Vols Not Overlooking FCS Opponent in Western Carolina
The Vols set a new decibel record at Neyland Stadium last weekend against Oklahoma. While Rocky Top will not be as rowdy this Saturday against Western Carolina, head coach Butch Jones still expects his team to be highly motivated.
Reporter to Butch Jones-"Coach, how do you address the stigma maybe with fans that games against Western Carolina are cupcake games, and really don’t matter."
Said Jones,"Well I will tell you this. I think everyone should understand that winning is fragile. Winning is hard to do in college football. And we need everyone’s support."
So what will coach be looking for against the Catamounts?
"The big thing is no negative yardage football plays. No pre-snap penalties."
Tennessee will likely be tempted to work on their passing game. Against the Sooners, quarterback Josh Dobbs was just 13 of 31 for 125 yards.
Said Jones,"We know we have to get better in the throw game. That’s a point of emphasis. We will win a game this year, you watch, where we will have to throw the football, just like last year, and we will do that."
Defensively, the Vols must carry on without linebacker Curt Maggitt, who has bone chip in his hip.
Said Jones,"He does not as of today need surgery, which is a positive. It could be eight weeks. It could be six weeks. It could be ten weeks."
While the Vols lose Maggitt, defensvie back LaDarrell McNeil will return this weekend.
Said Jones,"Having LaDarrell back is a big boost to us. It’s a big boost to us in terms of the special teams game. But also just the experience factor on the back-end of our defense."
Even though the season in only two games in, it kind of feels like a grind already with the injuries and a tough loss.
Said Jones,"You can never look in the rear view mirror, you just have to keep your head down and keep focused and going."
Leave a Reply