Tennessee Vols still have work to do with ground game

photo Jalen Hurd of Tennessee is tackled by Arkansas State's Qushaun Lee as Darrius Rosser, left, approaches.

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee's coaches and players spent most of last week talking about how they intended to improve the lackluster rushing attack the Volunteers showed in their season opener.

Their first four designed running plays against Arkansas State on Saturday promptly gained a total of 3 yards.

The end result, though, was better as Tennessee finished the 34-19 win against the three-time defending Sun Belt Conference champions with 168 yards on the ground against the Red Wolves, but that part of the offense is still very much in a development phase as the Vols head to No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday night.

"I know that we had a loaded box, and again it's 4 yards," Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. "We still don't have much explosive runs, and we have to get that corrected. It's really hard to say right now. I thought our running backs ran hard. I thought we got some tough yardage, but I'll know a little bit more about that when I watch the video tonight."

Jones likely saw a mixture of positive development and frustrating inefficiency.

After Tennessee's longest run against Utah State in the opener went for 9 yards, freshman Jalen Hurd (12) and seniors Marlin Lane (18) and Devrin Young (11) each had runs of longer than 10 yards against Arkansas State, and the Vols also picked up 12 first downs with running plays.

Still, the Vols had six running plays stopped for no gain, two more for losses and six that gained less than 2 yards.

Hurd, the former five-star recruit, finished with 83 yards on 23 carries and followed up his first career receiving touchdown against Utah State with a touchdown run on Saturday.

"Jalen's progressed a lot," quarterback Justin Worley said. "You may not see the yards per carry that we want as an offense, but he gets those tough yards. He's done a great job of really embracing his role in protections and understanding week in and week out where the different pressures are coming from."

'Ups and downs'

Aside from one quick two-play touchdown drive, Tennessee's defense was solid in the opener, but the Vols had a few more shaky moments against Arkansas State.

The Red Wolves overcame two penalties in easing down the field for a touchdown on their first possession, and they put together scoring drives of 72 and 83 yards, though was aided by a successfully faked punt that earned a first down.

Yet Arkansas State managed just 136 yards on its 12 nonscoring drives.

"We had ups and downs, and we fought through," linebacker A.J. Johnson said. "At the end of the game, the defense came up with two 3-and-outs, and that was key to just close the game. We can come out a little more ready in the second half, and we learned from that. We're going to build on that and get better."

On three third-quarter drives, the Red Wolves took possession within 5 yards of Tennessee territory, but the Vols got one fourth-down stop and forced two three-and-outs in those situations.

"We also made critical stops and critical plays at critical stages of the game," Jones said.

Status updates

The Vols unofficially received some good news on Sunday regarding one of the two key injuries suffered on Saturday.

Freshman tight end Ethan Wolf, who left the game after being hit low on his knee in the fourth quarter, posted the following on his Twitter account: "Nothing's torn... Thanks to the Lord!"

Jones will provide more official updates on the status of Wolf and receiver Von Pearson, who sprained his left ankle in the second quarter and left Neyland Stadium on crutches, at his weekly news conference today.

Receiver Johnathon Johnson returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing the opener with an ankle injury and had a 4-yard catch after letting a potential touchdown slip through his fingers.

Freshman defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (hand/wrist) didn't play on Saturday.

Tennessee tidbits

Linebacker Jakob Johnson became the 22nd true freshman to play for the Vols this season when he made his first appearance on special teams in the first quarter. ... Jones on kicker George Bullock putting his first kickoff through the back of the end zone on Saturday: "That's what we need. We need the ball through the end zone." ... Jones said reserve defensive end LaTroy Lewis, who had a sack against Utah State last week and tackled Knighten on fourth-and-1 late in Saturday's win, continues to improve. "He's an individual that has taken advantage of his playing time when an opportunity presents itself. We talk about impactful plays and impacting the game, and we chart impactful plays. Obviously he impacted the game again."

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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