HEAD COACH, Gary Pinkel
Opening statement...
"Tennessee is a very good football team. They're playing well. They've had two back-to-back big wins for them. He's (head coach Butch Jones) doing a great job building that football program. We certainly have some challenges. We're working hard to improve, and I think we're getting a little better each week. This is another great environment we're playing in (Neyland Stadium). I've got great respect for their fans and that game day environment. It's a great opportunity to play in another 100,000 seat stadium."
On Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs...
"He's a different player. He's playing at a whole different level. He has played really well. He brings to the table for their offense the ability to run the football. They use him in their running scheme to run the football. He's throwing the ball well. He's got a tremendous amount of poise back there. They got a good offensive line. They're competing at a very high level and I think you have to point at him (Dobbs) and say he's the reason why. If the quarterback plays well then everyone else plays a little better."
On the offensive line's play last Saturday against Texas A&M...
"I think we've gotten better because we've stayed healthy too. I think that has been real important. It starts with the offensive line. We've done a real good job finishing blocks. We talk about being a `six second competitor'. If everyone on that line can block one more second it will give our running backs an opportunity to get in the perimeter of the defense and make some plays. If they get in space then they can do that. We're playing a team this week that is very good with tackles for loss. The challenges still continue. I was real pleased with the offensive line. When they play well it allows everyone else to perform at a better level."
On the return of wide receiver Darius White against Texas A&M...
"Five or six plays I noticed some great plays from him. That third down play with the touchdown catch was a really important part of the game. It was pouring down rain and he somehow came down with a one-handed catch. You got to have players make plays. Darius certainly did a great job."
On running back Russell Hansbrough's performance at Texas A&M...
"He was really breaking a lot of tackles and had quickness. I think running backs coach, Brian Jones, has done a good job with him and he's different now than he was in the first half of the season. He's had great quickness and change of direction and he'd always try to outrun the defense and cut back. Sometimes he was successful and we all saw that. What Coach Jones has tried to do is to get him to go downhill more, find creases and use his speed to cut. He gets that now. He's playing different now. Give him a little more blocking and that gives him a better chance to have big plays. He has made some phenomenal runs and that allows us to be a better offensive football team."
On defensive end Markus Golden's performance at Texas A&M...
"He played at a very high level. It almost looked like he was on a mission. He was a game changer. A lot of our guys played well on defense, but he certainly had a great game.
On freshman running back Ish Witter receiving more playing time...
"Ish is coming along. He has obviously done some really good things. He's similar to our type of running backs. He's quick, has a change of direction and explosiveness. He's getting a little more confidence. It also allows us to give those guys (Murphy and Hansbrough) more breaks. I was pleased with him and what he did in the game. I think he'll be a real good player."
On the coaching staff's adjustments to improve the offense's production...
"I think offensive coordinator Josh Henson and the entire offensive staff together have done a real good job. We've adjusted a little bit with a little more ball control. We're protecting the football and playing good defense. Those things you have to do. I thought we got the ball down the field more this week (at Texas A&M). I think all those guys are doing a great job."