Photo by News Sentinel

Jerod Mayo of Tennessee brings down Cal quarterback Nate Longshore after escaping an attempted block by tailback Marshon Lynch. Mayo had three quarterback sacks in UT’s 35-18 win last year in Knoxville.

Jerod Mayo. Sack. Jerod Mayo. Sack. Jerod Mayo. Sack.

In between all those big-play touchdowns Tennessee scored against California in the 2006 season-opener, Jerod Mayo assumed the early lead for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

Mayo’s three quarterback sacks contributed to the Golden Bears’ miserable visit to Neyland Stadium, a 35-18 UT victory that wasn’t nearly as close as the score sug-gests.

“That was him taking advantage of some opportunities and playing hard,’’ UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said Tuesday.

Funny how first impressions can often be so deceiving.

Not that Mayo didn’t go on to have a fine season, but it turned out there would be precious few sack attacks the rest of the way for the UT defense.

Tennessee finished the season with a mere 17 sacks, ranking 103rd of 119 Division teams.

California, meanwhile, tied for third in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, 13.

That irony is worth revisiting as the rematch looms Saturday.

The 17 sacks were the fewest for the Vols since 1988 and virtually half the 33 from 2005. From 1990 through 2005, UT averaged 36 sacks a year, with a record 50 in 2000.

Despite the promising start, the Vols fizzled, recording only one sack over their final four games.

That was against Kentucky, by Demonte Bolden, who makes his first start at defensive tackle Saturday.

“We can’t survive with that kind of productivity,’’ said Chavis. “We’ve got to have a better pass rush than that.’’

Mayo, a junior who has moved from outside to middle linebacker, would like to explode out of the gate Saturday in Berkeley like he did last year.

“Justin Harrell and those guys (up front) did an excellent job freeing me up on the blitzes,’’ Mayo said. “Hopefully, the same thing happens this year.

“The game plan is to get to him early and often.’’

Him is Nate Longshore, the same guy Mayo roughed up last year.

Longshore survived opening day to throw for 3,021 yards and 24 touchdowns. He and receiver DeSean Jackson, a preseason All-American, are eager for another crack at UT’s defense.

“If we let him sit there and throw the ball he can get it to anybody,’’ said Mayo.

Through spring and fall practice Chavis and his staff have emphasized turning quarterback hurries into quarterback sacks. In short, close the deal.

“Last year was not a typical year for us,’’ Chavis said.

“When you start looking at how drives are stopped, and the NFL has a big statistic on this, one of the ways to stop drives is by sacks.’’

That’s a bankable stat. Of UT’s 17 sacks last year, the opposing offense converted a first down only twice. Florida was the only opponent to survive a sack and score.

But before the Vols talk about sacks, they talk about stopping Cal’s running game.

“If we do that,’’ said defensive end Xavier Mitchell, “we make them one-dimensional and they have to throw the ball.

“Once we do that, we’re going to have to let the pass rush loose.’’

In theory, that’s how it works. But there are reasons Cal gave up so few sacks last year.

One is a very good offensive line. Another ...

“Cal is an exceptional team using play-action,’’ said head coach Phillip Fulmer. “They also do a good job moving the pocket.’’

Longshore and the pocket can move. But a Tennessee defense with quickness at nearly every position can also chase.

“We’ve got some good speed at defensive end,’’ said Chavis, “and we have good speed at some other positions on the field that we’re going to take advantage of.’’

The question, then, is can the Vols take enough advantage of that speed to close the deal?

“That’s a big key we’ve worked on since this spring,’’ said Mitchell, “and I’m looking forward to seeing what we have.’’

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