Tennessee player explains a weekly goal that drives the Vols' defense on the field
Tennessee's defense, as has been the case lately, did most of the heavy lifting on Saturday night in the Vols' 28-18 win over the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. The Vols' physical and opportunistic defense forced three big turnovers that helped swing the game the way of the Big Orange. As it turns out, that's exactly […]
Tennessee's defense, as has been the case lately, did most of the heavy lifting on Saturday night in the Vols' 28-18 win over the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. The Vols' physical and opportunistic defense forced three big turnovers that helped swing the game the way of the Big Orange.
As it turns out, that's exactly what the Vols' defense is aiming to accomplish each week as a unit: total three turnovers.
DB Will Brooks – who had a 65-yard interception return on Saturday night – explained after the game that trying to reach three turnovers is a goal the defense has on the field each week.
“Yeah, I mean we set a goal just to get three turnovers a game, and winning the turnover battle is just a huge part in winning games, so that's our main focus throughout the week just in our preparation and just everything we're doing we're always thinking about getting the ball. I think that's kind of why we've been able to come up with so many turnovers."
Tennessee's defense has been known this year for having a deep and talented defensive front that's controlled opposing lines of scrimmage. The Vols have allowed the fewest points per game in the SEC (5th best in the nation) with the best third down percentage in the nation (allowing just 24.3% conversion rate).
However, the team has still been pretty good at taking the ball away, too. Tennessee has totaled 7 fumble recoveries (tied for 14th in the country) and 7 interceptions (tied for 57th).
Tennessee likely isn't going to reach 3 turnovers every game from here on out, but you never know when those opportunities will arise during a game, and preparing for them is certainly a good thing.
After all, if the Vols' defense doesn't force those three turnovers against Kentucky, then the outcome of not just the game, but the Vols' season, could be in a very different place on Sunday.
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