Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara (6) is tripped up by Virginia Tech defensive back Chuck Clark (19) as linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka (54) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tennessee’s offensive line was poor in the season opener against Appalachian State, but the performance didn’t prompt any changes to the starting lineup.
The Volunteers did tweak the front during the first half of Saturday night’s win over Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway in the “Battle at Bristol.”
On the fourth series of the game Tennessee inserted Jack Jones into the lineup at right guard and slid Dylan Wiesman from right guard to center, knocking starting center Coleman Thomas to the bench.
The series lasted just one play as the Vols capitalized on a turnover, but Tennessee stuck with the lineup on its following possession, a four-play, 90-yard drive that tied the game.
“We had some individuals that earned some playing time through their individual reps during practice this week,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “Jack was one of those. We’re just looking for a spark, looking for some combinations up front.”
Later in the second quarter Tennessee went back to its starting lineup.
The offensive line was part of the entire team’s woeful start to the game, and Virginia Tech defensive end Ken Ekanem went right around redshirt freshman left tackle Drew Richmond for an easy sack of quarterback Josh Dobbs.
On the third series Thomas was flagged for holding.
Tennessee managed just 28 yards on 10 plays in the first quarter and picked up only one first down as the first two series ended in three-and-outs.
In the second quarter, though, the Vols averaged 8.2 yards per rush as the offense got going.
After a skittish start to the second half Tennessee again shook up its offensive line, dropping Richmond and moving Brett Kendrick to left tackle, Thomas to right tackle, Jack Jones to right guard and Wiesman to center.
“I’ll know a little bit more when I get back and watch the video,” Butch Jones said. “I thought our players really stepped up. We were able to run the football, but it was something that they earned playing time through their course and week in preparation.”
Jones was solid in his most significant action as a freshman in 2015, coming off the bench to play a big part in Tennessee’s comeback win against Georgia and starting the following game against a deep and talented Alabama defensive front.
He’s one of a handful players the Vols have worked at center in practice, a group including Wiesman and guards Jashon Robertson and Venzell Boulware.
Thomas started multiple games as a freshman at right tackle and also started there against Georgia last season.
Record runner
Dobbs became Tennessee’s all-time leading quarterback rusher on a 31-yard run in the third quarter.
The previous holder of the record was Jimmy Streater, who ran for 1,374 yards during his career (1976-79). Dobbs needed only 45 yards to pass Streater, but he ran for minus-4 yards in the opener against Appalachian State.
There have been seven 100-yard rushing performances by Tennessee quarterbacks, and Dobbs and Streater have six of them. The senior was a much more effective runner against Virginia Tech and broke off runs of 40 and 31 yards and used his legs to avoid a sure sack on his third-quarter touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara.
“In my opinion he is one of the best,” Kamara said of his quarterback’s ability to make plays with his feet. “He is incredible. Our program speaks about 63 (effort) and that is six seconds and three great strains, so we keep playing until we hear the whistle blow.
“The play Josh made is a great example of 63 (effort), to keep working and keep working.”
Kirkland carted off
Star linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. left the game late in the third quarter with what appeared to be a leg injury. He was helped off the field and put little weight on his leg. Former Baylor School standout Colton Jumper replaced Kirkland alongside Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Kirkland was taken to the locker room by a cart after his injury.
Safety and kickoff returner Evan Berry also left the game due to an undisclosed injury, and defensive end LaTroy Lewis was on crutches with a protective boot on his right foot after the game.
“In terms of the injuries, it’s too early to tell right now,” Jones said when asked specifically about Kirkland and Lewis. “They’re ankle sprains. I’ll know a little bit more when we get back to Knoxville.”
Defensive debuts
Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle made his season debut roughly 11 months after suffering a nasty leg injury in the win against Georgia last October.
The big sophomore was available to play against Appalachian State but did not. He played a handful of snaps against Virginia Tech and batted down a third-and-2 pass to force a punt in the second half.
The Vols also wanted to get young defensive ends Kyle Phillips and Darrell Taylor some playing time the staff believes they deserved, and Taylor made his Tennessee debut in the third quarter.
Phillips got in late, but junior college transfer Alexis Johnson did not play.
Tight end Jason Croom returned after missing the Appalachian State game with an undisclosed injury.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com