(utsports. com) NASHVILLE, Ten. N . — With just two days to go until the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium, the Tennessee soccer team wrapped up its penultimate practice of the season Tuesday afternoon at Vanderbilt Stadium.
The energy, enthusiasm and concentration the team felt before the bowling attack was fully highlighted in the on-site practices the volunteers had this week. Defenders who met with the media after Tuesday’s practice echoed a tone similar to that of the offensive side of the ball: this team is in a position to play and finish the season the right way.
“We’re all connected,” said security leader Trevon Flowers. “We need to win this game. We worked hard all week and were locked up. “
Offensively, the Flights have reached new heights this year, the defense able to take credit for this good fortune and use it as fuel to raise their game point, with this check against a very strong attack, the mentality remains the same. Lineman Ja’Quain Blakely feels this intensity in his game and is in a position to participate in his music city bowl after participating in the 2016 edition of his first year.
“We know that our attack is fast, our attack will score. So we live the philosophy of ‘they don’t score, they don’t win,’ so we have to come out in a position of fire in a position to go,” Blakely said. “It’s a laugh just (to be) with the guys and just enjoy my teammates. It’s the last hurrah, so I’m enjoying my teammates and in Nashville there’s no better position to be.
Bowling games are also a wonderful position for young players to place squares and veteran leader Theo Jackson has noticed that the show’s long duration takes the time to expand into an elite group. This technique has paid off, as football demands that the whole team be in a position to face any challenge.
“It’s a big deal that we’ve been pushing all year, just not having a drop at all. If someone breaks down, then the next user comes in and knows what to do, how to do it, so it’s simple when we have to get out,” Jackson added. We don’t have nervousness about who’s in the game. We don’t want to replace the game call or anything like that, so it’s great to have that feeling.
The bowling game also marks the end of an era, and for Matthew Butler and other seniors who have given their all for Tennessee every day, this is the last time they’ll be dressing up in Big Orange. for the game, the love for Tennessee and the preference for winning and, as individuals, it can be unhappy to see it all come to an end. Finishing the right way, as Flowers mentioned, is one thing, but understanding it and betting his last game in Nashville against Vol Nation, couldn’t have had a more storybook finish.
“It’s a positive thing,” Butler said. Eight guys with my elegance, and the elegance before me, all here, we’ve been through a lot, so I see this as another vital step. This is my last game, but I was grateful to be a component and I am grateful to be a component of this glorious program and then pave the way for this program to go on to put that pass beyond what we can think. You think about the championship, but how do you win this championship and the culture around the program and all that smart stuff. I’m grateful to be a component in setting that standard. There’s no negative mind like ‘Oh my God, this is my last game,’ just pass play ball. “
The start between Tennessee and Purdue is scheduled for 2 p. m. CT on December 30 at Nissan Stadium and will air on ESPN.