There were no easy answers for Tennessee players immediately following last Saturday night’s 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
Especially for those who had just played for the final time with the Volunteers.
“I don’t really know how to really put it into words or how to articulate what this journey and what all these people who I’ve encountered in my time at Tennessee have meant,” fifth-year senior center Cooper Mays said. “I don’t really know if I’ve got the words to explain it. I truly do love this place, and I love going into work with these guys every day and every week.”
Those minutes after Tennessee’s 10-3 season ended were just as difficult for the coaches.
“I see a guy like Cooper Mays afterwards, and it’s like, ‘Man, it’s going to be weird walking into the facility the next time and him not standing in there,'” offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. “For those guys, when we got here, everybody had the opportunity to leave because of the coaching change and with the rules with the portal and everything.