08 15 14 wb sports

SECTION D

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2 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, August 15, 2014 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

SPORTS F OOTBALL

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

1 0 1 This is

L L A B your guide to football T O O season in Big Orange Country.

F lingo?

The The Beacon Need some some help helpwith withfootball football lingo? has youhas covered.

Beacon you covered.

Down: When the offense advances the ball Down: the offense (scoring down the When field. They have four downsside) to getadvances the the downcloser the field towards the end zone.failThey ballball 10 yards to the end zone.

If they have to get the ball closer to the to dofour so, downs they have to give the10 ballyards to the other end zone. If they fail to do so, they have to give the team. ballEnd to the otherAteam. zone: 10-yard-long area at each end zone: Neyland’end s orange checker of End the field–Neyland’s zonesand are white fashioned boards makeand up white the 10checker yard scoring zone.

When into orange boards.

When the the player football, hehe scores playerenters entersthe theend endzone zonewith withthethe football, ascores touchdown.

After a touch down, teams can attempt a touchdown. to earn kicking the ball can though Fielda extra goal point (threeby points): This be the goalposts. attempted from anywhere on the field, but is usu(three cangoalposts. be attempted allyField takengoal from withinpoints): 40 yardsThis of the from anywhere on the but is usually takenoffrom Fumble: The act field, of losing possession within yardsrunning of the with goalposts.

Also known the ball40while it or being tackled.as a point afterof touchdown, PAT. Members the offenseorand defense can recover Fumble:If When a player loosesthe thefumble, ball while a fumble. the defense recovers therunning with it or being tackled. Both lines can recover fumble is called a turnover. a fumble, but when it's that’s the defense, thea defenfumble is Interception: A pass caught by called a turnover. sive player, ending the offense’s possession of A pass that hits the ground because theIncompletion: ball. no Snap: one could it, orthe a pass thathikes was (tossed dropped or Thiscatch is when center thrown bounds. betweenout theoflegs) the ball to the quarterback, to pass that is or caught by punter. a player on theInterception: holder on a A kick attempt to the the opposing and ends the ispossession of the After the snapteam, happens, the ball in play and ball by begins. the team that had the ball. action Snap: is when hikespunt(tossed SpecialThis teams: Thesethe are center the kickers, between legs) the special ball to the quarterback. ers and the specialists; teams are the 22 Special These are field the kickers, punters and players on teams: the field during goal attempts, specialists; kickoffs andspecial punts. teams are the 22 players on the field during field goal attempts, kickoffs and punts.

Offensive line: Offensive(scoring) (scoring) line Quarterback: Remember that Peyton Manning guy? This is his Quarterback: Remember thatleader Peytonof Manning Thisallisthe his position.

The quarterback is the the team.guy?

He calls position.

The quarterback is the leader of the team who calls all the shots, yells the signals and receives the ball from the center (called a plays andOnce catches the ball from the center (called a “snap”).

Once he “snap”). he receives the snap, he hands off the ball to a running receives the snap, he throws the ball to a running back, a receiver or back, throws it to a receiver or runs with it. He can also spike the ball runs with He can also spike the ball to stop the to clock place to stop theit.clock or place one knee on the ground runor time off.one knee on the ground to run time UT’s starting quarterback foroff. the 2014 season will be either Justin UT’s starting quarterback for the 2014 season will be either Justin Worley, Joshua Dobbs or Nathan Peterman.

Worley, Joshua Dobbs or Nathan Peterman.

Center: The player who snaps the ball to the quarterback. He Center: whoplay. hikes the ball to the quarterback. handles theThe ballplayer on every Running Backs: A player is lined lined up upbehind behindthe thequarterback quarterback Running Backs: A player that that is who the quarterwhoruns runswith withthe the football football after after receiving receiving aa throw handofffrom or pitch.

They back. are also referred to as tailbacks, halfbacks and rushers.

Wide up on on the the outside outsideedges edgesofofthe the WideReceiver: Receiver:A Aplayer player who who lines lines up field or in the slot and catches the quarterback’ s pass. field or in the slot and catches the quarterback’s pass.

Other offense include includeguards guardsand awnd tackles proOtherpositions positions on on offense tackles whowho protect tect the quarterback.

A fullback is used to block for the running back the quarterback. A fullback is used to block for the running back and and carry short down situations.Tight Tightends endsalso alsoblock, block,but but carry thethe ballball on on short down situations. can catch the ball as well. can catch the ball as well.

Defensive Defensiveline line Defensive End: These players try to sack the opposing quarterback and pushEnd: the running back outtryofto bounds or tackle themquarterbefore Defensive These players sack the opposing they and get to thethe outside. back push running back out of bounds or tackle them before theyDefensive get to the Tackle: outside. These players try to plug the holes in the middle so no Tackle: running These back can get through.

They rush Defensive players try to plug thealso holes in the the quarterback. middle so no running back can get through. They also rush the Linebacker: These are the team’s best tacklers. quarterback.

Cornerback: The players who line up on the wide parts of the Linebacker: These are the team's best tacklers. field.

Safety: pick offoff passes andand hit Safety:These Theseplayers playersread readthe thequarterback, quarterback, pick passes other players hard.hard. hit other players

1891 1930 19 19 1995 95 1938 1998 9 1998 98 199

Tennessee Football Timeline

GLOSSARY

Tennessee’s football program began. Their first game was a game against Sewanee played in Chattanooga.

