Tennessee Vols morning report: Florida game location, injury update
The location of the UT-Florida game and a Tennessee Vols injury update lead the Volunteers news for Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017.
It is hump day during Florida week. So we are inching closer and closer to the Tennessee Vols’ showdown with the Gators that fans on Rocky Top look forward to every year.
Our news across Vol Nation today includes a major update that broke yesterday morning about the game. It also includes other topics relevant to the match-up, such as an X’s and O’s question on defense and the health of a player.
And we also have a few updates in other sports, including recognition of two specific athletes. That makes for this being a big news day.
Let’s start with the big football news, though.
Tennessee-Florida set to remain in Gainesville – Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel
The SEC confirmed that the Tennessee Vols will still face the Florida Gators in The Swamp at 3:30 p.m. E.T. Saturday. Initially, there were concerns about the weather affecting the game, and there were discussions of moving it to Knoxville or Atlanta. But it looks like they’re good to go in Florida.
"Hurricane Irmamade landfall in Florida on Sunday and traveled north up the Gulf Coast. Its effects were felt throughout the state. The storm hit Gainesville overnight Sunday and into Monday morning. It caused flooding, downed trees and power lines and power outages, but it won’t disrupt the Vols’ rivalry game with the Gators."
Tennessee Vols DB Shaq Wiggins getting healthy – Mike Griffith, SEC Country
Louisville Cardinals transfer cornerback Shaq Wiggins brought experience and production to the Tennessee secondary this year, but he has not yet gotten the chance to play much. An injury to his hip kept him limited in Fall Camp. But he’s now set to see a larger role, and the coaches seem to have bigger expectations for him going forward.
"Wiggins played in only eight games in his final season at Louisville. Missing time due to injury isn’t new to the 5-foot-10, 169-pound senior. He may have turned the corner, though."
Bob Shoop defends defensive line scheme – Wes Rucker, GoVols247
Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Bob Shoop defended how his defensive linemen lined up on Saturday against Indiana St. The Vols drew questions for lining up a yard off the ball. While they did it against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to avoid cut blocks, they also did it against the Sycamores at times. However, Shoop says it wasn’t as prevalent as people are making it out to be.
"Shoop said Tuesday that Tennessee’s defensive linemen were occasionally a bit too far off the ball in the season-opening over Georgia Tech. They were supposed to be a bit off the line of scrimmage in that game for understandable schematic and practical seasons, but they occasionally moved too far back and had to be corrected.The coordinator said he didn’t see a problem with his defensive line’s alignment in Saturday’s win over Indiana State, though, aside from a few snaps here or there that weren’t up to par."
Soccer player Katie Cousins named to TDS team of the week – UTSports
Tennessee Vols soccer sophomore Katie Cousins was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. Her efforts helped the Vols to an 8-0-0 record in non-conference play.
"Cousins logged her first goal of the season in the victory over Virginia Tech, putting the ball in the net for a 2-0 lead after junior Khadija Shaw ricocheted shots off the post and crossbar."
Cross Country freshman Abigail Smith named SEC Freshman of the Week – SECSports
Tennessee Vols freshman Abigail Smith was named the woman SEC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday after finishing 27th in her first 6K with a time of 23:07.60.
"Smith finished third among all freshman runners in a race that featured runners from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, South Carolina and LSU."