John Chavis assessed the mood of his defensive players in the locker room at halftime Monday night. Tennessee trailed LSU 21-0, the season was swirling down the drain, yet the Vols' defensive coordinator sensed neither a rah-rah speech nor an extended chalk talk was in order.

This wasn't his first hoedown.

"To be honest with you,'' Chavis said Wednesday, "I talked to 'em less this halftime than I ever have.

"I felt like they would be ready to play. Attitude-wise, they were determined to come out and get it done.''

Chavis' diagnosis was on the money.

There would have been no season-saving comeback in the second half at LSU, no 30-27 overtime win, if the Vols' defense hadn't been dominant.

Without the defense throwing a blanket over LSU's playmakers, Rick Clausen's back-from-the-scrapheap revival at quarterback would have been a feel-good story, but not in the context of victory that sends the Vols into Saturday's visit from Ole Miss on the upbeat.

Chavis' troops allowed LSU only four first downs and 56 yards in the second half and overtime combined.

In the fourth quarter, the Vols were able to overcome a 17-point deficit because LSU did not manage a first down and ran a mere 11 plays to UT's 24.

"We played terrible in the first half,'' said tailback Gerald Riggs. "For them to keep in the game and not give up was crucial to us.

"For them to do that, that saved the ballgame for us.''

The defense also saved the opener, holding UAB to 10 points on a day when the Vols sputtered and scored only 17.

At Florida, the defense allowed only one touchdown. The Gators' three field goals in a 16-7 win were more attributable to UT's special-teams breakdowns than porous defense.

After three games, UT ranks first in the SEC and fourth nationally in rushing defense (73 yards a game).

The Vols rank 13th in scoring defense (17.7 points) and 23rd in total defense (279.3 yards).

"I felt like we'd be pretty good if our secondary was solid and they're playing solid,'' head coach Phillip Fulmer said.

"I didn't think they (the defense) would have to carry the whole load like they have but they've been more than willing to do that.''

Chavis figured the front seven would be rock solid. It has been and gets even stronger now that suspendees Tony McDaniel, Robert Ayers and Daniel Brooks are back in the mix.

The secondary has been a work in progress, which was to be expected with Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart new to the safety positions.

Jason Allen is a future pro at cornerback. As for the other corner, Jonathan Wade got a battlefield promotion ahead of Roshaun Fellows at LSU.

Hefney was one of the heroes at LSU. His interception and 26-yard return set up the Tennessee score to get to 24-21.

"From a fundamental standpoint, he was where he was supposed to be,'' said secondary coach Larry Slade. "He had great vision, he intercepted it and he has the athletic ability to do something with it once he gets it.''

Chavis admits he's pleased with Hefney and Stewart getting the job done as tacklers in the secondary, a key ingredient in the run defense.

"That was probably my biggest concern going in,'' Chavis said. "I'm really proud of what we've gotten done in the secondary.

"Now our focus has to get toward Ole Miss in a hurry.''

And if the late-arriving offense decides to stay at the party, nobody will complain.

"We understand,'' said Allen, "that football is a 60-minute game and a team effort.

"This is all about us jelling as a team and having each other's back.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.