KNOXVILLE – Ja’Quain Blakely almost understated the response to his victory-saving tackle against Kentucky.
Tennessee’s defensive lineman initially accounted for the text messages and phone calls he received as simply “more than usual” following his pivotal role in a 17-13 victory in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 9. Then he remembered one reaction in particular.
“My grandma called,” said Blakely, who approximated the excited tone of his voice in recounting her saying: “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you made the tackle.”
Grandma shouldn’t have been so astonished. After all, her grandson had capable help in stopping Kentucky quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. for no gain on fourth down at UT’s 2-yard line with 1:17 left. Linebacker Daniel Bituli swooped in to assist, and capped off his impressive 19-tackle performance.
However, Blakely, to his credit, was ready to play his part.
“It was something I’ve wanted for a long time,” the 6-foot-2, 284-pound redshirt junior said. “Big players make big plays at big moments. That was a great moment in my career, to make that play and help my team.”
The moment exemplified the evolution of Tennessee’s defense. Heading into Saturday’s game at Missouri (5-5, 2-4 SEC), the unit has allowed nearly 19 fewer points and 100 fewer yards during the last five games, compared to the first four against FBS opponents.
During the five-game span, the Vols (5-5, 3-3) are allowing 17.2 points and 324.2 yards per game on average. Those averages include a 35-13 loss at Alabama on Oct. 19, when they surrendered 373 yards.
The improvement has been led by the senior trio of Bituli, safety Nigel Warrior and outside linebacker Darrell Taylor. In six conference games, Bituli is averaging nearly 10 tackles per game. Taylor leads the SEC in sacks with seven and Warrior is tied for first in interceptions (four).
But players like Blakely, fellow lineman LaTrell Bumphus and Darel Middleton and outside linebacker Kivon Bennett, among others, are rallying to the cause as if they’re converging on a ball carrier. Bumphus and Bennett each tied career highs by recording five tackles apiece against Kentucky. Two of Bumphus’ tackles were for lost yardage. The 6-7 Middleton, meanwhile, blocked a Wildcats’ extra-point kick.
Here’s some factors in the defense’s improvement:
Coaching: The most noteworthy attribute, according to the defenders, has been the staff’s steadfastness.
“These coaches are as consistent as anyone I’ve ever met,” Bituli said. “Their demeanor for the game is never going to questioned.”
Blakely values the quality in assistant Tracy Rocker, who’s his position coach.
“Coach Rocker never changes,” Blakely said. “He’s the same day in and day out, win or lose. He never changes. I think I like that about him the most.”
Adaptability: Blakely played some at tight end last season. Bumphus also lined up at the position.
Along with their willingness to switch positions, both players have bulked up since coming to UT. Blakely estimated that he’s packed on 60 pounds during his three seasons on campus.
“I’m here to help the team,” he said. “Wherever I can fit in, that’s where I want to fit in.”
Eureka moment: Shifting to outside linebacker entailed more responsibility and required more preparation on Bennett’s part.
But the redshirt sophomore was just playing football against UAB when he read the running back’s alignment and knocked down a swing pass.
“They split out to get out,” he said. “I used my instincts and made a play.”
Leadership: Warrior believes the defense has benefitted from a critical form of communication.
“Talking to each other when things happen, knowing we’re not arguing with each other when we talk to each other,” he said. “Because we all talk with a lot of aggression. Somebody from the outside looking in, they’re probably like ‘They’re chirping.’ ”
No, they’re holding each other accountable. Offensive lineman Trey Smith said that Warrior definitely is an aggressive talker.
“Nigel likes to get on everybody’s butts, which we need a lot of times,” Smith said. “He’s the one who has the guts to come out and say stuff when other people are a little too scared to say anything.”
* * *
Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri who covered University of Tennessee athletics for the Knoxville News Sentinel from 1988-2019. He may be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com