.3 points as well as 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals while starting all 15 games she played before entering the transfer portal out of Mississippi State last January. Jackson has previously earned WBCA All-America Honorable Mention accolades twice and made the All-SEC Second Team, SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC All-Tournament Team in 2019-20. She is a member of the 2022-23 Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watch List.
South Carolina tops the predicted order of finish by the coaches, with Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Florida rounding out the top half the league. Ole Miss, Georgia, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt round out the bottom half.
USC’s Aliyah Boston was voted as SEC Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year. LSU’s Angel Reese also received votes.
Joining Horston, Key, Boston and Reese on the All-SEC Preseason First Team are Brittany Davis, Alabama; Alexis Morris, LSU; Anastasia Hayes, Mississippi State; and Zia Cooke, South Carolina.
The Preseason All-SEC Second Team is comprised of Jackson, Makayla Daniels, Arkansas; Aicha Coulibaly, Auburn; Diamond Battles, Georgia; Madison Scott, Ole Miss; Jessika Carter, Mississippi State; Hayley Frank, Missouri; and Victaria Saxton, South Carolina..
Coaches cannot vote for their own team or players, and ties are not broken.
COACHES’ PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Order of Finish 1. South Carolina 2. Tennessee 3. LSU 4. Alabama T5. Arkansas T5. Mississippi State 7. Florida 8. Ole Miss 9. Georgia 10. Kentucky 11. Texas A&M 12. Missouri 13. Auburn 14. Vanderbilt
Preseason SEC Player of the Year Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Preseason All-SEC First Team Brittany Davis, Alabama Alexis Morris, LSU Angel Reese, LSU Anastasia Hayes, Mississippi State Aliyah Boston, South Carolina Zia Cooke, South Carolina Jordan Horston, Tennessee Tamari Key, Tennessee
Preseason All-SEC Second Team Makayla Daniels, Arkansas Aicha Coulibaly, Auburn Diamond Battles, Georgia Madison Scott, Ole Miss Jessika Carter, Mississippi State Hayley Frank, Missouri Victaria Saxton, South Carolina Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee was back on the practice field Tuesday morning as it looks forward to yet another big game against a nationally-ranked opponent in No. 19/17 Kentucky this Saturday night under the lights at Neyland Stadium.
The Wildcats will be the fifth ranked team that the Vols have faced already this season. The Big Orange have obviously passed the first four tests with flying colors and are one of just two teams in the FBS with four victories over top-25 opponents this year.
However, as is life in the Southeastern Conference, another difficult challenge awaits the Vols this weekend as Kentucky rolls into town fresh off an open week following a 27-17 victory over Mississippi State the week before. In many ways, Saturday’s SEC-East showdown will pit strength on strength as UK’s ground attack faces UT’s stout run defense and the Vols’ quick-strike offense looks to have success against the Cats highly ranked defense.
Unlike most teams in today’s college game that run some version of a spread offense, Kentucky presents a different challenge with its pro-style and multiple approach that starts first and foremost with the run game.
“It’s an unbelievable challenge. Sometimes they can have three or four tight ends on the field, so they’re very multiple in their formations and they’re really going to challenge your run fits,” UT linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said during Tuesday’s press conference. “Your gap integrity is going to be very, very big this week.”
While it starts with the run game for the Wildcats, senior quarterback Will Levis has elevated his game to make their offense more versatile and dangerous this season. Levis’ combination of athleticism, arm strength and improved accuracy have him among the top NFL draft prospects at the quarterback position this year.
“Super, super talented guy. At my previous stop, got a chance to see the guy at his previous stop, so we know what type of athlete he is,” Jean-Mary said. “I think he’s really settled in as a quarterback. He has a rocket arm, very accurate and he’s making really good decisions with the football. You guys all see some of the draft primers. He’s very well thought of for those guys at the next level and you can see why. The talent kind of jumps off the screen, so he’s going to be a big-time challenge for us.”
