Tennessee coach Butch Jones: 'food is hotter' during winning streak
The last time Tennessee won five consecutive games was in 2007 — Phillip Fulmer’s next-to-last season as coach.
Butch Jones’ Volunteers have won four straight and have a chance to p it Saturday against Vanderbilt.
While the Tennessee offense remains in the top half in the SEC, it’s the Vols defense that seems to have hit its stride.
After allowing 25 points per game through their first seven games of the season, the Vols have allowed just 18 per game during the winning streak.
JONES: We've been able to generate more 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. It's playing team style defense.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 23, 2015
Tennessee was No. 25 in the preseason poll, then started 2-3. It’s finally starting to look like they’re climbing out of it.
Butch Jones on the 4-game win streak: "One coach told me, when you win, the food is hotter, the drinks are colder and everything is better."
— Cory Gunkel (@CoryGunkel) November 23, 2015
Saturday, Tennessee takes on a Vanderbilt team scoring just 14.0 points per game, last in the SEC. While the Commodores’ defense has been strong (18.0 points allowed per game, fourth in SEC) clearly, the challenge will be on offense.
JONES: Great challenge this week. Vanderbilt is as good as a defensive football team as we've faced.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 23, 2015
JONES on Vandy's red zone D: I think the longer the drive goes, the better they become. They have good team speed and tenacity.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 23, 2015
The condition of the field at Neyland Stadium has received plenty of attention from Knoxville media in recent weeks. Perhaps the head coach is tired of it.
Butch Jones on Neyland condition: "We’re anticipating the field’s going to be there and we’re going to play on it on Saturday."
— Matt Slovin (@MattSlovin) November 23, 2015
With at-best four losses to end the season (three in conference), Jones talked about the difficulty of playing in the SEC.
Butch Jones on coaching in the SEC: "The biggest thing is it takes years off your life."
— Cory Gunkel (@CoryGunkel) November 23, 2015
Butch Jones on coaching in the SEC: "Every day you get up, and it’s fourth-and-1 for the national championship."
— Matt Slovin (@MattSlovin) November 23, 2015
JONES: The moment you stop enjoying wins, you need to get out of this profession.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 23, 2015
Jones ended the press conference with an injury update for fans who want to know who will be out there in the team’s final home game of 2015.
JONES on injuries: No new injuries from the game. We anticipate Jauan Jennings to practice today.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 23, 2015
