Gameday
STARKVILLE, Miss. - To use the calendar as a yardstick, Tennessee's defense looked September-like early. But late, it turned October hard.
Giving up big plays at bad times - a sign that figured in UT's two September road losses - reared its head again Saturday at Scott Field.
In the end, however, the Vols bowed their necks and finished up a 33-21 win over Mississippi State.
"We had a chance to make some plays early and we didn't because we missed some tackles,'' said defensive coordinator John Chavis. "Then we settled down after that and tackled really well.''
State's first score came on a short crossing route that turned into a 38-yard touchdown pass.
The second score, which put the Bulldogs up 14-7, was a 30-yard run by tailback Tony Dixon, who bounced outside and met slim resistance.
"Guys getting there late or whatever,'' said defensive end Xavier Mitchell, "some of the mistakes we were trying to clear up and we did a good job against Georgia (last week).
"But it kind of came back to haunt us against this Mississippi State team.''
It was Tennessee that did the haunting in the fourth quarter, playing the kind of defense it displayed last week in a convincing win over Georgia.
After State closed to 24-21, the Vols produced three consecutive stops when the Bulldogs tried to convert fourth downs.
"That was big,'' said Mitchell. "We just had to play smart on those fourth downs.''
"That,'' added linebacker Rico McCoy, "was an example of team football.
"The offense falls off for a second and the defense gets us right back in it.''
McCoy was UT's top tackler with nine total hits.
Tennessee's tackles played another strong game, clogging up the middle to contain 240-pound tailback Anthony Dixon.
"Me and Robert Ayers were talking about that on the sideline,'' said Mitchell. "In three weeks they've become beasts, monsters and they can continue to get better.''
Dan Williams had five tackles and Demonte Bolden four.
Defensive end Antonio Reynolds notched the game's only sack, when he got to MSU freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll in the final minute.
"There were some things we could have done better,'' said Chavis, "and we saw it as it happened.
"But they're learning every day. No way you can take guys for the period of time we've had them and have them ready for everything they're going to see.
"We're a work in progress.''
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 12
BigUn writes:
I thought it was a typical Chavis coached defense. Get worked over in the first half, let them have one long drive for a TD in the second half, then play bend but don't break D for the rest of the game, and talk about how much progress the Defense is making.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Still alot of missed Tackles. The guys seem more interested in big hits instead of wrapping up. When we play Ark, they better wrap up and Roll. Still much better D line play than we saw in the two big losses. TN is improving and now they need the coaching staff to get more creative. Lets roll the tide and smoke em. GO VOLS!
alfrizzle097 writes:
There is indeed improvement. Line is playing infinitely better. The linebackers are settling in. Just look at the defence though. New starters at two of the d-line positions. One new starter and one position change at linebacker. Freshman wide receiver at one corner, fifth year senior at the other, freshman cornerback at one safety, and overrated cornerback at the other safety.
They just don't have the experience or the personnel of years past. They are improving in leaps and bounds and could yet be a solid defence by the end of the year.
Colquitt being healthy has obviously helped the kicking game. Brown is filling the void that Holbert being injured left. Is Brad even healthy yet? Hardesty is finally healthy again. Point is that there have been a lot of overlooked circumstances that have been overlooked this year. The team's youth is improving and they have actually gotten healtier as the season has gone on.
Most importantly the level of competition has gone down. Florida and Cal are two very good teams. Cal would have been ranked number 1 this afternoon had Nate been able to play. Florida now has two losses but played LSU, a team I am still convinced is best in the country, down to the final drive. UT is a good team getting better that has lost to two great teams.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Defense will have to improve still, if we are too have a chance for a SEC title.Improving as we go along, just as we suspected in the preseason.But, there is never a good reason for a Tennessee defense to miss tackles, just like there is never a good reason for Tennessee to have less than a excellent o-line.Let us continue to move ahead and get better, cause the schedule is just getting tougher.bonzaivol
OldNumber7 writes:
These Tennessee defenses are dumb. Pure and simple. They head for the ball as fast as they can and don't look back. It's beyond missed tackles - it's a lack of smartness. Georgia was vanilla in their play calls - the D did fine. But against misdirection and safety-valve plays Chavis gets burned all of the time. Spurrier got weathly against these guys and Meyer is on his way. Against SC and KY - oh man it's gonna be ugly. Until these guys use more thinking and tactics outside of sheer spead and pursuit, the offenses of today will make UT pay.
cgbtn writes:
I thought the coaches were going to use Martin and Donald to generate some pass rush. If those guys are getting into games at all, their numbers aren't being called.
orvol writes:
Fire Les Miles at LSU! He lost to a perennial SEC cellar-dweller. His teams can't win a championship. He can't motivate his teams and loses to teams with inferior talent and depth! His receivers drop TD passes! On another note, people should appreciate SEC road wins and realize that sometimes things don't break your way.
Wilhelm16 writes:
If they are not playing Martin and Donald why not redshirt them and let them keep a year of eligibility.
orange71 writes:
did a tennessee coach really say that he could not get the defense ready for mississippi state?
invisiblekid writes:
"But they're learning every day. No way you can take guys for the period of time we've had them and have them ready for everything they're going to see." Sorry, but I just can't quite buy into that comment from Chavis. Our starting defense had 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 RS sophomore, and 2 freshmen yesterday. For many teams out there, that would be considered a veteran lineup. I would understand it better if we were getting consistently beaten on the outside with Berry and Vinson but most of the problems have come from a lack of tackling and containment in the front 7. Most of those guys have been on campus for at least 3 years so experience shouldn't be an issue. I am sure I will get blasted for being the "negative nellie" or whatever but the headline hits the nail on the head with my gripe. Why does the defense have to "wake up" in the fourth quarter instead of showing up from the opening kickoff?
orange71 writes:
rar-rarrh!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
I said before the game that our dbs would get hands on some passes and needed to hang on for the int ... sure enough, let a couple chances get away from 'em. Don't dbs ever practice catching the ball?
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.