VOLS GAME IN BITS & PIECES

SATURDAY’S STAR

An injury to senior cornerback Justin Martin allowed Shawn Shamburger make his first career start and show why Tennessee’s coaches like him. The freshman from Moultrie, Ga., led the Vols with 12 tackles, including a sack. He appeared to suffer an injury in the fourth quarter.

SATURDAY’S STAT

Tennessee’s offense failed to score a touchdown for a third straight game. The offense has not made it to the end zone in 14 quarters, dating back to the first half of the 17-13 win over Massachusetts on Sept. 23. Alabama outgained Tennessee 604-108 on Saturday, and the Vols were 1-of-12 on third-down conversions.

TURNING POINT

Alabama secured the momentum on a play that initially appeared to result in a turnover. Defensive end Jonathan Kongbo was called for illegal hands to the face, which negated a touchback with Shamburger knocking the ball away from tight end Irv Smith and through the end zone. The penalty set up a TD that put the Tide up 14-0.

HIGHLIGHT PLAY

Linebacker Daniel Bituli intercepted Tide backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter and raced 97 yards for the Vols’ first TD since the UMass game, making the score 28-7. Teammate Rashaan Gaulden ran witih Bituli and was flagged for raising both his middle fingers toward the Alabama student section.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Vols’ big loss brings the day of reckoning for fifth-year coach Butch Jones a bit closer. Will firstyear athletic director John Currie allow Jones to try to motivate the team into finishing with a flurry? Currie was on the field at the game’s end and walked with the team toward the locker room. Some will interpret that as a subtle sign of support.