KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With a pair of November victories under their belt, the No. 6/4 Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their next challenge with a trip to Athens, Georgia, this weekend to face the No. 11/10 Georgia Bulldogs. Saturday’s kickoff between the hedges of Sanford Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the matchup will be televised nationally on ABC.

Tennessee has formed an identity of unrelenting toughness on both sides of the ball this season, signaled by the SEC’s top rushing offense (235.1 yards per game) and second-ranked scoring defense (12.6 points allowed per game). Offensively, running back Dylan Sampson has sparked the Vols with a record-setting campaign — his 20 rushing touchdowns are the most in a single season in program history, while his 1,129 rushing yards rank first in the SEC and seventh nationally.

In comments to local media on Tuesday, running backs coach De’Rail Sims discussed Sampson’s leadership and motivational qualities impacting the Vols’ success at large.

“I think it’s huge,” Sims explained. “Everybody sits here and, number one, they look at (Sampson) as the leader. Not only as an offense, but as a team leader, as well. When he gets hot, the whole team rises up. When he makes a big run, the whole entire sideline becomes energized. He’s a spark plug for the whole entire unit for us on offense and I think sometimes you need that little uplifting.”

Recent weeks have seen the emergence of true freshman running back Peyton Lewis, who handled a season-high 14 carries for 44 yards in the Homecoming win over Mississippi State. Sims spoke to the rookie’s preparation and practice habits and how that has been translated into production on Saturdays.

“(Peyton has) done a really good job in his preparation, in terms of going out and attacking practice,” Sims said. “We’ve got competition every day in practice, and he’s done a really good job of maximizing the reps that he’s gotten in practice. In the same situation, when he gets in a game, he’s maximizing his opportunities and the confidence is growing. The more he gets out there, you can see it as he’s playing right now.”

Heading into a primetime matchup in the Southeastern Conference, Tennessee will continue to lean on the strength of its defense. The unit has been historically dominant so far in 2024, limiting each of its nine opponents to less than 20 points while ranking top-5 nationally in total defense (271.6) and scoring defense (12.6).

Fourth-year coordinator Tim Banks described an unwavering commitment to the Tennessee culture from his players, giving their all for each other when they suit up between the white lines.

“I think the kids just get it,” Banks said. “They play hard, they have bought into the culture. We talk about being toughb playing for each other and with great respect for the game. I just think we’ve got a great group, but I’ve thought that since I’ve been here. A lot of these guys are the same guys we’ve had for four years at this point with a couple of new faces. We’ve got good kids, good kids that want to be coached and want to be great. We’re just excited that they understand it’s a one-game season. I’m proud of that, and I just love the way they work.”

Full comments from Sims and Banks can be viewed below, along with select quotes from Sampson and sophomore defensive back Jermod McCoy.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Nov. 12, 2024

On Peyton Lewis’ performance in the last few games…
“He’s done a really good job in his preparation, in terms of going out and attacking practice. We’ve got competition every day in practice and he’s done a really good job of maximizing the reps that he’s gotten in practice. In the same situation, when he gets in a game, he’s maximizing his opportunities and the confidence is growing. The more he gets out there, you can see it as he’s playing right now.”

On how hard it is to play more than two backs when you have a back as mentally and physically tough as Dylan Sampson…
“Been very impressed with him, number one. The stamina that he has been able to produce, especially in this stretch that we’ve been going on after the bye week. The mental part of it, you see that in the classroom. The physical part of it, that’s why he attacked the weight room the way that he did this summer building his body up. And you see the durability now, in terms of being out there and taking multiple carries in a series and in a game. The thing about it is, once he gets hot, it’s kind of hard to pull him off. At the same time, understanding that he has to take some series off to keep his legs fresh so we aren’t sitting up here wearing him out.”

On how he is coaching Dylan Sampson through his fumble issues…
“The number one deal is understanding when you’ve drained it enough. You know, a lot of times, you go back through and you look at the tape, a lot of those he’s fighting for those extra yards. He’s still trying to churn and guys are sitting there clubbing it trying to pull the ball out. So, understanding when you drain it out enough, it’s time to go down so that they can’t get those shots on the ball. Then it comes down to our ball mechanics too, like we practice every day. Just make sure when we’re in the pile, armbar the football, do a good job having your pads over it and continue to keep it protected.”

