Defensive back Micah Abernathy, who broke up an Appalachian State pass in the end zone in overtime last week, and his fellow defenders will be challenged Saturday when they take on the fast-paced Virginia Tech Hokies in Bristol.
photo by Tennessee Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Three representatives of Tennessee’s defense stepped to the mic prior to practice on Tuesday to discuss the unit's preparations for an up-tempo Virginia Tech offense Saturday at the long-awaited Battle at Bristol.
The Hokies (1-0) come into Saturday's game having defeated FCS and in-state opponent Liberty by a 36-13 count.
Quarterback Jerod Evans threw for 221 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 46 yards on just five carries. Utilizing a fast-paced offensive scheme, Virginia Tech ran 89 plays last week -- 27 more than Liberty's 62 -- while controlling the ball for 33 minutes, 42 seconds.
Last Thursday night a more methodical Appalachian State ran 66 plays against Tennessee's defense and maintained possession for 33 minutes, 29 seconds. Noting the disparity in style of play between App State and Virginia Tech, Micah Abernathy, LaTroy Lewis and Darrin Kirkland Jr. discussed UT's defensive adjustments for Saturday's game and reflected on the positives they took away from the 20-13 overtime win versus the Mountaineers that caused the Vols to drop from No. 9 to No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Saturday's game at the Bristol Motor Speedway kicks off shortly after 8 p.m. EDT on ABC. More than 150,000 fans are expected to pack the “last great Colosseum” in what is being billed as "College Football's Biggest Ever" game.
LaTroy Lewis | Defensive Lineman
Fielding questions about Virginia Tech's up-tempo offense, Lewis, a senior, voiced confidence in the Tennessee defense's conditioning level. With the unit getting plenty of reps against the Vols' no-huddle offense during the "sonic period" at practice, Lewis explained that the defensive line also seeks extra conditioning after practice.
"I feel like our conditioning right now is at a premium (level). I'm probably in the best shape of my life right now. The defensive line, every day after practice, we go and we do a mock eight-play drive after an 18-period practice just to make sure that we are in tip-top shape. That's going to be key for us, to be able to have guys roll in and stay fresh on Saturday."
Darrin Kirkland Jr. | Linebacker
With senior captain Jalen Reeves-Maybin disqualified following a first-quarter targeting penalty against App State, the Tennessee defense benefited from a big showing by linebacker Cortez McDowell. The junior notched a career-best nine tackles, drawing compliments from fellow linebacker Kirkland Jr.
"His eye discipline was great. Him reading his keys was great. Just having the poise to come in in that situation was really tremendous and him being able to get those nine tackles really just helped our defense run smoother."
Micah Abernathy | Defensive Back
Like McDowell, Abernathy, a defensive back, also had a career performance in the opener. The Atlanta native not only notched eight tackles in his first career start, but also delivered the decisive defensive stop by breaking up a fourth-down pass in the end zone in overtime that secured the victory.
"That did build my confidence, but I know it's a new week and I have to prove myself again each and every day in practice and every week in the game. So I'm not trying to forget about it, but to move on to next week."
More Sound Bites
Kirkland Jr.
(On his expectations regarding the atmosphere at Bristol)
"I really just don't know what to expect. I've seen (Bristol Motor Speedway) in pictures and on a map, but I don't know. It's going to be different playing on an infield. It's kind of hard to envision, but I'm definitely excited for the experience. It's once in a lifetime."
Abernathy
(On his excitement for the Battle at Bristol)
"Consistency is something my parents instilled in me my entire life, so I feel like that's something I've been doing since I was a little kid. Taking that off the field and bringing it on the field and in the film room, I feel like I need to do that and continue to do that throughout the season."
Lewis
(On his excitement for the Battle at Bristol)
"I remember my freshman year when they were getting the contracts and stuff ready for (the Battle at Bristol). Then it just seemed forever away, and now it's game week. So, yeah, I'm pretty excited."
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)