Tennessee shuts down Arkansas offense

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer stalked up to the podium and fairly bellowed into the microphone.

"The first thing I want to tell you is never doubt the heart of a Volunteer," he said, his tone almost defiant.

At least on Saturday, one couldn’t doubt UT’s defense.

Rising up to the challenge against Arkansas’ 1-2 punch of tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, the No. 22 Vols allowed just one first half first down and took another step towards the Southeastern Conference’s East Division title with a 34-13 romp in Neyland Stadium.

Ranked 74th nationally against the run, UT (7-3, 4-2) permitted just 49 total yards in 20 first half plays and forced five straight 3-and-outs from an offense which entered the day leading the SEC in scoring and rushing.

"This is as big as it gets," quarterback Erik Ainge said of the defense’s effort. "They [Arkansas] had everything kind of going for them. We almost felt disrespected in a way."

McFadden, who rushed for an SEC-record tying 321 yards last week against South Carolina, picked up 11 yards on his first carry. The Razorbacks’ next first down didn’t occur until four minutes had elapsed in the third quarter.

No matter what Arkansas (6-4, 2-4) tried, no matter whether it was from conventional formations or their WildHog package that featured McFadden at quarterback, it couldn’t make headway against a defense which appeared quicker.

"They did a good job of turning everything inside," Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt said of the Vols’ defense. "They were bound and determined to keep us off the edge. We had too many 3-and-outs and got out of rhythm."

While McFadden finished with 117 yards on 22 carries, he never found the end zone and never came close to taking the game over. Jones rushed just three times for three yards before leaving for good early in the third quarter with a deep thigh bruise.

Meanwhile, UT tailbacks Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty outproduced their more heralded counterparts. Foster rushed for 83 yards, most coming on a 59-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, while Hardesty slugged out 65 yards in 20 attempts.

The Vols established their presence immediately with a game-opening 64-yard drive, converting a 4th-and-1 from their 45 on Ainge’s 3-yard sneak. Ainge finished the drive with a 16-yard pass-and-run TD to Austin Rogers.

"Knowing that the offensive coordinator has confidence in the offensive line just gives you a tingle," offensive guard Anthony Parker said of the 4th down call.

After short field goals by Daniel Lincoln upped the lead to 13-3, UT struck again just before halftime when Ainge concluded a 49-yard march with a 14-yard screen pass to Josh Briscoe, making the margin 20-3.

Following Foster’s TD run, the offense managed just three first downs for the game’s remainder. But with the defense in top form, it didn’t matter.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo finished the defense’s finest three hours in style, picking off backup QB Nathan Emert and returning it 34 yards for a score with 2:46 left in the game.

The Vols can clinch a trip to Atlanta Dec. 1 for the SEC championship game by beating Vanderbilt at home next week, then winning at Kentucky in two weeks.

"They laid it on the line for the 60 minutes that we asked them to lay it on the line," Fulmer said.

ORANGE SLICERS: Arkansas gave UT help by committing 12 penalties for 61 yards. Five led directly to first downs ... Rogers (shoulder) wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to play, but started and finished with six catches for 62 yards ... The Vols controlled the ball for 20 minutes, 55 seconds of the first half, running on 15 consecutive plays in a span bridging the first quarter’s end and the first 12 minutes of the second quarter ... UT is now 6-0 at home and has outscored its opponents 242-104.

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Player of the Game: Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo led the defense with nine tackles and also added a game-clinching 34-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:46 left.

Play of the Game: Volunteers tailback Arian Foster sprinted 59 untouched yards off the left side with 11:22 remaining in the third quarter, giving his team a 27-3 lead and forcing a run-oriented opponent to scrap their game plan.

Stat of the Game: Arkansas picked up a first down on its second play from scrimmage, then didn’t get its next first down until the 11-minute mark of the third quarter.

They Said It: "All you heard all week was how [Darren] McFadden was going to win the Heisman [Trophy], how UT’s defense can’t stop their offense. It was the opposite today," Vols offensive guard Anthony Parker said of the defense’s performance.

The Bottom Line: Where has this defense been all year? McFadden’s 117 yards were the quietest one could imagine. UT was physical on defense, efficient on offense and won the special teams. It was an old-school performance.