No. 16 Tennessee (2-0) will host Akron (1-1) Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Week 3 (7 p.m. EDT, SEC Network+).
The Vols enter its Week 3 nonconference contest following a 34-27 overtime win at Pittsburgh.
Tennessee defeated Ball State, 59-10, in Week 1 at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh met with media Tuesday and provided an evaluation of the Vols’ run game entering Week 3.
Golesh called Tennessee’s run game through two games “unique.”
“The first week against Ball State, we got something that we anticipated, but didn’t truly prepare for in terms of a total drop eight game,” Golesh said. “I thought we ran the ball pretty well. We got a bunch of guys in. I think we played five running backs in that game. We ran it pretty well minus the turnover on the fumble.
“This last week, we knew exactly what kind of game it was going to be in terms of what Pitt is defensively and how they are built. We knew it was going to be tough sledding running the ball. We also knew that the quarterback run game was going to be our best run game in terms of being able to actually have everybody up and forcibly run the ball. How Pitt is built, they are really, really sound. They are going to force you to throw the football. I think for what was presented, which is what we prepared for, I think we ran the ball okay. We put a ball on the ground in short yardage. That is two weeks in a row. That is beyond disappointing, and in a lot of ways, unacceptable. If I lose sleep about anything, it’s that. We can’t win games if we put the ball on the ground like that. We got away with one there, whether it was the football gods looking over us or maybe we are just that good of people. It turned out in our favor, but you can’t put the ball on the ground in tight games like that. I don’t know if you are asking for a letter grade, but I think it is a work in progress and is a huge point of emphasis for us. I think the offensive line is playing extremely well. We have some backs that we are confident with. We have to hang on to the football. It will just keep coming as the season goes.”
SEC football: Rushing yards leaders following Week 2
Tennessee’s leaders for rushing yards ahead of Week 3
Below are Tennessee’s team rushing statistics entering Week 3.