KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs added one more assignment to his long list of responsibilities.The face of Tennessees program also has become the voice of its offense. Coaches and teammates say theyve noticed a difference in him this year in that regard. He doesnt hesitate to let the entire offense know when something needs to be corrected or when someones done something well.Hes definitely more vocal, senior guard Dylan Wiesman said. He stands up and hell get on guys and call them out. That has definitely improved. That is whats making him a better leader.Dobbs, whose 22 career starts lead all active Southeastern Conference quarterbacks, downplays the changes in his leadership approach. The senior said he has always tried to lead ever since taking over the starting spot for good late in the 2014 season.But he acknowledges he has made a few tweaks to his leadership style.Im just being myself, pushing my teammates, holding them to a higher standard, Dobbs said. Ive always held them to a high standard and have said things when needed, but this year its just holding them to an even higher standard than I have in the past. Im glad theyre seeing that and theyre responding to it well.No. 9 Tennessee has its highest preseason ranking since 2005 as it heads into Thursdays opener with Appalachian State. Tennessee is seeking its first conference title since its 1998 national championship.Dobbs is making sure the Volunteers understand whats at stake.If were not executing, hell let us know, junior wide receiver Josh Malone said. If in a certain period of practice were not executing, well start that whole entire period over and make sure were executing that period of practice.Dobbs willingness to face challenges on and off the field explains why Tennessee coach Butch Jones says that when you look at the definition of a student-athlete, it starts with Josh Dobbs.Dobbs has rushed for 1,160 yards and 19 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He threw for 2,291 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2015.His classroom performance is also impressive. Dobbs majors in aerospace engineering and made the SEC Academic Honor Roll last each of the last two years.Dobbs wants to design airplanes when hes done playing football and has spent portions of the last two summers performing internships for Pratt & Whitney. His latest internship took place in Montreal, and Dobbs said it gave him an opportunity to test out the French he had learned in high school.I could hear it well, Dobbs said. But speaking it, I was a little rusty.Malone decided to sit in on one of Dobbs engineering classes last summer before they started a workout. Malone said the experience left his mind blown.Im just more fascinated he can handle that challenge and still perform on the field, Malone said.Dobbs latest assignment is to improve his passing accuracy. Dobbs threw just five interceptions last season but he completed only 59.6 percent of his passes, down from 63.3 percent in 2014. He has talked about trying to get his completion percentage up to 65 or even 70 percent.Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord says Dobbs still performed well enough that Tennessee ranked second in the SEC in third-down efficiency last season, but he added that the seniors accuracy has really improved this summer.DeBord also described the change in the way Dobbs is communicating with teammates and really taking control of the offense.He knows all of us, he knows how to work with all of us and knows how to talk to all of us, which is a pretty important part of being a leader, Wiesman said. You have to know how to talk to your guys. He has that connection with all of us.Just him getting closer with everybody has allowed him to be a great leader because he knows how to talk to us, how to motivate us.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Cheap Andy Pettitte Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Cheap Carlos Lee Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.cheapastrosjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-evan-gattis-jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Cheap Justin Verlander Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Cheap Jose Altuve Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida States Tarvarus McFadden possesses the most important thing successful cornerbacks must have -- a short memory.In a game earlier this season against North Carolina, McFadden was called for pass interference, allowing the Tar Heels to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired. Since that Oct. 1 loss, McFadden is the first Seminoles player in nine years to record an interception in three straight games and leads the nation with six picks.Its not always easy when things dont go your way. I think its just natural to go in the tank a little bit but youve just got to play the next play, said McFadden as the 19th-ranked Seminoles (5-3, 2/3 ACC) travel to North Carolina State on Saturday. Things are going to happen, youve just got to know how to bounce back.McFaddens six interceptions are the most by an FSU player since Patrick Robinson also had six in 2007. The previous high for a player during Jimbo Fishers tenure was four in 2010. Robinson also was the last player to have an interception in three or more straight games (he had picks in five straight the same season).When it comes to the single-season school record though, McFadden is only halfway there. Terrell Buckley had 12 in 1991. After getting just nine interceptions all of last season, Florida State already has 11 and has forced a turnover in all eight games.McFadden has started every game this season, taking over the spot that Jalen Ramsey occupied last season before he was drafted fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. McFadden was tested often by opposing quarterbacks early in the season and allowed five touchdowns the first six games.Fisher and teammates though have lauded McFaddens consistency as of late. Defensive end Demarcus Walker has also noted that McFadden is learning how to prepare like a top-flight corner.Whhen I was a sophomore I thought I could come to the game ready, Walker said.dddddddddddd But you have to study your opponent, prepare and practice. It comes with maturity.Most of McFaddens interceptions have come against highly rated quarterbacks. Louisvilles Lamar Jackson remains the consensus favorite for the Heisman while Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Chad Kelly (Mississippi) and Brad Kaaya (Miami) are regarded near the top of quarterback draft prospects for next years NFL Draft.Two of the interceptions have come in the end zone, including one on Oct. 8 against Miami where the Seminoles converted that into a go-ahead touchdown.McFadden is part of a Florida State secondary that has been beset by injuries. Safety Derwin James suffered a knee injury in the Sept. 10 win over Charleston Southern and Nate Andrews is out for the rest of the season after a torn pectoral muscle at Miami. Ermon Lane, who was playing receiver at the start of the season, has moved over to safety.That secondary will be tested by a North Carolina State passing attack that has done a better job generating big plays. The Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3) are fourth in the ACC with 15 pass plays of 30 yards or more after having 17 all of last season.Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren said he expects Florida State to use a lot of man and press coverage.Fisher is hoping that McFaddens development can continue over the final four games of the regular season.Hes rebounded and played very well, Fisher said. He still has a ways to go. I dont mean that in a bad way. I think hes developing and has a chance to be a really good player.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Joe Reedy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joereedy China Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale NFL Gear Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys ' ' '