Butch Jones Expects Another Close Contest With South Carolina

    Even though South Carolina has an interim coach in Shawn Elliott, Vols coach Butch Jones says it still feels like a Steve Spurrier team.

"It is a dangerous football team. They’re flying around and having fun. They’re putting it all out there. They’re playing with very good effort."

    Jones says it doesn’t look like the Gamecocks have missed a beat on offense.

"I see a football team offensively that has big play capabilities at every single position. Obviously we all know about about (Pharoh) Cooper. One of the best players in our conference."

    Last week, Tennessee scored on two kick returns against Kentucky. But Jones says the Gamecocks can be just as dangerous on special teams.

"I think the thing that really sticks out about this football team is they are going to challenge you on special teams. This is the stiffest challenge we’ve had to date in terms of the special teams game."

    Two years ago, Tennessee got a field goal as time expired to beat the Gamecocks 23-21.

Then last year, the Vols rallied from a late 42-28 deficit to win 45-42 in overtime.

Reporter-"Are you anticipating another close game with them this year?"

Jones-"We always anticipate close games. That’s what college football is all about."

    Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs made his first start of the year last season against Carolina.

He ran for a buck-66, and threw for 301-yards in the victory.

Jones-"They always say the mark of a great quarterback is the ability to lead his team from behind in the one minute drill on the road. That was a great maturation game for him so to speak, and he has continued to build off that."
  Tennessee and South Carolina kick at 4pm Saturday at Neyland Stadium.