QB Worley Says Vols Have Their Hands Full With Georgia Defense

Tennessee's Defense Will Target Bulldogs Potent Rushing Attack

  • Tuesday, September 23, 2014
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com
Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley takes a snap during Tuesday's practice. The seniors says Georgia's defense has a knack to create turnovers.
Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley takes a snap during Tuesday's practice. The seniors says Georgia's defense has a knack to create turnovers.
photo by Tennessee Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee and Georgia are familiar football rivals, having played every season for the past 20-plus years. But for the Vols on the 2014 roster, making the trip to Athens will be a new experience for nearly 85 percent of the team as coach Butch Jones made clear following Tuesday's practice.

"Out of our 70 that we'll take on the road to the University of Georgia, only 11 have ever played in a game at Sanford Stadium," Jones said.

"To do the math for you, that's about 16 percent. (I've) never been a part of anything like that."

Among that group of 11 returning to Athens, only three started in the 2012 shootout, all on defense: Justin ColemanA.J. Johnsonand Curt Maggitt.

Jones' squad has had two weeks to prep for their Southeastern Conference East foe, something that has been a major benefit to Jones, historically. As a head coach, Jones' teams are 9-2 following an open week. Included in that is the Vols' 23-21 upset win over #11/9 South Carolina last October.

"I thought a very good start to the week with the Tuesday practice," Jones said. "It's great to be back in the flow of game day. In our team meeting, speaking with the team, about what it takes to go on the road and win in the SEC in a hostile environment versus a very good football team and all the things that go in to playing winning football."

WORLEY CONFIDENT IN HIS LINE

Coming out of a bye week and heading into Saturday's SEC opener at Georgia, Tennessee senior quarterback Justin Worley says he's as confident in his offensive line as he's ever been.

"I feel really comfortable," he said. "I felt comfortable going in two weeks ago at Oklahoma. Like I said earlier, they had a good team, they had a good scheme against us, and now that we've had another week to build some chemistry with two true freshman on the right side and Kyler Kerbyson playing left tackle for the first time, that's huge to go into that work week and build that chemistry."

Even with his confidence in his line, he still knows that he will have to get rid of the ball quickly to avoid Georgia's pass rush under new defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt.

"Schematically, they're different, that's always going to be the case with a new defensive coordinator," said the veteran quarterback.

"They've still got great athletes throughout their defense. They can fly around, they're big up front, they force fumbles, force turnovers pretty well. You see them trying to strip the ball throughout their game, so they definitely have a new mentality in their defense and we're going to have our hands full. It's the SEC now."

"You're always going to have that internal clock, three or four seconds going off," he said. "Any longer that you hold that, you've got a pretty good offensive line, or they may be only rushing three or something like that. That internal clock's always going off."

Worley also said that he has put last season's close loss behind him, and is ready for another shot at the Bulldogs.

"This is a new year, new team, new season, so you can't really dwell on the past," he said. "We had success against them, both offensively and defensively, and we'd like to say that we should have one that game and stuff, but we've moved on. This is a new year and we've still got to go out there and play the game."

DEFENSE FOCUSED ON STOPPING RUN GAME

With the Vols traveling to Sanford Stadium on Saturday, the defense will be focused on stopping Todd Gurley and Georgia's highly touted running attack.

"It's remarkably tough. With a back like Gurley, he's real dynamic, gives you yards after carry, real explosive, fast, pretty much an all-around back. He's really good, and not just him," defensive lineman Corey Vereen said. "You've got guys behind him like (Sony) Michel and other guys. You've got other guys like him who can do a lot in the SEC. That's really hard in the SEC, he's a good back."

Junior linebacker Curt Maggitt stressed the importance of stopping the run not just against Georgia, but against every team they face.

"I would say that's with any team and anybody running the ball against our defense. It's not just going to be one or two guys tackling you," said Maggitt. "We're looking for all eleven hats. We try to swarm to the ball every time."

Vereen sided with Maggitt, stating that stopping the run is of importance in SEC play.

"When you get inside the depth of SEC play you know everybody's talented, teams like Alabama. Alabama has running backs too," Vereen stated. "Everybody has backs. When you see that, it's basically stopping the run and everything else is just gravy at that point."

When asked how the defense plans to stop the run, Vereen and Maggitt both offered similar responses about physicality.

"It's pretty much just getting off blocks, holding points, tackling well, very well. Gurley likes to break tackles, every one of their backs and receivers pretty much like to break tackles," Vereen pointed out. "They get a lot of yards after contact. Basically, just tackling, being physical at the point of attack and winning the juncture point I would say."

"It's very important no matter who we're playing against. If we win on first down, that's our thing. Get them behind the chains. That's going to be very important," said Maggitt. We know they're going to want to run the ball."

Maggitt had one final remark in regards to Georgia's running game.

"We're going to play our defense and we're going to swarm to the ball, ball disruptions, and he's (Gurley) going to feel us."

BEST CASE SCENARIOS FOR WOLF

After sustaining a knee injury in just his second start of the season aganst Arkansas State, freshman Ethan Wolf used his time at Oklahoma to `watch' and `listen' to the game. In combination with a speedy rehabilitation, Wolf now feels more ready than ever to take on the Bulldogs this week.

"I feel 100 percent, I feel like I'm ready to go," Wolf said. "[Making the road trip to Oklahoma] was big. I had never been on the road and into a college atmosphere. Oklahoma was like nothing that I'd experienced as far as people rooting against you. It was a big experience for me going into Georgia this weekend."

Although watching from the sidelines in Norman was difficult, Wolf was also thankful for the chance to see defenses from a different vantage point, furthering his understand of play action on the field.

"You kind of watch more of the game, in general, as opposed to just your position," Wolf said. "Obviously, you try to watch your position but sometimes you can't see it. You do see the flow of things you talk about in practice. So it was helpful to see the whole defense."

While his recovery speed has been a welcomed, pleasant surprise for Wolf and his coaches alike, every week presents new challenges and learning experiences. One of his first lessons ultimately proved to be the hardest, learning to apply a career mindset to injuries rather than a sort-sighted mindset.

"I think I could have [played against Oklahoma] but the training staff had a little hesitation," Wolf added. "I put my career in the hands of them and I greatly appreciated the decision that they made. I'm just wearing this brace until things subside but it's not slowing me down at all. I'm ready to go."

(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)

Latest Headlines
Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more