{"id":5604,"date":"2019-11-19T20:09:28","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T01:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/?p=5604"},"modified":"2019-11-19T20:09:28","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T01:09:28","slug":"vol-report-vols-look-to-keep-spark-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/2019\/11\/19\/vol-report-vols-look-to-keep-spark-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol Report: Vols Look to Keep Spark Alive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Knoxville, Tenn. \u2013 <\/strong>The Tennessee football team is looking to keep its spark going as they prepare for their final road SEC matchup coming off an open date.
 
“We had a lot of little sparks during the season,” said senior linebacker Daniel Bituli<\/a>. “After going against a really great running back in the Mississippi State game, we realized that if we’re communicating as much as possible on the field, if we know what we were going to do, if we read our cues correctly, then the world is ours. We can stop anybody. Definitely that game really showed that we can do it for a whole game.”
 
Since the Vols squared off with Mississippi State, they have forced 10 turnovers, including eight interceptions, and have recorded 17 sacks. During that same stretch, the defense is allowing 320.2 yards per game, 17.2 points per game, and 179.4 passing yards per game. All of which would rank in the top-20 nationally for a full season. 
 
Bituli Finishing Strong<\/strong>
After missing the first two games of the season, Bituli has been at his best. Two weeks ago against Kentucky, he registered a season-high 19 tackles to earn his second SEC Defensive Player of the Week honor. 
 
“I feel like we have something to prove each and every game,” said Bituli. “Like I said, every SEC team is capable of doing so if we don’t come in with the same mindset. We just have to come in today with the same hardworking mindset, try to win today, and if we do the rest will take care of itself.”
 
Bituli became the first Vol to earn the SEC weekly defensive honor twice in the same season since Derek Barnett did so in 2016. His 62 tackles this season lead the Vols, and his 9.8 tackles per game in the last six SEC games ranks second in the league. 
 
Defensive Line Buying In<\/strong>
The defensive line faced the challenge of a run-heavy offense when they squared off with Kentucky, holding the Wildcats to just 13 points. On fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter, redshirt junior Ja’Quain Blakely<\/a> along with Bituli sealed the victory when they stopped Lynn Bowden from reaching the endzone with just over a minute remaining in the game.
 
“I feel like as a d-line we’ve improved because we’ve come together more and have a bond and a brotherhood,” said Blakely. “With Coach (Tracy) Rocker, he’s a very good coach, and all the d-linemen we all bought in to his coaching and his philosophy. That’s been the point where we’re getting over the edge.”
 
Blakely, who played tight end and full back in 2018, has seen increased playing time over the last two games. He recorded a career-high two tackles against UAB and has seven on the season.
 
Man of the Year<\/strong>
On November 13th, it was announced that redshirt junior offensive lineman Trey Smith<\/a> was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
 
“Take the football out of it, you won’t find a better representative, number one, of his family,” head coach Jeremy Pruitt<\/a> said. “I can’t say enough about Trey and the type of person and the individual that he is. He does a fantastic job with anything that he touches. Whether it is on the field, off the field or in the classroom, he is what college football is all about. It’s not surprising. I would like to meet the people that are more deserving of this award than Trey Smith<\/a>.”
 
In his off time, Smith assists with the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry’s (KARM) annual coat drive. 
 
“I think it’s a great thing,” Smith said. “There’s no real reason why I do it, I just don’t like seeing people struggle. If I can help somebody out, it is just in my nature to help any way I can. When I had the opportunity to help KARM last year, and I had the opportunity to help KARM this year I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to help people out.”
 
Smith has started nine games this season at left guard and has played a key role in the Vols’ upward trajectory with the team currently on a three-game win streak. 
 