On what he has said to Peyton Lewis about going on the road this week…
“Yeah, you know the number one deal is the focus portion of it. Doing your job, not letting the crowd affect you. Understand that I have to be locked in on what my assignment is on this play. Understanding what the physicality, especially in this league, is going to be like on the road in terms of how I have to go in and attack, how I have to go in there and fit. Those are things he’s done a good job of up to this point. Just understanding, don’t let that become bigger than what it is. Just concentrate on doing your job and then you’ll be okay.”

On how important it is to have such a motivational player like Dylan Sampson…
“I think it’s huge. Everybody sits here and, number one, they look at Samp (Dylan Sampson) as the leader. Not only as an offense, but as a team leader, as well. When he gets hot, the whole team rises up. When he makes a big run, the whole entire sideline becomes energized. He’s a spark plug for the whole entire unit for us on offense and I think sometimes you need that little uplifting. Not just him on the field, in terms of playing, but also on the sideline, too. Being able to go up to teammates when things are in a little rut right now and sometimes teammates are trying to make a play and their pushing a lot, he’s always there to calm them down. So, I think holistically he does a really good job of being that for the team.”

On where Cameron Seldon is in his development…
“I think with him, he’s growing every day. That’s the number one deal. He had his setbacks early in the season, but I think with him his development is good. You see him getting comfortable again and you see him getting into games right now. He’s getting comfortable, he’s maximizing his reps that he’s getting right now. We are going to need everybody in that room as the season continues to progress and kind of rolls along. The number one deal is continuing to keep attacking it one day at a time and seeing how your growth progresses throughout the games.”

On how using crowd noise in practice helps in preparation this week…
“I think number one, it’s the focus portion of it. Making sure that you’re being able to get locked in, attention to detail, making sure I’m focusing on doing my job. You can’t make it bigger than what it is. It’s the same situation where we’re playing at home, our homefield advantage in terms of our crowd is really good, so when you go on the road, you kind of expect that same situation. We sit up here (and) we make sure we’re doing a really good job from a preparation standpoint, but also when it gets into the hay of it, make sure I’m locked in on doing my job and then I can focus on one play at a time.”

On if the fumble issues have been caused by Dylan Sampson’s habit of fighting for more yards…
“I do. I think it’s a habit portion now. We always talk about as a program going pad plus two, and I think he’s doing a really good job of finishing off his runs. So, a lot of times when that’s already engrained in you, it’s kind of hard to understand in this certain situation I’ve drained it out enough, let me go ahead and get down so that I don’t put the ball in jeopardy.”

Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks

On the rush defense giving up more yards over the past two games…
“Well, I’m going to be totally honest with you, I have no idea what our rush defense looks like (from a stats perspective), and that’s the honest-to-God truth. Every game is a new game, a different game and we do what we need to do to try to win the game. I think Kentucky was a good running team and they did a tremendous job. Obviously, Mississippi State did a good job running the ball. We don’t want guys running the ball. We don’t want guys throwing the ball, but the objective is to win the game. We are always going to do what we need to do to try to win and we’ve been very fortunate in the last couple weeks.”

On the defensive run fits…
“Every rep is a different rep. I don’t think collectively we’ve had a bunch of miss fits or things of that nature. Were we perfect? Absolutely not. Some things we want to make sure we continue to clean up and get better (at) week in and week out. I think schematically, being able to take some pressure off the back end. Playing with some lighter boxes, obviously, they are going to lead to some bigger run plays. We try to pick our poison. When I got here, I told you we were going to stop the run at all costs, and we still want to do that. We also need to play to our strengths.”

On if the increase in run production from opponents has more to do with the defensive line or other levels of the defense…
“This is the SEC, there are some really good programs here and it’s always going to be a challenge to stop the run week in and week out. Obviously, there are things we want to continue to do better and continue to grow. We are excited about our young linebackers, from Jeremiah Telander to Arion Carter. I think those guys have done a remarkable job helping us win. Every week, we are trying to get better to stop the run. We would love Keenan Pili to still be with us, but at this point, we have who we have, and we are proud of those guys and the way they are working right now.”

