For surging Tennessee, it's all about growing
Tennessee’s offense has been close to breaking out the last 2-3 weeks. The Vols have had receivers open and almost been explosives, but some over throws as well as some drops have made things frustrating as Josh Heupel acknowledged on Monday.
Up front in the line of scrimmage for the offensive line, it’s been about growth and improvement the last three weeks. After struggling at Arkansas, Tennessee’s pass protection has been better and the Vols have moved the ball better, but just haven’t finished drives the way they should.
Center Cooper Mays is playing the best football of his career and believes there’s another level of play for the entire offensive line as they play over the next four weeks.
“We can a lot better,” Mays said. “There’s always room for improvement. You are never going to play perfect obviously, but the intensity and intentionality has to be there. If you are going to be a good team then you have to get better every week. That’s our plan.”
Defensively, Tennessee held another opponent under 20 points but the defense wasn’t at the best Saturday night against Kentucky. The Vols mis-fit too many runs and gave up too many explosive plays. Senior Omari Thomas and the defensive front have gone back to work with a focus on the details and playing smarter, something defensive line coach Rodney Garner has been preaching all season.
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“We just have to come out with our hair on fire,” Thomas said. “We feel like we started slow as a defense. We just have to continue to settle in. When big plays like that happen, you have to settle in and play the next play. I feel like that’s what we do good job of that and we have to continue to do that.”
Tennessee’s defensive line is deep and experienced, but one player who seems to be continuing to develop and come on is Daevin Hobbs. The sophomore had four tackles against Kentucky and said his veteran position coach likes the way he is growing.
“He likes the way I’m playing, fast and physical,” Hobbs said. “No MA’s (missed assignments) or keeping them down. You shouldn’t have any really. Keep growing and keep doing what I am doing is his message. In the run game, I think I have improved the most with keeping my gap down and straining through the double teams.”