Tennessee defeated New York University 13-0 in their first bowl game appearance. The Vols are 25-24 in bowl games to date.

Peyton Manning was the third string quarterback as a freshman, but ultimately he became the starter for his final three years. Manning currently holds the school record for most passing yards and touchdowns.

The Vols won the first of four national championships under head coach Robert Neyland.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer coaches his team to the first BCS National Championship game with a victory over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl.

20 2010 010 2008 2013 20 0 2012 0 2014 012 0

Right after the college football season ends Lane Kiffin bolts for the head coaching job at USC, leaving Tennessee riddled with NCAA violations.

Then-UT athletic director Mike Hamilton informs Fulmer of his dismissal. Fulmer agrees to step down after the last game of the season.

Derek Dooley becomes the third head coach in three years at UT.

Tennessee hires Lane Kiffin as the new head coach.

After an embarrassing defeat to Vanderbilt, Dooley was fired as Tennessee’s head coach. The Vols were 4-19 in SEC play under Dooley.

Jones ends the Vols 19-game losing streak to ranked opponents, winning over then-No. 11 South Carolina.

Butch Jones hired as the Vols’ 23rd head coach.

The Vols 2014 recruiting class was ranked No. 5 on Rivals.

Friday, August 15, 2014

THE DAILY BEACON • 3 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

FOOTBALL

G I B IN

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

E G N ORA

ALABAMA

The rivalry between the Volunteers and the Gators spans nearly all sports, from basketball and baseball to softball and football. While Tennessee dominated in early years, Florida leads the contest overall with a 24-19 record. The last win for the Vols over the Gators was in 2004 when James Wilhoit kicked a 50-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to win 30-28. Tennessee could be favored this season to beat a Florida team that only won four games last season under Will Muschamp. The Vols will take on the Gators at Neyland Stadium Oct. 4.

GEORGIA KENTUCKY S. CAROLINA VANDERBILT

Currently, Alabama leads the series with a 50-38-7 record. The last time the Vols saw a victory over the Crimson Tide was in 2006 in Neyland Stadium when Arian Foster’s late touchdown run sealed the 16-13 win. On Jan. 10, Alabama hired former Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin as the offensive coordinator. Kiffin and the Tide will return to Neyland Stadium Oct. 25.

FLORIDA

Games to watch: The breakdown of UT’s biggest rivalries

In the battle for in-state supremacy, Tennessee leads this contest 73-28-5. The Vols have lost the last two games to the Commodores – the most consecutive losses since the 1920s. The in-state rivals will conclude their seasons with a showdown in Nashville Nov. 29.

A more recent rival for the Volunteers, Tennessee has dominated this series with a 22-7-2 lead. On Oct. 19, 2013, the Vols snapped their 19-game losing streak to ranked opponents with a 23-21 win over the Gamecocks after a last-second field goal by former kicker Michael Palardy. The Vols will play the Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina this season Nov. 1.

Like the UT-Florida rivalry, the UT-Kentucky rivalry extends into basketball and football, too. Tennessee has at 76-24-9 lead in the all time series over the Wildcats. The Vols 26-game winning streak from 1985-2010 is one of the longest in NCAA history. Tennessee will play Kentucky at home Nov. 15.

Tennessee leads the contest over Georgia 21-19-2, despite losing the last four games. A fumble in overtime lead to a heartbreaking 34-31 loss last fall to the then No. 6 Bulldogs. The Vols will travel to Athens, Georgia to meet the Bulldogs Sept. 27.

Y R T COUN

Tennessee traditions crucial for full football experience Samantha Smoak

Managing Editor(@samanthaksmoak) You’ve bought your orange wardrobe and you learned all the cheers. But before you trek to Neyland Stadium, get acquainted with Tennessee’s game day traditions.

Vol Walk It’s UT’s pep rally – kind of. Two hours before every home game, Volunteer fans line up by the thousands from the top of Circle Park all the way to Gate 21 to cheer on their favorite players on their way to the game. An hour later, the Pride of the Southland Marching band pumps up the crowd with “Rocky Top” as they march down Volunteer Boulevard to Neyland Stadium.

Tailgating, Sailgating and the Vol Navy Tennessee was named the No. 1 tailgating school in a 2014 Bleacher Report article, partially because of its proximity to the Tennessee River. Sometimes referred to as “sailgating,” the Vol Navy is made up of boat-owning fans that avoid the Knoxville traffic by floating down the Tennessee River to the stadium. For those of you on dry land, Circle Park and the Strip are prime spots for grillin’ and chillin’ while you wait for kickoff.

Running through the Power T Former head coach Doug Dickey began the tradition of the Vols running though the T in the 1965 season opener against the Army.

Prior to 1965, the Vols entered the field at the 50-yard line where the locker room was located. When the Vols’ new locker room was moved to the north side of the stadium in 1983, the Vols running though the “T” formed

by the Pride became a staple of the opening performance by the band. Dickey also put the “Power T” on the football helmets and had the endzones be painted in an orange and white checkerboard pattern.

Smokey In 1953, the Pep Club held a contest to select Tennessee’s new mascot. A bluetick coonhound, a native breed of Tennessee, named “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” was chosen by crowd applause at the half time of the Mississippi State Game during the 1953 season. The current mascot, Smokey X, began his reign in 2013.

