Mike Bajakian’s heard it all.
Deficient offensive line. Ineffective running game. Massive struggles in the red zone.
All magnified during last Saturday’s 10-9 loss to Florida where the Volunteers surrendered six sacks, rushed for less than a yard per carry and came away with only three field goals on four red zone scoring chances.
Naturally, that level of production hasn’t left UT’s second-year offensive coordinator particularly pleased.
“I think everyone across the board has a sour taste in their mouth, and we’re playing with a pissed off mentality,” Bajakian said Wednesday after practice. “That’s how we’re practicing, and that’s how we’re going into this game.”
With only two touchdowns in its last eight red zone attempts, the criticism has rained down heavily reigned down on the Vols’ offense and quarterback Justin Worley, who admitted Tuesday he’s “forced the ball a little bit more” and made a handful of “stupid throws” in recent weeks.
However, that total ownership — whether fair or not — hasn’t left Worley’s position coach a bit surprised.
“Again, he’s a leader, and he’s going to take responsibility just like I take responsibility for the performance of this offense,” Bajakian said. “He’s going to step up as a leader of this offense on the field. He’s always going to say things fall on his shoulders.
“Obviously there’s so much that goes into timing and spacing and rhythm of the pass game. But we need to execute in every facet of it.”
Offensive balance in the red zone sits near the top of that to-do list.
During UT’s current three-game losing streak, the Vols have amped up their air attack in the red zone, but that game plan has generated little success — three of Worley’s last four picks have come at or near the opposing goal line.
“It keeps the defense honest where they just can’t sit back and defend the pass,” Worley said. “When you get in the red zone, everything’s a little bit more constricted, so it’s harder to throw the ball.
“So I think when we have balance, we do have more success. And I think it starts with our offensive line, and we’ve got to do a good job of getting a push throughout the game to keep that balance.”
Mixon in the mix: With redshirt junior Owen Williams (thumb) ruled out for Saturday’s in-state matchup with Chattanooga, the search for defensive tackle depth behind starters Jordan Williams and Danny O’Brien has immediately begun.
Enter freshman Dimarya Mixon.
“I think it passes to him that he’s going to find meaningful reps on Saturday,” defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. “So he’s got to be ready and answer the challenge.
“Dimarya look’s good. He’s undersized like a lot of our guys are. You’ve got to combat that with using great technique, using great leverage and great effort.”
Through five games, the 6-foot-3, 282-pound Mixon has racked up three tackles — all against Arkansas State — and one quarterback hurry.
Injury updates: For a second straight day, cornerback Michael Williams, running back Jalen Hurd and wide receiver Josh Malone all donned green no-contact jerseys, while senior tailback Marlin Lane was a full participant after wearing green on Tuesday.
Meanwhile wide receiver Von Pearson, who returned from a high ankle sprain against Florida but had just one catch for six yards, expects to see his workload upped against the Mocs.
“I do (plan on seeing his role grow),” wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. “He’s still not where we want him to be, obviously, that’s why he’s gradually playing more and more plays. We still have another 48 hours, and well see what happens at that point.”
Azzanni’s update on Malone, however, was a bit more promising. The freshman wide receiver’s non-contact status was deemed “precautionary” and “just because of you’re typical nicks and bruises.”