As one of the most experienced offensive linemen on the team, the Jackson, Tenn., Smith has been a vocal leader for the Vols and mentor to younger linemen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tennessee Player Media Availability (Nov. 19)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Quotes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigel Warrior, Sr. DB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how Derrick Ansley has helped develop his game:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe stays on me the most at practice. He makes sure I stay low and I get to the ball. When I see the ball, \u2019Go get the ball.\u2019 He just stays on me more. I didn\u2019t expect it. He plays a part in my success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what differences he sees in himself, from the time his Tennessee career began:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest difference, I would say, is finding a passion for the game and actually loving what I\u2019m doing. I\u2019m not saying I didn\u2019t love it, but I just have more for love for what I\u2019m doing it for and who I\u2019m playing with. It\u2019s becoming more routine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what has allowed him to get his hand on the ball more in the passing game this year:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would say just knowing what plays are coming up next and really paying attention to what routes are being ran, how many times they run it. When they run this certain route, what goes behind the route and just playing as a team. My uncle said, \u2018When your team is able to pay attention, then everybody gets to show their attributes.\u2019 We\u2019ve been able to pay attention to what\u2019s going on and everybody can show their attributes to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ja\u2019Quain Blakely, R-Jr. DL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On his role as a defensive lineman:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great role for me. I feel like my twitch is very good for that role. It\u2019s a third down key, I mean, my job is basically third down get off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On why the defensive line has improved late in the season:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like as a d-line we\u2019ve improved because we\u2019ve come more together as a bond and as a brotherhood. With Coach (Tracy) Rocker, he\u2019s a very good coach, all the d-linemen we all bought in to his coaching and his philosophy. That\u2019s been the point where we\u2019re getting over the edge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On if Missouri\u2019s offense can be compared to other opponents from previous weeks:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot really. I feel like all o-lines have their moments; I feel like Missouri will be a good challenge for us. I feel like they\u2019ll test us, and that\u2019ll be the bar that we have to get to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kivon Bennett, R-So. LB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how he feels he has played this season:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve played well. The thing I pride myself the most on is just continuing to improve day after day, week after week, and I feel like I\u2019ve just kept doing that. I just want to see myself keep improving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On if he saw himself as an edge guy coming in or if it was a natural transition:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt really just kind of happened. When I came in, I was super young. I was 17, and I think just the process of me being in a college weightlifting program, the weight kind of just naturally fell off, and it just made the most sense. It wasn\u2019t a thing that I tried to do, or had a plan of doing, but it just more naturally happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On where he feels he has developed the most as a player:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe most I think I\u2019ve developed is just having a better understanding of defense more technically. Just understanding the game. I went from playing d-line to linebacker, so there are more things I have to think about instead of just going left, right, or forward. I have to consider coverages, I have to count receivers, I have to do all these types of things; recognize formations. Sometimes we call the plays too, not only the middle linebackers, so we\u2019ve got to be on top of all of that, so it\u2019s just a lot more responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LaTrell Bumphus, Jr. DL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how he was able to improve as a pass rusher:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust taking my time and watching videos and studying tape, and then working on stuff with coach and other people on the team that have already been on the d-line before I was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the challenge of playing multiple positions:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been hard at times, but I just figured out that the more I study plays and stuff the easier it becomes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what the team does at halftime to correct first-half mistakes:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally just listening to the coaches, listening to the corrections, and just knowing that we can\u2019t make the same mistakes in the second half that we did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trey Smith, Jr. OL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the transition from tackle to guard:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love playing guard, but I know I\u2019m capable of playing tackle if I need to. Just a little proper practice of stuff I needed, just getting ready to actually play the position and understand it. Also, to play tackle I need to lose a lot of weight. That\u2019s one thing I\u2019m going to do next time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how he feels about his performance so far this year:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been okay. I\u2019ve had some good moments and also had some really bad moments. My biggest issue is consistency, and with lack of practice that happens. In my mind, I need to play at a much higher level. I need to stop doing stupid stuff and clean up my play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the adjustment to practicing non-contact and having to play on Saturdays:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHonestly, it\u2019s really not that tough. I don\u2019t know why it isn\u2019t. At the beginning of the year, I think I was more fearful about everything going on, but the first game, it really wasn\u2019t that hard. At the end of the day, I\u2019m still just playing football. In my mind, I guess that\u2019s how I approach it. As long as I know what to do mentally, it\u2019s almost like mental repetition. I just know what to do when I go out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Bituli, Sr. LB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what led to watching more film:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe winning. We know the more we put in to football, the more we\u2019re going to get out of it. It\u2019s because of those guys that are working so hard, putting in that extra time and understanding the offense we\u2019re going up against. Our defense, as a whole, is definitely helping us out when we go out there on Saturdays.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On if it was easier for him to buy into the coaches, being a senior:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the time they got here, how can you not buy into a coaching staff that\u2019s so established? You can look at Coach Pruitt\u2019s record, the players that he\u2019s coached and the players that are doing so well in the league (NFL) right now \u2013 to bring a coach like that into this facility to help us out, help us become a better defense, better players as a whole \u2013 definitely. I\u2019m a sponge when it comes to Coach Pruitt, because he definitely knows what he\u2019s talking about, because he\u2019s been in this for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how the team is preparing to not let up, after three consecutive wins:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust staying in each other\u2019s ears. What we don\u2019t want to do is become complacent and be happy with where we\u2019re at. We\u2019re still a hungry team. We want to win this next game coming up. Missouri\u2019s a great team. Each and every week, every team in the SEC\u2019s a good team and what we can\u2019t do is overlook them because of the previous success we\u2019ve had these previous games. We\u2019ve just got to come in and win each and every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On when he realized that the defensive unit was coming together and reaching their potential:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had a lot of little sparks during the season, but after going against a really great running back in the Mississippi State game, we realized that if we\u2019re communicating as much as possible on the field, if we knew what we were going to do, if we read our cues correctly, then the world is ours. We can stop anybody. Definitely that game really showed that we can do it for a whole game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marquez Callaway, Sr. WR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how the bye week rejuvenated the team:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnytime we get time off it\u2019s good – not just for our bodies, but mentally too. I feel like this bye week has been productive. We still got a lot of work done, mentally; we took a lot of load off our bodies, obviously, to get us healthy for next week. This week, I expect us to go in, fully recharge with more energy for the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On if the team\u2019s confidence is at the highest level that it has been this season:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think so. I think we are all looking forward to these games. It\u2019s a lot to play for. For the seniors, it\u2019s the last road game and the last home game. For everybody else, it\u2019s trying to make bowl eligibility. Really, we\u2019re trying to take this week to prepare and try to see what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On if he\u2019s seen Jarrett Guarantano become more motivated lately:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJarrett\u2019s a competitor. He wants to play. Even if he\u2019s not playing, he wants to do what he can to help, whether that\u2019s coaching up the younger guys, or just being in the receivers\u2019 ears, getting the O-line\u2019s butt, talking to the running backs. He wants to do what he can to help, whether that\u2019s on or off the field. The other quarterbacks are there. Obviously, they want to play. Who doesn\u2019t want to play? But, there\u2019s only one ball and only one quarterback position, so whoever\u2019s up, they\u2019re going to play their best and if Jarrett\u2019s playing or not playing, he\u2019s going to be a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Knoxville, Tenn. \u2013 The Tennessee football team is looking to keep its spark going as they prepare for their final road SEC matchup coming off an open date. “We had a lot of little sparks during the season,” said senior linebacker Daniel Bituli. “After going against a really great running back in the Mississippi State game, we realized […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":5605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee-vols-football"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/files\/2019\/11\/unnamed-6.jpg?fit=900%2C507&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5604"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5606,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions\/5606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.volnation.com\/freaknotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}