It's hard to savor in the wake of a heartbreaking 27-24 overtime loss to UCLA, but for the better part of that unforgettable game in the Rose Bowl, Tennessee's defense dominated.

"There were a lot of positives," defensive coordinator John Chavis said following Thursday's practice on Haslam Field. "For 50 minutes, we played as well as we're capable of playing.

"What we've got to do is learn to finish. That's what we're doing right now."

Now don't think Chavis was pleased by everything that happened Monday night.

It's quite the opposite. Chavis called the loss as disappointing as he's ever been a part of. And the off-week isn't helping.

"I'd rather be playing," Chavis said. "You get thrown off the horse and you get back on."

Chavis blamed busted assignments by the Vols while lauding UCLA for two fourth quarter, comeback drives en route to an overtime victory.

"We let one get away that we should have won," Chavis said.

Even with an off-week before UAB arrives here on Sept. 13, Chavis is zoned in.

"You've got to be hungry and you've got to take it one day at a time," he said. "I'm not looking anywhere past UAB. That's my focus right now."

As practice came to an end, Chavis reluctantly spoke to the media - never one of his favorite job requirements. As he addressed the reporters, he set up one simple requirement.

"We want to get this one behind us," Chavis said. "Surely after today, you guys understand I won't answer any more questions about this one (UCLA game). So you need to get everything you want today because I'm not talking about it after today."

Chavis' Chalkboard: Chavis complimented two of his linebackers for their play against the Bruins, beginning with middle linebacker Ellix Wilson.

"Played as well as I can imagine," Chavis said of the senior who had 12 tackles, two for a loss and a sack.

Chavis also took issue with the official box score the game that credited weakside linebacker Rico McCoy with only four tackles.

"Rico played very physical and made a lot of plays," Chavis said. "The stats that were in the box were not anywhere accurate for what he did."

Chavis' box score had McCoy with nine tackles, one for a loss.

Chavis also complimented his defensive line, which made five tackles behind the line of scrimmage and allowed the Bruins only 0.9 yards per rush.

"They did a really good job," Chavis said. "I thought there were times in the second half that our pass rush needed to be better and could have been better.

"But overall they did a really fine job."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer agreed.

"It was very encouraging," he said. "We didn't get enough sacks but they (UCLA) threw the ball quick."

For Kicks: Punter Chad Cunningham bore the brunt of several Fulmer tirades in practice. Cunningham was replaced at one point by a walk-on for not properly directing his punts.

"I'd like to kick everyone of them on the sideline or out of bounds 40 yards down the field," Fulmer said of UT's punts. "We're not there yet."

Cunningham had one punt blocked against UCLA, which was returned for a touchdown, the first time against UT in the Fulmer era.

Fulmer said the block was a combination of poor alignment by Cunningham and an obviously busted protection as at least a pair of Bruins came free into the backfield.

"I kind of walked straight and a guy came off the edge and blocked it," Cunningham said.

Fulmer and Cunningham said the kick's timing was good on the play, a major question about Cunningham in the offseason.

Cunningham punted six times against UCLA for a 39-yard average.

Practice Report: Fulmer could be heard on several occasions yelling at his players during what he described as an intense practice. Fulmer was still prickly during his post-practice comments.

"We'll play six or seven teams better than that team this year," Fulmer said of UCLA.

Sophomore cornerback Brent Vinson was running with the third team and Fulmer said he hopes Vinson is eligible against UAB.

Vinson was suspended for the opener for academic shortcomings.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.