Mitchell, Vols want big strides for defense

The play where the junior defensive end horse-collared Air Force wingback Chad Hall, stopping a two-point conversion try to preserve a 31-30 victory in the Vols' second game of the season.

On televisions inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, the play is on a loop with other highlights from 2006.

Mitchell, whose celebration after the play sent his shoe flying toward the Tennessee sideline, is a little tired of hearing about it.

"I kind of try to downplay it," Mitchell said Tuesday. "That's one thing I do hear about throughout the year. I try to run away from it. It's in the past."

The future holds a matchup with Penn State in the Outback Bowl Jan. 1.

And hopefully a few more big plays from the Vols' defensive line. In 12 games this season, Tennessee recorded just 17 sacks. Ten of those came in the Vols' first four games against Cal, Air Force, Marshall and Florida. That total was 10th in the SEC, ahead of only Ole Miss and Alabama.

Those numbers are a little unusual for a defense led by coordinator John Chavis.

"The whole league is down a little bit," he said. "We're accustomed to being around 50 as opposed to 20.

"That's an area where we've got to improve. That's an area where we're not quite as good. Part of that's us and part of it is offenses getting rid of the football a little quicker."

The loss of experience from UT's defensive line in 2005 is well documented. Gone were Jason Hall, Parys Haralson and their 15.5 combined sacks.

Only tackle Justin Harrell, who played just three games this season, returned up front.

Last December, the Vols looked to have a possible All-American returning in Harrell plus Tony McDaniel inside. Turk McBride was slated to play end, with Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds filling on the opposite side.

Only McDaniel went pro, Harrell tore a biceps tendon and the Vols were forced into a patchwork job on the defensive front.

McBride has been the anchor, staying at defensive tackle instead of moving outside to end as planned.

"It's been like which hole do you want to plug next? He's been the one that we can plug it with," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I don't know where we'd be without him."

Even with a solid group of linebackers and a great secondary, it's a scary thought.

The Vols finished ninth in the SEC in total defense and 50th in the country.

Its run defense, ranked No. 2 in the nation last year, gave up an average of 143.7 yards to finish eighth in the conference and 71st nationally.

Despite those numbers, Chavis said he was pleased with his team's effort.

But he also expects results more in line with past Tennessee defenses.

"When you look at things, you don't ever want to make excuses," Chavis said. "We need to be better. We had a lot of inexperience. We're not used to giving up that kind of rushing yardage here at Tennessee. We've set the standard pretty high, and we've got to get better. Part of it's tackling."

Oddly enough, the Vols finished 5-6 in 2005 through no fault of the defense. This year, despite having an off year by the defense's standards, the Vols are 9-3.

"It's strange," Mitchell said. "Being a part of a defense like we were in 2005, that just goes to show you how much of a team game this is. When we slacked, the offense definitely picked us up this year. I attribute the wins this year to just being a great team effort on special teams, offense and defense."