KNOXVILLE - Tennessee's goal entering this season was to be a run-first offense.
Three games in, the Volunteers are living up to that objective.
No team in the Southeastern Conference has more rushing attempts total (158) or per game (52.7) at this early stage than the Vols, who will test their ground game against a stingy Florida defense Saturday in Gainesville.
"We really wanted to emphasize the run game," Vols offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said after Tuesday's practice. "You've got to be able to run the football to win, and we knew we'd bring the passing game along, and we've done that. I don't think it really surprises me too much.
"We also got into some games where we had to run the ball a lot, too. In the first game we had to run the ball even more toward the end of the game, and this past game was like that, too. I think some of it is dictated by the games."
Tennessee ran the ball 64 times in its 59-30 season-opening victory against Bowling Green and followed that up with 45 rushes in the 31-24 double-overtime loss to Oklahoma. The Vols came out throwing against Western Carolina last week but still wound up with 49 rushing attempts in the 55-10 win.
Among SEC schools, Tennessee totaled the second-fewest rushes in 2013 and was eighth in carries last season. This year, the Vols enter their SEC opener against the Gators third in the conference in rushing at 258 yards per game.
"We've been pretty effective running the ball, and our passing game has continued to improve," DeBord said. "That's what happens in a season, and it's what happens through training camp and et cetera. We've got a really stiff challenge this week. Florida's got a great defense."
The Gators have dominated Tennessee in many facets during their 10-game winning streak against their SEC East rivals, perhaps none more than rushing yards.
Florida outgained Tennessee on the ground in each of its 10 wins, and most of the time the advantage has been a healthy one. The Gators averaged 179 yards in those wins, but the Vols managed just 50, an average that included negative-yardage performances in 2006 and 2011.
Last season against Florida, Tennessee ran for just 28 yards, a total greatly impacted by the six sacks the Vols allowed. Also, top running back Jalen Hurd managed just 39 yards on 10 carries as he missed most of the second half with a shoulder injury.
Whether the Vols run or pass, it's imperative they are efficient on first down Saturday. Struggles there doomed Tennessee in the second half against Oklahoma, when the Vols wound up in too many obvious passing situations.
"First down's always important," quarterback Josh Dobbs said. "You want to put yourself in manageable second downs and manageable third downs to be successful and drive the ball. We have to play efficiently. It comes down to execution. If we execute well, we'll put ourselves in manageable second and third downs and be able to move the ball."
Florida likely will gear its game plan to slowing down Hurd and Alvin Kamara (who was ineffective against Oklahoma) and making Dobbs throw to a receiving corps that has had trouble getting open against quality secondaries like the one the Gators have.
"Every week we see press coverage in this conference. Every single week," receivers coach and passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni said. "The press coverage part is nothing new. We're going to see that week in and week out in the SEC. That's what it's all about. It's a matchup game.
"It's technique and getting off press coverage and scheme and trying to get those guys open. That has to do with everything - the line blocking, matchups, protection, run game. It all sets up getting open."
Florida currently leads the SEC in rushing defense after holding New Mexico State to 72 yards, East Carolina to minus-13 and Kentucky to 120. The Wildcats lost 50 yards on six sacks, but running back Stanley Williams had 80 yards on 16 carries.
The Gators rank second in the SEC in sacks (11) and third in tackles for loss (25). For Tennessee's offense, it will be a stiff test to open SEC play and a preview of what to expect from the conference.
"Playing against a great defense there's going to be times when you have struggles," DeBord said. "You've got to be patient, and you've got to keep grinding the ball. We've got to be patient both ways, throwing the ball and running the ball. I think that's what (the Oklahoma loss) taught us."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.