Pride of the Southland Marching Band Organized immediately after the Civil War when the University reopened, the Pride of the Southland Band has maintained its longstanding reputation as one of the finest musical organizations in the United States. The full Pride of the Southland Marching Band appears at every home football game and most away games, and is most well known for forming the “T” the Vols run though before the first kick.

The Pride has represented Tennessee at 10 consecutive Presidential inaugurations, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush and has made more than 40 bowl appearances.

Rocky Top The sound of football season is none other than “Rocky Top.” The song was first performed as part of the halftime country music show at the Alabama game in 1972. Then-band director W.J. Julian said not playing the song would spark mutiny among Vol fans because the tune was so popular. In 1982, Chapter 545 of the Public Acts adopted “Rocky Top” as an official song for the state of Tennessee.

4 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, August 15, 2014 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

MEDIA DAYS Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

Senior linebacker A.J. Johnson tackles a Georgia player during the Vols’ 31-34 overtime loss to the Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium Oct. 5, 2013.

‘The Beast’ returns for senior season Patrick MacCoon

Sports Editor (PatrickMacCoon) HOOVER, Ala.–Some players pay attention to records more so than others, but that is not the case for one of the top tackles in Tennessee football history.

Throughout A.J. “The Beast” Johnson’s career at Tennessee he has been a tackle machine.

In 18 of his 36 career starts, the senior linebacker has recorded double digits in tackles, earning him a chance to make a huge climb in UT record books this season.

He’s currently outside of the program’s all-time top 10 leading tacklers, with 324 career bring downs, Johnson can move all the way up to second on the list if he can record 90 tackles in the 2014 season.

This shouldn’t be a challenge for the Preseason First Team All-SEC selection, as he totaled a conference leading 138 tackles as a sophomore and 106 as a junior.

“When people tell me stuff like that I wouldn’t even know it happened if they hadn’t,” Johnson said at SEC Media Days July 15. “If I see it on Twitter I would think that it was cool, but I don’t feed into anything like that.”

Johnson already ranks third in school history for the most

assisted tackles at 164, but he wouldn’t know that either.

“All I know is each day I am going to go the hardest I can and be the best I can,” he said. “It would be great for me to break records but I am more worried about the team and what we are going to do the first game. The focus is on this season and not myself.”

Johnson decided to come back for his final season despite being projected to be picked up in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make so far,” he said. “There were two things that really sold me on coming back to Tennessee. I came here to build the program up and help bring back a winning program. I have one more year to do that and get some wins and leave a winner.”

Something else that factored into the student-athletes’ decision was his education, as he realizes that life is more than just about football.

“I get to graduate in December and leave with a degree,” he said. “That’s going to help me throughout life.”

When considering the pros and cons of his decision, the communications major also couldn’t look past the importance of getting to play with his best friend for one more season.

“Curt (Maggitt) didn’t pressure me or anything,” he said.

“He just let me play it out and talked with me throughout the decision. I know he has my back and I have his. We’ve been roommates since freshman year, it all plays together.”

While the Vols have continued to bring in huge recruits this off-season, second-year head coach Butch Jones said that the teams biggest ‘brick’ was the return of their senior leader.

“We are excited to have A.J. back,” Jones said at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama. “He means so much to our football team, being our middle linebacker. He’s the quarterback of our defense.”

Johnson is considered one of the best linebackers in the country for the upcoming 2014 season, and Jones said he believes Johnson has the opportunity to be even better this season.

“Returning gives him the opportunity to improve his coverage skills,” Jones said. “It can also help him with his overall knowledge of the game, and to get bigger and stronger as well as be able to play at the next level.”

This season Johnson will not be anxious to see his name among the tackle leaders after the games, instead he will be focused on helping his team add to the win column.

Five-star freshmen expected to be instant playmakers Patrick MacCoon

Sports Editor (@Patrick MacCoon)

HOOVER, Ala.–When the Vols kick off the season Aug. 31 in Neyland Stadium, the Sunday night kickoff will mark the start to two careers of former five-star recruits and true freshman Josh Malone and Jalen Hurd.

Over the past decade in the SEC, there have been numerous running backs to have success right out of the gate, and the Vols believe that can be just the case with Jalen Hurd, a stout 227-pound running back from Beech High School in Hendersonville.

“For a 6’ 3” stature of him, he can get the tough yards, but he has the elusiveness to make a defender miss at the second level,” head coach Butch Jones said. “He is going to have a great role this season and that was one of our selling points to him.”

One of the keys for a freshman to be successful is to not only buy in to the coaches, but to put in the work in the weight room and be ready for what many consider to be the biggest and fastest conference in college football.

“Jalen has really, really done a great job in the weight room,” Jones said. “He’s really sacrificed a lot of things in terms of his eating habits, his rest and his recovery. His body has taken off.”

Hurd has also come in and listened to his elders and teammates in class and on the practice field.

“He’s really been pushed by two other freshmen, Derrell Scott and Treyvon Paulk, along with Marlin Lane,” Jones said. “Lane has

really been a great mentor to Jalen.”

The offensive line this season will play a key role in the success of the running game, as redshirt juniors Marcus Jackson and Mack Crowder will look to lead the way up front.

“They are hard workers,” Crowder said of his running

“T ennessee

is the original Wide Reciever U. That’s one of the biggest changes in our football team, is the wide reciever position.”

- Butch Jones

backs. “They come in every day and they work very hard.

It motivates me to watch those guys. It makes me very excited just to say that I’m going to be blocking for those guys this upcoming season.”