When asked about how the Vols could improve defensively from last year’s back-and-forth contest in Lexington, senior safety Trevon Flowers noted the importance of getting off the field when opportunities present themselves.
“We got to get off the field on third and fourth down,” Flowers, who was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award on Monday said. “We have to be able to do our assignments and we have to tackle well. Tackling is going to be huge this game, fitting our gaps. Everybody has to do their job and be on the right page. But yeah, we definitely have to get off the field on third down and fourth down if they’re going for it. That’s going to be the key.”
Offensively, Tennessee’s high-powered attack will look to keep things rolling along after posting three straight games with 40 or more points. A big reason for this season’s success has been the depth and production from the wide receivers.
“I think the more guys you have that make plays, I think you’re always dangerous,” wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope said on Tuesday. “Obviously, that affects the defense and who’s eyes can go where. You create one-on-one matchups because you can’t (double-team) or put eyes on one guy. I think that is always important and always lethal for an offense to have.”
Kentucky enters Saturday’s contest with one of the top defensive units in the SEC, something that has become a staple during head coach Mark Stoops’ tenure. The Wildcats rank second in the league in scoring defense (16.4 points per game) and total defense (295.4 yards per game) and will present one of UT’s toughest challenges to date.
“Plays hard, plays well within their scheme,” junior center Cooper Mays said in regard to UK’s defense. “They’re always going to have a really hard defense to contain. They just do the right stuff, and they have good athletes all over the field. It’s going to be a really good challenge for us.”
Saturday’s border battle is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Tickets for the game are sold out.
Videos, transcripts and player quotes from Tuesday’s media availabilities can be found below.
On Jalin Hyatt and his progress this season… “It’s been good, because like the first part you mentioned, being a part of that story the entire way. It is cool to see it play out into fruition. Similar to (Velus Jones Jr.), kind of had some similar struggles early and was able to battle through and see success. I think the biggest win in both of those stories, Jalin and Velus, is the younger guys being able to see it is not all about immediate success. It is not all about an immediate result. You have to go through the process, and eventually it will be worth it. I think that is the most valuable piece.”
On if there was a mystery to solve on Jalin Hyatt’s progress… “I think that’s the plan with all the guys. I feel like each guy in the room, you have to find a way to get the most out of everybody. The cool thing about it is as the season goes on, some guys decide and choose to prepare the right way, and then you will see them be successful. Some it takes longer, but I think you have that idea for every single guy in the room. You have to, to coach them hard.”
On any point in the spring where he thought Jalin Hyatt turned a corner… “I could go back to a couple. I remember specifically, in spring, there was a drive. We play really fast, you guys know, but there was a drive in practice where he’s tapping his chest and he wants to come out. I am telling him no, you are going to stay in and you are going to play. That drive, he caught like three or four balls. It was a two-minute drive we were simulating versus the defense. He caught like four or five balls in that drive while he was tired. At that point I was like okay, this kid kind of has it. He’s turning the corner. I think the next part was after the spring in the summer. Man, just the work he put in. I challenged those guys to catch ten thousand balls in the months of June and July, and Jalin went for like 13-14 thousand. He was in here all the time at night catching balls on the jugs. I think at that point, I really saw it, because it is all about the work he put in.”
On what he has seen from Squirrel White, Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb… “Individually, Squirrel is starting to get more confident. You see him playing, he was already fast, and he is playing at a different speed because he is confident in what we’re doing and how we operate. Chas is a bigger body. He has gotten really confident lately as he has gotten back onto the field. He is a guy who plays fast. He just has to be comfortable with what we are doing, and also bring in that piece of physicality. These last couple practices, he has done a really good job. For Kaleb Webb, he has obviously been here. He played the one and the four, a couple different positions. He’s doing a good job as well of continuing to progress, and he is not allowing special teams and different roles to take away from him on offense. He is doing a good job of taking on all of this stuff.”
