TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When Tennessee defended the red zone on Saturday, it seemed to turn a shade darker.

Crimson, perhaps.

On a bad day, UT’s defense was at its worst with its back to the goal line in a 41-17 loss at Alabama.

On five trips inside UT’s 20-yard line, ’Bama scored four touchdowns and a field goal.

And it wasn’t just Tide execution that rang up the scoreboard. Second chances by the Vols made it much easier for their hated rivals.

Defensive tackle Dan Williams was called for a personal foul when officials said he roughed Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson on third down early in the first quarter. Given another chance, Wilson threw a touchdown pass to Terry Grant two plays later.

That series never might have happened had the Vols not been called for offsides just three plays earlier on a fourth-and-1.

On Alabama’s next trip to the red zone, safeties Jonathan Hefney and Eric Berry look confused as DJ Hall caught a touchdown pass between them.

That wouldn’t be the last time Berry would struggle in the shadow of his own goalpost. The freshman was called for pass interference on third-and-3. On the next play, Wilson found Hall for another touchdown.

“It’s kind of one of those games where you look back and asked what happened,” senior linebacker Ryan Karl said.

The Vols didn’t limit their struggles to the “Crimson” zone. UT’s secondary struggled early and often, regularly playing soft coverage against the Tide.

“We just got beat, wasn’t too much we can do about it,” Hefney said. “We went out there and played as hard as we could, but the game didn’t fall the way we wanted it to.”

At the same time, it seemed all of Wilson’s passes were falling exactly the way he wanted — into his receiver’s hands.

Wilson threw for 301 yards in the first three quarters to seal the game. The junior ended with 363 yards and three touchdowns, completing 32 of 46 passes.

“His numbers speak for themselves,” UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “The kid had a great day.”

Head coach Phillip Fulmer didn’t seem surprised that the Crimson Tide went after UT’s secondary, which starts two freshmen.

“That just makes sense, doesn’t it?” Fulmer said. “You’ve got two freshmen out there.”

The key was keeping potential eligible receivers in to pass block for Wilson, much like Cal did for Nate Longshore in UT’s season-opening loss.

Much like the Cal game, UT couldn’t pressure the passer, especially without blitzing. Against ’Bama, the Vols only had one sack and one QB hurry.

“We didn’t get enough pressure to help our secondary,” defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said. “It’s obvious to see that. When we did, it seemed like the quarterback was able to pick up some yards on us.”

Wilson’s ground game was certainly a factor, as he rushed for 28 yards, often in key situations. With tailback Terry Grant’s 106 yards leading the way for ’Bama, the Crimson Tide rushed for 147 yards.

Much of those yards should be credited to Wilson’s career passing day.

“He got in a rhythm,” Hefney said. “Whatever we sent at him, he countered.”

Playing soft zone and not blitzing certainly seemed to play in Wilson’s favor as he led the Tide on three drives of nine plays or more in the first half, encompassing 14 minutes, 37 seconds.

In the end, ’Bama dominated the time of possession: 37:38 to 22:22.

“I think we were expecting them to run a little more,” Karl said. “They came out and surprised us with the passing.”

In a game where so much went wrong for UT, Mayo felt the need to take the blame as the Vols were outgained by ’Bama 510 yards to 362.

“The defense takes this loss on our shoulders,” Mayo said, “and we just have to get better for next week.”

And quick, as South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier also has been known to test a defense or two.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.