On how different this team is from the 2022 team that played in Athens…
“We think we are a more experienced team. We think we are talented. Athens is obviously a tough place to play just like all the SEC schools. We know we are going to have our work cut out. We know are going to have to come down there and give it our best shot to be able to come out with a victory. Like I said earlier, the guys are excited about it. They love playing football and having a chance to play Georgia, it’s a bonus. We just enjoy playing, and obviously getting a chance to go on the road, we know what we have to do to be successful is going to be to play hard, play tough and be physical.”

On generating numerous turnovers over the last stretch of games…
“I think it’s a credit to the kids and how hard they’re playing, how physical they’re playing. If we could bottle it up, we would do it every year, every time we get a chance. I think it’s just because the guys are playing with such confidence and how hard they are playing is leading to some really good takeaways.”

On James Pearce Jr.’s success during SEC play… 
“James Pearce Jr. has been playing hard and playing well all year. He’s played on the edges. I think he’s gotten a lot of pressures. Obviously, I guess he’s getting some sacks. I think it’s just him continuing to stay the course and continuing to work hard, not worrying about the stats. It’s just been fortune these last couple of games that he’s been able to get some sacks.”

On what he needs to do to ensure Boo Carter builds off a breakout game last week…
“It’s a one-game season, every rep we talk about being 1-0. No tackles, no plays were made last season that carry over to the next game. That’s the message to him, that’s the message to our defense. We’ve got to snap and clear. We flush the victory and move on. I’m proud of Boo and how hard he’s playing. He’s getting better week in and week out. I can say that about a lot of our guys, but Boo gets it, he understands he has to continue to put it on tape every week. So far, he’s been up to that challenge.” 

On what Ole Miss did so well to have success against Georgia…
“I think Ole Miss played extremely hard, they made their plays that they needed to make. Ole Miss is a good team, I would assume by looking at their defense. So, I think it’s challenging to play on the road anywhere in the country. Obviously, Georgia went to Ole Miss and Ole Miss played with their hair on fire for what we can seen on defense. For us, we obviously worry about how hard we can play. Putting ourselves in the best position to be able to make some plays and get some of those opportunities as well.”

On how turnovers will be key in this weekend’s game at Georgia…
“That’s always big. We’re always trying to get our ball back for the offense to do what they do. I don’t know if it’s any bigger than any game we play. The team that gets the ball the most is usually the team that wins, so we’re going to do the best we can.”

On why his group has been so consistent…
“I think the kids just get it. They play hard, they have bought into the culture. We talk about being tough and playing for each other and with great respect for the game. I just think we’ve got a great group, but I’ve thought that since I’ve been here. A lot of these guys are the same guys we’ve had for four years at this point with a couple of new faces. We’ve got good kids, good kids that want to be coached and want to be great. We’re just excited that they understand it’s a one-game season. I’m proud of that and I just love the way they work.”

Junior RB Dylan Sampson

On what he’s seen from Peyton Lewis in practice recently…
“I think his attention to detail, he’s willing to learn, still trying to figure it all out. The one, two is there. He shows the effort in practice and in the meeting room, so he’ll continue to grow and get better.”

On what he is seeing from the offensive line in front of him, particularly in the second half against the stacked boxes of Mississippi State…
“That brings confidence when you see people rolling their safeties down and I’m still trusting my O-Linemen, whoever is in the game still trusting the O-Line to go and handle their blocks. We have the passing game going, too, so you have to respect both sides to it. We’re aggressive, we’re an aggressive team and I know the nature of that, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

On what he’s seen from this Georgia defense…
“Their box, specifically their D-Line, they do a good job just holding the point, kind of two-gapping. They play a lot in that three-down front. They do their job well, not letting offensive linemen create space. You talk about playing the whole field, the backers do a good job running to the ball laterally. Safeties get downhill. We’re more in tuned to the box, so that’s probably what I could speak for the most. They do a good job being in their spots and being aggressive.”

Sophomore DB Jermod McCoy

On how the communication has grown throughout the season…
“It’s definitely way better. We just have this connection with each other now that we did not really have in the beginning. It just makes it a lot easier for us.”