On Ramel Keyton’s role while Cedric Tillman has been unavailable… “Ramel is a guy that you always saw flashes every now and then, but it would be one play where he takes a step back. He would go two or three steps forward then one back, and you just weren’t sure if you could get it out of him. I think when Ced went down, Ramel took accountability on himself, and he’s preparing at a whole different level, because at this point, he’s one of the guys. We are counting on him. I think that really goes back to the camaraderie in our room. I feel like Ramel at this point feels like he can’t let his teammates down, and that has added on some urgency to him and the way he is preparing.”
On why receivers find him to celebrate after they score a touchdown… “It means I’m the best dancer. It’s fun to do. I remember being those guys and being on the field, and it always gave me great joy running back to my coach. The guy that I sweated, bled and cried for. When I put everything I had into that guy, it always made a big deal to me when I got back to the sideline and he was the first one to congratulate me. That always meant a lot, so I want to make sure I pay that forward every time.”
On why he puts so much effort, care and love into his receivers… “I think it’s because I have been through it. I’ve been the guy who is 19 or 20 years old looking for someone to come in to give me answers and to mentor me. I just try to be the guy that I needed at that age, honestly. It’s not about me at all. The biggest benefit I get out of that is seeing those guys go be successful and build confidence in themselves. That’s where I get satisfaction from, truly.”
On how dangerous the receiving corps can be when fully healthy… “I think the more guys you have that make plays, I think you’re always dangerous. Obviously, that affects the defense and who’s eyes can go where, you create one-on-one matchups because you can’t (double-team) or put eyes on one guy. I think that is always important and always lethal for an offense to have. For us, we have to shut our ears off. When there’s noise, we can’t pay attention to it and when there’s chatter talking about us, we can’t pay attention to it. We have to continue to keep the process being our focus and continue preparing the way we are. That has to be our main focus.”
On when he realized he was a relationship-building type of person… “I think it was early on. I always valued family. I always valued that feeling of wholeness of a group. I think for me, that is why sports are something I threw myself into at such an early age. Just having a group and coming together with one common goal, just kind of took me over the top any time I was in an environment like that. So, for me, relationships have always been one of the main things. That’s part of the reason I came here to Tennessee with Coach Heupel and Coach Golesh. When I met those guys, right off the bat it stood out that they are relationship oriented and that fit the my temperament of who I was. I don’t think you can ever create a bad environment when you have guys that truly value relationships. I think it’s always genuine and it’s always real, and I think that helps everybody become their best.”
On his confidence in the receivers after Cedric Tillman was injured… “Man, my first thought was that this is where we earn it. Ced is a great player, you love him. You love all those guys, but he’s a great player and when he went down, this is where we earn it. Somebody has to step up, and we have to turn it up a notch. That was exactly my focus. Usually in those moments where we face adversity, you know it’s coming, you just don’t know when. In that moment, that’s time for you to make a choice to prove to yourself (that) my preparation, who I am is really true. Our guys, I kind of had that conversation with them after as a group and they stood on it, they went to work, and up to this point they have prepared the right way. I’ve been pleased with the way that those guys have prepared and the way they’ve come on and gelled together as of late. That same mentality has to be on through the rest of the year.”
On how there has not been issues with drops… “For one, just the ability to catch the ball at the wideout position is all focus. We do a great job in practice of forcing those guys to over exaggerate their eyes on the catch in any scenario. Whether it’s contested, whether it’s down the field, you want to always over exaggerate your eyes. Knowing that in the game because bullets are flying and my anticipation is up and I have more anxiety, you’re going to be sped up. You want to over exaggerate things in practice.”
On working with Cedric Tillman through the rehab process… “As far as Ced, kind of helping him. For one, Coach Heupel does a great job of keeping our legs under us as receivers, with the way we practice and our practice plan. For us, it’s just not putting too much on Ced too fast. Over the last couple of weeks, he’s made progress every day, and as he continues to make progress. It’s ultimately going to be up to Ced and Coach Heupel. When they feel like he is up to 100 percent, he’s going to play. He’s done a tremendous job of being in the building and the training room getting treatment. He has shown progress every week. Ultimately when he’s ready, feels like he’s 100 percent and Coach Heupel feels that way also, you guys will see him on the field making more plays.”
