Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee coach Jones takes responsibility for loss to Oklahoma

Published Sep. 14, 2015 4:09 p.m. ET

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Tennessee is left searching for answers after giving up the largest lead in the history of Neyland Stadium, as Oklahoma turned a 17-point deficit into a double-overtime win over the weekend. Butch Jones opened his Monday morning press conference by accepting the blame for the loss.

"I want to start off, first and foremost, as a head football coach, I am responsible for the losses, and I take responsibility," Jones said. "Everyone in our football program was extremely disappointed, and everyone in our organization needs to continue to improve. ... We must continue move forward and make great strides. Although it was a tough loss, I am encouraged by the progress we are making and the positives. ... I take full responsibility for Saturday night."

The positives, as Jones pointed out, was a young team competing, some would say dominating, one of the top programs in the country for much of the game. Only a season after playing the Sooners and being "non-competitive" in the game against Oklahoma, Tennessee came up just short from securing the biggest win in the Butch Jones era.

Jones also addressed the alleged confrontation with Oklahoma defender Eric Striker after the game, as Striker claims Jones told him to show some class after the game.

"I think that's overblown," Jones said. "I have a tremendous of respect for Eric Striker. I think he's one of the best football players in all of college football, and he plays on great emotion. It was a compliment to him. I don't know where any negativity came from that. I told him he's a heck of a player and [to] leave this place with class. To me, I would respect that if an opposing coach said that to our players. That's wanting to respect your opponent. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Eric Striker and Coach Stoops and the Oklahoma football program."

With suffering such a devastating loss, how will a young Tennessee respond with a seemingly overmatched Western Carolina team coming into Knoxville this weekend? Along that narrative, Jones was asked during the press conference which was more difficult -- preparing after a big win or preparing after a tough loss?

"I think the team dictates it," Jones said. "The maturity of a football team dictates it. You can never let your previous opponent beat you twice, and that is the maturity of a football team, the leadership of a football team. This is where you have to rely on the competitive structure of your program and the character of your program.

"I know our kids are ready to get back at it. I have spoken with most of them, and they are eager and ready to go. They are ready to put all eyes on Western Carolina. Western Carolina is the most important game because it is the next game. That is kind of the program philosophy."

The Vols will need a moral boost before opening conference play at Florida, which of course is a team Tennessee plays every season yet have failed to beat in a decade. Tennessee should have an edge over the Gators heading into that game, as Florida plays Kentucky in Lexington this weekend. The Wildcats' winless streak against the Gators goes even further than the Vols', as their annual losing streak to Florida dates to 1983. If Kentucky knocks off Florida, the Gators could be reeling coming into the SEC East showdown in the Swamp.