In two games, No. 15 Tennessee has totaled 628 rushing yards at 6.8 yards per carry with seven touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has been more than just efficient and has stayed clean nearly every snap. For some, that would be enough to overlook the finer details and go on like all is right in the world. However, that’s not the attitude for head coach Josh Heupel’s team.
It all starts up front with the offensive line unit. They could feel that everything is all good. Although they could pay attention to the social graphics showing the outstanding numbers that they’ve played a huge part in making over the first two weeks, there’s much more to do.
“I would say for us, we’re not very satisfied at how we’ve been playing so far, just as a unit, just trying to clean up the little details.”
That was sophomore offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. Tuesday. Sanders admits to the inconsistent play up front. With nights like the Georgia Tech game where the backs go for 299 yards, the talent in that running back room makes things look better than they are.
“We have a very talented running back room, so even with some of the mistakes that we do make, they tend to make a lot of plays that make us look better,” Sanders said. “It’s not that we’re playing terrible, but we just gotta clean up the little stuff, the little mistakes, doubles and deuces and all that type of stuff, and just communication throughout the whole offensive line.”
The key word is communication. Being able to adjust to things on the fly will be crucial as this season quickly gets into Southeastern Conference play. That is why this week against Kennesaw State is more important than some would think. It’s great to simulate and fix these things in practice. However, game situation and game speed are what ultimately counts.
“It’s not a game of silence. If you’re playing a right tackle, left tackle, right guard, left guard, you gotta be able to communicate with your brother to the next and with the tight ends, with the running backs, with the quarterbacks,” Sanders said.
“No matter how much you practice, you’re gonna get to Saturday and something’s gonna be off,” Sanders explained. “You’re gonna get a look that you probably never practiced before. And we’re playing other good teams, so they’re bound to make a play every here and there. But we just have a next play mentality and just try to dominate each play. But I do think once we start to click as an offensive line, all five operating as one, we’ll be very dominant, for sure.”
Saturday night against the Owls of Kennesaw State, Sanders and the Tennessee offensive line are prepared for the front seven across from them. Sanders referenced defensive lineman Marcus Patterson and linebacker Kai Russell as ones to watch. He also stated that the Kennesaw interior reminded him of Georgia Tech.
“So, I think they’re gonna be a good unit to go against and definitely a game where we can clean up the mental mistakes and just try to dominate like we’ve been doing,” Sanders said.
In the end, physicality is something the Vols have had no question about. Once the mistakes and miscommunications are cleaned up, this unit will be a force. What is scary about it all is that they haven’t played their best yet. Against Furman, you can get by with less. Meanwhile, to go on the road at Georgia Tech and do what they did even when it wasn’t their best should have everyone encouraged and excited for what’s to come.
