Speed a fitting theme for Vols-Hokies
UT defense lines up fast
Knoxville News Sentinel USA TODAY Sports
They push themselves to near exhaustion against their own offense during practice. They stay late to enhance their conditioning.
Tennessee defenders believe they’ve done everything possible to prepare for the speed challenges they will face this season.
It begins in earnest Saturday (7 p.m. CDT, WATN Channel 24) when Tennessee (No. 14 Amway Coaches Poll, No. 17 AP) plays Virginia Tech in the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“We pride ourselves on being a no-huddle, up-tempo defense,” Tennessee senior defensive end LaTroy Lewis said Tuesday. “Any time we see a fast offense, we kind of pride ourselves on saying, ‘OK. You are going to go fast, we are going to get lined up just as fast if not faster.’”
It seems fitting Tennessee (1-0) is playing Virginia Tech (1-0) on a converted NASCAR track because the Hokies are sure to push the gas pedal full throttle against the Vols’ defense.
First-year coach Justin Fuente has brought his uptempo offensive style to Virginia Tech after turning around Memphis’ program. In its season-opening 36-13 victory over Liberty, Virginia Tech ran 89 plays and gained 458 yards.
Tennessee has been lauded for its defensive depth, and fresh players will be needed against the fast-paced Hokies.
“They are going to run 85 to 95 plays, so conditioning is going to be a factor,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said Monday. “They don’t let you substitute a ton on defense because of the personnel groupings. We have to have a great mindset and mental toughness and play through some extended drives.”
Quarterback Jerod Evans, a junior college transfer, made his debut for Virginia Tech against Liberty, throwing for 221 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 46 yards.
“He is a baller,” Tennessee sophomore linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. said. “He does a great job getting to his receivers down the field. He also has some savviness in the run game, the quarterback run game, a quarterback power-type deal, so I am very impressed with what I have seen on film so far.”
Evans has a plethora of receiving options, led by Isaiah Ford. The junior had 11 catches for 117 yards and one touchdown against Liberty.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Ford set season records last year in receptions (75), yards (1,164) and touchdowns (11). He has caught at least two passes in every game of his career.
“Isaiah Ford is a very, very talented player and we have to make sure we know where he is on the field at all times,” Jones said. “He can run the deep ball, he can run the intermediate routes, he can run the short routes. He has the ability to make plays in short, confined spaces. He is very, very quick, very fast and he will be one of the best receivers we play against this entire year.”
Ford is looking forward to facing Tennessee’s defense, especially senior cornerback Cam Sutton.
“It’s exciting. Your competitive nature wants you to play against the best because it brings out the best in you,” Ford told the Roanoke Times. “I’ve watched the whole secondary to try to look for any type of small detail or advantages that I can gain or take away from that.”