Vol quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle on Joe Milton's growth and bowl prep
MIAMI —Tennessee’s offense is certainly a question heading into Friday’s Orange Bowl match-up against Clemson.
Joe Milton is making his second start of the season and his fourth in his Vol career in places of the injured Hendon Hooker. Milton is a question mark in the eyes of a good number of Vol fans. Tennessee is also without receivers Cedric Tillman and Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt who both decided to opt out.
Milton went 11 of 21 for 147 yards and a touchdown against Vanderbilt, but was only 1 for 8 on throws of over 20 yards in Nashville to close out the regular season. Milton in mop up duty has shown progress from last season to this year. Milton for the year is 34 of 54 for 720 yards and 7 touchdowns.
At receiver, Bru McCoy returns after missing the Vanderbilt game due to injury. Ramel Keyton will start opposite McCoy along with Squirrel White in the slot.
Keyton has had a career season in place of Tillman who missed most of the year with a his ankle injury.
Keyton has 27 receptions for 486 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tennessee is also without offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who took the head coaching job at South Florida. Head coach Josh Heupel will call plays Friday against the Tigers. Heupel’s eyes on the sky will be quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle. Halzle met with the media on Wednesday where he discussed the continued progression of Milton through bowl preparation as well as Tennessee’s game day communication without Golesh.
Kickoff is set set for 8pm. Friday at Hard Rock Stadium and will be televised by ESPN.
