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Josh Heupel updates injury status of C Cooper Mays ahead of Week 3 vs. Florida
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Josh Heupel, in his usual fashion, was non-committal but told reporters Monday that he “anticipates” veteran center Cooper Mays to have a good week of practice and be ready for Week 3 against Florida.
Mays has missed the first 2 games of the season for Tennessee after having a surgical procedure in the middle of fall camp. Ollie Lane and Dayne Davis have split reps at center in his stead.
And the Vols need all the help they can get. Tennessee travels to The Swamp looking to pick up its first win there since 2003 this Saturday. The Gators have struggled to start the year, but with how Tennessee played against Austin Peay in mind it may not be as cut and dry as some would suggest.
Here’s Heupel’s full quote on Mays’ availability:
Josh Heupel’s full quote on C Cooper Mays: “He was with us last week, warmed up with us. We made a decision pretty early in the week that he probably would not play in that football game. Anticipate him having a good week of practice here and being ready.”@rockytopinsider
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) September 11, 2023
Here’s something you don’t hear much recently: Tennessee’s problem on Saturday against Austin Peay was not on account of its defense, but its offense.
The Vols still scored 30 points, sure, but it came against a bad Austin Peay defense and seemed to be much harder than it should have been. Joe Milton and receivers were not in sync, with Milton throwing a lot of bad balls and receivers dropping a lot of good balls.
Florida’s defensive front will challenge Tennessee’s O-line more than the Governors did, so Mays being back in the lineup under center is important for the Vols.
The Vols and Gators face off Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Gainesville on ESPN.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
