TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Tennessee football players watched video of the Alabama defense and thought they would have some opportunities to run the ball against the top-ranked Crimson Tide.
Turns out they were right.
The Volunteers ran for 114 yards on 37 carries in the 35-13 loss in front of 101,821 at Bryant-Denny Stadium late Saturday night. Context makes Tennessee's rushing total more impressive: Vols quarterbacks were sacked three times, totaling 23 lost yards, and the running backs had a solid night, with junior Tim Jordan putting together his best performance of the season by gaining 94 yards on 17 carries.
An offensive line that struggled mightily last season has shown progress, though Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt would like to see more throughout the second half of this season.
"They're learning how to play, continuing to get better," Pruitt said. "At times I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage, but we didn't do it on a consistent basis."
Jordan's longest run against the Tide covered 33 yards, while Ty Chandler had a carry go for 25 yards. The line got enough of a push to pick up a couple of first downs and help quarterback Brian Maurer sneak in for a score.
"Give credit to the offensive line. They played their butt off," Jordan said. "As a team we played hard and we made some mistakes, but we didn't quit."
Jordan has been an unsung hero despite having led the Vols in rushing each of the past three games. But so has the offensive line, which held up well against Alabama's front.
"I definitely feel it was one of our better games," center Brandon Kennedy said. "In practice we got the looks we see in the game, so it was easy for us to execute and do what we need to do up front."
But it wasn't enough. The Vols have three turnovers in the red zone their past two games, giving up potential points. So while it was good, it could be better - and coaches and players know that.
"We need to do more," senior receiver Marquez Callaway said. "We can't get in the red zone and turn the ball over. We can't get in the red zone and not put up points. Our defense played great, but as an offensive player I like to put stuff on us because I know things we could have done better that could have given a better outcome."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.