According to Butch Jones, the biggest improvement of a football team comes between week one and week two.
Statistically, flaws were not rampant in UT’s 45-0 season-opening win against Austin Peay last week. But with a potent Western Kentucky team entering Neyland Stadium Saturday for week two of the 2013 season, Jones remained adamant this week about the need for progression.
“For the most part I thought it was a clean game,” the new UT coach said of his team’s performance in the opener. “But nobody at all in our football program should be satisfied with their performance. We have a long way to go. We have a lot of work to do.”
Among the areas in which Jones is seeking improvement is the running game.
UT passed the ball just 21 times, compared to 52 rushes against Austin Peay. Those attempts went for 315 yards.
As an inexperienced group of receivers continues developing cohesion with new starting quarterback Justin Worley, a veteran UT offensive line is confident that the offense can be solidified by its ground attack.
“We definitely want to establish it,” said Ja’Wuan James, senior right tackle. “It will help our passing game and our offense if we can create at the line of scrimmage.”
Jones said the Vols offense will remain well within its comfort zone until consistency is developed.
However, there is at least one offensive wrinkle that could be showcased during Saturday’s 12:21 p.m. date with the Hilltoppers which will be televised on the SEC Network.
A.J. Johnson – the SEC’s leading tackler from his middle linebacker slot in 2012 – found himself taking practice repetitions with the offense this week after running for five scores out of “the beast package” in 2012.
Jones also mentioned Curt Maggitt as a possibility on offense in the future. Maggitt’s status for Saturday’s game is unclear and likely to be decided close to game time as the UT junior continues rehabbing from a torn ACL.
“You’ll see some nuances as we go on,” Jones said Tuesday after also mentioning that wide receiver Alton Howard and defensive back Justin Coleman could also line up in the offensive backfield as part of wildcat package.
As for the more typical sets, UT could show a three tight end look and also incorporate a fullback into the mix.
Raijon Neal and Marlin Lane figure to get most of the carries after Neal surpassed 100 yards in the first quarter against Austin Peay and Lane posted two touchdowns.
Running vertically down the field rather than horizontally to avoid tacklers was a point of emphasis by Jones in assessing the running backs’ performance in week one.
“I felt like we did what we were supposed to do,” Neal said. “There was nothing that we need to brag about or run around like we reinvented the wheel.”
On the outside, junior wide receiver Devrin Young won’t play Saturday after injuring his hand at practice Tuesday. Jones confirmed the injury on his radio show Wednesday evening.
Young scored the first touchdown of his UT career against Austin Peay and also returned a kickoff 58 yards into opposing territory.
Similarly sized Johnathon Johnson – a sophomore who caught two passes in the opener – could play more to fill Young’s void.
“Especially Saturday at noon, we need Johnathon to step up and make some plays for us,” Jones said. “He has great ball skills, so we anticipate him getting some valuable reps for us Saturday.”
Touchdown Tennessee.
