KNOXVILLE – Coming off perhaps their best defensive performance this season, the Tennessee Volunteers hope to carry momentum forward on the football field.
Against this week’s opponent, the importance of that can’t be understated.
The Vols had seven sacks and forced three turnovers in a 20-10 home over Mississippi State last Saturday, and they held the Bulldogs to their fewest points and yards (267) this season.
And on Monday, Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt noted the defense played well but also pointed out the team needed to get better.
“Defensively, it probably wasn’t as clean as I was expecting on Saturday,” Pruitt said. “We have to be cleaner when it comes to execution. I thought our guys played hard. The effort and toughness were not an issue. They played hard and found a way. Getting three turnovers was really, really good. We probably had an opportunity to get a couple of more. Defense did a nice job controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”