Defensive ends play role for interceptions

There is no shame in being outshined by Tennessee's defensive backs.

Nevertheless, UT's defensive ends deserve a tip of the cap following a 34-3 win over Mississippi State in which they had 2 1/2 sacks.

Statistics, however, don't completely tell the tale of a victorious Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.

UT's defensive ends harassed quarterback Tyson Lee and Wesley Carroll to the point where they would often run from the pocket even when it was still intact.

The pressure certainly affected their decision making when throwing downfield.

"Quarterbacks don't like getting hit," defensive backs coach Larry Slade said. "There were a couple of those interceptions where the ball was just thrown out there."

Lee threw three interceptions into UT's vaunted secondary, ending the Bulldogs' upset hopes.

"With the pressure, you're not going to get the ball thrown perfectly," said safety Eric Berry, who returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown. "We just have to be there to make that play."

The two units went hand-in-hand.

"As a defensive end, those are your best friends," senior defensive end Robert Ayers said. "They make life easier on you when they give you that extra second."

At times it seemed like Brown was also working hand-in-hand with State offensive tackle Quentin Saulsberry.

"He's a good player (but) he's young," said Brown, who had four tackles, a tackle for a loss, 1/2 sack and a quarterback hurry.

Ayers took note.

"I actually wanted to get on his side to see what it was like. He was killing him," said Ayers, who had two tackles and a sack.

Injury Report: Offensive guard Anthony Parker and receiver Gerald Jones both suffered high ankle sprains. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said both will be evaluated this week to determine if they'll be available for next Saturday's game against No. 2 Alabama.

"He's definitely the best player on our line," guard Jacques McClendon said of Parker. "None of us are going to able to play at the level he's playing.

"But as a unit we can pick it up and come out and play like we did tonight and get results."

Side-Stepping Starter: Guard Vladimir Richard made his first career start. Richard has played in 27 games and regularly plays in UT's offensive line rotation.

Richard started against State in place of McClendon, who had started 19 consecutive games.

Richard said his experience allowed him to stay calm in his first start. Richard was so calm he could even be seen dancing during timeouts.

"Oh by far I'm the best dancer on the offensive line," Richard said. "I truly believe I'm one of the best dancers on the team."

Ascending Arian: Tailback Arian Foster recorded 40 rushing yards against State, giving him 2,775 career yards.

Foster is 304 yards shy of becoming UT's all time leading rusher. Travis Henry holds that title with 3,078 rushing yards.

Whether or not Foster achieves that mark, it's already been a record-breaking season.

The senior had 669 career touches on rushes, receptions and returns coming into Saturday's game. That's a UT record and the only non-quarterback to eclipse the 600-touch milestone.

Warren Report: Former Alcoa High School tight end Brandon Warren played a limited role. Warren, who had one catch for three yards, was listed as UT's third-string tight end behind fellow sophomore Luke Stocker and junior Jeff Cottam.

The Attendance: The announced crowd was 98,239. That figure is based on tickets sold, not actual attendance.

Estimates by several media members had the crowd in the 85,000 range.

In Attendance: Former wrestler Diamond Dallas Page was on the sidelines. The Vols use a yoga program Page developed.

Bowling?: For some reason officials from the Capital One Bowl were in attendance.

It seems highly unlikely that either UT or State would be selected by the bowl based in Orlando, Fla., which has the first SEC pick among non-BCS bowls.

Mims Tribute: UT aired a video tribute for former defensive lineman Chris Mims on the big screen during the first quarter. Mims was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment on Wednesday. The cause of death is still unknown.

Mims played for UT in 1990 and 1991 before playing eight seasons in the NFL.