By Bradley Hicks
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s pass defense proved to be the Achilles heel for the Vols in the 44-41 loss to Georgia. Why? Well, quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 304 yards, accompanied by a pair of touchdowns in his first SEC road start as he etched his name into history with completion after completion in the biggest moments. Linebacker Edwin Spillman expressed what the Tennessee defense saw on the field on Saturday.
“It was pretty simple in what we’d seen,” Spillman said. “Coaches did a great job of just showing us what we were gonna get out of certain formations, and that’s exactly what we got.”
That begs the question: If the defense wasn’t surprised by Georgia’s offense, how were the Bulldogs still efficient through the air?
Both the redshirt freshman and head coach Josh Heupel acknowledged the issues on the defensive side of the ball.
“When I talk pass defense… it’s all 11 being a part of that,” Heupel said. “You know, it’s communication [at the] second and third level.”
Spillman knew the defense didn’t play to their fullest potential; he too pointed his finger to the lack of communication.
“Overall, I feel like the biggest thing was just us beating ourselves,” Spillman added. “I feel like communication has to get a whole lot better.”
Tennessee’s battered defense now has to turn its attention to a UAB team coming off a tight 31-28 win versus Akron.
This matchup is particularly important to Spillman as UAB head coach Trent Dilfer coached Spillman, as well as Tennessee safety Kaleb Beasley at Lipscomb Academy.
“It’s more just a blessing,” Spillman said. “Just to be in this opportunity, getting to go against a great friend, great mentor, great coach.”
The season is not over, and Tennessee’s young defense will have a new opportunity to calm a fan base’s nerves after a disappointing showing versus the Bulldogs. Look for more communication, closer attention to detail, and an inspired performance from the pass defense against a familiar Dilfer offense come this Saturday.