Saturday: How Will Vols' Wide Receivers Fare Vs. Florida Secondary?

Gators' Tabor, Harris, Suspended For Saturday's Game

  • Wednesday, September 23, 2015
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com
Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph works during Tuesday's practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville.
Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph works during Tuesday's practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville.
photo by Tennessee Athletics

 The excitement and focus for this week's Southeastern Conference opener against rival Florida resonated throughout Tennessee's practice at Haslam Field on Tuesday.

Tennessee (2-1) turned up the crowd noise on the speakers at practice to help the team prepare for its first hostile road environment of the season. The Vols are expecting a hard-fought game on Saturday against a tough Gators (3-0, 1-0 SEC) squad that scored 92 points over its first two games at "The Swamp" this sesaon.

"They've got a good team," Vols defensive coordinator John Jancek said. "We've got a good team, and that's what makes it so fun [and] so exciting. There's very little margin for error. For us, I talk to the defense about this, it's a 'Maxim 1' game for us. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win."

The Vols have been committed in their preparation with players and coaches putting in the work from sunrise to sundown.

“Jauan Jennings was in the training room this morning at 6:15," wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni said. "He had breakfast check at 7:30. He had class all day. These kids are working their tail off. There (are) no bad attitudes. They have been grinding we are so proud them. That is why we want to see the fruits of their labor – for them. We want them to get a W."

Vols Preparing For Tough Test

The Florida defense will be one of the best Tennessee has faced or will face this season. The Gators rank 11th in the nation with just 258 total yards allowed per game. UF's Jalen Tabor and Brian Poole have five passes defended (interceptions plus pass break-up) each and are tied for 16th nationally.

(NOTE: Scout.com writer Bob Redman, who covers Florida football, posted a story on Twitter that Tabor, a sophomore cornerback, has been suspended for unspecified reasons for Saturday's game against the Vols. The Gators still have All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, but the position is thin behind him.

Minutes later, another Twitter account reported that sophomore quarterback Treon Harris and junior defensive end Alex McAllister had also been suspended, again for unspecified reasons, for Saturday's SEC contest in Gainesville, Fla.

However, McAllister has been slowed by a shoulder injury, missed portions of practices early in the week, but is listed as "probable" for the Tennessee game. McAllister was suspended for the Gators' season opener.)

One of the big matchups this week will be UT's talented wide receivers against Florida's stout secondary.

"Any time you want to see how you stack up, you want to go against the best," Azzanni said. "And in this conference, that's pretty much every week. This week's no different, these guys are special and we've known that. They have a lot of talent and I've said that before. This is probably the most talented group in college football."

Azzanni, who was an assistant coach at Florida in 2010, is familiar with the talent in UF's secondary.

"I've got a ton of respect for them," he said. "The way they play (and) how they play. I recruited a lot of those kids. I know them. I know their families. It's a big challenge for us for sure."

Daniel Punting With Confidence, Consistency

To hear Trevor Daniel tell it, the redshirt sophomore out of Dickson never believed that he would lead the SEC in punting. But having emerged from a competitive preseason camp, Daniel has emerged as "the guy" for Tennessee and now sits atop the SEC and among the nation's leaders in punting average.

"I'm just trying to go out there every day and compete," Daniel said. "Tommy [Townsend] and Nate [Renfro] are both good punters, so every day you had to bring it. We kicked every day and you had to kick your best. It makes me feel good that I got the starting job and it gives me some confidence."

Through the first three games of the season, Daniel is averaging 47.6 yards per punt, which currently ranks fourth in FBS. And while his punts have been booming - consider his 50-yard average against Oklahoma on Sept. 12 - placement has also been key as he has pinned opponents inside the 10-yard line four times and inside the 20 eight times.

"What he's doing is he's gotten very consistent with just his rhythm as far as the drop, his footwork - all those things have really become second nature to him," said tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Mark Elder. "He's punting at a high level and we're excited about where he's at right now."

Going into Saturday's game, Tennessee knows that field position will play a huge role, particularly if the game takes a similar tone to last year's low-scoring affair at Neyland Stadium. Luckily for the Vols, through 16 punts this season Daniel has left the Tennessee opposition with an average starting field position at their own 18-yard line.

"Field position is huge, especially in tight ballgames," added Elder. "We're going to be in tight ballgames week in and week out when we go through the SEC schedule. When you're talking about seven-point ballgames, 10-point ballgames, field position is critical in those positions and obviously punting is a huge part of that."

Studious Kirkland Earns Starting Role

Freshman Darrin Kirkland took over the starting MIKE linebacker last week against Western Carolina and Vol fans may want to get used to seeing number 34 in the lineup.

With the task of lining up the defense and making adjustments, middle linebacker is traditionally recognized as the quarterback of the defense.

"We were trying get that element of speed on the field," Jancek said. "That's what Darrin Kirkland brings. He's also a smart player."

Kirkland values the mental aspect of the game.

"I look forward to studying the film and learning the opponent," he said. "I get a kick out of it; it's kind of a big puzzle piece. It started my senior year, I had to take control. I had a lot of young guys on my high school team and I felt it was my responsibility to get them lined up, to know the defense as best as possible."

Kirkland knows he still has work to do despite recording four tackles in his first start and nine tackles in three games.

"I had a couple missed assignments here and there but I am really excited I got the opportunity. I made some plays, but I left some plays out there as well. Really that learning experience it just comes with time. I can get better with SEC play coming up."

Jancek is impressed with Kirkland's development, especially given the fact that he missed all of spring camp due to injury.

"He's done a really good job," Jancek said. "It's tough for a freshman to come in. He didn't have spring practice. It's different when you get in the games. You know, it's just the anxiety level, the pressure, the crowd noise, all those things add to, now, a very complex situation for a freshman middle linebacker, and I think Darrin's handled it admirably. He's going to continue to get better.

 

 

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