Tennessee’s Entire Defense Named Tri-Star CFB Players of the Week
Tennessee’s defense celebrates after Dejuan Lane (No. 10) intercepts a pass thrown by Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell. (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)
History has officially been made.
The Volunteers’ entire defense has been named the Tri-Star Network’s CFB Players of the Week following a dominant performance in Tennessee’s 26–10 victory over the No. 6 Crimson Tide.
Alabama entered Neyland Stadium averaging more than 35 points per game. Tennessee held the Crimson Tide to 10 points, 201 total yards and only 54 yards on the ground.
The Volunteers recorded five sacks, forced four turnovers and limited Alabama to two conversions on 13 third-down attempts. The Crimson Tide managed only 12 first downs and failed to score during the entire second half.
Alabama’s 10 points were its fewest against Tennessee since 2005.
There were plenty of individual performances worthy of recognition, but no single defender could properly represent what Tennessee accomplished as a unit.
Dejuan Lane Does Everything
Dejuan Lane continued his recent stretch of dominant performances.
The junior safety recorded five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass deflection, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Lane made his presence felt immediately. Late in the first quarter, he intercepted Keelon Russell at Alabama’s 43-yard line, ending a Crimson Tide possession after only three plays.
He later helped stop Daniel Hill for a loss as Alabama threatened inside Tennessee’s red zone. Two plays later, Hill fumbled on fourth down and Lane recovered the ball at the Volunteers’ 11-yard line.
Lane was also responsible for breaking up a deep pass intended for Rico Scott early in the second quarter.
After recording nine tackles, two sacks and an interception against Auburn two weeks earlier, Lane once again delivered against one of Tennessee’s biggest rivals.
Pressure From Every Direction
Tennessee entered the game leading the nation in sacks, and Alabama quickly discovered why.
Jeremiah Telander and Tyree Weathersby recorded two sacks apiece, consistently forcing Russell behind the chains and preventing Alabama’s offense from finding a rhythm.
Telander created the game’s first turnover on Alabama’s second possession. The senior linebacker brought Russell down for a six-yard loss and forced the ball free, allowing Weathersby to recover it deep inside Crimson Tide territory.
Telander finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. He also joined Nathan Robinson to stuff Hill on fourth-and-one during Alabama’s opening possession of the second half.
The stop gave Tennessee possession at its own 40-yard line. Nine plays later, DeSean Bishop scored the game’s first offensive touchdown to extend the lead to 19–10.
Weathersby was equally disruptive off the edge. He finished with four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks totaling 17 lost yards.
His first sack pushed Alabama out of Tennessee territory late in the first half. His second came during the third quarter, dropping Russell for a seven-yard loss and helping force another Crimson Tide punt. Not to mention that early fumble recovery off the sack by Telander.
Arion Carter supplied Tennessee’s fifth sack while recording five tackles and a quarterback hurry. His pressure also forced an intentional-grounding penalty during Alabama’s final possession.
Every time Russell escaped one defender, another Volunteer appeared to finish the play.
Campbell Controls the Middle
Amare Campbell led Tennessee with eight tackles, including four solo stops and two tackles for loss.
The Penn State transfer consistently prevented Alabama’s short gains from developing into larger plays. He recorded tackles on seven different Crimson Tide possessions and helped Tennessee control the middle of the field throughout the afternoon.
Alabama’s running backs combined for only 48 yards on 17 carries. The Crimson Tide finished with 54 rushing yards as a team, their sixth-lowest total of the century.
Campbell may not have produced one of the defense’s four takeaways, but his reliability allowed Tennessee’s pass rush and secondary to attack without sacrificing control against the run.
Secondary Slams the Door
Kayin Lee delivered the final takeaway of the game.
Alabama moved inside Tennessee’s 30-yard line during the final minute, attempting to score its first points of the second half. With Russell facing second-and-11, pressure from Qua Moss forced him to throw toward the end zone.
Lee intercepted the pass for a touchback, ending Alabama’s final possession and officially securing Tennessee’s third consecutive home victory over the Crimson Tide.
The interception was the fourth turnover created by Tennessee’s defense and Russell’s second of the game. He entered the matchup having thrown only two interceptions through Alabama’s first six contests.
Tennessee doubled that total in one afternoon.
The secondary’s impact extended beyond Lane and Lee. TJ Metcalf finished second on the team with six tackles. Ty Redmond recorded five tackles and a pass deflection, while Moss added three tackles, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
Alabama finished with only 147 passing yards and failed to produce a completion longer than 20 yards.
A Complete Defensive Performance
Tennessee’s defense was placed in difficult situations throughout the first half.
Alabama’s only touchdown came after a George MacIntyre interception gave the Crimson Tide possession at Tennessee’s 14-yard line.
Alabama’s only other points came on a drive that began at its own 45-yard line. A 10-yard holding penalty against Tennessee moved the Crimson Tide to the Volunteers’ 24, setting up a 42-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half.
Alabama was completely shut out in the second half. Tennessee forced turnovers, created pressure, controlled the running game and prevented explosive plays through the air.
Lane created two takeaways. Telander and Weathersby combined for four sacks. Campbell controlled the middle. Lee slammed the door. Carter, Metcalf, Redmond, Moss, Gilliam and Robinson each contributed to a performance that Alabama never solved.
Choosing one player would have ignored everything that made the performance special.
For holding No. 6 Alabama to 10 points and 201 total yards while recording five sacks and forcing four turnovers, Tennessee’s entire defense has been named the Tri-Star Network’s CFB Players of the Week.