Injuries Will Not Dampen Vols-Florida Showdown

The Tennessee-Florida showdown will be missing a few star players.
Vols defensive back Cam Sutton is out with a fractured ankle, while Gators starting quarterback Luke Del Rio is out with a knee injury.
Despite the loss of key personnel, expect another brutal battle in this SEC rivalry.
Reporter-“You’ve been bitten by the injury bug it seems like.”
Said Florida head coach Jim McElwain-“I don’t think we’re ever bitten by an injury bug. It’s the game. I look at it as the opportunity buy. Right? There’s an opportunity now for somebody to play.”
Said Vols head coach Butch Jones-“You know I think the challenge of next man in with all the injuries that we’ve had. Getting them and giving them confidence.”
Got to be a challenge for Florida quarterback Austin Appleby as the Purdue transfer makes his first start on Rocky Top.
Said Appleby-“At the end of the day, it’s all noise. All the pre-game stuff where you’re kind of like, oh wow, this is legit. But once the game starts, I think if you ask a lot of players, they would say the same thing. It’s all kind of quiets and you kind of lock in your zone.”
Said Jones-“It has to be electric. It has to be loud. That’s one of the advantages of playing in Neyland Stadium.”
Expect the Florida defense to bring some noise.
Said Jones-“What can I say about them defensively. This is probably the best defense we have faced since I have been here.”
Said Appleby-“We’ve got the best defense in the country. I truly believe that. I play against them every day. These guys are suffocating.”
But nothing frustrates a good defense like a running quarterback, which Tennessee features in Josh Dobbs.
Said McElwain-“He hurt us a year ago. Let’s face it, they ran it down our throat a year ago. I’m sure they feel pretty good about that, and they should.”
Florida has won eleven straight against the Vols, but McElwain expects to see UT’s best.
Said McElwain-“I know they’ve got to feel pretty good about themselves, and they should. They’ve got great players. Look at what they’ve done in recruiting.”
Reporter-“In your mind, have we seen what you guys are really all about in these first three games?”
Said Vols tight end Jason Croom-“No. You get glimpses of it. We’re putting everything together. We’re right where we need to be.”
The Vols and Gators kick at 3:30pm Saturday on News 12 Now.