University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Tennessee 50, UK 16
November 15, 2014 | Football
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Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones
(Opening Statement)
"We thought going into the game with their explosive offense that field position would be at a premium and I thought we won that battle. We had a total of 80 offensive football plays, which shows you that you are moving the ball on first and second downs, which obviously is critical. Getting Von Pearson back to where he's 100 percent healthy really gives our offense a spark. We had some big splash plays early which really helped us in terms of seizing momentum. Obviously the turnovers, the Brian Randolph touchdown to put us up by two scores really got things rolling for us; two big fourth down conversions and keeping the drive alive (and) getting back to third downs--holding them to 3-of-14, and that's a very good, explosive offense. A very good team victory, but there are many, many things we need to improve on. Every extra point counts, so we need to get some things sured up overall, but a very, very good team victory.
(On Jalen Hurd)
He's getting some opportunities and some creases and Jalen earns every yard that he gets. He's running behind his pads. I'm very, very excited for him. He's continued to improve week in and week out. He's proven his durability and he's adding a whole new element to our offense.
(On the use and effectiveness of the Tight End)
We wanted to get back to using the tight end and we've been using a tight end by committee and all those individuals complement each other. I thought they did a good job in the run game and then obviously in the receiving game as well.
(On the overall offensive performance)
I think it's one of our better performances, but still a lot of things to improve on. In our offense, you keep hearing me talk about efficiency. Pass efficiency is critical. Jason Croom stepped up tonight, really starting the second half with a quick screen and a quick touch play. There are many things when I watch the video that we need to go back. As we all know, the more you win, the more that's at stake, so it's just the discipline, the execution, the small details, but I'm proud of our guys. I thought Josh (Dobbs) did a great job of managing the line of scrimmage, managing the offense. A good, complementary football game.
(On the team's maturity)
We challenged them, going from a work week to a bye week and now to a game week. Everything is about your mental effort, your mental intensity (and) being prepared. We challenged every individual in the special teams game as well to execute their assignment. It's a young football team, but this football team's different. Their whole mindset's different. I always gauge it by them showing up to practice early and they're always late to leave, which tells me they love coming to the Anderson Training Center. We're building something special here. We've got a long way to go, but I'm priud of our players. We'll enjoy this, but we have a great opponent coming Saturday night.
(On Von Pearson's health)
The bye week really helped him get back his health. He's 100 percent and he adds a whole other element when he has the ball in his hands. His personality is very contagious on the field, on the sidelines and in the locker room, so it's great to have him back.
(On Derek Barnett)
It's a great illustration for players in-state to stay home and play for your home institution. Derek Barnett is one of those individuals from Brentwood Academy. He gets better and better and he's been nicked up and bruised up and he just keeps on coming. High, high character...can't say enough about him, not only what he brings on the field, but what he brings in the locker room.
(On the amount of sacks the defense has this year)
"We knew we would be much more athletic up front. If you look at Jordan Williams, we have asked so much of him. He has been a warrior. He has added the extra weight. He is playing the best football that he has played. We are getting quality snaps from Owen Williams. We have individuals stepping up like Danny O'Brien. The older players are leading. Last night in our team meeting, I asked some of the older players what their biggest regrets were in football. I told them we can change those regrets. This team is very close. You look at the additions of the Jalen Hurd, Josh Malone and Derek Barnett. Cortez McDowell has given us quality reps on special teams. I could go on and on. Evan Berry flipped the field position with a big kickoff return at the start of the second half. We have those additions, and we are provided with stability and leadership in our program right now."
(On Jason Croom carrying guys for a tough first down)
"That was at a critical stage of the game. We thought he was short, but he just kept driving the pile. He also had the big catch down the sideline prior to halftime. We answered their score, but we have to do a better job defensively of not allowing them to score back. Jason did a great job of stepping up, but he has been doing it all year. Sometimes, he may not have the catches, but he still impacts the game. We have challenged him. Coach Azzanni has challenged him. We have challenged him to play big. He is 6'4" and 230 lbs. He has responded, and that is a tribute to his work ethic. He has shown great consistency in practice. When you show consistency in practice, you are going to perform on gameday."
