Josh Dobbs knows all about the Missouri Tigers.
When Tennessee traveled to Columbia, Missouri, last season, the then-freshman quarterback made his first career start under the lights of Faurot Field.
The results were not as he had hoped, as he completed 26 of his 42 pass attempts and threw two interceptions.
But most importantly, he failed to lead the Volunteers into the end zone, eventually falling 31-3 to the Tigers.
“Obviously, it being my first start, I remember a lot and I know things that I’ve improved on since that game,” Dobbs said. “They were a good team last year, they’re a good team this year, so we’re focusing on this year’s Missouri team. We know what we have in front of us, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
When the Vols (5-5, 2-4 SEC) host the No. 19 Tigers (8-2, 5-1) inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday, though, they will have a much different Dobbs under center.
In three games as UT’s signal caller, the Alpharetta, Georgia, native has amassed 790 yards and seven touchdowns through the air with a 61 percent completion percentage and added 289 yards and four scores on the ground.
His 11 total touchdowns is eight more than the total racked up in five games during the 2013 season, and as a starter this year he is a perfect 2-0 compared to the 1-3 record he posted last season.
“(He’s) different in a lot of regards, but he also has some similarities (from last year),” head coach Butch Jones said. “His preparation has not changed. He understands what it is to prepare, but I think the confidence, the live game opportunities that were afforded to him last year, he has really benefited from that.
“Just the overall knowledge of being in the offensive system now for over a year as benefited him as well.”
Saturday’s contest, however, is more than just a redemption game for UT’s quarterback. It also marks the final game that the senior class will play inside Neyland Stadium as they celebrate Senior Night.
“It’s definitely going to be emotional for me because it’s my last time playing with my brothers at home,” said defensive tackle Jordan Williams, who is one of 16 seniors on UT’s roster. “I just have to focus and try to attack it just like every other game. It’s football and you can’t let those distractions get to you.”
The Vols are also on the verge of being bowl eligible for the first time since 2010, but Jones said there is no extra pressure on his team to pick up that desired sixth victory.
“If we just have the goal of being the best football team we can possibly be, that takes care of itself,” Jones said. “We can control what we can control. We have to stay focused on the task at hand.
“With all the adversity we’ve faced so far, the perseverance they’ve shown, there has been really no emotional highs or lows with this football team. They’ve had a workman-like approach, and I don’t anticipate that to be any different this week or the following week.”
Kickoff for Tennessee’s matchup with Missouri is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN.
