KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's late collapses in two of its last three games have Volunteers coach Butch Jones facing the most criticism he's encountered since taking over the program.
The Volunteers blew double-digit, fourth-quarter leads in losses to Oklahoma and Florida, causing disgruntled fans to go on talk radio and message boards questioning Jones' game management and his team's ability to close out opponents.
Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC) opened the season with its first Top 25 ranking since September 2012, but the Vols haven't met expectations heading into Saturday's game against Arkansas (1-3, 0-1).
"I understand that's part of the game," Jones said of the criticism. "I welcome that. I have big shoulders. Put that all on my shoulders, so our players can go out and perform Saturday."
http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/tennessees-jones-welcomes-criticism-recent-collapses
The Volunteers blew double-digit, fourth-quarter leads in losses to Oklahoma and Florida, causing disgruntled fans to go on talk radio and message boards questioning Jones' game management and his team's ability to close out opponents.
Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC) opened the season with its first Top 25 ranking since September 2012, but the Vols haven't met expectations heading into Saturday's game against Arkansas (1-3, 0-1).
"I understand that's part of the game," Jones said of the criticism. "I welcome that. I have big shoulders. Put that all on my shoulders, so our players can go out and perform Saturday."
http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/tennessees-jones-welcomes-criticism-recent-collapses