While the coaches are not immediately asking for a 1,000-yard season from Hurd, who will be part of a busy backfield, they do ask that he, along with the rest of his teammates, come in with the same approach.

“Everything in our football program, we talk about the power of the position,” Jones said. “It’s the responsibility of every player at each position to play to the best of their God-given ability and

develop to meet their best potential.”

Not only does Hurd and the backfield have high hopes for the 2014 season, but Tennessee also feels that they are loaded at the wide receiver position.

Malone, from Station Camp High School, will be targeted often in a receiving corps featuring himself along with former All-SEC Freshman Marquez North and one of the top JUCO transfers in Von Pearson.

The trio, along with Pig Howard, could supply the passing game with exactly what the play-makers need.

“We expect Josh Malone to continue to develop,” Jones said. “Tennessee is the original Wide Receiver U. That’s one of the biggest changes in our football team, is the wide receiver position.”

Last season, the Vol receivers only managed a total of 164.9 yards per game, the second worst in the SEC. However, with more speed and size this year the unit has the potential to change that particular ranking.

“I’m excited about our wide receiver position,” Jones said. “It’s going to be one that’s going to be exceptionally strong.”

With Malone on the outside and Hurd in the backfield, the team will have plenty of talent to work with this season at the two skill positions.

“We’ve got a great team,” said Curt Maggitt, redshirt junior defensive end. “We have a great opportunity and great ability with all the new guys coming in. We are excited for the first game and want 102,455 for Utah State.”

Friday, August 15, 2014

THE DAILY BEACON • 5

6 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, August 15, 2014 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

FOOTBALL

• File Photo

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

Then sophomore linebacker Curt Maggitt sacks Mizzou’s quarterback during the 51-48 quadruple overtime loss on Nov. 10, 2012. Maggitt tore his ACL during the game that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2012 season and the 2013 season. Maggitt will return for the fall 2014 season as a redshirt junior offensive lineman.

Players to watch this season

Samantha Smoak • The Daily Beacon

Patrick MacCoon

Sports Editor (@PatrickMacCoon)

Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon

Despite a three-year bowl game drought, these players promise a better season ahead. Here’s “who to watch” in 2014.

Jalen Hurd (No. 1) Freshman running back There has been no shortage of great running backs at Tennessee, with names like Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Arian Foster, James Stewart, Cedric Houston and Jay Graham topping the list. Perhaps Jalen Hurd will land on that elite list– but first, he has to push through his freshman campaign.

The Beech High School standout, who rushed for 394 yards and scored seven touchdowns in a state title game, will join a Vols backfield featuring senior Marlin Lane and possibly freshman Derrell Scott.

Unfortunately for opposing defenses, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound freshman will arrive as the most celebrated athlete since Eric Berry in 2007.

He led all rushers during the Orange and White game with 66 yards on 11 carries, including a 4-yard scamper for a touchdown.

The team wants to save his legs for his career, so he probably won’t see much playing time. But if he can juke and spin around defenders like he did in high school, the Vols will be tempted to give him the ball more frequently.

2014 Predictions: 150 rushes, 750 yards, 8 TDs Curt Maggitt (No. 56) Red shirt junior defensive lineman Butch Jones said the biggest news of the offseason was A.J. Johnson’s decision to return for his senior season. But the second-year head coach will be happy to see another minister of defense emerge, too.

While Curt Maggitt has two years of experience as a linebacker, the coaches felt he’d fit best on the defensive line, where his speed and agility can pressure the quarterback.

When Magitt last suited up on Nov. 10, 2012 in a quadruple-overtime loss to Missouri, his fast-and-furious style of play shone. He finished the game with five tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a career-best three quarterback hurries– and a torn ACL in his right knee. The injury sidelined him

Sophomore wide receiver Marquez North runs drills at spring football practice April 1. North started as a true freshman in the 2013 season with 496 receiving yards and 38 catches. for the rest of the season and last season as well.

However, the redshirt junior, with 86 tackles and three forced fumbles logged in 20 career games, said he’s ready for the season. He participated fully in offseason workouts and in fall camp.

While no players return with any experience on the defensive front, Maggitt will likely bring great mentorship and positivity to the field and his fellow players. At the Orange and White Game he was awarded the Al Wilson Leadership Award. He is the award’s first recipient.

If he can stay healthy this season, he will prove valuable whether he stays on the line or switches over to linebacker.

2014 Predictions: 40 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles Marquez North (No. 8) Sophomore wide receiver Known for his miraculous one-handed catch against South Carolina, Tennessee’s go-to wide receiver is set up for a monster sophomore campaign.

As a freshman, North started in 11 of 12

games and caught 38 passes, the second most by a first-year player in program history. He also led the team with 496 receiving yards.

In four games against Top-15 ranked opponents—South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn and Missouri—he hauled in 19 catches for 315 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and his lone touchdown of the season.

With great speed after the catch and a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, North is more than capable of out-muscling opponents.

Whoever starts at quarterback this season should locate No. 8 quite often on the field this season. He will be the go-to receiver in a unit that includes more depth than last year with highly touted freshman Josh Malone, who scored three touchdowns in the Orange and White Game, and JUCO transfer Von Pearson.

Athlon Sports, Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele have named North to the Preseason Third Team All-SEC. 2014 Predictions: 55 receptions, 800 yards, 6 TDs

Friday, August 15, 2014

THE DAILY BEACON • 7 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

FOOTBALL

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

Jones discusses student attendance, major rivals for upcoming season Troy Provost-Heron

Staff Writer (@TPro_UTDB)

Dargan Southard

Staff Writer (@dsouth1) The Daily Beacon sat down with Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones on April 16 for an exclusive interview about the upcoming season, out-ofconference games and all things SEC. VFLs, read on.

