Video
Defensive coordinator for UT, John Chavis, talks about the shortcomings of the Vol defense against NIU and the need to make more big plays. Watch »
Video
Coach Phillip Fulmer talks to the media Tuesday, Oct. 7 about how the team did against NIU and the upcoming game against Georgia. Watch »
Media day interviews
Tennessee Stat Book
Georgia Bulldogs
Defense wins championships.
Hang around any college football team for any length of time, and you're bound to hear the phrase.
Most of the time it rings true, as it did for Tennessee on the way to a national title in 1998. But lately, a strong defense alone doesn't exactly equate to championships - or even a lot of wins - for Tennessee.
Despite having the SEC's best defense in yardage allowed this season heading into Saturday's game (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.) at No. 10 Georgia, UT remains 2-3 and winless in conference play.
That trend is frustrating for defensive end Wes Brown although, he said there hasn't been any finger pointing.
"It can be frustrating," Brown said. "But if we win 41-40 or if we win 3-2, whatever the case may be, we just want to win the game. Defensively, we're not satisfied. We're 2-3. We want to make the other team score less points so we can win. Right now, we just want to win. Do anything for a win right now."
The obvious comparison is 2005, when Tennessee finished 5-6 despite a defense that allowed 18.6 points a game, finished second in the nation in total defense and second in the nation against the run.
Last season, Tennessee's defense was down for much of the year. It steadily improved, especially in the secondary, but the Vols finished 70th in the nation and 10th in the SEC in total defense and 61st in scoring defense. Despite all that, UT's offense was productive enough to average 32.5 points per game and help pave the way to Atlanta for the SEC championship game.
"If I had my druthers, I'd probably be great on defense and really good on offense and great in the kicking game," Fulmer said, smiling.
Tennessee's defense certainly has done its part this year.
In addition to ranking fifth in the nation and tops in the SEC in total defense at 244.4 yards per game, the Vols are eighth in the SEC and 26th nationally in scoring defense with 16.6 points allowed per game.
That total isn't all on the defense, either. Take away a UCLA punt-block touchdown, a Florida punt-return touchdown and a fumbled snap in the end zone Auburn recovered for a touchdown, and UT would rank fourth in the conference.
Yet even with its success, defensive coordinator John Chavis isn't totally pleased with his defense.
"Our offense will get it going. I've seen a tremendous amount of improvement in them," Chavis said. "The big thing is we've got to go get stops. We've got to get off the field. We need to get our average plays per possession down to give our offense more time to score, and then we need to make some big plays.
"We've done a great job getting turnovers in terms of interceptions, but we don't have a fumble recovery. We haven't made that happen this year."
UT's offense is focused on making things happen from here on out. They got a spark from quarterback Nick Stephens last week, who provided two of UT's three longest pass plays this season against Northern Illinois. But UT's offense, which ranks 109th in the nation in passing efficency and 106th in points per game, has all but cancelled out the defense's strong start.
Still, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said there's no set formula for winning ballgames.
"You can do it a lot of different ways," Fulmer said. "It doesn't matter. You can win ugly, just as long as you win. Find a way to win. That's what we need to do right at this moment. We've had our struggles offensively, not only not making plays to win the game, but we've made plays that lost the game."
And despite recent history, Chavis says defense is still a must to win championships.
"If you're going to win championships," he said, "it's a fact you've got to play not good, but you've got to play great defense."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 155
soccervol writes:
First
tenuscvol writes:
I belive Nick and the supporting class will give us a good offense (not great,.. at least no this year)
If the defense plays well and the O-line can allow use to have some resemblence of a running game and passing game then we'll probable win more than loose for the rest of the year...
eduardo writes:
Showcase the punter! brilliant!
Doobz15 writes:
Our offense right now is devastating to our team's success. If it is 3rd down and more than 10 I say we just go ahead and do a surprise punt. Then we don't have to worry about our punt coverage.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
All this talk about certain aspects of our game, but none of it matters if you don't get the "W".
Somewhere along the way we've confused "Experience" with "Excellence". Preseason talk has typically focused on "returning players"--that means nothing! If you're not a good player, experience alone isn't going to convert you into a good player.
Our O-Line is not good and we have no receivers that represent a deep-threat. Unfortunately, our team has more problems than just offense. Stats may be on the side of our Defense, but we've left a lot of missed tackles on the field the past several seasons. In addition, how many times have we given up a passing TD without a DB around? Quite a few times. It's one thing to get scored on with good coverage, yet it's another thing to get scored upon with bad coverage.
vols1314 writes:
True we have not had any fumble recoveries this year on offense and yes I do mean offense. Our defense cannot come up with that 3rd down stop. It kills me to watch us force the other team have a 3rd and 7 and they get a 8 yard play.
Go Vols! Beat Georgia!
britt writes:
Last 2 years Ga has brought out the best in us. If we could score half as much as last time we were there we might win.
