October 12, 2024

Jeremy Pruitt Presser: Vols beat South Carolina

Coach Pruitt talked about building off Tennessee’s recent success in Monday’s press conference.

Tennessee defensive back Shawn Shamburger (12) stares down a South Carolina wide receiver after breaking up a pass when Tennessee played South Carolina in Neyland Stadium on October 27, 2019. Photo/ Ben Gleason

At a press conference on Monday, Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt reviewed the win over South Carolina. He introduced key points about hard work and some updates about the team.

“Going back and reviewing the film there was a lot good in the game, and there was a lot of things we need to approve on,” Pruitt said to open the press conference.

To start off, he gave kudos to South Carolina’s defensive line while complementing the offensive line for a third week in a row. For instance, It was a solid 41-21 win on Saturday, but coach Pruitt still not 100% satisfied.

“Can’t start a game that way and unfortunately we did,” Pruitt said.

Pruitt is familiar with UAB, The University of Alabmama Birmingham, who Tennessee competes against next.

Pruitt said that he has “worked with some from the coaching staff and has even coached some of them.” He knows how much of a challenge this game good be, as he gave a detailed description of UAB’s top defense.

“We got a tremendous challenge this week,” Pruitt said. “Our guys have to get in here and get focused. We got to find a way to play our best football this Saturday night.”

Reporters asked about the quarterback play and Pruitt emphasized how well both Jarrett Guarantano and J.T. Shrout did. He also announced that Brian Maurer returned to practice this week.

“I thought Jarrett played his best game of the year,” Pruitt said. He said that Guarantano handled the team well and needs to build off of it.

Pruitt also pushed the idea of not slowing down, and said that they need to keep it rolling after winning the last two of three games.

“We got four games left, man, we worked really hard to get an opportunity to do this. I don’t know why anybody would not take advantage of the opportunity,” Pruitt said. “As much time and effort you put into something you love to do, it’d be shame on us not to be ready to play on Saturday.”

Tennessee will  play UAB (6-1) on Nov. 2 in Neyland. Kickoff’s slated for 7 p.m. EDT, and the game will be aired on ESPNU.

Edited by Maddie Torres and Christian Knox

Featured image courtesy of Ben Gleason