(On if Joshua Dobbs' play has exceeded expectations) "No, he has not exceeded my expectations. Josh is very talented young man. He adds another dynamic, and he does a great job of distributing the football. I believe we didn't turnover the football, and the quarterback is the caretaker of the football. That football holds all of our goals, dreams and aspirations."
(On injuries)
"I will know a little bit more about Mack later. It may be a knee, but I am not sure. Everyone else returned to the game."
(On using motivation of needing one more win for a bowl game)
"The power of one. We talk about the maturity of a football team. You enjoy this win, but you have to come back to work. We have some challenges down the road. We have a talented football team coming in here next week. We just have to focus and not get ahead of ourselves. It was victory number five, and that is it. I am proud of our guys, but it is back to work tomorrow."
(On losing Randolph after the targeting penalty) "It is a challenge. It has been a point of attention this year and a point of emphasis. Unfortunately, you are trying to play hard, the quarterback is going down on a slide, and it gets called. We had a guy trying to make a play on the quarterback. I support that. I will have to see the video more. I will look and see what happened, but it has been a point of emphasis this year in college football."
(On the quality of winning by such a margin)
Any win is a good win. We'll take it every way, shape, form or another. This is the best college football conference in America and it's a grind week in and week out, so any way you win is very special in this conference. Belief is a powerful thing. Confidence is a powerful thing, and our players have that. They've had it all year. I'm excited just to see the look in our seniors' eyes (and) to be a part of it. Ja'Wuan James makes his first career start at left tackle and what does he do? He flies in for the game, is on our sideline, and he'll go back. He just reminded me that he gets to go to Denver and play the Broncos this weekend, but those are things that make this place special. I think all of our former players see something special happening here.
(On the defense's confidence level)
Any time you hold that explosive offense to 16 points, they did a very, very good job. I thought we gave up very few big plays, especially in the running game. They have some talented running backs that can run. Obviously Patrick Towles can run. We gave up two big plays right before the half in man coverage, but for the most part, we limited their big plays and that was very, very good because they're an explosive and very talented offense. Yes, we needed that, but we got back to our style of play tonight. Very proud of these guys and we were able to generate pressure at times with a four-man rush and that helps you.
(On the importance of takeaways)
We needed to take the football away and force some balls on the ground, some fumbles. We talk about that with ball disruptions, but again +2 on turnover margin and that's usually evident of winning and losing. That's the biggest statistic, along with pass efficiency for us.
(On the importance of Friday night) That's between the team and that's what makes a team sport very special. Friday is my favorite day of the year in terms of all your preparation. You're in the hotel with your football team and that team meeting is pretty sacred of your mindset, how hard you've worked all week. You have different talks with them and that's what I look forward to. I love Fridays. It's a time to reflect on the week, but also we;re continuing to build a mindset and a culture in this football program.
(On when he finally got a read for the team)
"They have been consistent in their approach all year, but I think it really clicked two weeks ago prior to the South Carolina game. I finally felt that edge, that confidence, that belief in our preparation. I could also feel it at the hotel in Columbia. It had an aurora about it. I felt it for the first time here. I felt the energy. i felt the vibe. I felt the confidence. I thought it really started to take place during our walkthrough. We had a great week of preparation. We had a great win on the road, and they walked in on Monday and asked, "what's next, coach? Let's improve." This team has it. It is a mindset in football. It is a cultural. Some people may say it is not a big deal, but it is a big deal. Everyone thinks it is schemes with X's and O's. Any great business starts from the top to the bottom. It starts with organization. We have great leadership with A.J., Curt, Jordan and now with Josh. Jalen Hurd is leading in his own way. The offensive lineman have much more confidence. I thought it really started to happen the week of South Carolina."
