University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols' Defense Maturing Quickly Under Chavis
October 19, 2004 | Football
Oct. 19, 2004
That's a favorite expression of Tennessee assistant head coach and defensive coordinator John Chavis when describing his units early each season.
This year's edition is especially youthful, with only four starters returning from 2003 and multiple depletions to injury since the current season began -- including such notables as linebacker Kevin Simon and cornerback Antwan Stewart.
Yet six games into 2004, the Vols stand 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC thanks in part to a defense that is maturing quickly.
"To play great defense, you've got to eliminate the big plays," Chavis said following Tuesday's practice inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. "As you grow, surely it comes."
Tennessee allowed 21 plays of 20 yards or more in its first four games. The Vols were permitting 24 points per game and 372.5 yards of total offense -- including 244.2 yards through the air. Opposing quarterbacks were hitting on 61.6 percent (69-of-112) of their passes.
Most notable was the performance by Auburn's Jason Campbell, who completed 16-of-23 for 252 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-10 win at Neyland Stadium. Campbell that night connected on pass plays of 42, 31, 46, 31 and 38 yards.
"Our team played awfully well for 65 plays in the Auburn game," Chavis said. "But we had five plays that were really bad and those five are the ones we remember the most. You can't cut five plays out and say, 'What if?'"
By that point, UT ranked 67th nationally in total defense and 101st in pass efficiency defense.
Since then, however, Tennessee's defense has sparkled in road victories at Georgia and Mississippi, allowing only a 49.3 percent completion rate (33-of-67) and 180.0 passing yards per contest. Defensive ends Jason Hall and Parys Haralson have earned consecutive SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
And the Vols' statistical rankings have improved to 44th in total defense and 69th against the pass. The big plays? Just six in the two key victories that have Tennessee atop the SEC Eastern Division standings.
"We've eliminated those plays as we've gone along," Chavis said. "As a coach, you look at it and grow from it."
UT's next chance for measurement comes Saturday when Alabama visits Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.
INJURY UPDATE (Alabama Week): Probable -- WR Tony Brown (calf), TE Justin Reed (knee); Questionable -- OG Cody Douglas (foot), DE Jared Hostetter (ankle); Doubtful -- DT Jesse Mahelona (knee); Out -- TE Jake Finlayson (back), DB Antwan Stewart (knee).
