Tennessee reportedly held a players only meeting after tougher-than-expected win against Austin Peay
The Tennessee Vols reportedly held a players only meeting on Sunday after UT's 30-13 win against Austin Peay on Saturday evening in Knoxville. Tennessee's offense didn't look crisp in the 17-point win. From penalties to off-target throws and multiple drops, there wasn't much that went right for the Vols in what was supposed to be […]
The Tennessee Vols reportedly held a players only meeting on Sunday after UT's 30-13 win against Austin Peay on Saturday evening in Knoxville.
Tennessee's offense didn't look crisp in the 17-point win. From penalties to off-target throws and multiple drops, there wasn't much that went right for the Vols in what was supposed to be an "easy win" as Tennessee prepares for a big showdown with the Florida Gators this upcoming weekend.
As a result of the lackluster game against Austin Peay, Tennessee's team leaders called a players only meeting according to Off the Hook Sports' Dave Hooker.
"I was told this morning by a source very close to the program that Tennessee held a players only meeting on Sunday that was organized by the leaders of Tennessee's football team," said Hooker during a live broadcast on Monday morning.
"The tenor of the meeting was this, in which Joe Milton, regardless of whose fault it actually was, took complete blame and said 'it's on me' in a very positive leadership role," continued Hooker. "And Tennessee's players all agreed amongst themselves that they need to amp it up starting today (Sunday). That the practices last week weren't bad, I don't want to imply that by the tenor of the meeting, but they weren't quite as intense as they should've been. Perhaps that was the opponent, perhaps it was just a bad week."
I think this has to be viewed as a major positive for the Vols. It would've been easy for Tennessee's players to chalk the rough night up to a great effort from Austin Peay and an off day from the offense. After all, Tennessee still won the game by 17 points.
But this is a team that feels a sense of urgency. This is the last chance to win the SEC for several players on Tennessee's roster, including Milton. And it's clear that they don't want whatever happened against Austin Peay to carry over into the game against Florida.
The Vols have excellent leadership — otherwise, there would've been no players only meeting on Sunday.
Tennessee knows they can't beat Florida if they play like they did against Austin Peay. And the players are putting on themselves to make sure they don't have execution problems against the Gators like they had against Austin Peay.
Tennessee is 2-0 and Vols QB Joe Milton already deserves a little more grace from fans
Tennessee is 2-0 and Vols quarterback Joe Milton already deserves a little more grace from UT fans
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
