ESPN.com - Vols' ground game still lacking

ESPN.com: College Football Nation

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Vols' ground game still lacking

By Chris Low

It's only one game, but it looks like Tennessee will have to lean heavily on its passing game again this season.

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray had a big game with three touchdown passes, and sophomore receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers both had 100 receiving yards or more in the Vols' 42-16 season-opening win over Montana on Saturday.

But through three quarters, Tennessee had rushed for just 83 yards, which didn't sit well with second-year coach Derek Dooley. The Vols also fumbled five times in the first half, but were fortunate enough that they didn't lose any of them.

This is going to be a big-play offense. That's pretty obvious. Bray averaged 17.2 yards per completion on Saturday, and the twosome of Hunter and Rogers is going to give defenses fits.

Still, if the Vols are going to make a move in the East this season, they've got to get better at running the football.