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Tennessee coach Butch Jones has ‘tremendous amount of respect’ for Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel
By Alex Zorn
Published:
In the midst of their first, and only, win-streak of 2015 (three games) Tennessee coach Butch Jones believes his team will continues to improve in a season that included an early disappointing OT loss to Oklahoma.
Just like last week, the press conference started focusing not on football, but rather the retirement of Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.
Tennessee plays Missouri on Saturday.
JONES: I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Pinkel not only as a coach, but as a person
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 16, 2015
JONES: We have a great challenge before us going on the road and we are playing one of the best defenses
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 16, 2015
In fact, the coach spent most of his press conference discussing Missouri and its defense that ranks second in the SEC at 14.7 points allowed per game.
Butch Jones now at the podium. Calls Missouri, "one of the best defensive football teams," they've played this year.
— Daily Beacon Sports (@UTKBeaconSports) November 16, 2015
JONES: (Mizzou is) a complete defensive football team, when you look at their front 7, back end, their tackles for loss and their stats.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 16, 2015
. @UTCoachJones: We expect that every time we go on the road in the SEC. Lot on the line for both teams. We're playing for a lot. #Vols
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 16, 2015
Saturday should be a big game for both teams: Tennessee is trying to improve its bowl spot, and Missouri is trying to become bowl eligible.
With Pinkel’s retirement and the Tigers’ emotional win last week, the media remained focused on the Missouri sidelines.
Butch Jones on #Mizzou QB Drew Lock: He's much more comfortable back there…you can see his talent starting to come out right now. #Vols
— WBIR Sports (@WBIRSports) November 16, 2015
When the conversation finally shifted to Jones’ team, the coach was quick to demand more from his defense that pitched their first shutout against North Texas on Saturday.
Tennessee is tied for last in the SEC with just 12 forced turnovers.
. @UTCoachJones: What do we need to do better defensively? We need more 3-and-outs. More turnovers. Lot of things need to improve on. #Vols
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 16, 2015
We have to generate turnovers. – Butch Jones on playing two teams with good defenses #Vols
— WBIR Sports (@WBIRSports) November 16, 2015
JONES: We started the process last year with our players understanding the more you win, the more is at stake.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 16, 2015
Tennessee ran for 237 yards Saturday and now ranks No. 2 in the SEC in total rushing yards, second only to RB Leonard Founette’s LSU Tigers.
JONES: The mentality, the focus & the confidence that is growing in the o-line room & the accountability – I've been very proud of that.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 16, 2015
. @UTCoachJones: Our OL has done a tremendous, tremendous job. Asked a lot of them. Already surpassed last year's rush total of 13 games
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 16, 2015
Monday had to be the coach’s least football-focused press conference of the season as reporters ended it by asking Jones about the field condition at Neyland Stadium, which the coach answered with limited interest.
https://twitter.com/CoryGunkel/status/666304691459006465
. @UTCoachJones: You know, I'm not a grass expert. Can't tell u 1 way or the other. I know they're meeting & trying to improve. Get it right
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 16, 2015
Butch Jones on Neyland field: " I can tell you how to defeat Cover 3 and Cover 2, but I can't tell you about the grass."
— Matt Slovin (@MattSlovin) November 16, 2015