Daily Beacon: What can a strong student presence at games do for the team?

Butch Jones: Well, I think that was witnessed this past year with the South Carolina game. Our student body can really impact the game in terms of making Neyland Stadium a great home field advantage. Our student body means everything to us. To our players, it’s their peers, which is very important.

We talk about ‘One Tennessee,’ and when you look at the landscape of college football and you look at the decline in student attendance, where at Tennessee we’re increasing our student attendance, I think that speaks volumes for the passion that our student body has. Our student section saw a 46 percent increase in attendance last year, and that’s important. I love our student body, I love being around them.

DB: When you first took the job in December of 2012, did you expect the program to be as

far along as it is now going into year two?

BJ: We have made monumental strides in a relatively short period of time, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. But I continue to see progress on the field, off the field, in our culture and in our environment day-to-day. We have made significant strides in moving forward and we will continue to do that, and it’s great to see. Sometimes those steps in moving forward maybe aren’t measured in wins, but they are measured in everything else and eventually those will lead to wins. That’s why we need everyone to continue to help us go through this maturation phase of our football program and support it.

DB: You talked about those strides you’ve made since you’ve been here. Do you feel as if you’re in a position to where you can compete in the SEC this year?

BJ: That’s why you’re a competitor. You always believe you can compete. It’s like I tell our football team: the team that has the most talent doesn’t necessarily win, it’s the team that has the best team. Team chemistry, playing complementary football in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – staying healthy through the long course of the season, but also keep everything in perspective and be able to manage the many adversities that a long football

season creates and that comes a lot from leadership. We only have 12 seniors on our football team right now, so leadership from everyone, every class is going to be at a premium.

DB: Over the last 10 years, UT has had big non-conference games against “Power Six” schools, but as of late they’ve been even more prominent – going to Oregon, Oklahoma, Battle at Bristol, the 2015 opener at LP Field. What do those big out-of-conference games do in terms of returning Tennessee back to where it has been?

BJ: First of all, it’s a great challenge, especially when you are trying to build – and rebuild – a football program. So much comes with winning. Your morale, how individuals perceive things, so it makes our schedule a great challenge, and then you couple that with playing in the toughest football conference in the country, which is the SEC, makes it even more challenging. But there’s also benefits that go along with it. Exposing your players. Playing against really good competition before you enter the SEC schedule. Also, going and competing in different venues. You look at the philosophy we are having now of playing neutral sight games and the ability to go into our backyard in Nashville and play in LP Field to open the 2015 season has really helped us from a recruiting standpoint, but it is also a

way of rewarding our fan base..

And then of course in 2016,, being able to break the world d record for fan attendance in all off football. All of that prepares yourr team in so many ways through-out the course of training camp,, but also for a bowl game. Whatt it’s like to prepare and go play in n a neutral-site environment. With h that said, we fully anticipate even n though LP Field is a quote-un-quote neutral site and Bristol iss a neutral site, we expect those to o be a Tennessee fan base.

DB: You get Tennessee’s two o biggest rivals at home for the firstt time since you’ve coached here..

What are you specifically look-ing forward to in those gamess against Florida and Alabama orr any other game?

BJ: We have to be able to o compete and get the game into o the fourth quarter and have thee ability to win the game, butt that’s a long ways away. I thinkk I lean more towards Sundayy night against Utah State. You u have Boomsday, a great event, in n town. It’s going to be family-filled d and it’s going to be great for thee entire state of Tennessee. All ourr thoughts right now are on Utah h State, which is a bowl team..

They possibly have a first-round d draft pick at quarterback. Theirr players know how to win. Theyy have a standard and expecta-tion in place, and they are a very good football team. So alll my focus and energy is on thee Aggies of Utah State.

According to Butch: The state of UT football For the second season in a row the Vols will not have a frontrunner for the starting quarterback role going into their first practice of the season.

Senior Justin Worley, redshirt sophoHOOVER, Ala. – Tennessee football head more Nathan Peterman and sophomore coach Butch Jones, offensive lineman Mack Joshua Dobbs will compete with each other Crowder, defensive lineman Curt Maggitt for the starting position. and linebacker A.J. Johnson represented Tennessee at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.

An immediate theme that Jones mentioned was the team’s youth. Half of the Vols roster in 2014 is composed of 32 new faces.

To deal with the team’s youth, Jones has focused his players on the “Power of One.” “You’ll hear me talk about the power of one,” Jones said. “The one is very powerful with this football team because being so young we have to focus on the moment. We have to win one moment at a time, one play at the same time, one practice at the same time, one day at the same time, have one unity of purpose, one common commitment and one mindset.”

Jones said that a normal college football team has to replace a third of their team - Butch Jones every season either through graduation or players going professional.

“For us at Tennessee, we’re a little bit different,” Jones said. “We’re not at the “I’ve been excited about all three indinorm in terms of having to replace a third of our football team. We’re having to replace viduals,” Jones said. “I think they have had almost half of our football team. That has a tremendous offseason. They had a great brought a lot of positive energy, excite- spring ball season.”

With the talent around them at wide ment and momentum that has surrounded receiver with Marquez North, Joshua Tennessee football.”

