KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Ask Tennessee fans what they were most excited to see in the Vols’ season-opener and the answer most often was “Bob Shoop’s defense.” Tennessee’s first-year defensive coordinator was the talk of the town.
Shoop practically was crowned the Buddy Ryan of Knoxville throughout the offseason. His defense was supposed to force turnovers at will, blitz at every opportunity and create one big play after another. That didn’t quite happen against Appalachian State.
Certainly, Shoop’s defense didn’t undermine Tennessee. That was the offense’s fault. But Shoop’s defense didn’t produce the big plays that would dominate lesser opponents.