Adams: Vols' defense making a stand on behalf of offense

How fast can you go with the defense carrying the offense on its back?

The Vols' third consecutive victory wasn't much different from their last two. They beat Alabama 17-13 as they beat Georgia and Ole Miss - with just enough offense and plenty of defense.

"Defensively, we stepped up big," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "But we left them on the field way too long."

That was by choice. And it was the right choice.

With 6:26 to play, UT had a first down on its 20-yard line. On it next three plays, it ran Gerald Riggs into the heart of the Alabama defense.

Net gain: five yards and thousands of boos from the Neyland Stadium crowd.

You bet it was conservative. And it should have been.

In fact, the way UT's offense and defense have been performing, you shouldn't have faulted Fulmer if he had ordered a punt on third down.

For supporting evidence, I submit a 78-yard UT drive that died in the arms of Alabama linebacker Cornelius Wortham at the Tide's 2-yard line. On third-and-1 at the Alabama 4, the Vols eschewed one of those boring off-tackle plays in favor of a pass, which Wortham intercepted.

That same play probably would have clicked for a touchdown in the first three games. And then you would have worried whether the defense could hold a 10-point lead for more than a quarter.

Not anymore. UT's offense and defense are headed in opposite directions.

You want to win a game in the fourth quarter? Punt the ball and bring on the defense.

The offense that averaged 38 points with relative ease in the first three games has averaged 16.8 in the last four. The defense that gave up 24 points per game in the first four games has given up 14.7 points in the last three.

"The tackles we missed early, we're not missing now," said UT senior linebacker Kevin Burnett, who had 11 tackles against the Tide. "The big thing: We eliminated busts."

If the offense could do the same, UT might truly resemble a championship team. Instead, it's a team teetering on the edge of defeat. Or, as Fulmer put it, "We're living very dangerously."

The defense seems comfortable with that. It's playing as good in the clutch as the offense did in a 30-28 victory over Florida a month ago. The more it accomplishes, the more that's asked of it.

"Coach challenged us to get turnovers," Burnett said. "They said, 'Don't wait for the offense to score.' "

So defensive end Parys Haralson picked up a fumble on Alabama's first possession and ran 18 yards for a touchdown. How's that for following instructions?

But don't judge the defense by that one touchdown. Judge it by Alabama's 105 yards rushing -- 138 yards below its SEC-leading average. Judge it by the way it bowed up on Alabama's last threat.

The Tide had a first down on the UT 37 when freshman cornerback Jonathan Hefney hit fullback Tim Castille for a 3-yard loss following a pass completion. On the next play, safety Corey Campbell intercepted a Spencer Pennington pass.

It was an appropriate way to finish off the Tide and continue the turnaround of UT's defense. The secondary, which was a glaring weakness in the first four games, has suddenly become proficient in the clutch. In fact, UT has become better at defending the pass than completing it.

The Vols' offensive struggles say something for the caliber of their opponents. They also indicate that opposing defenses have a better bead on what the Vols are doing.

A team living dangerously needs a counter-attack. Fast.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.