Jones also aimed to temper expectations. Malone, Von Pearson and others, the signal “We are still going through the realities callers are expected to be able to put up of building a college football program,” even better numbers.

“They continue to get better,” he said.

Jones said.

“We’re the only school in the country that “All three individuals gained probably the has to replace both starting interior lines, greatest value you can gain in terms of they all have live game repetitions. You can’t put both offensively and defensively.” a price tag on that. I am as encouraged and optimistic at that position as anyone.”

Quarterback battle

Wes Tripp

Staff Writer (@Wes_Tripp)

“ W e are still

going through the realities of building a college football program.”

There will be no timetable for a starting quarterback.

“When one individual distances himself, that’s when we’ll make him the starting quarterback,” Jones said.

Pig Howard in good standing There’s still no final word on whether Alton ‘Pig’ Howard will be able to start at the beginning of the season, but Jones is encouraged by the progress he has made.

In the offseason, Howard was dismissed from practices and didn’t play in the Orange and White game for disciplinary reasons.

Last season he led the team with 44 catches along with 388 yards and three scores.

“Pig has done a great job,” Jones said.

“He still has a couple weeks to go but he has done well academically. I am very, very proud of Pig Howard. That’s part of the leadership development of our football team.”

Jones said the time off has helped Howard physically.

“Pig has changed his body makeup; he’s in the best shape he’s ever been,” Jones said.

“Our players have embraced him. They have held him accountable and Alton has done a great job as of late.”

Bowl game expectations Youth is not an excuse for current players, and the team expects to make a bowl game.

“Having young guys is no excuse,” offensive lineman Mack Crowder said. “We all have a job to do and we’re going to go out and do it to the best of our ability.”

Senior linebacker A.J. Johnson has complete confidence in the new young players.

“I believe in them,” Johnson said. “I know they’re going to get the job done.”

Jones, however, has a more moderate outlook than the senior linebacker.

He added: “There’s a lot of unknowns right now and we’ll know more as training camp progresses so stay tuned.”

• File Photo

8 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, August 15, 2014 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

2014-2015 Lady Vols Roster

11Cierra Burdick 14Andraya Carter Diamond 10 DeShields 13Kortney Dunbar 12Bashaara Graves 20Isabelle Harrison 2 Jasmine Jones 5Ariel Massengale 33AlexaMiddleton 1 Nia Moore 31 Jaime Nared 0Jordan Reynolds Mercedes Russell 21 4 Jannah Tucker

6’ 2”

Forward

Senior

5’ 9”

Guard

RS Soph.

6’ 1”

Guard

Soph.

6’ 2”

Guard/Forward Freshman

6’ 2”

Forward

Junior

6’ 3”

Center

Senior

6’ 2”

Forward

Junior

5’ 7”

Point Guard

Senior

5’ 9”

Guard

Freshman

6’ 3”

Center

Junior

6’ 2” 5’ 11”

Guard/Forward Freshman Guard

Women’s basketball head coach Holly Warlick smiles from the sideline during her team’s game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in Thompson-Boling Arena on Nov. 17, 2013.

Sophomore Warlick talks new players, SEC competition

6’ 6”

Center

Sophomore

6’ 0”

Guard

RS Fr.

Scott Carter

Contributor

The Daily Beacon contributor Scott Carter sat down for an exclusive interview with Lady Vols head coach Holly Warlick about new players, SEC competition and if players should be paid.

Daily Beacon: The first thing fans will probably notice is that this team looks very different than last year’s. There are more bodies out there and there are a few new faces wearing Lady Vol Orange, right?

Holly Warlick: I think we are heavy in the guard and forward area because of experience from past years, experience with injuries and having people available.

It’s not that we just went out and signed bodies, we went out and signed kids that meet our needs. Losing Meighan (Simmons), we had to fill the role of shooting guard, and I think that Jaime Nared and Kortney Dunbar are that, and the toughness that we signed is where Alexa Middleton comes in. She’s kind of a multi-purpose player and as a bonus we got Diamond (DeShields) to just have that athleticism. She’s become a great team player. And Jannah Tucker, she’s going to add just an unbelievable dimension to us as far as a scoring threat, a big body, rebounding and just the knowledge she has for the game.

It is going to be an interesting year but I think it’s going to be

really fun.

DB: How are the new players bonding with the more experienced leaders on the team? Is the team bonding and coming together?

HW: Yes, I think so. Our goal is to do a lot of teambuilding and try to keep our team bond.

Bonding is huge for us. I think we’ve got some of the best talent in the country. It’s just how we’re going to get along and how we’re going to handle all that talent and different personalities. I think it was key for us to get everyone here for the second semester, besides Cierra (Burdick) who is doing an internship. I thought it was important to get everyone here and have our upperclassmen here as well. They all live together, that’s what we want them to (do). We want them to form relationships off the basketball court.

You just do teambuilding things and hope they get it. When is the team more important than themselves? When you figure that out, things are just going to skyrocket.

DB: There are three seniors this year: Isabelle Harrison, Cierra Burdick and Ariel Massengale. What do you expect from them as leaders?

HW: I think that they’re seniors now, and they have to step up. They’ve got to step up and be more vocal and they’ve got to step up and be accountable. They have to take responsibility. Not everyone is going to lead the same way. Some lead by example and some lead vocally but they have to hold themselves accountable if they are going to

hold our team accountable.

