Up is usually not the direction in which Tennessee has to look when it’s eyeing an opponent.
In the 10 years before this season, the Volunteers had won 101 games, and coach Phillip Fulmer’s .783 career winning percentage is tops among all active college coaches with at least 10 years experience.
This year’s team, however, has struggled more than most, and the Vols will take the field Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium as underdogs to the eighth-ranked Irish (5-2).
Although their record may be a disappointing 3-4, the Vols retain the toughness, the nastiness and the athletic ability that long has been a hallmark of Tennessee football–especially on defense.
The Vols’ defense is allowing only 16 points per game. It has given up only three passing touchdowns all season and hasn’t allowed an opposing player to rush for 100 yards.
The tone is set by one of the smallest defensive linemen around, 6-foot-2-inch, 248-pound dynamo Parys Haralson. Haralson, a senior, is third on Tennessee’s career tackles-for-loss list, with 40.5. He is fourth in career quarterback pressures.
Teamed with linebacker Kevin Simon, who leads this year’s Vols with 63 tackles, Haralson has the ability to disrupt the rhythm of the Irish offense.
Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis says Haralson, who lines up at left defensive end, reminds him of some of the best he came across in the professional ranks, including New York Giants end Michael Strahan and the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney.
“A, they’re dynamic pass rushers; B, they play with leverage,” Weis said.
Irish guard Dan Stevenson also has been impressed with Haralson.
“He’s really quick off the ball, and he’s got one of those motors where he just doesn’t stop,” Stevenson said. “He’s a great athlete and a great football player.”
Simonsaid, “When you hear about an effort guy, a guy who plays hard every down, it’s usually a guy who’s over-reaching, somebody who doesn’t have that much talent.”
Haralson, however, “is very talented.”
His playmaking abilities, Simon said, were evident from the start.
A fifth-year senior, Simon had been on campus for a year when Haralson arrived, all energy, effort and enthusiasm.
At the time, there was some question whether Haralson would play linebacker or defensive end.
“When he came in . . . he had trouble in coverage and learning some of the schemes,” Simon recalled. “I told him, `Listen, what you do best is you make things happen. You hit people. You might as well put your hand on the ground and make things happen instead of sit and read and react.’ The rest is history.”
It has been mostly good. Even as the Vols have struggled, their belief that they can turn the season around against the favored Irish rests with the stellar play of the defense.
“They can get pressure on you with only rushing four,” Weis said. “That gives you an advantage.
“You’ve got speed in the secondary, you’ve got experienced, athletic linebackers and a front four that’s pretty dominant. This is as good a defense, if not the best defense, we’ve played this year.”
Stevenson added: “Let’s not kid ourselves–this is probably the best 3-4 team in the history of college football.”
That’s something the Vols already know.
“I’m pretty sure we’re probably the most talented team that’s going to be on the field on Saturday,” Simon said. “Are we going to play like that? That remains to be seen.
“If we’re clicking on all cylinders, it’s tough for any team in the country to beat us.”
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apatel@tribune.com
