Defensive front tests new look
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop unveiled some previously unseen schemes in Tennessee’s 26-20 loss to Florida on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
On a handful of third-down situations, the Volunteers moved defensive ends Jonathan Kongbo and Kyle Phillips to the line’s interior to essentially create a pass rush consisting of four defensive ends.
The Vols also rotated more players through their defensive front seven in the heat of the game than they did in the first two games of the season, against Georgia Tech and Indiana State. Florida had just 191 yards of total offense through three quarters.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Quart’e Sapp earned his first significant playing time of the season in the first half, as did freshman defensive lineman DeAndre Johnson and Kivon Bennett.
Rotation in Tennessee’s secondary was rare, however.
Injuries kept Evan Berry and Todd Kelly Jr. out and left the Vols with little depth behind starting safeties Nigel Warrior and Micah Abernathy.
“It is a concern,” coach Butch Jones said. “Micah had to play all the snaps along with Nigel Warrior.”
Berry has not played since he was injured against Georgia Tech. Kelly did not make the trip, and several media outlets have reported he is dealing with a lingering knee injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
“We have to get some young players there in a hurry,” Jones said. “That’s something we’ll address when we get back to Knoxville. But the depth is a concern, because it’s a long football season.”
Cornerbacks Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley also rarely left the field.
Special teams silence
Berry was replaced at kick returner by Abernathy and freshman running Ty Chandler. But Florida’s Eddy Pinerio launched touchbacks on all five of his kickoffs, negating a Tennessee return unit that had been effective in the team’s first two games.
Marquez Callaway did return a punt for 29 yards into Florida territory in the third quarter. The Vols’ offense failed to turn the good field position into any points.
Injury update
Starting outside linebacker Cortez McDowell left the game with an apparent wrist injury and did not return. Defensive end DeAndre Johnson was injured and did not return. The Vol Network described Johnson’s injury as a shoulder injury.
Senior receiver Josh Smith played for the first time this season after a preseason shoulder injury. He had one reception for 10 yards.
Passing a legend
Senior tight end Ethan Wolf passed Jason Witten on Tennessee’s list of most career receiving yards by a tight end.
Wolf’s three catches for 37 yards brought his career total to 822 yards. Wolf is still chasing Reggie Harper, who had 1,141 yards as a tight end from 1977 to 1980.