DB: The competition across the board and especially in the Southeastern Conference is really jumping up right now. Personally, does that concern you, or does it fuel your fire?

HW: You know, I think it has to fuel your fire. For me, everybody’s competition and I think it is just part of the game. As much as you sit there and … want to blow somebody out by 30 or 40, you really don’t. I just think it is healthy and makes you a better coach, makes you a better team, and makes us a better conference. There are a lot of challenges throughout the year, but it builds your character. What are you about? What do you stand for? It should bring out the best in you.

SC: I know UT hasn’t officially released the schedule yet, but some other schools that Tennessee will play have, like Oregon State and Pennsylvania.

Are you continuing the tradition of tough Lady Vols nonconference schedules?

HW: We play Pennsylvania, who won their conference. We play Wichita State, who won their conference. Oregon State, Stanford, we go to Notre Dame and play at Texas, so we have a tough schedule. It’s becoming harder to get people to come play us here in Thompson-Boling arena. It’s tough. The fans are into it and it is a great atmosphere.

SC: The topic of paying college athletes is a hot one right now. Do you feel that players should be paid?

HW: No. No, I don’t. The only reason why I don’t is that I don’t know what the cut off is.

I understand that they need to, you’ve got some kids that do, but I don’t know where you draw the line. I look at it as they are getting an education, and that’s a lot of money, to come play. I know we’re marketing them and they help pay our salaries, but to me a scholarship is getting payment. So, I think , probably, if you’re looking at laundry money or things like that, then yes. But when we start paying athletes for their services, we’ll no longer be amateur athletes. I mean, we have an opportunity fund, which I think is great that if a kid has some needs, or has a relative that dies. Kids come here with no money, and I did the same thing.

I don’t know what the answer is but I don’t want it to get out of control.

Friday, August 15, 2014

THE DAILY BEACON • 9 Sports Editor Patrick MacCoon

MEN’S BASKETBALL

pmaccoon@vols.utk.edu @patrickmaccoon

Tyndall looks to players, students in Mostella, Punter may define hope of reaching NCAA tournament SEC basketball scoring game • File Photo

Patrick MacCoon

Sports Editor (@PatrickMacCoon)

Wes Tripp

Staff Writer(@WesTripp)

On July 2, the Daily Beacon sat down with men’s head basketball coach Donnie Tyndall for an exclusive interview about top goals for the Tennessee basketball program and why it’s great to be a coach on Rocky Top. DB: How has team chemistry developed so far with so many new members?

DT: Well, it’s a work in progress of course with a whole new team and only four guys returning that have ever played at this level. It’s a transition and it’s going to take time. There are going to be bumps in the road. With that being said I think our guys get along really well. We have good character people in our program, which I think will speed up the process and get guys to be a family. That’s the term we use and talk about a lot.

DB: Josh Richardson was a standout in the NCAA Tournament last season. How does that help you as a first year coach having a player that has been a standout on that level?

DT: He’s been a starter and made big buckets and been on the floor in critical times, so all of that comes in to play. I think he and Armani Moore have separated themselves as our leaders, both verbally and from the way they have produced thus far in the workouts. We expect big things from both of them.

DB: What are your plans to increase student involvement?

DT: I’ll be very, very visible in the fall. My director of operations and I will go to speak to every fraternity and sorority and give a projection of where our program is headed. Our upcoming season we will give out schedule cards and talk about the big games on our schedule and how we need our students there. If a student group asks me to come support or speak to them in some way, I’ll be there.

DB: Do you think student-athletes should be compensated for their athletic performance?

DT: You know that’s a tough question because I know that, as a league, it’s a push to get that done or get that enforced through. I’m kind of an oldschool guy in that I think it’s an honor and a privilege to be a college athlete on scholarship and get your education paid. With that being said, the trend of so many millions of dollars being brought into universities through TV revenue, the landscape of college athletics has changed and I think if you

Patrick MacCoon

Sports Editor (@PatrickMacCoon)

Men’s basketball head coach Donnie Tyndall speaks during his introductory press conference April 22. did compensate the players at least to a point they will feel a little more appreciated for lack of a better word.

Maybe guys wouldn’t be so eager to jump at early NFL and NBA opportunities because they would at least have some pocket change to eat a good meal, or go to a movie or go to the mall. All things that are important to young people. So, I think overall I would support them being paid, but just to a certain level where it is enough to help them live comfortably.

Nothing over and beyond that where kids are living a luxurious lifestyle at 18 to 22 years of age.

DB: Why did you want to be the head coach of Tennessee?

DT: This is one of the better jobs in the SEC in what comes into that is the crowd support and the facilities.

The TV exposure helps the recruiting. This is my part of the country.

These are the type of people I’ve always dealt with and by that I mean good Southern folks that are pulling for you and wanting you to do well.

That’s kind of who I am and what my disposition is made up of. Who I am as a person, I think, kind of fits East Tennessee.

DB: What are your goals for this season and in the future?

DT: It will be our goal each and every year to get in the NCAA Tournament.

As our team continues to develop the young talent we have and bring in better talent as the years move forward, we will want to make deep runs in the tournament and one day make it to the Final Four. Right now we are quite a ways away from that. We will have realistic goals and aspirations this season, but I never want to put a ceiling on how quickly something can or cannot happen. When you do that you’re doing yourself and your team a disservice. When I went to Southern Miss we had the least experienced team in the country and yet we went on to win a school record 27 games. Had I put a cap on that team we wouldn’t have won that many games. We are going to have realistic goals, but we are going to dream big.

