By Jimmy Hyams
When Solon Page III took the podium earlier this week, you could almost see the chip on his shoulder.
Tennessee’s sixth-year senior linebacker knows when people talk about the Vols, they talk offense.
But Page said there’s more to UT’s team than that.
“We play defense here, too,’’ Page said. “I mean, like, you got to play defense to win a game. … Just trying to make it seem like we only play offense here. The defense, we put that on our back. We try to make our impact felt.’’
The impact was felt during Tennessee’s 34-27 overtime victory at Pitt on Saturday.
When UT’s offense stalled in the second half – five possessions and one field goal – the defense rose to the occasion, even when put in harm’s way.
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ unit took the field on its 19 after a blocked punt, its own 39 after a muffed punt and on its 44 after a fumble. Pitt managed to score just 10 points despite pristine field position.
The defense not only held steady in the second half, it got the critical stop in overtime to seal the deal.
It marked the first time in Josh Heupel’s tenure as Tennessee’s coach that the defense outplayed the offense to win a game.
Page acknowledged the defense wasn’t perfect. It allowed a 76-yard touchdown run, a 57-yard scoring pass and surrendered a touchdown pass to tie the game with 2:23 left.
But overall, it was a solid performance.
“We had a bad run fit and they ended up splitting one for 76 yards,’’ Page said. “We came to the sideline and said, `hey, we got to get it going, get it together.’ … We shut the run game down and tried to make them one dimensional.’’
Page understands UT has a potent offense. But he thinks the defense doesn’t always get its due.
“I feel like we are overlooked every week,’’ he said as the Vols prepare to host Akron this Saturday (7 p.m. SEC Network+).
Page said it’s important for the defense to maintain its focus.
“We treat everybody the same,’’ he said. “We treat everybody like they’re Bama, you know what I mean. We don’t overlook anybody. Whether you’re No. 1 or not ranked at all, we’re going in with the same work ethic, same consistency every week.’’
While Page was defending the defense’s turf, Banks’ unit has struggled mightily at times.
Last year, it allowed 48 points to Purdue in a Music City Bowl defeat. It allowed over 40 points in losses to Pitt, Alabama and Georgia. It beat Kentucky despite surrendering 42 points.
Last year, UT’s offense set a school record for points scored, but the defense ranked among the SEC’s worst in points allowed and total yards allowed and passing yards allowed.
The defense also struggled on third downs, allowing opponents to convert 42% – 57% in SEC games.
Tennessee has been better defensively in several categories.
The Vols held Pitt to 4-of-18 on third downs and has allowed 28-percent on third-down conversions after two games. And the pass defense has as many interceptions (3) as touchdown passes allowed (3).
Yet, the Vols did surrender that long scoring run and long scoring pass to Pitt.
“We’ve got to clean that stuff up,’’ Page said. “We can’t give up those big runs. We can’t give up explosive plays. We got to hold teams to small rushing yards and make them one dimensional.’’
That will be the goal against Akron, a 50-point underdog.
“Whether we’re a 50-point favorite or a 50-point underdog,’’ Page said, “we don’t really pay attention to that. We control what we can control.’’
And right now, Page is trying to control the narrative when it comes to defense.