On Will Brooks’ leadership in the secondary…
“He is just so smart. He is just able to keep everybody in check. Make sure we’re doing our job and the whole defense overall, just making sure we’re doing what we have to do.”

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the third consecutive season, Tennessee is one of 10 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, presented annually to college football’s most outstanding offensive line unit.

The Foundation For Teamwork unveiled the 10 semifinalists on Tuesday. The Volunteers are one of three SEC programs on the list, joining Alabama and Texas. Other semifinalists include: Army, Indiana, Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Tulane. Tennessee joins Oregon as the only programs to earn semifinalist honors three consecutive seasons (2022-24).

Presented since its inception in 2015, the Joe Moore Award has recognized elite offensive line units for their unparalleled toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and ability to finish.

“In a season marked by inconsistency, only a handful of units have truly begun to elevate their level of play,” said Cole Cubelic, lead college football analyst for SEC Network and Chairman of the Joe Moore Award Voting Committee. “This year has been unique—many of the units we expected to excel have struggled, and week-to-week performance has been oddly unpredictable at our position.”

Under the direction of Glen Elarbee, the Vols’ offensive line has paved the way and protected for an offense that is averaging 471.6 yards per game, which is third in the SEC and eighth in the FBS. They serve as catalyst for a rushing attack that leads the SEC for the second straight season, putting up 235.1 yards per game, which is also ninth in the FBS.

Only 18 percent of running plays against the Vols have seen contact at or behind the line of scrimmage, representing the ninth-lowest figure in the FBS. Opponents are averaging 2.66 seconds to pressure, a mark that is top 15 in the country.

Perhaps the most impressive performance came on the Third Saturday in October. The Vols rushed for 214 yards against current No. 9 Alabama in a 24-17 victory. That was the most rushing yardage allowed by the Crimson Tide all season.

Preseason All-American, Rimington and Outland Trophy candidate center Cooper Mays leads the group. Mays has not allowed a sack in 23 straight games. The veteran lineup with the most snaps includes guards Javontez Spraggins, Andrej Karic and Jackson Lampley, as well as tackles Lance Heard, John Campbell Jr. and Dayne Davis.

Three finalists for the Joe Moore Award will be unveiled on Tuesday, Dec. 3, following the completion of the regular season. Unlike in previous years, the 2024 Joe Moore Award selection will exclude conference championship game results due to the new playoff format. The award winner will be announced during a surprise visit to the winning university’s campus, scheduled for late December.

2024 Joe Moore Award Semifinalists
Alabama
Army
Indiana
Iowa
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Tulane

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following an unbeaten four-game home stretch, No. 6/4 Tennessee will hit the road this weekend for a primetime showdown between two of the SEC’s top teams as the Volunteers prepare to take on No. 11/10 Georgia in Athens.

Adding to the atmosphere will be the presence of ESPN’s College GameDay and SEC Nation, as both pregame shows will be on site for Saturday’s contest that will feature a national broadcast on ABC at 7:30 p.m.

“Obviously, we’re getting ready to go play a great opponent,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “You look at (Georgia) in really every phase of the football game – extremely talented and coached extremely well. They play hard. They play fundamentally sound. They make you earn it in every way. One that will be a great environment and a great opportunity for everybody inside of this program.”

One of the keys to UT’s success this season and throughout the Heupel era has been the team’s consistency in approach and preparation on a weekly basis, regardless of opponent. The Vols will lean on that once again this week in the leadup to a battle between College Football Playoff contenders.

“Every week, you have the opportunity to play the biggest game of the season,” Heupel said. “It’s the only one that’s on your schedule. We’re in the arena — coaches, players, and you better be in the present. That’s what we focus on, no matter who the opponent is.

“We understand the quality of the opponent that we’re playing this week. Focused on the here-and-now. Your preparation and practice matter. Get ready to go play this game Saturday night.”

Videos and quotes from Monday’s availability with Heupel and select players can be seen below.

Head Coach Josh Heupel

Opening statement…
“First of all, for Veterans Day, just want to say thank you from myself and really our whole program for all the men and women that have served our country and continue to serve our country. The sacrifices that they make and that their families make are certainly appreciated by everybody, but certainly by everybody inside this program.

