Week Three Presser: Butch Jones Takes Responsibility?

The Tennessee Volunteers come into week three of the season with a 1-1 record.

The Vols dropped one of the most disappointing losses in recent history. After being up 17-0, the Oklahoma Sooners came back and won 31-24 in two overtimes. Tennessee did play the Sooners closer than last year’s 34-10 defeat, but this is a team that had Oklahoma exactly where they wanted them.

After the game, many were pointing the finger at coach Butch Jones for the loss.

“I do think we made progress,” said Jones on Monday at his weekly press conference. “I take full responsibility for Saturday night.”

This might be enough for some to hold back criticism, but for others it will not.

There were two major criticisms post-Oklahoma.

The first is obviously kicking the field goal on the first drive, one-yard out of the end zone. Jones felt it was a double edged sword.

“If I would’ve went for it and not gotten it, you’d be asking me why I went for it” said Jones, “we needed points.”

Jones felt that there were eight to ten plays that decided the game, and that was not one of them.

“I don’t second guess because I know a lot of diligence and effort went in that decision,” said Jones.

The second criticism was directed towards the seemingly conservative play calls after the lead, and also like the one above. It was as if the Vols were playing not to lose.

In terms of play calls, Jones said “We did what we needed to do.”

Jones, as well as quarterback Joshua Dobbs, felt there was just a lack of execution.

Other Notes

• Curt Maggitt will be out “an extended period of time” with a “freak” hip injury
• The status of suspended defensive tackle Danny O’Brien is still the same
• Safety LaDarrell McNeil is fully cleared to play in the upcoming game against Western Carolina
• Jones said that the Striker quote was overblown, Jones said “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Eric Striker.”
• The reps for defensive tackles Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle will increase