Vanderbilt could be cure for defense

A battered Tennessee defense with a bruised ego might have some relief on the way.

Coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday that linebacker LaMarcus Thompson, injured in a 42-17 loss at Ole Miss on Saturday, might be able to play against Vanderbilt.

Darren Myles (hip, back), a freshman free safety who did not play at Ole Miss, should also be able to go when the Commodores visit Neyland Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.

Then there's Vanderbilt itself.

The Commdores rank last in the SEC in scoring offense (16.4 points), total offense (308.1 yards), passing offense (144.7 yards) and passing efficiency (5 TD passes, nine interceptions).

Those numbers should be welcome for a UT defense that has given up 400-plus yards the past two weeks.

When Memphis managed 403 yards on Nov. 7, there was the consolation that most of it came against Tennessee reserves after the game was well in hand.

But there was no silver lining to Ole Miss rolling up 492 yards - the most allowed by Tennessee this year - nor Dexter McCluster's school-record 282 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

"After the game I thought we set a school record for missed tackles,'' Kiffin said. "Now I think we set a national record.

"It was very discouraging.''

Injuries are a factor.

Kiffin said outside linebacker Rico McCoy has a sore knee and was "basically playing on one leg" against Ole Miss.

"He probably shouldn't have kept playing,'' Kiffin said, "but he's just so tough.

"I know his mentality. He knew there wasn't anybody to go to so he stayed in there and kept battling.''

Kiffin said walk-on Shane Reveiz would have been the replacement if McCoy came out.

As Kiffin spoke to the media Sunday, Savion Frazier (torn ACL) hobbled by in the background on crutches, a reminder the Vols are down to their third middle linebacker in freshman Herman Lathers.

With Myles held out at safety, walk-on Tyler Wolf played extensively when UT went to a nickle package on passing downs.

Anthony Anderson was the sub for injured Marsalous Johnson in the nickle package.

Kiffin said Johnson, who had thumb surgery after the South Carolina game, should be back for the regular-season finale against Kentucky.

Thompson, who left the Ole Miss game on a stretcher with his head and neck stabilized, was cleared to return to Knoxville with the team.

"Thankfully, everything was negative,'' Kiffin said. "He's very sore but he's going to be OK.

"We don't know for sure but he may play (Saturday).''

A Step Off: Partially due to inexperience related to the injuries, the Vols suffered from misalignment issues, especially where McCluster was concerned.

"We were aligned a number of times a little bit off,'' Kiffin said, "and if you're just one gap off and that guy gets going, we're not going to catch him.

"We're not the fastest group in the world (at linebacker) and we had too many misalignments and we stayed on blocks too long. If you combine those things, you're going to get what happened.''

Kicking Woes: Kiffin said the place-kicking job will be re-opened this week after another low Daniel Lincoln field-goal attempt was blocked.

"The protection was fine,'' Kiffin said. "It was a jumper from behind so the kick was too low.''

Lincoln has struggled since a mid-season leg injury. Punter Chad Cunningham is the other likely option.

Off Day: The Vols did not practice Sunday, which Kiffin said was his normal late-season protocol.

"This is more for our young guys,'' Kiffin said. "It gets them an extra day off to come back for real physical practices later this week.''

Fewer Reps: Kiffin said freshman Marsalis Teague's reps at receiver Saturday were limited by the fact that UT had six possessions that failed to make a first down and a seventh that scored in three plays.

"You don't rotate as much when you're only in three plays,'' Kiffin said.

Quick Hitters: Jonathan Crompton's two touchdown passes leave him tied for fourth nationally with 23. ... Vanderbilt ranks No. 7 nationally in pass defense, allowing 159.8 yards per game.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!