New transfer impresses at Rocky Top League Nathanael Rutherford

Staff Writer (@Mr_Rutherford)

The Tennessee basketball team welcomes a new coach, new coaching staff and eight new players coming into the 2014-15 season.

One of those new faces is Kevin Punter.

Being a junior college transfer, expectations are high for the 6-foot-4 guard, who played at State Fair Community College in Missouri where he averaged 20.3 points (57.1 FG) and 4.6 rebounds per game last season.

Although he originally pledged his services to the Missouri Tigers, Punter reopened his recruitment when Frank Haith left to coach Tulsa.

That’s when Donnie Tyndall came calling.

Tyndall first recruited Punter out of high school while coaching at Morehead State, establishing a bond long before Punter’s recruitment to Tennessee.

Throughout his career, Punter has played and spoken to numerous coaches. But, when asked how Tyndall compares to those coaches, Punter said, “I wouldn’t compare him to nobody.” After a Rocky Top League game, Punter called Tyndall “a great guy” who “wants to win.”

Tyndall made enough of an impression on Punter that he remembered him years later when it was time to leave State Fair.

“When I heard he got the job offer, I already knew who he was and what he brought to the table,” Punter said. “He played a major role in persuading me.”

Since coming to Knoxville, Punter has joined his teammates in the Rocky Top League, an exhibition league full of current and former Vols who come together

to play a month’s worth of pick-up games to entertain fans during the offseason.

He has showcased his scoring ability and his knack for highlightreel plays in the league, averaging 40 points per game, which leads all scorers. Last Wednesday, he scored a RTL summer-high of 54 points.

“Scoring is not going to be a problem,” junior guard Armani Moore said. “He has game. He plays with a lot of confidence and isn’t scared to take any shot.”

At State Fair, the Bronx native was primarily used as a volume scorer, asked only to shoot and create his own shot. But here, his role remains uncertain.

While the Vols welcome his penchant for scoring, they desperately require a point guard who can create and orchestrate opportunities for the team. And

Punter seems up to the challenge.

“I feel like I can play multiple (positions); whatever coach needs me to play,” Punter said.

“If he needs me to play the one a little bit, pass the ball, I can do that. If he needs me to be a scorer, I can do that. I can do multiple things.”

Punter’s value cannot be understated; his mix of athleticism, versatility and experience are a major asset to a team that lost over 75 percent of its scoring, 71 percent of its rebounding and 79 percent of its assists last season.

Aside from four returning players on the roster, Punter will likely prove himself a leader for this young team.

“Chemistry is going to come,” Punter said. “That’s something you can’t rush, can’t force upon a team.”

Detrick Mostella and Kevin Punter could be one of the best scoring duos in the SEC based on the potential they have shown so far.

This summer, the two new incoming guards both put on a show in the Rocky Top League and have garnered praise from both their teammates and first-year head coach Donnie Tyndall.

They have been described by those that have seen their game as having “freakish scoring abilities,” “elite athleticism” and the ability to score from anywhere on the court.

From Punter’s 54-point Kobe Bryanttype performance to Mostella’s 48-point highlight reel action in the Rocky Top League championship game, they both have given a team some hope to have newcomers come in and contribute in great ways.

This season the two guards will be looked upon to score for a team that lost four of its top five scorers from last season.

Both played in all six of their summer league games while they placed first and second atop the league in scoring.

Mostella has the type of game that can bring a crowd to its feet.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound shooting guard, who had previously been committed to Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh, averaged a league best of 39 points per game. He also finished second in the league for most three-pointers made behind Devon Baulkman, but he had the best percentage of the two, as he shot 35-for-83 (.422) from long range.

Whether it was draining a pull up shot from nearly half court or displaying his vertical jump while catching an alley-oop and slamming it home, the Alabama native gave a hint to why

some say he could one day be the best guard prospect from the 2014 class.

“He is an elite athlete,” teammate Josh Richardson said after facing him in the RTL championship game. “He can do dunks I couldn’t even dream of doing. He has good foot speed. If he can put it all together he’ll be really good.”

The only thing that Tyndall is concerned about is getting him used to the fast-paced system of collegiate play.

He would also like to see him gain more weight due to the tough play in Division I basketball.

Punter comes in with the most experience of the two and will be asked at times this season to play point guard as well with his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame.

His teammates who have seen him play in the RTL and in practice say that he is game ready and has the scoring ability similar to Kevin Durant.

Last season, the first team AllAmerican guard for State Fair Community College placed in the Top 25 throughout the country in scoring with 20.3 points per contest while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the free throw line.

He was one of the crowd favorites in the games at Knoxville Catholic High School, as he finished with 37.8 per contest.

“He can really score the ball,” Tyndall said. “We expect him to play a lot at the two position this year and we will have to slide him over to point guard some.”

Not only did he score the most points of any player in a single game in the summer league, but displayed his knack to get to the hoop. His 44 freethrow attempts in the summer league were second best among active collegiate players, as Josh Richardson’s 49 points was the most in the six games.

Punter and Mostella could very well translate their unique scoring ability to the SEC in their first season for the Vols and they could soon be household names in Knoxville.

Patrick MacCoon is a rising senior in journalism and electronic media.

He can be reached at pmaccoon@vols. utk.edu or followed on Twitter at @ PatrickMacCoon.

THE DAILY BEACON • 10

Friday, August 15, 2014