Tennessee defensive lineman Shy Tuttle, center, shown in action against Georgia, sustained a broken leg in that game and will be out the remainder of the season, according to Vols' head coach Butch Jones.
photo by Dennis Norwood
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee enters its bye week at the season's midway point with a continued focus on improvement.
The Vols (3-3, 1-2 SEC) are coming off Saturday's 38-31 comeback win over No. 19 Georgia prepared to self-evaluate, work on fundamentals and recover from injuries before their next game on Oct. 24 at No. 10/9 Alabama.
"We've got a week just to set aside for fundamentals," senior safety Brian Randolph said. "We don't have to worry about scheme this week, so we're going back to the basics, working on tackling. You can never get enough work on that."
Coach Butch Jones said that defensive tackle Shy Tuttle will miss the remainder of the season due to a broken fibula and ankle ligament injury he suffered in the win over Georgia. He expect Jashon Robertson, Mack Crowder and Brett Kendrick, all of whom exited Saturday's game with injuries, to be back for next week for Alabama and that Marquez North will participate in Monday's practice.
"The bye week is coming at a very needed time in terms of our overall health," Jones said. "It's been a challenge. It's been physically exhausting and mentally exhausting the first six weeks, so to be able to get our health back is going to be critical."
Jones Tips His Cap to the Head Ball Coach
While Jones spoke to the media on Monday, Steve Spurrier took the podium at a simultaneous press conference to formally announce his resignation as head coach at South Carolina. Jones took a moment during his own press conference to acknowledge the great respect he has for the Head Ball Coach.
"He's a legend. He's a living legend," Jones said. "He's brought so much to the coaching profession. He's brought so much to the game of football and he's brought so much to the Southeastern Conference."
Spurrier resigns at the age of 70 with a 228-89-2 career record in 25 seasons as a head coach. He is South Carolina's winningest coach with a 86-49 record in Columbia and won the 1996 National Championship and six SEC titles with Florida.
A successful player in his own right, Spurrier won the 1966 Heisman Trophy and played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I've enjoyed the last couple years having the opportunity to compete against a legend," said Jones of the nine-time SEC coach of the year winner. "I have the utmost respect for him. We've had some great conversations."
Spurrier's announcement comes four weeks ahead of Tennessee's scheduled meeting with the Gamecocks on Nov. 7 at Neyland Stadium. That game was to be the third overall meeting between Jones and Spurrier.
"He's meant so much to me from a personal note -- really watching him -- and then also from our profession as well," Jones said. "We're going to miss him."
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)