On the tackling of the linebackers… “I think we’ve been adequate. Obviously, we always strive for perfection. We haven’t been there. We missed a couple of tackles. Some of our backup guys missed some tackles in the second half of last week’s game that we weren’t happy about, but I think the tackling has improved. I think that’s one of the reasons we are playing the run a little better, but we are striving to get better every week.”
On the challenge Kentucky’s run game presents… “It’s an unbelievable challenge. Sometimes they can have three or four tight-ends on the field, so they’re very multiple in their formations, and they’re going to really challenge your run fits. Your gap integrity is going to be very, very big this week. Obviously, they have a pro-style offense. Their coordinator came from the San Francisco 49ers, and they’re going to give you a lot of different formations. Like I said, they’re going to really test your force rules as far as your edges and make sure you’re very sound, gap integrity-wise. They do a really good job of mixing up tight ends and putting them in as fullbacks, putting them in as receivers, and with the motions and shifts that they do, we are going to have to do a great job with our communication and our overall gap integrity this week.”
On containing Kentucky QB Will Levis and what stands out about him… “Super, super talented guy. At my previous stop, got a chance to see him at his previous stop, so we know what type of athlete he is. I think he’s really settled in as a quarterback. He has a rocket arm, very accurate, and he’s making really good decisions with the football. You guys all see some of the draft primers. He’s very well thought of for those guys at the next level, and you can see why. The talent kind of jumps off the screen, so he’s going to be a big-time challenge for us.”
On how important it is for the linebackers to cover play action… “Eye discipline is going to be huge. Like we talked about earlier with the earlier question, obviously they’re going to run, present a lot of shifts and motions and give you a lot of eye candy. Our eye discipline is going to have to be a big part of what we do on defense, because if we get caught with our eyes in the wrong spot, that’s when the big plays in the pass game occur when they’re able to get a guy behind the defense. That’s with everybody, not just the secondary, but the linebackers too when we’re in man coverage. It’s going to be a challenge, but that’s what makes them good on offense, because they’re different. Everybody has kind of gone to the spread philosophy, and even tempo like we run on offense. They’re kind of the anti-tempo. They’re going to take their time, get aligned and run their plays at their own tempo with 12-personnel, and even 13-personnel with three tight-ends on the field. It’s different, but it works for them.”
On how Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. and what he brings to the run game… “I think he’s the catalyst for what they do on offense. Will (Levis) is a tremendous quarterback with a tremendous skill set, but I think their whole identity is running the football. I think he (Rodriguez Jr.) is one of the best running backs in the SEC. He’s a downhill running back that doesn’t mind running through arm-tackles and creates yardage by creating space for himself. He doesn’t bounce outside and try to make you miss. You kind of know where he’s going to be and know how he is going to be when he shows up. He runs angry, he runs with authority, and we’re going have to do a great job of meeting his aggression with our own.”
On the young linebackers and where they can improve… “After halftime, a lot of those guys were able to get a lot of reps. We always say, the experience is invaluable because they’re able to play some quality reps. Going into game seven, we feel like the freshmen aren’t freshmen anymore and the young guys aren’t young anymore. A lot of them are on our special teams and have gotten some reps. We just want them to play at the level of the starters that were in. As far as linebackers, we weren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination as far as our linebacker play. I was happy that they were able to get in there, and we could correct some of the things that they did wrong. I thought they played aggressive and hard, but just weren’t always assignment-sound in that second half against UT Martin.”
On how their linebackers match up versus Kentucky… “It’s a mentality. You have to be ready for every type of offense. If you were asking me when I played one hundred years ago, of course, you want to meet people in the phone booth and see who is going to be able to win in the phone booth. Nowadays, you have to be prepared for every offense. Obviously, as linebackers, we have to be equally as good versus the pass and the run, but we want to pride ourselves on stopping the run. So, a team that comes in and rolls up their sleeves and you know they want to run the football, you should get excited as a linebacker. I think you should get excited as an entire defense, because we want that to be our identity on defense also, being able to stop the run.”