RockyTopReign writes:
I think Sat. proved we have more problems than just QB. Everyone wanted to blame Crompton for the problems but when guys miss blocks can't catch a ball that touches their hands (which is what a college reciever should do), or can't create seperation which i haven't seen a reciever do consistantly, or a Sr. running back can't hold on to the ball. it goes beyond QB. Crompton scored 13 against Auburn, Stephens played well and scored 13 against NIU.?!?!?! Special teams started the loss to Fla but the offense as a whole is terrible. By the way recruiting The 3rd QB in the nation is pretty good and you think you will be in good shape but who knows he would have flopped. It's college fball things happen. I think that Fulmer and Clawson need another year to try this offense. it takes time on a new system. We are moving the ball at times but are having too many individuals screw up.
VolinCalif writes:
Doob
The Gen. would love you.
thevoice writes:
Duh, when you give up a fumble on your own 3 and 7 points, kick directly to a superstar who returned for another 7, and similar miscues, sure your scoring defense is going to look bad. But as far as giving up true (earned on offense) defensive points, yeah we're pretty darn good.
Ironcity writes:
Anyone here who believes this defense is great is fooling themselves.UF could have rung up 50 but had no reason to. Our defense is better then last year but far worse then 5th in the country. If our ends finally decide that they are allowed to rush the passer on 3rd and long then maybe we can be a top 20 defensive team.
gnm53108 writes:
Get this Offense on tract and this team will be one to be proud of.
Not ready to throw Clawson under the bus yet,with his credentials and tract record we should give him atleast a year,or two?He was a very popular hire.
Just hope that hire dosen't cause Coach Fulmer,for NOW the second best coach in Tennessee history,to leave the university in any other way besides a Champion.
Beat Georgia
Go VOLS!
BigVolOnBoard writes:
Chavis must get tired carrying Fulmer all the time.
YOU TELL 'EM JOHNNY
thevoice writes:
I agree. Stephens looks like a guy who is very coachable, has some healthy swagger, talent, football IQ, arm, passion, and some excitement. Whoever's coaching this team next year should have fun. A young OL may need some luck though, because we should have a slew of RBs, TEs and maybe WRs.
Good or bad, we may end up winning a few more games this year (SC, WY, and MSU). Way to go Fulmer, thanks for putting the best players on the field to start the season!
thevoice writes:
I'm not saying our defense is great, but it has "carried" us to 2-3. Do you think Urban really backed off? UF's offense is down this year. Ole Miss beat them last week, remember?
BillsBrother writes:
Stats may say the "D" is good, but they give up the 3rd and long too often. Still, they are the bright spot on our team.
I'll be really happy this Saturday if the VOLS can prove the old adage that the best defense is a good offense!
Jed writes:
This offense kills me. No fundamentals, stupid mistakes in 2005...Cutcliffe comes back, fundamentally sound, prepared, consistency...2008, no fundamentals, stupid mistakes, no consistency on offense. Fulmer cannot put together at least a consistent team on both sides anymore. DECENT on offense, and we're at least 3-1.
gnm53108 writes:
Atleast!
Add a decent special teams?
RussellP writes:
Actually, the Vols are due for an upset and I have a hunch it might happen Saturday. Just a hunch, but imagine how it could put this season and this program back on track if we could upset Georgia!!
Volalumnus writes:
The Defense is not that good.
I think we were leading the SEC in offense at one point this year and we can see how important those stats were/are.
The defense has looked bad when their backs are against the way when playing what we now know are teams that are also struggling on offense.
We need a top down change of staff because the coaching just isn't good.
gnm53108 writes:
Agree?I think...
Are you blaming Coach Fulmer for Foster's lack of touchdown production?
That would be Coach Clawson's responsibility.
Are you blaming Coach Fulmer for the Clawson hire?
I could understand that but would like to atleast see the season play out before we pass final judgement.
It sure hasn't started off good.Now thats a understatement.Hopefully alot of our problems will be fixed with QB Change.
I have to agree with ya on our running game.Not so much for the personell,well maybe a little,but number of running plays called.Thats clearly our strength.50/50?Should be more like 70/30 run to pass.IMO
Enjoy the beer.
ummmm..BEER.
khelton657 writes:
Foster definitely isn't getting the job done, don't know that he ever really has but at least he is smart enough to keep his mouth shut..unlike Crompton
khelton657 writes:
also, re: Foster, if the offensive line is doing as much damage to the RB's as it is to the QB's, then it is a wonder we are getting 2 yds per carry. Cutcliff left ,discipline went with him as did the peformance.
BSweet writes:
Adding offense would help, but so would adding good coaching/fundamentals.
GreerVol22 writes:
Anyone watch Phil's press conference? Is it me or would he rather be in Montana fishin'? I mean there is no passion in his eyes or inflection in his tone. I think these boys are tired of hearing about the past and how great they could be....
Bueller.....Bueller.....Bueller
waterskier3#226480 writes:
these stats are misleading 1. the teams we've played have not been the best offen in sec... fla let up on us because they new we couldn't score but moved the ball and scored at will when they wanted and two auburn is worst than we are on off... so lets hold on until a few more sec games...
remember ucla... couldn't stop them in 4th qtr... please chavis is a joke just like phil...
kent has the best d until they met ala last weekend......lol
1982_35_28 writes:
Even in '05 we had one great game (at LSU). Is this week that game?
