News:Analysis: The Volunteers allowed just 17 points to Kentucky on Saturday, though failed to force a turnover for the game. A dismal 2012 season comes to an end with the Vols allowing a staggering 37.4 points per game.
News:Analysis: The Volunteer defense surrendered 41 points and 442 yards to the Commodores on Saturday, while forcing just one turnover. The saving grace for the Vandy DST was an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown by Cordarrelle Patterson. Tennessee finishes an abysmal season against Kentucky next weekend.
News:Analysis: The Volunteer defense allowed 454 yards and 51 points in a Quadruple Overtime loss to Missouri on Saturday. Tennessee did force two turnovers, though. The Vols travel to Vandy next weekend.
News:Analysis: The Volunteer defense allowed at least 38 points for the fourth-straight game Saturday at South Carolina. The Gamecocks piled up 515 yards of offense, including 363 yards through the air. The Vols also forced just one turnover. Tennessee gets a breather from SEC play when the Vols host Troy next week, though.
News:Analysis: The Vols D allowed 44 points on 539 yards, while forcing just a single turnover. The task does not get any easier on the road at South Carolina next week.
News:Analysis: The Vols surrendered 450 yards and 41 points to the Bulldogs on Saturday, while failing to force a turnover. The only bright spot for the Vols DST was a kickoff return TD from Cordarelle Patterson. Tennessee's defense should be benched against Alabama next week.
News:Analysis: The Vols forced three turnovers Saturday at Georgia, and returned an INT 35 yards for a touchdown. However, Tennessee allowed 51 points on 560 yards, negating much of the positive production coming from the turnovers. Tennessee faces Mississippi State in two weeks.
News:Analysis: The Volunteer defense allowed 344 yards and 19 points against the Zips on Saturday. UT also picked off three passes en route to the victory. The Vols defensive unit makes for an extremely risky play next week at Georgia, though.
News:Analysis: The Vols made Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel look like a star Saturday, allowing 37 points and 555 yards to a previously underwhelming offense. Tennessee failed to force a turnover as well. However, the defensive unit should bounce back next week against Akron.
News:Analysis: The Vols allowed just 13 points on 263 yards Saturday, forcing two turnovers by the Panthers in the process. The Vols enter SEC play next week, though, hosting the Florida Gators.
News:Analysis: The Tennessee defense forced NC State QB Mike Glennon into four INTs Friday, while also netting a safety. On the downside, the Vols did allow 407 yards and 21 points. Still, they could make for a sneaky play against lowly Georgia State next weekend.
News: After having a great camp and drawing praise from head coach Derek Dooley, Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson has been dismissed from the team. Dooley states "I will always be there to help him as a person. But there comes a time when a player’s actions preclude him from the privilege of playing for the University of Tennessee football team."
Analysis: Jackson was to play a pivotal role in the Vols' secondary, but his loss now leaves the team scrambling to fill his role.
News: Tennessee got their playmaking defensive tackle Malik Jackson back from injury and he hasn't missed a step. "He was 100% and roaring today" said head coach Derek Dooley.
Analysis: Jackson is the best pass-rushing threat the Vols have so to get him back with some time left in camp is a huge boost for an improving defense.
News: Tennessee defensive tackle Malik Jackson will miss the next couple weeks as he recovers from a sprained right knee.
Analysis: Jackson is a dominant force on the Volunteer defensive line, so they will certainly bring him back slowly to ensure he is at full strength for the start of the season.
News: After his arrest for public intoxication last week, Tennessee linebacker Austin Johnson has been deemed eligible to play and will join the team this Tuesday for summer camp.
Analysis: Although he will most certainly need to clean up his activities off the field, the Volunteers really need his presence on the field, so this comes as a nice boost.
News: After leaving the team in February, Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson has been reinstated and is back ready to defend Neyland Stadium.
Analysis: Getting Jackson back is huge as he is one of the team's best defenders and a ballhawk, finishing with five picks last year.
News: After losing defensive tackle Montori Hughes less than two weeks ago, the Tennessee defensive line took another hit as senior defensive tackle Rae Sykes is no longer a part of the team for academic reasons.
Analysis: Sykes was there for depth but Hughes' departure will hurt. The Volunteers still have a playmaker in Malik Jackson but will need to bolster their pass rush if they are going to make some moves in the SEC.
News:Analysis: The Vols' defense forced three turnovers and held Vanderbilt to 10 points in Saturday's win. Vandy, however, is no Kentucky. Stay away from Tennessee's defense next week against the Wildcats.
