By: Sean Cartell
SEC Digital Network
Heading into Saturday’s key Southeastern Conference Eastern Division match-up with Georgia, Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley is looking for more of a team approach from his squad as they continue their quest for a trip to Atlanta.
Speaking Wednesday morning following his team’s practice, Dooley said that he wants his players to be playing for something bigger than themselves, giving them added incentive to give complete effort.
The Vols and Bulldogs are preparing for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff from Neyland Stadium on Saturday night, in a game that will be televised by ESPN2.
“One of the biggest challenges, especially with young people, is getting them to learn to play for others and not for themselves.” Dooley said. “I say that because every day you wake up and you don't feel like doing what you're supposed to do, whether it's your job or football or whatever. Something has to motivate you.”
Dooley, whose squad defeated Buffalo 41-10 this past Saturday, said Wednesday that he was disappointed by the effort that he saw from his team in practice earlier in the day, more specifically the lack of unity and playing outside of self.
“We didn't have a good mindset today,” Dooley said. “Learning how to think of the program and the responsibility you have to your teammates should be what motivates you. We have a long way to go. We're still a little self-absorbed.”
FIVE QUICK HITS (courtesy UTSports.com)
• Tennessee is tied with Wisconsin for the national lead in third-down efficiency at 62.1 percent, successfully converting 36-of-58 third downs this year.
• Tennessee is 20-for-22 scoring in the red zone this season for a 90.9 percent rate that is tied for third in the SEC with Alabama and ranks 23rd in the NCAA.
• Sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray’s 14 TDs and 1,328 yards through the first four games are the most by a Tennessee QB. In 1997, Peyton Manning (1997) compiled 1,326 yards and 12 TDs en route to single-season school records of 37 TDs and 3,819 yards.
• For just the third time in the last two seasons, in all of FBS, Tennessee had a game with a 400-yard passer, 100-rusher and two 100-yard receivers, doing so in a 45-23 win over Cincinnati on Sept. 10. It was the first instance in the NCAA this season and happened just twice in 2010.
• The Vols have not lost to Georgia in Knoxville since a 27-14 defeat in 2005. During each of the 21 seasons in which Tennessee has defeated Georgia, the Vols have finished with a winning record.