Tennessee player explains mindset behind most impressive stretch of play for Vols since World War 2
The Tennessee Vols are doing things that simply haven't been done in Knoxville for a long time. Like, a very, very long time. Something most living Vol fans have not seen. With Tennessee's 71-0 shellacking of Kent State on Saturday night, their defense extended its streak of not allowing a touchdown for the longest stretch […]
The Tennessee Vols are doing things that simply haven't been done in Knoxville for a long time.
Like, a very, very long time. Something most living Vol fans have not seen.
With Tennessee's 71-0 shellacking of Kent State on Saturday night, their defense extended its streak of not allowing a touchdown for the longest stretch dating back all the way to 1940. That's what the ESPN broadcast showed through the first half (14 quarters), which is now up to 16 after the game.
What fuels that level of play? According to Tennessee LB Jeremiah Telander, it's personal when they allow someone into the end zone, particularly when it's got the checkerboard on it.
“That is the mindset for every game," Telander said after the game. "On defense, you want to see that goose egg on the board. That’s the mindset, don’t let anyone into our end zone, especially when we are at Neyland. We take that personally.”
Tennessee's streak of not allowing a touchdown now dates back to November 25, 2023 against Vanderbilt. In the fourth quarter of the Vols' 48-24 win, Vandy QB Ken Seals completed a pass to Quincy Skinner, Jr. for a 5-yard touchdown. Since then, the Vols' defense hasn't allowed a single player to cross the goal line. That's included games against then-ranked teams Iowa and NC State.
That said, this season has been one that's seen a lot of upsets or teams in tussles with inferior opponents. Ask Notre Dame about that against Northern Illinois. Top ten teams Missouri and Oregon have survived fights in games that have gotten into the 20s and 30s, respectively, on the scoreboard as more than two-touchdown favorites.
But being able to keep teams out of the end zone and dominate on both sides of the ball is what's made the elite teams what they've been in college football. Is Tennessee elite yet? No, they've got to prove it against the best and compete for championships.
But they look the part of one in the early stages of 2024. And it sounds like they have the right mentality to keep it going the rest of the year. That's all you can ask for right now.
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