UT's goal to keep Arkansas off field

Remember that bit about the best defense being a good offense?

That's exactly how Tennessee offensive lineman Anthony Parker feels about Saturday's game against Arkansas.

Every snap the Vols' offense is on the field means a carry that won't go to Razorbacks tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

"We definitely got to be able to run the ball and keep them off the field," Parker said. "We all saw the game on Saturday when he (McFadden) ran for 320, 330 (yards). I guess a big part of our game plan will be keeping him off the field. Us running the ball is going to be a big part of us getting the victory."

The Vols tried to control the clock Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette, especially early.

In the first quarter, the Vols ran the ball 15 times and threw just eight passes.

By halftime, the Vols had rushed the ball 25 times in their 38 offensive plays and held a 24-0 lead.

That performance should inspire confidence that Tennessee's offense can control the ball, Parker said.

"As an offensive line, we've kind of wanted that all year," he said. "We got a chance to do that on Saturday, and I think we took advantage of it. I guess the coaches now will have confidence in us getting it done. We'll go out and try to get it done."

In six SEC games this season, Tennessee has won the time of possession battle three times.

The only game Tennessee won when its opponent held the ball longer was South Carolina - and the Vols had to mount a late comeback after they squandered a 21-point halftime lead.

No TV for Vandy: For the second time this season, the Vols won't be playing on television against an SEC opponent.

Tennessee's Nov. 17 game against Vanderbilt will not be televised.

An early afternoon kickoff is expected, but an official announcement has not been made.

Next week, Lincoln Financial will televise Kentucky at Georgia, while CBS will show LSU at Ole Miss.

ESPN and ESPN2 will not air SEC games that week.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Arkansas' 541 yards rushing and Darren McFadden's SEC record 321 yards in Saturday's win over South Carolina caught Parker's attention.

Only it was focused equally on the Razorbacks' Heisman Trophy candidate and the five guys blocking for him.

"Definitely says a lot about the offensive line," said Parker, UT's starting left guard. "It compliments both him and the offensive line on them going out there and executing and getting the job done."

How You Start: Tennessee and LSU remain the SEC's only unbeaten teams at home.

For the Vols, the key to their 5-0 home record has been keeping opponent off the board in the first 30 minutes.

In UT's last three home games (Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana-Lafayette), Tennessee hasn't allowed a first-half point and outscored those teams 73-0.

Extra Points: Saturday's game features the SEC's two longest tenured coaches in Arkansas' Houston Nutt (10th season) and UT's Phillip Fulmer (16th season). … Tennessee is 45-5 overall and 29-1 in SEC play at home in November since 1985.

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

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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