 “Turning to the game, obviously we’re getting ready to go play a great opponent. You look at (Georgia) in really every phase of the football game – extremely talented and coached extremely well. They play hard. They play fundamentally sound. They make you earn it in every way. One that will be a great environment and a great opportunity for everybody inside of this program.”

On Nico Iamaleava’s status…
“Yeah, he was with us today. Had a really good day. Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday, but you guys can monitor the report that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week. But I certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”

On the value of giving Gaston Moore more reps with the starters this week in practice…
“Gaston gets reps throughout the course of practice, every day, every week. And that’s why he went out and played the way that he did, too.”

On what he is communicating to his team regarding the run defense this week…
“Yeah, there are some free yards that I don’t want to say we’ve given away, but integrity of the defense, gap sound, guys a little bit out of position, creates some of the vertical seams that guys have hit us on the last couple of weeks. So, it’s really all three levels being tied in together, alignment and assignment and playing with technique.”

On winning a conference game with a backup quarterback…
“It was a good performance as a football team. There are some things that we have to grow and be better at, but the first half, did a lot of things well. Some red zone things offensively that we obviously have to correct, but you look at the second half performance and guys going out and continuing to compete and playing smart football for the majority of the second half. I was proud of the way they continued to compete. In this one, you have to go earn everything against them. Offensively, extremely talented, playmakers out on the outside, good offensive line, talented running backs, quarterback is a dynamic player. Defensively, it’s a typical Georgia defense.”

On Lance Heard’s improvement on film…
“Certainly. Lance is a guy that missed a bunch of training camp, missed some practice time in the middle of the season. As a young player, this is really the first time that he’s been a starter, second year in college football. Just continues to get better. That’s an understanding of what we’re doing, but also playing with fundamentals and technique.”

On Boo Carter winning the punt return job and returning kicks on the road…
“Yeah, we are comfortable with him. You guys have seen really three different guys back there that have the ability to return for us, feel comfortable with all of them. I said it after the game, it wasn’t just what Boo did last week. It’s just a culmination of him growing as a young player to gain the trust, and that’s not just over a week’s worth of practice, but really an entire month, his consistency and growth.”

On what makes Dylan Sampson tough and durable… 
“I think it’s all of it. His maturity, the change in the room with the two guys that we lost, his growth physically, all those things play into him being the guy that can carry the bulk of the load and really him playing the way that he has throughout the course of the year.”

On Georgia quarterback Carson Beck…
“Yeah, he’s an extremely talented quarterback that’s played extremely well throughout the course of the season. He’s the key that turns the ignition for them on the offensive side of the football. Playing quarterback, man, sometimes what people see isn’t just the quarterback play. It takes all 11 playing together. He’s a really good football player.”

On the value of showing a play versus saving it for the right moment…
“At the end of the day, every Saturday is a new season. You can look at the scores every week, and you can see that play out. So, it’s all about putting your guys in the best position to be successful.”

On Cam Seldon’s season to this point…
“As a young guy, he’s had to battle his way through some injuries early in spring ball, limiting some of what he was able to do during the course of training camp. Built his load, kind of got nicked up in the middle part of it and missed some time. He’s just a young player that’s going to continue to get better. I love his attitude, his effort, his want-to. He’s a guy that’s always in here watching extra films, so he’s got a great future in front of him. He just has to continue to chase it.”

On how much more prepared his program is to play at Georgia compared to 2022…
“Yeah, more prepared. We’ve been in all of our systems longer. This football game is different than the last one. Still facing a great opponent. You have to handle everything that comes with being in a game like this. You earn the right to play in big football games by what you do during the course of the season. Some of the things that didn’t go well last time were a direct reflection of who we were playing. Some of it was some things that we can control, too. In these games, you have to do ordinary things at a really high level consistently. For us, that means you have to prepare at an elite level. You have to practice really well and put yourself in a position to go play good football.”

On if he treats Georgia week as a big game or any other game…
“Every week, you have the opportunity to play the biggest game of the season. It’s the only one that’s on your schedule. We’re in the arena — coaches, players, and you better be in the present. That’s what we focus on, no matter who the opponent is. We understand the quality of the opponent that we’re playing this week. Focused on the here-and-now. I was around the game long enough to understand what people are talking about in the future, that’s not controlling what you can control. Your preparation and practice matter. Get ready to go play this game Saturday night.”

