KNOXVILLE - Tennessee continued to deal with the injury bug Saturday, with a total of 13 players not dressed out for the Volunteers' 17-13 win over Massachusetts at Neyland Stadium.
After coach Butch Jones announced earlier in the week that linebacker Austin Smith, safety and kick returner Evan Berry and receiver LaTrell Williams were out for Saturday's game, the Vols also were without starting center Jashon Robertson and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle against the Minutemen.
Jones said both had undisclosed injuries.
"We fully anticipate them to be back next week," the coach said.
With Robertson out, the Vols started senior Coleman Thomas at center. That wasn't the only shakeup on the offensive line, however, as redshirt sophomore Venzell Boulware started over junior Jack Jones at left guard and played most of the game at the position. Reserve offensive lineman Marcus Tatum also got extensive time at left tackle.
"We always talk about the next-man mentality, but if Jashon had been out there, his presence would have definitely been felt," junior running back John Kelly said. "We just went with what we had out there, and it's just time for everyone to get better."
Tennessee's Trey Smith lifts Tyler Byrd into the air after Byrd scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown in the Vols' 17-13 defeat of the Massachusetts Minutemen.On the defensive side with Tuttle out, the Vols relied on Quay Picou and Alexis Johnson to back up starters Kahlil McKenzie and Kendal Vickers at defensive tackle. Johnson recorded two tackles, including one for lost yardage, while Picou did not record a tackle.
During the game the Vols took a hit at the tight end position as seniors Ethan Wolf and Jakob Johnson both went out with injuries.
"That put us a little behind," Jones said. "We were out of some 12 personnel when you lose your number one and number two tight ends. We had to do some different personnel groupings when you lose two quality individuals like that."
Sapp shines again
After recording seven tackles against Florida, Quart'e Sapp got to start at weakside linebacker and made much of it. He recorded a team-high nine tackles as well as a pass breakup in his first career start.
"It was a different approach, being the first guy out there," Sapp said. "You've got to bring energy for the guys who follow behind you. Defensively, obviously we can make improvements but I think we played pretty well."
With Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Cortez McDowell both out with long-term injuries, the Vols relied heavily on Sapp as he played most of the game. He started alongside Daniel Bituli, who had five tackles in the game.
"I played decent. You can improve in every game," Sapp said. "There's some things I can improve on, so I need to clean those up for Georgia."
Baylor School graduate Colton Jumper had 2.5 sacks while splitting time with Bituli at middle linebacker.
Byrd gets involved
Sophomore receiver Tyler Byrd made his first two receptions of the season Saturday after making 15 grabs as a freshman. Included among them was an 8-yard touchdown catch from Quinten Dormady that put the Vols ahead 14-6 late in the first half.
"It was great to see T-Byrd finally get in the end zone," sophomore receiver Brandon Johnson said. "We all agreed he probably should have gotten in there last year at some point. But it was great to see him finally get a touchdown and be a lot more involved in the game."
Contact Rob Harvey at sports@timesfreepress.com.