Vols survive mistakes, injuries and hold off Ohio, 28-19 [photos]

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) fumbles the ball after he was hit by Ohio's Terell Basham (93), Bobcat teammate Cleon Aloese (92) looks on. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016. Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) fumbles the ball after he was hit by Ohio's Terell Basham (93), Bobcat teammate Cleon Aloese (92) looks on. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

By Patrick Brown September 18, 2016 4 min read

Photo Gallery

Vols survive mistakes, injuries and hold off Ohio, 28-19

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones leaves the field with a injured Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Colton Jumper (53) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio's Jordan Reid (12). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee quarter back Joshua Dobbs (11) tries to avoid the tackle of Ohio's Toran Davis (24). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) grimaces after a frist half injury. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Jalen Hurd (1) tries from yardage up the middle. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee center Dylan Wiseman (71) helps set the offense. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes for the Vols's first touchdown. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) pulls in the Vols first touchdown in front of Ohio's Randy Stites (10). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Marching Band exits the field. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee great Dewey Warren waves to the crowd. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Alvin Kamara (6) runs for a big first quarter gain. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Shy Tuttle (2) and the rest of the Vols take the field. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

The Vols run through the "T." The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones links arms with his team before they take the field. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

The flag corp of the Tennessee Pride of the Southland Marching Band marches along the endzone. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

The Tennessee mascot Smoky waits in the endzone for the Vols to take the field. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

A empty Neyland Stadium looms over Tennessee players as they pray at midfield before the game. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

A sleepy, young Tennessee fan rubs his eye as he and thousands of other fans await the Vol Walk. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee players walk out to midfield for their traditional prayer and meeting before the game. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones greets fans along the Vol Walk. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

A empty Neyland Stadium is bathed in the rising sun. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Fans await the Vol Walk. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Danny O'Brien (95) enjoys himself as the band plays the Tennessee Waltz. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Corey Vereen (50) celebrates making a big fourth quarter stop. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Corey Vereen (50) hits Ohio quarterback Greg Windham (14) just as he throws. The incompletion ended a fourth quarter Ohio drive. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs behind the block of Josh Malone (3). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Tyler Byrd (10) lungs ahead while being tackled by Ohio's Bo Hardy (22). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Preston Williams (7) picks up yardage after a pass reception, while Ohio's Randy Stites (10) and Toran Davis (24) defend. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Jalen Hurd (1) goes from big fourth quarter yardage while teammate Josh Malone blocks Ohio's Mayne Williams (2). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Ohio's Sebastian Smith (6) catches a long pass over Tennessee's Todd Kelly Jr. (24) and Emmanuel Moseley (12). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) fires a pass. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Alvin Kamara (6) tries for yardage down the sidelines. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs shakes the tackle of Ohio's Cody Grilliot (40) as he scores a third quarter touchdown. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Jason Croom (18) and Ohio's Papi White (4) go after a fumbled Ohio punt return. White recovered the ball for Ohio. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Emmanuel Moseley (12) and Colton Jumper (53) chase Ohio's Sebastian Smith (6). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

Tennessee's Emmanuel Moseley (12) tackles Ohio's Papi White (4). The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

KNOXVILLE – After 38 seconds it looked like the Tennessee Volunteers were in for an easy Saturday afternoon at a sun-drenched Neyland Stadium.

The rest of the game didn’t go as well.

Tennessee overcame a multitude of mistakes and the loss of defensive stars Cameron Sutton and Jalen Reeves-Maybin to beat Ohio 28-19 and continue its imperfect unbeaten start to the season.

“Our goal was to be 3-0 at this point in time, and we’re 3-0 at this point in time,” Vols coach Butch Jones said, “but I think every person to a person would tell you we have to get a lot better starting conference play next week.”

The desired improvement may be impossible for a defense that could be without three of its best players when Florida rolls into Knoxville next Saturday.