KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Tennessee’s opener was a good warm up. Now coach Lane Kiffin wants to see what his Volunteers can do against a tougher opponent.
“Our guys don’t know what it’s like to play 80 plays in a real game,” he said. “We’re going to need to have very physical, intense practices this week to make sure that we’re in shape for a full game.”
It’s an especially important lesson considering the Vols (1-0) performance against the Bruins (1-0) last season.
Tennessee grabbed four interceptions in the first half, and Jonathan Crompton had 119 yards passing by halftime. But the Vols fell apart as UCLA regained its confidence and put together several long scoring drives. The Bruins won 27-24 on a 42-yard field goal by Kai Forbath in overtime.
y said.
The players think their conditioning will help. Kiffin and his staff have made the Vols’ practices faster and more physical than what they were used to.
“We pride ourselves in and our coaching staff does (too) in being one of the most conditioned teams in the country, for our offseason workout and how we practice, so I think that has paid off,” Crompton said.
Kiffin rested many of his starters during the second half of the Vols’ 63-7 win over Western Kentucky on Saturday. The Hilltoppers’ only score came in a series in which Berry and lead tackler Nick Reveiz were sitting out.
Western Kentucky was outmatched against Tennessee, but Kiffin knows that won’t be the case against a more physical Bruins team.
He’s hoping to have wide receiver Gerald Jones back on the field after the junior suffered a high ankle sprain in the Vols’ Aug. 22 scrimmage. He’s also looking for more from the Vols’ deep-threat receiver, Denarius Moore, now that the junior is healthy following foot surgery.
Kiffin wants to see improvement from his freshmen, many of whom almost performed like veterans in their first game. Marsalis Teague started and led the receiving corps with 86 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Bryce Brown piled up 104 yards rushing and a touchdown. Fellow running back David Oku added two more touchdowns.
so many situations where they had to make plays like we did is for a reason. Usually from week one to week two you see a big jump,” he said. “We’re going to need to be improved a lot in order to play with these guys.”
The Vols coaches have stressed a “24-hour rule” on players. They got to enjoy their big win over the Hilltoppers for a day before it was on to preparing for UCLA.
And even though a few Vols say they’ll be looking for a little revenge over the Bruins for the loss that sent Tennessee into a tailspin for the rest of the season, Kiffin says last year’s game is history.
“This is a different team, and a different time. We don’t talk about the past,” he said. “This just happens to be the next one on the schedule. It has nothing to do with whether we’ve played them before or whether we’ve had success or not.”
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