UT’s offense and defense know the stiff challenge that awaits down in Baton Rouge this weekend and that another strong week of preparation will be key to the team’s success in a tough road environment.
“It’s going to be a loud environment,” quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle said. “There are going to be some points where it’s difficult to communicate. That’s why you work it all week … You can’t take any lacks in preparation for it because it is going to be a loud and crazy environment. We have to prepare for it the right way.”
The experience of quarterback Hendon Hooker will certainly be a plus for the Big Orange on Saturday, as the redshirt senior has proven to be one of the most poised signal callers in the nation.
“It’s his preparation leading up to it,” Halzle said. “For all the craziness about the environment—whether it’s home or away—once you step in between the white lines, it’s 11-on-11 and you go play ball. Whether you’re prepared or not, that’s where it shows up. Some people do get big-eyed, and the moment gets a little too big when you get in a crazy environment. That is not how he is wired at all. He’s the same dude day-in and day-out.”
Tennessee’s defense will face another dual-threat playmaker at quarterback this weekend in LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The Arizona State transfer has been efficient with his arm but has also utilized his athleticism to hurt teams with his legs, something the Vols’ know they will need to be ready for.
“Jayden is probably a little lighter but still runs as hard and is as elusive,” linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said. “We obviously didn’t do as great of a job as we wanted to versus Anthony (Richardson), so that’s been a big point of emphasis for us, trying to keep the quarterback contained.”
On top of slowing down Daniels, UT’s defense will also need to limit the Tigers’ talented stable of running backs.
“Their running backs are super talented. I think it is one of the better groups that we’ve played so far going into game five,” Jean-Mary said. “They all run extremely hard downhill. They break a lot of arm tackles, and they are going to be a big-time challenge for us.
“The part about them, they’re an integral part of the passing game. They like to get those guys the ball in the flats and let them do their work, almost…
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