WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsVols' Simms ready for return to starting role

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UT Sports) -- Tennessee will have a different, but familiar look under center when the Vols take the field Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

With starter Tyler Bray out for the next six weeks with a broken thumb, senior Matt Simms will return to the spot he held for the first eight games last season.

"I'm glad we have Matt and we don't have to shift with someone with no experience or no command of the offense," head coach Derek Dooley said. "That is a bonus. I hope it pays off for us in the game. Matt is doing today what he has done every week, preparing well. He has good command of what we're doing and we expect him to go manage the offense."

Simms has carried himself the same way each and every week, regardless of his position on the depth chart.

"The biggest thing that has helped me so far this year is that I've tried my best to prepare like I was the starter," Simms said. "I think that helped me perform the way I did against Georgia when I came in like that. Now it is just continuing to do that, and obviously a little bit more now."

The Franklin Lakes, N.J., native was 4-of-6 against the Bulldogs, including a crucial fourth down completion to junior tight end Mychal Rivera that set up the Vols' lone touchdown.

Rivera, UT's second-leading pass receiver with 19 catches, has confidence in his new quarterback.

"Matt is always the same, he is a vocal leader and he has always been a leader," Rivera said. "Ever since I came on to this campus he has been a leader. He is a really good kid and he was doing really good today."

Not only are Simms' teammates confident in him, he's confident in himself.

"I think everyone kind of realizes that this isn't my first rodeo," Simms said. "I played in a lot of big games last year and obviously I'm not afraid to get hit. I'm just looking forward to it, looking forward to the experience. It's a tough position for all of us but we just have to focus and win our first SEC game."

Standing in the way of Tennessee's first SEC win is No. 1-ranked LSU. The Vols nearly won in Baton Rouge last season -- with Simms at the helm.

"It definitely helps to know that we did perform well down there," Simms said. "Then again, there were a lot of things we could have done a lot better. This year, we just have to refocus our energy and just make sure that we concentrate on the little details to beat a team like this."

Information provided by UT Sports Information and UTSports.com.