KNOXVILLE – Jim Chaney replied with a hint of friendly sarcasm.
Tennessee hasn’t scored in the second half of its last four games, and the Volunteers’ offensive coordinator certainly knows it, though he momentarily pretended not to after Wednesday morning’s practice.
“Has it been that long?” he asked rhetorically. “Wow, that’s a long time.”
UT’s offense hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard much at any point of their last four games, sinking to 96th nationally in scoring and 97th in total offense. The 40 points in the four-game stretch have all been in the first half, with further ineptitude taking over after halftime.
Of the Vols’ 18 second-half drives in the last four games, seven ended in punts, six on failed fourth-down conversion attempts, three interceptions and one fumble. UT had no second-half first downs against Alabama and totaled less than 14 minutes of possession against LSU and South Carolina. Sacks and penalties have accompanied turnovers as drive-killers.