What Butch Jones said after close loss to Alabama
Tennessee had a 14-13 lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game, but Alabama RB Derrick Henry broke off a 14-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 19-14 advantage. On Tennessee’s next possession, Alabama DE Ryan Anderson sacked Volunteers QB Joshua Dobbs and forced a fumble. Alabama recovered the fumble and went on to secure a 5-point victory over the Volunteers.
Here is a collection of thoughts and comments from Tennessee coach Butch Jones and his players during the postgame press conference:
Butch Jones: Proud of the effort, "but at the University of Tennessee there are no moral victories."
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 24, 2015
Butch is now at the podium. Says his D-line played well. "Derek Barnett is a warrior." Also praised Kendal Vickers.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 24, 2015
"What can I say about Jalen Hurd? 92 tough yards." Butch
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 24, 2015
"I thought Josh played winning football." Butch on Dobbs' performance.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 24, 2015
Butch: Josh Malone and Josh Smith have come so far. Those guys are playing good football. They're warriors.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 24, 2015
RANDOLPH on Interception: We worked on that all week, it was a good re-route by @Elite_made and I came over and was able to make a play
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 24, 2015
"Every loss is painful because you invest so much in it… We believed we were going to win the game coming here." Butch.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 24, 2015
Jones: "We believed we were going to win the football game. We believed."
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 24, 2015
#Vols' Kyler Kerbyson: Two years ago we were wowed by Bama's size and talent. This year we weren't. We could have and should have won.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 24, 2015
Butch says they considered going for it on Medley's third miss, but they still were confident in Medley. "He makes those in practice."
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 24, 2015
Butch: I love Aaron Medley. I believe in Aaron Medley. He's our kicker. Those were difficult kicks. There's no kicker I'd rather have.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 24, 2015
Vols had five sacks and 10 TFLs. Butch: "That's a productive game."
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 24, 2015
Butch: Some guys on our defense were banged up and tired, and we asked a lot of them. I'm really proud of our guys.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 24, 2015
"That's a very difficult situation to be in but those two youngsters are determined and work hard every day." Butch on Hall and Jones.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 24, 2015
Butch says Vols rued missing Coker for a bigger loss on the first play of Alabama's go-ahead drive.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 24, 2015
Butch: No one is gonna feel sorry for us. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We're so close. We've just got to finish.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 24, 2015
