KNOXVILLE — Losing on a game-ending Hail Mary like Saturday’s 26-20 loss to Florida is new territory for Tennessee’s defense. Giving up big plays unfortunately isn’t.
Feleipe Franks’ 63-yard touchdown to Tyrie Cleveland is the most recent in a long line of big plays given up by the Vol defense over the past 16 games. UT defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said at times it’s worse than even a big play.
“Defensively, you can play 55 great snaps and three bad snaps, and you stink,” Shoop said Tuesday. “Right now, that’s been our Achilles heel for the year and a half that I’ve been here.