(On losing Mack Crowder)
"Yeah Mack's you know, been an individual who has continued to improve and improve and improve, and you know, I don't know right now exactly where he's at health wise. Obviously, I'll know a little bit more tonight and into tomorrow, but you know, he's been a grinder. You know, he's been one of those individuals who just keeps grinding just like all of them, and so I'll know a little bit more, but I love him and I'll find out a little bit more later."
(On the wide receivers playing well these past two games)
"Well we're playing winning football at that position and each individual stepping up. Alton Howard had some big plays again tonight, our tight end position had some big catches tonight, obviously Von Pearson, and then Jason Croom steps up, and its like each week it's somebody different. We always talk about when you get your opportunity, impact the game, and so that group has a lot of confidence. There is not a wide receiver coach in the country that pushes his position group like Zach Azzanni, and they welcome it everyday and you can see that, and we're going to need much more out of that group as the season continues to unfold."
(On Brian Randolph pick six)
"It was big. You know from a momentum standpoint it's 7-0, and we intercept the ball and finish it and get the ball in the Checkerboards. That was big for us, and from a momentum standpoint, getting another fourth sellout 102, 455. Can't say enough of our fans, coming out and getting them involved. In all that, creating that home field advantage. So, I thought that was one of the turning points. You know when talking about a football game of 4 to 6 plays could mean the difference between winning and losing. I would put that in that category."
(On the pressure of the last three games)
"There is pressure every game. You know it's just one step closer, but we still have a lot of improvement to do, and have some challenges ahead of us. We have to get our health back. That was a physical, physical football game you know, and you leave the bye week and you feel you're a pretty healthy football team, and then you play a game and now you're banged up, and so now the next challenge with this football team is getting our health back for the stretch run, but it was a physical, physical football game tonight on both sides of the ball."​
Tennessee Quarterback Joshua Dobbs
(On the team's confidence level after putting up 50 points)
"Oh yeah. Of course when you're successful, it always makes you more confident. We had another successful game and we're now to five wins. We still have to get to six, so we're focusing on the goal. We'll definitely enjoy this win but tomorrow, we've got to lock in and get ready for Missouri."
(On Tennessee's recent offensive production)
"I feel that as an offense, we definitely played a full game of good football. We were able to take care of the football, move the ball very well tonight. We're clicking on all cylinders which is very good and we'll definitely need to keep this up. Just staying on the same page throughout the rest of the season."
(On the importance of winning a sixth game this season)
"It would mean the world. I know Tennessee hasn't gone to a bowl game in a while and that's not something that Tennessee or this program is used to. Getting back to a bowl game would mean everything to, first, the seniors and then to our fans. That's definitely our goal and we're working for it every day."
(On Von Pearson's performance)
"Von has been making plays and we know he's good in space so, having a good angle really helps him cut and juke, as we were able to see tonight. Whenever we are able to get Von in space, that's great. Not only Von, but the rest of the receivers have all stepped up and made a lot of big plays the past couple of games. We just have to keep it going."
(On Jalen Hurd's rushing game against Kentucky)
"Jalen is definitely a hard runner, a downhill runner. He had a lot of help with the O-line. They opened up a lot of holes for him, so that always helps and then he was able to make guys miss and run hard. He's very consistent in the back field and he's definitely doing good things."
Tennessee Wide Receiver Jason Croom
(On developing depth within the wide receivers unit)
"That's something we take pride in, having depth at the receiver spot and having no drop offs. We all come in and come in and attack."
(On using his size to his advantage)
"Every day I'm working out and learning to use my body. Coach is preaching to us about using our body and making big plays for our quarterback. That's what we were able to do tonight."
(On the chance to go to a bowl game)
"We haven't had a chance to go to a bowl game since I've been here. Now, the opportunity has presented itself and we just have to go get it."
Tennessee Tight End Ethan Wolf
(On getting in an offensive rhythm really early in the game)
"We came out firing. It was great to see. We struggled in a few games with coming out fast and clicking, but we had a great two weeks of practice with the bye week. We were due for a big start like that."
