Shoring up run defense near top of Vols’ open-date to-do list

Tennessee defenders gang-tackle Alabama tailback Bo Scarbrough during Saturday's game at Neyland Stadium. The Crimson Tide rushed for 438 yards in their 49-10 win.

By Patrick Brown October 17, 2016 5 min read

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Top-ranked Alabama blows out No. 9 Tennessee, 49-10

Alabama's Anthony Averett (28) breaks up a Tennessee pass intended for Jauan Jennings (15). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) looks for a receiver. On this play he threw a interception Alabama ran back for a touchdown. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Dimarya Mixon (40) pressures Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

The Tennessee bench erupts as Evan Berry (29) runs during a long kickoff return. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Evan Berry (29) is tripped up after a long kickoff return. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Alvin Kamara gets a big Tennessee gain before being knocked out-of-bounds by Alabama's Ryan Anderson (22). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones checks on a injured Jack Jones (66). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

The Tennessee defense gang tackles Alabama's Bo Scarbrough (9). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Rashaan Gaulden (7) celebrates a big stope. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Smoky keeps to the shade. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Jalen Hurd (1) dives for yardage as he is tackled. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Head coaches Butch Jones and Nick Saban are surrounded by photographers before the game. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

The Tennessee color guard wears uniforms patterned after those from the War of 1812. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

A Vol fan shows off her impressive face paint. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen talk before the game. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) looks for a reciever behind the protection of his offensive line. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Derek Barnett (9) misses a tackle on Alabama's ArDarius Stewart (13). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

A young Vol fan sings Rocky Top as he watches the Alabama players go off the field. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama's Tony Brown (2) smiles as the Vol fans yell at them as they come off the field after warmups. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

A Vol cheerleader fires up the crowd before the game. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) is pulled down by Alabama's Hootie Jones (6). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs (11) and Jashon Robertson (75) leave the field after the Vols's 49-10 loss to Alabama. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) jumps over Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatick (29). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) is tackled by Alabama's Keith Holcombe (42). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Jonathan Kongbo (1) tends to a injured Micha Abernathy (22) while Emmanuel Moseley (12) looks on after Alabama scored their final touchdown. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) pulls in a Quinten Dormady pass late in the game while Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) defends. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama's Eddie Jackson (4) gets past Tennessee's Micah Abernathy (22). Jackson scored a touchdown on the punt return. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee fans watch as the their team falls behind 49-10 in the fourth quarter. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama cheerleaders begin to celebrate their team's 49-10 victory over Tennessee. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) is tackled by Anthony Averett (28), The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones and Derek Barnett (9) check on a injured Kendal Vickers (39). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Tyler Byrd (10) runs behind the block of Jalen Hurd (1). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Ethan Wolf tries to avoid the tackle of Alabama's Ronnie Harrison (15) after a reception. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) dodges the attempted tackle of Tennessee's Micah Abernathy (22). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama head coach Nick Saban congratulates quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) after a third quarter Bama touchdown. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Tennessee's Jalen Hurd (1) is tackled by Shan Dion Hamilton (20). The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Alabama head coach Nick Saban showed frustration when the top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

The Alabama Million Dollar plays after a Bama score. The top-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action on October 15, 2016

Read more about the Vols, Crimson Tide game

KNOXVILLE – If getting healthy is the top item on Tennessee’s to-do list during its off week, fixing a leaky run defense is probably the distant second.

The Volunteers gave up 791 rushing yards in back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Alabama and now rank 13th in the Southeastern Conference in that category through seven weeks of the season.

One week after quarterback Trevor Knight had 110 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Aggies, Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts gashed Tennessee for 132 yards and three scores in Saturday’s 49-10 rout at Neyland Stadium.

“He’s a dynamic quarterback (with) his speed and him being able to run and being able to pass,” Vols defensive back Rashaan Gaulden said.

“The hardest quarterback to face is a dual-threat quarterback, in my opinion, and he exploited us today being able to get around the edge and deliver on long balls when needed. It was a huge emphasis, trying to have a extra hat in the box for him, but sometimes the X’s and O’s don’t correlate to the game and we’re just going to have to make the play the next time it comes around.”