On how he would rate his wide receivers’ physicality this season…
“When you’re playing a good football team, everybody talks about physicality and line of scrimmage, and that’s always true in this league. But you better be physical out on the perimeter, too. Our guys have done a good job within the scope of what we’re asking them to do, to play with fundamentals, play hard and block when they need to.”

On the biggest challenge with Georgia’s defense…
“Well, it starts with their personnel because they have really good personnel. First level, second level, third level. They create pressure with their front four. They do it out of their pressure packages. They’re able to mix up their looks on the back end, so you have to recognize what’s going on out on the perimeter, quarterbacks and wide receivers. Your tight ends, they all have to be on the same page. You have to do a great job in protection. But it starts with having the ability to run the football, too. If you’re one-dimensional, they’re going to make it really tough on you all night long.

On Peyton Lewis’ biggest area of growth from fall camp to now…
“I just think complete understanding of what we’re doing, understanding how to play with pad level. The jump from high school to college football and playing college football inside of this league, it’s dramatically different. He’s a guy that continues to grow every single day. He’s been really reliable for a young guy that’s gone in. You see that on offense, but he’s done a great job on special teams, too.”

On Jermod McCoy’s adjustment to the SEC…
“We expected him to come in and play extremely well. He had shown that on tape against good competition. His athletic traits, his mind for the game and ability to soak up information and grow every single day. So, we expected him to play at a really high level. I love what he’s done and how he’s competed this fall.”

RS-Senior DL Dominic Bailey

On what he remembers from the trip to Athens in 2022 and what kind of position the program is in now compared to then…
“The last trip I think it was a great environment to be in, obviously we came up short but it’s a great place to play in. The fans are great. We’re just really focused on this week and we’re not really worried about the last trip.”

On what they have to do defensively to cut down on allowing long runs…
“Just play our brand of ball, finish what we started. How we started the season, we need to come back in with that edge again and just keep our foot on everybody’s necks when we have them down basically.”

On some of the issues that have led to giving up more long runs over the last couple games…
“Just not fitting our gaps properly, being in the wrong place. This week we just have to lock in on the little things (like) footwork, technique, using our hands, getting separation and getting off blocks.”

RS-Senior DB Will Brooks

On the importance of opportunities on special teams…
“Special teams is a great way to get on the field and show you can make plays at this level. It definitely helped me just getting experience and getting the speed of the game down and going against SEC guys week in and week out. Just getting game speed and building confidence in yourself that you can make plays.”

On difficulty defending Carson Beck and Georgia’s offense …
“Yeah, I mean they obviously have a really good run game. Carson Beck, he is a good quarterback, so he knows how to find open receivers. They do a lot of stuff. They are pretty balanced. Their offense is good. We will have our work cut out for us on defense.”

On his first impression of Jermod McCoy…
“When he first got here he showed how good of a player he has been. Just from even the first practice back in spring ball. He has been making plays his entire time here. He has just continued to grow, just learning the defense, preparing the right way and building chemistry with the whole back end and secondary. He has been a great addition to our secondary.”

Senior TE Miles Kitselman

On how the tight ends feel about the different things they are able to do out of 12 personnel…
“Each week, the more and more we use it, the more and more we get comfortable in it and more confident in it and just continuing to expand what we can do out of that.”

On the biggest challenge Georgia presents for the tight end position group…
“They play really hard, super sound, a very smart group. We just have to come out and keep doing what we’ve been doing. Keep executing, keep paying attention to the small details, don’t take anything for granted, and just keep preparing like we’ve prepared, and we’ll be just fine.”

On what he saw from Gaston Moore versus Mississippi State…
“Gaston (Moore) is a super confident dude. He has talked about how he feels really confident in his game and how he’s ready at any point in time to get out there. And just coming out there, obviously, all of us other 10 guys out on the field making sure that he knows that we got him, whether that is protection or details on the route. But yeah, Gaston is a super confident kid and everyone has faith in him.”