Things get real, as in real challenging and really emotional this week after Tennessee hammered Kent State on Saturday. It’s time for Josh Heupel to head back to Oklahoma and face the No. 15 Sooners.
Tennessee center Cooper Mays is taking the same steady approach that the No. 6 Vols had last week before the epic 71-0 dismantling of Kent State.
In the take down of the Golden Flashes, the Vols broke multiple program records. The offense scored 50 points for the third consecutive game for the first time in their history. Running back Dylan Sampson rushed for 101 yards and an astounding four touchdowns – those four TDs tied him for a school record. Oh yeah, and he did that in just the first half of the game. In addition, Tennessee broke program records for points scored in a quarter (37), points in a half (65), total points in a game (71), and total offensive yards (740).
Staying focused after starting the season 3-0 with dominant wins over Kent State, N.C. State, and Chattanooga is key for the Vols. It would be easy for Tennessee to take their foot off the gas a little bit. But coach Josh Heupel and team won’t let that happen. So, what does Tennessee need to do to stay the course for their next opponent?
“It’s just all about how we prepare, like Coach Heupel talks about,” Tennessee center Cooper Mays said on this week’s Vol Report. “…if we come out there and do what we need to do and be professionals and take care of business throughout the week and prepare the right way, then we’ll have a pretty good game.”
Mays might be impressed with the way his team handled Kent State and the history that was made, but he knows there is still work to be done.
“We’re still playing football,” Mays said. “At the end of the day, it’s not like we’re about to move mountains or anything, but you can do different stuff each week that just fine tweaks and tunes the stuff you’re already doing. I’m just saying, let’s get better at what we’re doing already, schematically.”
Monday starts the week of preparation to face new SEC member Oklahoma, who is coming off of a huge win of their own, trouncing Temple 51-3. While Oklahoma had a tight victory over Houston in week two, 16-12, the Sooners have yet to face a ranked opponent. With these impressive blowouts, the Vol starters have yet to play a complete game. Mays isn’t worried about the team’s ability to play a full four quarters; they appreciate conserving the energy.
“I feel pretty good,” Mays said. “You can’t get much better than what we have been as far as getting us out early. You can’t complain.
“I guess we’re playing at the best level since 1936 or something,” Mays continued. “All I know is we’ll go in there and we’ll figure out how to get better Monday.”
Country singer Luke Combs has a new song called “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma.” Expect the Vols to show the Sooners no love in Norman on Saturday.
