KNOXVILLE - Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop felt the same sense of relief many of the Volunteers' fans probably did in the immediate aftermath of Monday's 42-41 double-overtime victory against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
"When we left the stadium, I was excited about the win," Shoop said Thursday. "What an incredible win for the program, for everybody involved.
"But as the person in charge of the defense, you say, 'Golly, man.'"
Georgia Tech broke a 31-year-old record for most rushing yards allowed by a Tennessee defense, piling up 535 behind new starting quarterback TaQuon Marshall's execution of the Yellow Jackets' flexbone scheme.
Shoop slept for a couple of hours after the Vols returned to Knoxville early Tuesday morning, then went to the football complex to watch game video. He knows Tennessee is almost guaranteed not to face another flexbone scheme this season, but he suffered through the footage anyway, taking notice of how his defense can improve its tackling and communication.
The study and reflection yielded a request from Shoop.
"I wouldn't make too many judgments based on that one game," he said. "Wait until we get in a more traditional game."
Tennessee (1-0) plays Football Championship Subdivision opponent Indiana State (0-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Neyland Stadium before traveling to Florida next week to begin Southeastern Conference play.
"I think the identity of a team and a unit kind of evolves after the first couple of games," Shoop said. "I would give it a little bit of a chance before you make too many judgments on who we are and what we're all about."
One key could be using more players. During the preseason, Shoop and defensive line coach Brady Hoke mentioned they would like to rotate up to 10 defensive linemen during games. Against Georgia Tech, just seven played - and the starting four of Jonathan Kongbo, Khalil McKenzie, Darrell Taylor and Kendal Vickers were on the field most of the 96 defensive plays.
On Wednesday, Vols coach Butch Jones noted the team's GPS tracking service showed Taylor covered 5,000 yards, or nearly three miles, in the game.
"That's pretty remarkable for a defensive lineman," Jones said.
Starting linebackers Colton Jumper, Cortez McDowell and Daniel Bituli also rarely, if ever, received breaks. Playing time was more evenly distributed in the secondary, but Shoop described the abundance of plays for his starting front seven as a regret from the game.
"We wish we'd played a few more players or maybe more evenly," Shoop said. "Ninety-six snaps against the triple option is insane."
Hoke agreed with Shoop's assessment that it's hard to draw conclusions about the defense from Monday's game.
"I think it is, to some degree," Hoke said. "I think when you look at the different styles that you'll face, obviously that was the most unique style."
Injury update
Jones said sophomore offensive tackle Marcus Tatum will be unavailable Saturday after starting at right tackle against Georgia Tech with Drew Richmond suspended.
Richmond is expected to be back to play left tackle against Indiana State, while Brett Kendrick is expected to play right tackle after filling in for Richmond at left tackle against the Yellow Jackets.
Jones said senior defensive tackle Vickers is probable for Saturday, an upgrade from his earlier questionable status. Receivers Tyler Byrd, Josh Smith and Latrell Williams plus kick returner Evan Berry remain questionable, Jones said.
Reserve cornerback Baylen Buchanan will be out with an ankle injury. Linebacker Austin Smith, who missed the opener because of injury, will miss Saturday's game as well.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.