The Tennessee defense has pitched three shutouts in its last three regular season games, but it’s been almost a full decade since someone held the Vol offense scoreless.
Marshall head coach Bob Pruett should remember that game well.
Pruett was the Florida defensive coordinator when the Gators beat the Volunteers, 31-0, in 1994.
But heading into Saturday’s matchup, No. 12 Tennessee (1-0) will concern themselves more with the Thundering Herd’s offense than their defense.
“They really have a smooth offensive system and can really put up points on anybody,” UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “It’s worked for them for years and will really force us to prepare for them the way we did against Fresno.”
After holding Fresno State to minus 1-yard rushing, Chavis’ defense walked away with the nation’s No. 1 ranking in rushing and total defense.
But Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said Saturday should be a better test for the unit.
“Fresno came in here short-handed, missing their starting quarterback,” Fulmer said. “Let’s look at that ranking 10 or 11 games down the line.
“Marshall will really push us in some ways that Fresno wasn’t able to do.”
Fulmer said part of the challenge would be Marshall quarterback Stan Hill, whom he compared to Byron Leftwich and Chad Pennington, a pair of former Herd signal-callers playing in the NFL.
“He’s a big athletic kid, with a cannon for an arm,” Fulmer said. “Our defensive line will need to be more active to slow him down.”
Even with the success against the Bulldog running backs, Chavis said the defensive line still had room for growth. He said the group was in for a challenge against a Marshall offensive line that averages over 300 pounds.
“They’re big, that’s for sure,” Chavis said. “We’ve watched the film from Saturday and (our lineman) have seen what they can do to get better. It’s going to be uphill this week, but we’ll find a way to get to their quarterback.”
While the defense prepares for a Herd offense that has averaged over 500 yards of total offense the last two seasons, the Vol offense is looking for my rhythm in its passing game.
Senior quarterback Casey Clausen threw two interceptions in the season opener, and didn’t look as accurate as he had been in the preseason.
“He just didn’t look comfortable most of the game,” Fulmer said. “Part of that is dealing with young receivers, but he will be ready for Marshall.”
Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said he was pleased with the ground game in the opener, but hoped to see more balance in the passing attack.
“We’re going to start by establishing the ground game, but we have to get those receivers involved early,” Sanders said. “You saw some good blocking from them downfield in the first game, which is partly why we had so much success running with the backs.
“A lot of those (young receivers) need game experience and we’re going to need balance to get them that.”
Senior Mark Jones, who played 30 offensive plays at receiver and 15 defensive plays at safety, as well as returned punts, will also see more balance according to Fulmer.
“It’s unusual when a significant player of Mark’s caliber can help in so many ways,” Fulmer said. “He’s a bright, mature young man you can trust to be in the right place at the right time. We need to make sure we don’t overwork him.”
Jones was especially active with UT’s special teams against Fresno, an area Fulmer said is still uncertain. Sophomore Ryan Fusco will likely handle kickoff duties after replacing senior Philip Newman last weekend. Against the Bulldogs, all of Fusco’s kicks reached or went through the endzone.
Redshirt freshman James Wilhoit will remain the Vols’ placekicker, despite his early troubles. In the opener, the highly-touted Hendersonville native missed two field goals from 31 and 34 yards, before nailing one from 40 yards out.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Fulmer said. “He had a couple of (kicks) he could have made, but he’s got one game out of the way and I expect him to do well.”