(On the offense with a healthy Von Pearson)
"He obviously did very well tonight with two touchdowns. He brings another threat and dynamic outside with the run game. He has been making some great plays."
Tennessee Wide Receiver Von Pearson
(On confidence of the team)
"Oh we're very excited, I mean coming into game six, the game that we need to win. We are all excited you know. Everybody is like ready to play, and our seniors, they know that we got their back, and that we want them to go to a bowl game because they have never had the opportunity to."
(On the confidence in Joshua Dobbs growing)
"Yeah, I can see it every game, every game. I'm excited to see him play every game. Coach Jones even said it before this game, `I can't wait to see you play Dobbs.' So, I mean I can see it."
(On how he is staying focused despite injuring his ankle earlier this season)
"I mean God works in mysterious ways. I know I hurt myself, but I know it's going to be a great comeback you know. So I'm not going to let it get to my head."
Tennessee Defensive Lineman Derek Barnett
(On having more sacks as a true freshmen than Jadeveon Clowney had as a true freshmen)
"Yeah, that is pretty cool. I just play football and have fun. I don't get caught up into the stats and stuff. Football is fun and I'm just going to keep playing it."
(On preseason thoughts about being able to play and help out this team versus reality)
"I think we would have a great year and I would be able to help this team out. I'm still learning every week and making a bunch of mistakes. I'm just trying to be consistent with my play."
Tennessee Defensive Back Justin Coleman
(On this game, personally, compared to all other games playing for Tennessee)
"I have been told that I'm doing pretty good this season. I love the game. This game as far as making mistakes and making plays I feel like I made less mistakes and more plays."
Tennessee Linebacker Curt Maggitt
(On getting so many quarterback sacks this season)
"I noticed in the offseason with our defensive linemen move a lot better than in the past. I think that is where it starts. Like Derek Barnett said it starts with a competitive spirit upfront. That competitive spirit with Jordan Williams and Owen Williams on in the inside doing the dirty work. We just have to keep working together and getting it."
(On the defense being able to play better maybe when the offense is doing so well)
"It's really good for the defense. We go out there and give them a three and out. We know the offense is going to work with it. We try to keep the field position flipped. That is the type of motivation we have in the back of our minds before we go out on the field."
(On Missouri week coming up with it being the game two years ago with the season ending injury)
"It's going to be senior night too. It's going to be electric I know Vol Nation will come out. Neyland Stadium is going to be rocking. It will be the last time on the field with my guy A.J. Johnson, Jordan Williams and Justin Worley. All the seniors, it is going to be tough. We are going to make it worth it."
Tennessee Offensive Lineman Kyler Kerbyson
(On trust in Joshua Dobbs)
"We have huge trust in Josh. I think he can do whatever he wants out there. He is a captain of the field. He plays it so well being able to read, run, pass and all of that kind of stuff. I'm really proud of what he has done these past few weeks."
(On the offensive line being able to move around and play different positions if Mack Crowder would be out)
"From the beginning of the season we all have been able to play different positions. I can really play them all. Marcus Jackson can play all interior. Jacob Gilliam, Coleman Thomas and Brett Kendrick can play both sides. We are able to move around a lot. Every week we have tests on Fridays and you have to know everybody's block not just yourself. Every week we are tested on whether or not I know the center's block, right tackle's block and I am at left. Being smart enough to answer those questions is really what has gotten us ready for anything."
Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops
(Opening Statement)
"Tough tough loss there. Give Tennessee credit, they beat us. They outcoached us, out played us. They were very prepared, very energetic. They had two weeks to prepare and did a heck of a job. We obviously got off to a good start moving the football, got the three points. We just had our difficulties there through the first half obviously. Didn't sustain any drives and didn't get a lot of stops. So again, give them credit. They took care of business. As I told you last week, much the same, we're 5-6 football team. We need this bye right now. Our team needs to heal up. I have no problem with our team's attitude and their effort. Some people may have a hard time understanding that when you get beat 50-16, but I really do. I think our guys really want to play well. I thought they really prepared well. They really tried to come in with a good mindset. Really I thought gave good effort. We were exploited at certain positions. As I said going into this game, they stress you because of what they're doing offensively. They had some very good playmakers that made us miss. They made some very big plays and we didn't. We had opportunities for stops, just different things throughout the game; you all saw it, that was difficult. We have sacks, instead of getting a sack, they get a thirty yard gain and it's hard to overcome those things. So again, give them credit. I think Butch and their staff is doing a heck of a job. I said it all the time coming into this game, I thought they were a very hungry bunch. I thought they were a hungry group. You could see that tonight. They had a lot of energy coming off that bye playing at home. They really played well. Give them credit for taking care of business."
(On having a defensive mindset and seeing his team give up fifty points)
"It's tough, it's very difficult. As I said, we had opportunities and we got guys that we need to coach better and we need to play better."
(On why Towels came out early in the game)
"It was his ankle. He twisted his ankle. Went into the locker room, I think they cut off the tape and retaped him and he came back out. I think he was questioning whether he could play or not and he came in and got moving around and gave a good effort for us."
(On backup quarterback coming in and throwing a pick six)
"It doesn't help. It doesn't help."
(On how he knows he has not lost the team)
"I know and I really do. I think I really am. I'm proud of this team and that's hard to say when you all point out all the negatives, that's your job and I understand that. Believe me, I'm a big boy and it goes with the territory. But I really am, I'm proud of them. They did some good things. We're 5-6 and we're in the middle of a tough stretch right now. I don't think, and I would never say this before the game and I'm never going to give them an out for any of us, we didn't have a lot in our tank. We physically, even them, it was a physical game. They got some injuries. We've got some injuries today. Our guys are banged up, they need a couple of days to decompress here a little bit and get a little energy back in their step. Physically and mentally just recharge a little bit. I don't worry about that at all. I know they need a couple of days off and we'll come back and prepare. They really prepared well this week, I just didn't know how much we had in the tank."
(On how to fix tackling issues)
"We need to be more physical. We need to recruit and develop. I don't even want to go there. It's hard to. Things don't happen overnight. We need to continue to pound the weight room. We need to continue to recruit and get our players better and bigger. One thing I'm noticing in this stretch, and I think you all can see it too, we need to be more physical. We need bigger. We need to be bigger and stronger. That's what we've got to do."
(On how much of success in the SEC is catching teams at the right and wrong time)
"It is what it is. Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that in this conference it's quite obvious where you catch teams at the right time or the wrong time. I think anybody will tell you that that coaches. We'll never give our team an out, it's a fact. It's a very demanding conference and you have to be physical. You wonder why I say offensively you have to run the ball, you have to. Games like this where you can't throw it, you have to be able to move the chains and give your defense a break and change field position a little bit. You have to find ways to find some balance. You have to be physical or you'll never going to sustain success in this league."
Kentucky Quarterback Patrick Towles
(On anticipating the bye week)
"We're banged up, for sure. We're banged up. But it's also great because we've got our biggest game coming up in two weeks and we've got an extra week to prepare. So, we've got to stay together like we have been the whole time and get ready for [the game in] two weeks."
(On the last two losses)
"We've prepared well these last two weeks. We've fought hard, we've just got to execute better. We've done everything right up until the game. We ran into a good team tonight, so we've just got to play better and keep looking forward."
Kentucky Wide Receiver Javess Blue
(on playing with effort despite the score)
"It wasn't about effort, it was just about the team just coming together and not quitting the whole game. It was a tough loss, we have some bangs and bruises right now, so it's just something we've got to work on and just get healthy through this upcoming bye week and just come back the Louisville game and try to get the W."
(On thoughts coming into this game)
"Yeah, we had a feeling it was going to be tough. At the same time, we both thought that Tennessee was, like, not going to be so uptight coming off a bye week, so it was something we didn't expect. So, at the same time, we've just got to come back, got to have that team spirit and fight on."
