The Tennessee football team is just days away from their opening contest against Bowling Green this Thursday night. As the players and coaches finish their final preparations for the game, some of the veteran Vol players spent a minute talking to the media on Monday.
Senior defensive lineman Matthew Butler, senior offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, and redshirt junior Cedric Tillman all spoke on Monday.
Each one of the players talked about some of the experiences from fall camp and how the work they did will transition to the game field. They also talked about their expectations for their position units, along with what they have seen playing against the team in scrimmages.
Coach Josh Heupel also spoke to the media on Monday. During his press conference, Heupel announced Tennessee’s starting quarterback for week one.
Tennessee Senior DL Matthew Butler
“There’s a lot of pride in the room,” Butler said on Monday. “Not only are we playing to do well for the team, setting the tone for the defense, but there’s also a sense of pride in the room. We are the veterans. We’ve seen this program through the trials and tribulations.”
Tennessee Senior OL Jerome Carvin
“Last season wasn’t the way we wanted,” Carvin said on Monday. “So we definitely had to change that. The expectation here is very high. We had to hold that for ourselves, and for the people of Knoxville and in the country. Tennessee football is Tennessee football. Everyone knows about Tennessee football.”
Tennessee Redshirt Junior WR Cedric Tillman
“I feel like I’ve really grown this camp,” Tillman said on Monday. “Working on the little details, and doing what coach Burns and the other coaches on the staff have wanted me to do. I think I’ve really taken the next step, and I think my teammates have taken the next step, too.”
