University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: UT Excited to Open SEC Play at Florida
September 12, 2017 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the SEC opener looming, players and coaches for No. 23 Tennessee expressed their excitement to take on No. 24 Florida on Saturday afternoon during Tuesday's media availability at the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
"All I can say is, really in a nutshell, these are the reasons, these are the games that you come to Tennessee for," offensive coordinator Larry Scott said. "It's why you want to be a Tennessee Volunteer. The conference season has begun, and it just so happens that the opener is in Gainesville against the Florida Gators. That's why you do it. That's why you come here, that's why you coach here, that's why you play here, that's why you're here."
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The Vols scored 38 unanswered points in last season's comeback victory over their SEC East rival at Neyland Stadium to snap an 11-game losing streak in the series. Despite last year's success, this year's team is locked in on preparing for the 2017 version of the Gators.
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"It doesn't really change anything for me or I don't think anyone on our team," junior defensive back Micah Abernathy said in regards to the win over UF last season. "We know it's a new season, they have new players and we have new players, so you have to prove yourself every week in the SEC."
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"I think there's a sense of urgency," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said. "Our practice yesterday was the best practice of the year. They came out, they were spirited and excited. I think the players are very excited for this opportunity. I think they respect Florida and their offensive scheme and their offensive coaches a lot, but they are looking forward to this challenge."
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"We are going to have to win off the line of scrimmage at the receiver position, and obviously make tight throws," Dormady said. "Getting into the SEC now, so we are just going to have to make tight throws and execute each individual job."
The junior signal caller also stressed the importance of execution when trying to win against a tough team like Florida on the road.
"Florida in the Swamp, it is a hostile environment," Dormady said. "It is going to be hot and humid. You definitely want to go down there and dominate, but in reality to dominate a team that is equally matched up with us, it comes down to executing. I hope when Saturday comes, we will be ready and execute, do our jobs, and stay focused."
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"Definitely after the Georgia Tech game, I got back into the groove of playing," Phillips said. "Coming off of surgery, getting back into it takes time. I think I got my feet wet a little bit and got the groove of playing again. So I was very excited on how I played."
Phillips graded out as the Vols' top defensive lineman against the Sycamores and is looking to build off that performance heading into Saturday's SEC opener.
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"Coach Jones makes it a mandate that special teams will be the life and blood of our program," special teams coordinator Charlton Warren said. "You will find that we have a bunch of starters on special teams that are expected and want to be on our units."
UT's most recent success came in Saturday's victory over Indiana State when freshman Ty Chandler returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for his first-career touchdown.
"That is like a storybook and special for that young man and his family," Warren said. "The great thing is that he realizes the other 10 guys on that unit allowed that to happen. When a guy scores a touchdown for our special teams, it's a true team deal. There is a lot of pride in those guys knowing that, if they do their jobs right, there is a chance to score."
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"All I can say is, really in a nutshell, these are the reasons, these are the games that you come to Tennessee for," offensive coordinator Larry Scott said. "It's why you want to be a Tennessee Volunteer. The conference season has begun, and it just so happens that the opener is in Gainesville against the Florida Gators. That's why you do it. That's why you come here, that's why you coach here, that's why you play here, that's why you're here."
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The Vols scored 38 unanswered points in last season's comeback victory over their SEC East rival at Neyland Stadium to snap an 11-game losing streak in the series. Despite last year's success, this year's team is locked in on preparing for the 2017 version of the Gators.
Â
"It doesn't really change anything for me or I don't think anyone on our team," junior defensive back Micah Abernathy said in regards to the win over UF last season. "We know it's a new season, they have new players and we have new players, so you have to prove yourself every week in the SEC."
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"I think there's a sense of urgency," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said. "Our practice yesterday was the best practice of the year. They came out, they were spirited and excited. I think the players are very excited for this opportunity. I think they respect Florida and their offensive scheme and their offensive coaches a lot, but they are looking forward to this challenge."
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Offense Expecting Stern Test on Saturday
Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady and the Vols' offense is preparing to see a stingy Florida defense on Saturday afternoon in Gainesville."We are going to have to win off the line of scrimmage at the receiver position, and obviously make tight throws," Dormady said. "Getting into the SEC now, so we are just going to have to make tight throws and execute each individual job."
The junior signal caller also stressed the importance of execution when trying to win against a tough team like Florida on the road.
"Florida in the Swamp, it is a hostile environment," Dormady said. "It is going to be hot and humid. You definitely want to go down there and dominate, but in reality to dominate a team that is equally matched up with us, it comes down to executing. I hope when Saturday comes, we will be ready and execute, do our jobs, and stay focused."
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Phillips Looking to Build Off Strong Performance
Junior defensive end Kyle Phillips is coming off one of his best performances as a Vol after posting two tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in UT's 42-7 win over Indiana State."Definitely after the Georgia Tech game, I got back into the groove of playing," Phillips said. "Coming off of surgery, getting back into it takes time. I think I got my feet wet a little bit and got the groove of playing again. So I was very excited on how I played."
Phillips graded out as the Vols' top defensive lineman against the Sycamores and is looking to build off that performance heading into Saturday's SEC opener.
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Special Teams Continue to Shine Under Jones
Head coach Butch Jones has stressed the importance of special teams since his arrival on Rocky Top. The added attention to special teams has paid off big time for the Vols as they have scored 11 combined touchdowns on kick returns and punt returns since Jones took over in 2013. The 11 touchdowns are tied for fifth most in the country during that span.Â"Coach Jones makes it a mandate that special teams will be the life and blood of our program," special teams coordinator Charlton Warren said. "You will find that we have a bunch of starters on special teams that are expected and want to be on our units."
UT's most recent success came in Saturday's victory over Indiana State when freshman Ty Chandler returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for his first-career touchdown.
"That is like a storybook and special for that young man and his family," Warren said. "The great thing is that he realizes the other 10 guys on that unit allowed that to happen. When a guy scores a touchdown for our special teams, it's a true team deal. There is a lot of pride in those guys knowing that, if they do their jobs right, there is a chance to score."
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