Jones Will "Thoroughly Examine Everything In UT Program"

Dobbs Says Vols Shouldn't Shy Away From Winning Titles

  • Monday, December 5, 2016
  • special to The Chattanoogan.com

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football coach and seniors Joshua Dobbs and LaTroy Lewis met with reporters on Monday in their first press conference for the Music City Bowl in Nashville.

Unranked Tennessee (8-4) will play Nebraska (9-3) in the Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. The game will feature a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. The Cornhuskers are No. 21 in the Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll.

Coach Butch Jones 

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Gatlinburg and we are looking into doing some different things as a football team in moving forward. The way this state, this community, has embraced them is truly remarkable. From my perspective and our football family, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone associated with that tragedy.

"I know our players our looking forward to playing in-state with a good opponent. Two of (Nebraska’s) losses have come to two top-10 football programs. They started the season off 7-0. Two historical teams, two historical programs that are going to come together; so we are excited about that with a quality opponent and it's going to be a great challenge in moving forward.

"Currently our players getting ready to go through final exams. Our staff is in the middle of recruiting. Actually got back in around 4 a.m. this morning, and we'll head right out after this press conference entering into the beginning stages of bowl preparation. We did practice yesterday. I thought it was a very spirited, competitive practice. These practices are going to be critical for the development of our younger players but also for our seniors. It's very important these individuals finish their career the right way.

"Our time as a football is limited but there's a lot of things we have to get accomplished throughout the course of bowl preparation which will really heat up after this week, heading into the stages of early next week. That's when we will really start our bowl preparation.

"I know there's been a lot of questions in terms of the program. I'll tell you this. I will thoroughly examine everything in our football program. (When) I'm not recruiting, not in a home, not in a high school, I am examining that. You have to take the emotion out, look at where you're at, how far you've come, and then you have to look at your deficiencies as a football program in being nine-strong from positioned groups and everything associated with that.”

LaTroy Lewis | Defensive Lineman

Lewis said that the younger players on the team will have an opportunity to continue to improve with this month's bowl practices. Lewis is part of a UT senior class that has led the Vols to three-straight bowl appearances. Tennessee last played in three-consecutive bowls following the 2002-04 seasons. Lewis spoke about the importance of finishing the season with a win.

"It's important. We're moving forward that's huge momentum for (next year’s team) and the great things I think they're going to accomplish. It's the last three years in a bowl game and I don't think that's something to take lightly and not feel accomplished about. We're proud about that, especially our senior class, talking about the legacy we've been able to bring and leave and excited about the things to come."

Joshua Dobbs | Quarterback

Last week Dobbs, some of his teammates and UT dancers and cheerleaders visited with the people of Gatlinburg who have been affected by the wildfires. Dobbs and his fellow seniors will suit up one more time for the Vols in the bowl game, capping an impressive four-year stretch in which they helped return Tennessee to national prominence.

"Before the season everyone has their expectations and goals. Everyone wants to win the championship. There is no sense in shying away from that. The key to that is you have to focus on each game and you can't look at the big picture. You have to focus on the small details. Each practice, each game and taking advantage of those opportunities add up in the end.

“As for moving forward, that's what this team needs to continue to do. We have had a lot of growth over these last four years. It has been really cool to continue to grow and to continue to take steps in the right direction to get Tennessee football where it should be. That's the goal. Every time you step on the field you have to play your best because you're going to get the other team's best shot. You can't take any opportunities for granted."

(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)

 

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