On trying to speed up Kentucky’s offense… “I think we are one of the best teams in the country (at generating pressure). Coach Banks just does a great job of trying to create havoc plays. Obviously, our tackle-for-loss numbers have been high, and we try to pressure the quarterback. That is kind of our identity. Whether that makes them play faster, I am not 100 percent sure; that would be up to their coaches. But, we are always going to be multiple on defense and we are going to always try to get them off schedule. If that means they are going to speed up what they are doing on offense, hopefully, that means it is an advantage for us.”
On how the linebackers have performed in pass coverage… “As a coach, you always assume they are going to be 100 percent. That is what the goal is coming out of camp, so my expectations for them is to be in that higher percentile, that we are going to be really good versus the pass. I feel like we have gotten better; there have been some plays that have been left out there. In some of the one-on-one situations where we had a chance to affect the ball, I feel like we have been okay, not great. But I feel like we have gotten better, but nowhere near where it needs to be. Like I have stated many times, pass defense is an all-11 responsibility, from the rush to the cover guys on the back end, and obviously, we can get better. But in our one-on-one situations, whether that be zone or man, I feel like we can improve. We have to get our hands on more footballs, especially when the ball is directed towards someone we are covering.”
On the offensive line being nominated for the Joe Moore Award… “It’s been a goal for us ever since fall camp to push towards that goal. Anytime you can see your way moving toward your goals and kind of actually making progress is really good. It’s been a focus of ours all season, so we’re trying to keep pushing forward for it.”
On what the team’s current success means to him as a Knoxville native… “It means a ton. We have to get to a point where Tennessee is back on top. It’s like everybody says, it’s good for college football to have a place like Tennessee being good and competing everywhere every week. It means a lot as a local guy. Obviously, a lot of my family played here. Getting Tennessee back to where it needs to be is the main focus.”
On Kentucky’s defense… “Plays hard, plays well within their scheme. They’re always going to have a really hard defense to contain. They just do the right stuff, and they have good athletes all over the field. It’s going to be a really good challenge for us.”
On what stands out about Kentucky QB Will Levis… “Obviously he’s a good football player, a smart football player. Just being able to do our assignments, do our job, communicate to the guys around me and make sure we’re all on the same page. Just prepare. We have to have great preparation. Just like I said, do our assignments, do our job.”
On preparing for Kentucky’s pro-style offense… “Just kind of dial more in on our gap fits (and) our job. (We) got to be able to stop the run and just fit our gaps. Everybody has to fit their gaps correctly, whether it’s a safety or corner, linebacker, d-line. Just got to be able to play, be able to play fast. We know they are a pro-style offense. They’re going to huddle, come off the ball, try to be physical, so we have to tackle well, use our pads, stay low and play football. Play hard.”
On last year’s game vs. Kentucky and what the key is to have more success defensively this year… “We got to get off the field on third and fourth down. We have to be able to do our assignments and we have to tackle well. Tackling is going to be huge this game, fitting our gaps. Everybody has to do their job and be on the right page. But yeah, we definitely have to get off the field on third down and fourth down if they’re going for it. That’s going to be the key.”
On facing a run-heavy Kentucky offense… “The challenge is that we will have to fill our gaps. The type of o-line that we are playing, they are a really big o-line and they are disciplined. They try to bloody your nose and just beat you in the dirt, so we are going to have play stout defense and just play behind our pads.”
On how he felt with the defensive performance against Alabama… “I was happy we got the dub, but at the same time, we just have to play better defense. Games like that, coming to the wire, at the end, we came through and came in clutch, but I feel like the whole defense has to get better in that area.”
On what he expects from quarterback Will Levis in the run game… “It just depends on us, how we play the run first with the running backs. I feel like if we play that well, then we will probably see some different plays with him running, but first off, we have to stop the run up front.”