BIGEJ writes:
Blah, Blah, etc......GO Vols.
Striker writes:
UT's Offense is horrible, UT's Defense is slightly above average, & UGA is overrated. Its a fact, love um' or hate um', facts are facts folks. UT couldnt muster up more than 21 points if things go very well. If all aspects of each team go as expected we are looking at something like 28-10 UGA.
I will pull for UT and do want coaching changes, but its impossible to pull for a rival. We can all dream that UT will upset the dawgs, and stranger things have happened, but when UT takes another loss this weekend all hope is lost and thier motivation will be shot. It will go from very bad to HORRIBLE. Just think what the product will then look like on the field next home game............
1982_35_28 writes:
Striker...glass half empty?
txvolsfan writes:
Ironcity I agree about UF and hanging 50, But most of those points would have been scored on the offense and on special teams. The defense actually played pretty well.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Some think our "great" game ability left for Durham.
We'll know shortly.
vtvol#210290 writes:
What is disturbing is the Tennessean is reporting that Nick Stephens is only getting a majority of the reps and not all of them. Stephens needs all the practice he can get to be successful this Saturday. I don't get it.
Striker writes:
Ya think...
1982_35_28 writes:
Foster scored 3 tds in both the 2006 and 2007 GA games. Can he do it again?
fedupvol writes:
"UT's offense is focused on making things happen from here on out."
Is that to say they weren't focused before.....hmmm??? It will be "UGA"LY this week end even if D shows up....Philly says you can win games a lot of different ways....does that include even with lousy offense, lousy special teams, lousy game plans, lousy coaches?
GreerVol22 writes:
vtvol, I agree. If your gonna give the kid the keys to the car, then let him do a little more than just back it out of the garage.
kingsport..."If you had access to a car like this, would you take it back right away?"
Feris B.
leedsvol2007 writes:
If you look at us defensively we have been pretty good. Last year early in the season our front four performed poorly. It was evidenced by the fact that the secondary was making most of the tackles.
As the season progressed the linebackers began making most of the tackles showing that the front had gotten better.
The trend has continued this year with the continued good play of Demonte Bolden and the big improvement in Wes Brown and Dan Williams and now with Martin and Walker showing progress.
The secondary is much deeper and more talented than last year and not devastated by injuries.
That said I won't consider this a great defense until we get more 3 and outs.
This week is big test in that it is the first team we play that will have both an outstanding QB and known sound running game. Florida showed a running game against us but was suspect coming into the game.
If we can get great defense then all we need will be competent offense. To date our red zone play has been abysmal, we have turned the ball over way to much, and our quarterback play has been poor at best.
It looks as though Stephens can grow as a QB and if he can take some pressure off the linemen up front we should be able to then run the football.
Based on what we have seen this season we need to play conservatively other than the occasional long pass attempt in our end and attack in the opponents end.
With Colquitt back hopefully we will be able to start winning the field position battles.
Great defense wins championships in conjunction with competent offense. To date we have been anything but competent on offense.
GoVols!
Striker writes:
Dude.....
GreerVol22 writes:
word...
GreerVol22 writes:
striker, I thnk he drank from the orange coffee pot this morning...switch to decaf.. and chill.
dirtdobber1 writes:
maybe will see sum Mustang Package saturday.
JayTee writes:
Capt. Junuh said "This could get embarrassing". Bagger Vance replied "No sir it got embarrassing a long time ago".
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read - www.ajc.com/blogs/content/sharedblogs on Will Tenn Make its Last Stand?
Also how there is no buzz for this game in Athens.
Who knew we didn't have 'em impressed?
KennesawVol writes:
YUUUM!! Foster's Beer!!
Striker writes:
So it seems, and apparently had a little too much
xvolx writes:
if foster is in the backfield, you can forget about a running game. no speed and carries ball loosely. fulmer will sacrifice team to keep his promise to foster. fulmer needs to go, but it will take a crowbar and team of mules to get him out.
Docrok writes:
I must agree with some of the other posts, our defense is not the 5th best defense in the country. Its not even the 5th best defense in SEC East. However I attribute our defensive shortcomings to poor play calling by the defensive coaches. Against Auburn in the 4th quarter with less than two minutes to play 3rd and 7, needing only a first down to seal a win, our defensive back plays 8 yards on the reciever who caught the first down, because the coach thought he was gonna do an out and up and go long. So the reciever does and out and gets the first down and the game is over. Now I am not blaming the loss on the defense, I am merely pointing out a mindset. Our defense is talented enough to have made that play but as was the case then and many other times, when we needed it our defense fell just short. Ole Miss held FL on 4th and 1, a play we gave up everytime. Its about consistency! Making a play when you have to make a play. Too many times under Chavis our defense used the bend dont break attitude till their backs are against the wall, (the endzone) and then they cant make the play
Go4Two writes:
Docrok
That's right don't let the facts get in the way of our defense rankings 244 yard per game.
Docrok writes:
Mikevol
Facts of 244 yards per game against a very bad UCLA team, a very very Bad Auburn offense, worse than ours as sad as that is, and against a bad NIU team. UCLA and NIU were playing with 3rd string QBs!
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