News:Analysis: The Vols' defense forced four interceptions, recovered one fumble, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in Saturday's blowout win over Ole' Miss. You won't find a better line score for the Vols' D at any point this season. While next week's matchup against Vandy probably won't yield as many points as this week's performance, it should be a decent day for Tennessee's D.
News:Analysis: Tennessee allowed 14 points against Memphis Saturday while totaling five sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Don't start them against Mississippi, though.
News:Analysis: The Vols rolled out the red carpet for Marcus Lattimore, who torched Tennessee for 184 yards. The Vols gave up 212 total yards on the ground and 223 through the air. They forced one interception. Next week's matchup against Memphis will be a nice break for the Vols 94th-ranked scoring defense.
News:Analysis: Tennessee's defense gave up 536 total yards and 41 points in their loss to Alabama Saturday. The Vols failed to force a turnover for the second straight week. They are ranked 83rd in the nation in points allowed. Next week's matchup against South Carolina's peaking offense looks pretty grim for the Vols DST.
News:Analysis: Tennessee's DST gave away touchdown's like candy Saturday. Five minutes into the third quarter, Georgia was up 34-7. The Bulldogs' Murray, an average QB at best, accounted for Georgia's first four touchdowns. Not a promising sign for the Vols' defense. Neither are Tennessee's next two opponents: Alabama and South Carolina.
News:Analysis: Tennessee harassed LSU's quartberbacks all day, gobbling up three interceptions. However, their vulnerability to LSU's rushing attack led to their demise. They gave up 218 yards on the ground, none more painful than the 1-yard touchdown run they surrendered to lose the game as time expired. Tennessee showed promise. Keep an eye on them in future matchups.
News:Analysis: Tennessee allowed 26 points while totaling one interception return for a touchdown against UAB Saturday. Allowing 26 (in double-overtime, to be fair) against UAB is not impressive, at all. Bench Tennessee against LSU.
News:Analysis: Tennessee went toe-to-toe with the Gators for nearly three full quarters on Saturday. They recovered two Gator fumbles and only allowed 167 passing yards. The Gators eventually wore down the Vols' defensive front, however, and finished the day with 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Next week's game against LSU will be a difficult test for the Vols. Keep their defense on your bench.
News:Analysis: The Volunteers manage to keep the Ducks from the endzone for nearly the entire first half on Saturday. Then they disappeared, allowing Oregon 45 unanswered points. The Vols proved vulnerable against the pass and the run, giving up two touchdowns through the air and 245 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Unfortunately, the drubbing looks to continue next week against the Florida Gators.
News:Analysis: The Volunteer defense could do no wrong on Saturday, allowing just 142 yards for the game while notching one sack and two INTs. The defense will get its first real test next week against Oregon.
Tennessee DE Martin Out for the Year After Achilles Injury
News: Tennessee defensive end Ben Martin will miss the 2010 season after tearing his Achilles tendon, the Chattanooga Times Free Press' Wes Rucker reports.
Analysis: Martin is a player who has struggled to make an impact after being a prized five-star recruit for Tennessee. Injuries have been part of the problem. Still, defensive end is one of the deeper positions on the Tennessee defense, so this shouldn't change things too much.
News: Tennessee has dismissed safety Darren Myles from the football team, the Knoxville News-Sentinel's Austin Ward reports.
Analysis: Myles didn't do much last year, but the former big-time recruit was expected to perhaps start at safety this year with Eric Berry and Dennis Rogan gone. Consider the secondary depth at Tennessee a potential concern.
Tennessee Safety Myles Accused of Assaulting Police
News: Darren Myles, a four-star defensive back recruit from the 2009 Tennessee class, was arrested early Friday morning on charges of assault, resisting arrest and evading arrest after being involved in a bar fight, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: We're going to go ahead and assume Myles will be kicked off the team soon. He allegedly ran from the scene and struck a police officer (in uniform) in the face, and that's not even considering what his role was in the initial bar fight. Myles was also arrested in April in similar circumstances--he became a nuisance while drunk and fought officers who attempted to arrest him. Myles only had seven tackles last year, but he had a shot for more playing time this year with Eric Berry and Dennis Rogan gone.
News: Tennessee's defense was shredded for 359 rushing yards in their loss to Mississippi on Saturday.
Analysis: Most of the damage was done by Mississippi speedster Dexter McCluster, who had 282 running yards in the game. Tennessee will square off against Vanderbilt in Week 12.
Tennessee Forces Three Turnovers in Blowout Victory
News: Tennessee's defense forced three turnovers in their blowout victory over Memphis on Saturday.
Analysis: Safety Eric Berry intercepted his second pass of the season and the Volunteers also recovered two Memphis fumbles. They will face Mississippi's 50th-ranked offense in Week 10.
