Saving Mr. Clean

The redshirt freshman center beams like a new father when he talks about Erik Ainge staying on his feet during a game.

"He’s like our pride and joy back there," McNeil said. "We don’t want him to get touched."

Entering Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Alabama (TV: WVLT), Ainge has been sacked just five times in six games.

That’s tied with Pittsburgh and Arkansas for eighth nationally. The seventh-ranked Vols (5-1, 1-1 SEC) are tied with the Razorbacks for the conference lead.

UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe takes plenty of pride in Ainge’s clean jersey, too.

"That’s really special," he said.

Don’t look for Ainge to get too dirty against the Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2), either.

Through seven games, Alabama has recorded just six sacks, which rank the Tide 113th in Division I football and last in the SEC.

Only four players have recorded sacks for Alabama this season, three of whom are linebackers.

Defensive end Bobby Greenwood is the only lineman with a sack this season.

In half the games Ainge has played, he’s gone untouched, and Florida's defense was the only one that brought consistent pressure.

"We had some pass-protection breakdowns in the Florida game," Cutcliffe said. "Outside of that, it really hasn’t been a big issue. Florida had something to do with that. At the same time, we’ve made a commitment to get better in that area."

Since that game, Marshall managed a pair of sacks and Georgia got one, on a safety blitz by Tra Battle.

While the offensive line leads the way, there’s plenty of credit to go around.

"It’s a combination of receivers being ready when they’re supposed to be ready, the quarterback understanding the timing and certainly the protectors — backs, tight ends and linemen — getting their jobs done," Cutcliffe said.

They sure did against Georgia.

In that game, a 51-33 victory, tackles Eric Young and a banged up Arron Sears kept Georgia defensive ends Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses in check.

"As far as two players like Johnson and Quentin at Georgia, me and Sears took it like we had a big challenge," Young said.

Says Ainge: "They showed you what they did against two potential first-round draft picks last week. Arron Sears with one arm and one leg went out there and beat up a potential first-round defensive end."

While Tennessee’s pass protection has been stellar, its biggest challenge has been running the football consistently.

Guard David Ligon bristles when the Vols’ minus-11 rushing yards against Florida are mentioned.

"You think about it, and it comes in your mind, and you’re like, ‘Man, I wish we could play Florida again,’ " he said. "But you can’t. It’s part of the game. I think we’re a lot better. I think it’s mostly the game experience that’s helped us out."

The numbers show that improvement.

After Florida, the Vols rushed for 176 yards against Marshall and 205 against Memphis.

Against Georgia’s highly touted defensive front, the Vols managed 115.

That number is slightly below the 121 rushing yards Alabama’s defense allows a game.

So far, the Vols have leaned on their passing game. And that all starts with giving Ainge time to make plays.

"That’s a huge pride thing for us," McNeil said. "To walk off the field and we’re all dirty and bloody, and he looks as pretty as he did when he came out there."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.