UT's Jones' Familiarity With Bobcats' Solich Breeds Respect

Tennessee's coaches wrapped up their media duties for the week prior to practice on Wednesday by speaking to reporters. Head coach Butch Jones opened proceedings and was followed by offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, associate head coach Steve Stripling and passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni.

The Vols are set to face Ohio on Saturday with kickoff set for 12 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium.  

Butch Jones | Head Coach  

Saturday's game marks the third time that Jones has gone head-to-head with Ohio head coach Frank Solich. While at Central Michigan, Jones and Solich met twice -- once in the regular season and once for the MAC title. Jones was victorious in both meetings, but maintains the highest respect for Solich and what the Bobcat football program has become under his watch.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Solich. I had the opportunity to get to know him fairly well. I know the hard edge and mentality that their football team brings about. He hasn't just built football teams; he has built a football program that has been very consistent over time. I believe nine out of the last 10 years they have been bowl eligible. You always know what you're going to get from them in terms of a physicality and confidence standpoint. I know they came in here in 2009 and felt they should have won the football game. Even though these players weren't on that football team, it gives them evidence of what can be done.

"If you look at what has gone on around the country in college football, we are going to get their best shot, which I expect that with coach Solich. There will be something new in the game plan. They're a hard-nosed, physically tough football team. You talk about staying the course. Their quarterback is five years into the program, and it's his first year starting. If that doesn't define resiliency and resolve, then I don't know what better example you have. He is playing winning football for them. They have our attention and respect."

Mike DeBord | Offensive Coordinator  

After finishing with just 28 yards of total offense and a 14-0 deficit after the first quarter, Tennessee's offense came to life in the second stanza. Sparked by a fumble recovery deep in VT territory, the Vol offense scored 31 straight points over the next two quarters en route to a 45-24 victory. DeBord  appreciated what he saw out of his unit during that second-quarter turnaround as it finished posted 302 yards of total offense after the slow start.

"What I liked about this past game was our style of play. We had great examples of 63 (six seconds, three great strains). Guys straining and guys possessed -- that's what was in the line with the tight ends, receivers, backs, everybody. Our style of play really improved from Week 1 to Week 2 so we've got to continue to take that to the next level. I think you always want a smart offense; that means one that is always executing their assignments. You always want a tough offense, and I saw really good toughness this past week."

Bob Shoop | Defensive Coordinator  

Ohio enters Saturday's game riding two strong performances from quarterback Greg Windham and wide receiver Papi White. Windham threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-54 triple overtime loss to Texas State on opening night. He followed that performance with 146 yards rushing and a score in last week's 37-21 win at Kansas. Meanwhile, dynamic playmaker White owns 154 receiving yards, 66 rushing yards and 21 punt return yards this season. Shoop has keyed in on that duo heading into this week’s game.

"The quarterback and (wide receiver White) are the two guys you've got to stop. They average 563 yards of total offense after two games. There are some teams who couldn’t do that on air during a Friday practice. So that’s pretty impressive to me. The way they battled against Texas State was impressive and the way they went into Kansas and played exceptionally well and jumped out on them early.

“Windham can make plays with his feet and his arm and he’s a bit of a story like some of the guys we’re talking about, Kendall (Vickers) or Colton (Jumper). He’s a fifth-year senior who's waited his turn, played a little bit in the bowl game and now has a chance to play and made the most of it. (White) is all over the place. He plays some running back, plays some receiver, I’m sure he’s a kick return guy and does well in that respect. He’s been a very dynamic and good player for them, too. So as they go, the teams goes. Between the two of them they have nearly 1,000 yards of total offense. We’ve got to be very aware of those guys and they sure caught our attention."

Steve Stripling | Associate Head Coach

After recording just one tackle in the win over Virginia Tech, junior defensive end Derek Barnett was critical of his performance, calling it "soft" during Tuesday's media availability. (Stripling) appreciates Barnett's critique and has encouraged him to continue to focus on improving the small details day-by-day.

"Derek is always critical of his own performance and that’s just one of his qualities. He’s never happy about anything [he’s done]. What we tell him is to just focus on the process. You cannot go into a game and say, ‘I’ve got to get three sacks. I’ve got to get five tackles for loss.’ You’ve just got to go out there and play the game because you never know how it’s going to work out. Derek and I have talked about it this week. Just focus on the process, playing your hardest, doing everything right to detail and it’ll all work out fine."

Zach Azzanni | Passing Game Coordinator

One key component of the first two games for the Vols offense has been the downfield passing game. Malone leads the SEC in yards per reception as he is averaging 31.75 yards per catch and has two long touchdown grabs where he had to fight off defenders in the air. Azzanni has worked with the entire receivers group on winning jump balls. 

"We’ve really stressed it. That’s one of our goals as a receiver unit for the entire year. We’ve worked on it hard, and to Josh's (Malone) credit he has worked on it hard. He knew that was a part of the game that he needs to continue to get better at. Still not a finished product, there’s still things he can do better when the ball is in the air. To see him make that progress gives the other guys hope on what they need to work on. That is what Josh needed to work on, he still needs to work on it every week. It gives guys hope, if we keep doing this, we’re bought in. These things help and we can make some big-time plays."

More Sound Bites

Mike DeBoard
(Comparing Ohio's front seven to Virginia Tech's)

"I don't think you can compare. You really don't know until you get in the game and find out. I feel like the strength to their defense (Ohio) is their front seven. You can't compare them to their first opponent because they're playing a different defense. This is a four-down and they were a three-down, an odd front. They don't compare to Virginia Tech as much because going in, Virginia Tech was a lot of bear front. They played even against us and mixed up both fronts, but it's hard to compare until you get into it."

Bob Shoop
(On the steady play of safeties Micah Abernathy and Todd Kelly Jr.

“(Micah) doesn’t get too high and too low and you guys have all talked to him. I like steady players and he’s been very, very steady. He and Kelly Jr. have both been pretty steady back there and have done a good job. That’s really what’s separated them at the safety position. They’re composed, they communicate well and I think the best is yet to come for Micah."

Steve Stripling
(On what he sees from Ohio’s offensive line)

"I think they’re feisty. They’re really physical kids and they do a good job of using their hands. Their center, he does a really good job of looking to help on blocks and has got that tough mindset to him. So, I think they bring that to the table and they play a lot of offensive linemen – a lot more than other people do. I think that gives them some stability and some depth. I know they supposedly have two returning starters but those other guys have played a lot of football for them. It’s a very veteran line." 

Zach Azzanni
(On whether freshman who come in and struggle with the speed of the game)

"Yes all the time, but not Tyler (Byrd). Because he’s fast himself. He’s never said, ‘man, everyone’s fast,” he’s fast. He’s the fastest guy I got. Guys always struggle early on with the speed of the game when they get going. It all depends where they are from. Guess what, you’re from Miami, there’s a lot of fast guys down there, it’s not as shocking to them as opposed to maybe some other places in the country. Every kid is different but yeah we hear that a lot."

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