Georgia wide receiver Michael Bennett (82) can't reach a pass as Tennessee defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. (6) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Athens, Ga.KNOXVILLE -- It's your time, Todd Kelly Jr.
Tennessee's freshman safety will be thrust into a larger role when the Volunteers host Missouri in a pivotal game Saturday night. His main work in recent weeks has been on special teams.
With starter Brian Randolph suspended for the first half of the game following his third-quarter disqualification for targeting against Kentucky last week, the four-star recruit from Knoxville will need to be ready to go the place of one of Tennessee's most valuable defenders.
"We're going to need to grow up in a hurry, and TK has done a good job," Vols coach Butch Jones said after Tuesday's practice. "When Brian had to leave the game and exit the game, TK did a very good job of coming in, and TK's a very smart individual. He puts his work in, he does his due diligence, so I don't think communication will be a problem.
"I expect TK to really step up and perform well."
Randolph is Tennessee's second-leading tackler and leads SEC defensive backs with 76 stops this season, and he returned an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Wildcats.
He'll be a spectator until the second half Saturday night, though.
The 6-foot, 203-pound Kelly started games against Arkansas State and Oklahoma, but a mistake early against the Sooners led to his benching in favor of LaDarrell McNeil. Kelly intercepted passes against Georgia and Florida in Tennessee's next two games, but McNeil's consistency left less and less defensive playing time for Kelly.
None of that will matter when he's playing Saturday night.
"Brian's our leader back there in the secondary, and we go to him about everything, whether it's football or anything else," cornerback Cam Sutton said. "For TK, it's just another opportunity for him to step in and be able to make plays. (Randolph's) not letting it get to him that he's out for a half and just comes in and get ready to prepare for the week like any other week.
"It's no different than Randolph getting hurt and TK having to step in. We're looking at it like that. TK's going to be ready to play."
Center of attention
Jones said injured center Mack Crowder (ankle, knee) is "closer to doubtful" to play Saturday, and it's looking increasingly likely that sophomore Dylan Wiesman will make the first start of his career.
It's not a bad thing, though, that he and Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs are roommates.
"We have a good bond," Dobbs said. "I told him, 'You've been preparing for this for the past couple of years. You're ready, and just go out and play like you've been playing in practice.' Dylan, he's done a lot of good things on the practice field, and he'll definitely show it on the game field."
It would be Tennessee's sixth different starting combination on the offensive line in 11 games this season.
"Dylan's worked exceptionally hard," Jones said. "Now is his opportunity -- go take advantage of it. We've asked a lot of him, playing multiple positions, but he's an individual who works hard. I know he's looking forward to the opportunity, and we're going to need him to step up."
Mauk-raking
The Vols certainly remember the good version of Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk, who ran for 114 yards and tossed three touchdown passes in his third start as a redshirt freshman in the Tigers' 31-3 win against Tennessee in 2013.
This season, Mauk has failed to hit the 200-yard mark passing in seven of 10 games, and he's thrown six interceptions with just five touchdown passes in six SEC games.
"He's a real mobile quarterback," Tennessee defensive tackle Jordan Williams said, "and we've definitely got to respect him running for first downs. Our biggest thing is containing him and affecting him."
The Tigers, just 13th in the SEC in total offense, piled up a season-best 587 yards of offense in last week's 34-27 win at Texas A&M, which is last in the SEC in total defense.
Mauk threw for 252 yards, and tailback Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy helped Missouri run for 335 yards.
"Maty Mauk back there makes plays," Sutton said. "He has great receivers on the outside. The line's very physical, and they get after it. They've got two great backs back there that make plays for them.
"They sling the ball around and balance the run as well, so we've got to do a great job of putting our eyes on our keys, play our style of football and limit those explosive plays."
Status updates
Tailbacks Jalen Hurd and Marlin Lane and receiver Marquez North practiced in noncontact jerseys Tuesday. ... Freshman tailback Derrell Scott (hand) practiced with a cast on his right hand/wrist. ... Guard and former Bradley Central High School standout Austin Sanders (ankle) did not practice and is on crutches and in a walking boot.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.