Defense Shines in Orange and White Game
The Vols held their annual Spring game Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Potential hail and possible tornadoes didn’t deter Vol Nation one bit from seeing team #119. With a little over 63,000 on hand to see the Vols final outing of the Spring, the Vols defensive unit stepped up and stepped out, allowing just 194 yards through the air.
“As a coach you want a clean game in a Spring game,” Butch Jones said afterwards, “I thought from a discipline stand point that was great to see.”
While Jones was happy overall with the team, he said he particularly liked how the defensive backs played: “I thought our defensive back did a great job of knocking the ball out.” But, Jones said on the flip side of that, that “Wide Receiver U” needs to step up. “We have got to find some receivers that can catch the football and advanced the football.” He added, ” I was not particularly pleased in that area, but they’ll get it right.”
Sophomore wideout Josh Malone did have a good game though, with 2 catches for 80 yards and a 65-yard touchdown that Malone was able to show a little bit of his speed on, outrunning the secondary to the endzone.
Wide Receiver that was missed by some, was Senior Von Pearson. Pearson has been suspended indefinitely as he is a suspect in an ongoing rape investigation. Jones said that didn’t effect his team on Saturday, “I don’t want that to take away from all the great things going on in this football program.” He added, “It’s not an illustration of the kids in our football program. We have tremendous, tremendous kids in our football program and I am disappointed.”
Jones said some players exceeded expectations but some did not, “It was a great opportunity for players to put their identity on video.” One player that was able to do that is Sophomore Evan Berry. Berry led the game in tackles with 5, and showed the hard-hitting that his older brother, All-American Safety Eric Berry showed in his tenure at UT.
Everyone knows that the quarterback this season is Josh Dobbs. However, the bigger question is who will be the back-up, “That is where my sleepless night are going to come from,” Jones said. Each of the quarterbacks vying for that position showed potential. Both incoming Freshman Quinten Dormady and Jauan Jennings showed flashes of why Butch Jones wanted them. Dormady showed his magnificent arm strength and can really spin the rock, while Jennings showed breakaway speed on a 45-yard touchdown run.
Overall, Butch Jones was pleased with Spring Practice and says they will be ready for the opener against Bowling Green, stating the team had a “Very, very productive Spring, especially when you add the 13 individuals who had to sit out Spring.” Jones closed saying, “This summer is absolutely critical for the development of this football team.”
