In this file photo, UT’s Tauren Poole carries in a game against Ole Miss in Knoxville.KNOXVILLE – There was a reason why Tennessee threw the football all over the place during its four-win November run to the Music City Bowl.
So it’s not a surprise that fixing the inconsistent running game was important as the Volunteers began spring practice Tuesday.
“We need our runners to run better than they did last year,” coach Derek Dooley said Monday. “More yards, break more tackles. I’m not being funny – it’s the truth. Get 6 yards on that play instead of 3.”
UT’s numbers from a year ago look good: Tailback Tauren Poole surpassed 1,000 yards for the season and averaged 80 yards per game and 5 per carry. But the Vols were inconsistent running the ball, and most of the yards came on long runs Poole would break.
Dooley’s challenge to Poole, Rajion Neal and Toney Williams may seem odd, given that UT started three freshmen on its offensive line almost all of last season, but it’s something the coach strongly believes in.