Rocky Top Roundtable: UConn

Tennessee returns home this weekend for homecoming as the Vols host Connecticut at noon. The staff from Volquest discuss the matchup with the Huskies as Tennessee looks to improve to 7-2 on the year. It’s a game where Tennessee will need to bring intensity as they are a big favorite.

“I think you have to be mature,” Brent Hubbs said. “This is where your leadership and the maturity of your football team has to show up. You have to go get the job done and get it done early. I think you should have learned a lesson from the Austin Peay game where you clearly weren’t ready to play and found yourself in a ten point game at the half. I like that it’s a noon game. I think that’s good for Tennessee.”

Tennessee’s offense tallied 481 yards on the road at Kentucky with 253 yards coming on the ground. As part of the offensive line, the former Miami Hurricane aided in a rushing attack that averaged 5.4 yards a carry and one that enabled Jaylen Wright surpass the century mark at 120 yards in the ballgame. This week, they will have the chance to play some younger players but that starts with doing it right with the older players.

“This one is, it was big because we need to go play the way we need to go play on offense,” Joey Halzle said. “We need to put together a really good performance handle our business. And like what you’re saying, if other guys get the opportunity to play, that’s great. But it’s all about going and rolling out there with our group and putting together a product on the field, the way this offense can and should play out there. That’s our biggest focus working on this one. So it’s a huge game for us as far as that stands.”

Milton played his best game of his Tennessee career last weekend so you obviously want to keep building on that.

“I think fundamentally he has been better,” Hubbs said. “ I know the contact thing that Joey Halzle said helps him get going and settles him into the game. I think the bigger thing is his footwork and eyes appear to be better. I think he’s starting to get a real command of this offense.”

Tennessee vs UConn: How To Watch

Kickoff Time: Noon

Location: Neyland Stadium (102,455)

TV: SEC Network

Radio: WIVK-FM 107.7 and WNML-FM 99.1 in Knoxville. The Vol Network radio broadcast (Bob Kesling – play-by-play – Pat Ryan, analyst – Brent Hubbs, analyst – Jayson Swain sideline) can be heard on local affiliates across the state of Tennessee.