Vol Report: Vols Look to Keep Spark Alive

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Tennessee football team is looking to keep its spark going as they prepare for their final road SEC matchup coming off an open date.

"We had a lot of little sparks during the season," said senior linebacker Daniel Bituli. "After going against a really great running back in the Mississippi State game, we realized that if we're communicating as much as possible on the field, if we know what we were going to do, if we read our cues correctly, then the world is ours. We can stop anybody. Definitely that game really showed that we can do it for a whole game."

Since the Vols squared off with Mississippi State, they have forced 10 turnovers, including eight interceptions, and have recorded 17 sacks. During that same stretch, the defense is allowing 320.2 yards per game, 17.2 points per game, and 179.4 passing yards per game. All of which would rank in the top-20 nationally for a full season.

Bituli Finishing Strong
After missing the first two games of the season, Bituli has been at his best. Two weeks ago against Kentucky, he registered a season-high 19 tackles to earn his second SEC Defensive Player of the Week honor.

"I feel like we have something to prove each and every game," said Bituli. "Like I said, every SEC team is capable of doing so if we don't come in with the same mindset. We just have to come in today with the same hardworking mindset, try to win today, and if we do the rest will take care of itself."

Bituli became the first Vol to earn the SEC weekly defensive honor twice in the same season since Derek Barnett did so in 2016. His 62 tackles this season lead the Vols, and his 9.8 tackles per game in the last six SEC games ranks second in the league.

Defensive Line Buying In
The defensive line faced the challenge of a run-heavy offense when they squared off with Kentucky, holding the Wildcats to just 13 points. On fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter, redshirt junior Ja'Quain Blakely along with Bituli sealed the victory when they stopped Lynn Bowden from reaching the endzone with just over a minute remaining in the game.

"I feel like as a d-line we've improved because we've come together more and have a bond and a brotherhood," said Blakely. "With Coach (Tracy) Rocker, he's a very good coach, and all the d-linemen we all bought in to his coaching and his philosophy. That's been the point where we're getting over the edge."

Blakely, who played tight end and full back in 2018, has seen increased playing time over the last two games. He recorded a career-high two tackles against UAB and has seven on the season.

Man of the Year
On November 13th, it was announced that redshirt junior offensive lineman Trey Smith was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.

"Take the football out of it, you won't find a better representative, number one, of his family," head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. "I can't say enough about Trey and the type of person and the individual that he is. He does a fantastic job with anything that he touches. Whether it is on the field, off the field or in the classroom, he is what college football is all about. It's not surprising. I would like to meet the people that are more deserving of this award than Trey Smith."

In his off time, Smith assists with the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry's (KARM) annual coat drive.

"I think it's a great thing," Smith said. "There's no real reason why I do it, I just don't like seeing people struggle. If I can help somebody out, it is just in my nature to help any way I can. When I had the opportunity to help KARM last year, and I had the opportunity to help KARM this year I didn't hesitate. I wanted to help people out."

Smith has started nine games this season at left guard and has played a key role in the Vols' upward trajectory with the team currently on a three-game win streak.

As one of the most experienced offensive linemen on the team, the Jackson, Tenn., Smith has been a vocal leader for the Vols and mentor to younger linemen.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Daniel Bituli

Ja'Quain Blakely

Trey Smith

Related Videos