Vols Keeping Business Mind Set Heading to Taxslayer Bowl

   Butch Jones admits he enjoyed delivering news of the Vols bowl invitation, especially to the seniors.

"To be able to tell them that they are going to Jacksonville, Florida, on January 2nd. To see their reaction is a moment I will always remember in coaching."

Said senior defensive lineman Jordan Williams,"To go from no bowl games the last couple of years to us playing in a January bowl like the Gator Bowl, it’s a great feeling."

Added offensive lineman, Kyler Kerbyson,"All the gifts that you get. How great it is just to have the whole experience."

   Jones says a trip to Jacksonville is a validation of what’s going on in Knoxville.

"It’s evidence now with perspective student athletes of what’s going on here. I think it speaks volumes that the Taxslayer Bowl would invite the University of Tennessee. They had many, many options. They had many, many choices."

   While the Vols are happy to be back in a bowl game, they know there’s a job to do.

Said Jones,"But make no mistake about it, you go there to win the football game. Your preparation. Your mental effort. Your mental intensity. It doesn’t change one bit."

Said Williams,"We’re going down with a business mind set. Preparing this month with a business mind set that we still have a football game to win."

   Tennessee will take on Big 10 member Iowa, but Jones says he will not be waving the SEC banner.

"The Big 10 has great football. They have very, very good speed. They’re physical. It’s a very, very good football conference. I really don’t get into that. All I do is look at the opponent we are playing and dissect them. The little bit I have been able to watch with Iowa, we’re going to have to play our best football."