UT defense holds together at critical time

TAMPA, Fla. -- John Chavis was proud and prepared to boast.

Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers wrestles Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan to the ground. The Vols totaled three sacks in the Outback Bowl victory. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

When the Tennessee offense broke on Tuesday afternoon, the defensive coordinator's much-maligned unit was there to pick up the pieces. His defense bent, but refused to break.

And as a result, the 16th-ranked Volunteers escaped the Outback Bowl with a 21-17 win over Wisconsin at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.

"That's when you want to play defense, when the game is on the line and you have to come through," said Chavis, whose squad stopped Wisconsin in Tennessee territory three times in their final four possessions."

"Earlier this year, I think it is fair to say we probably would not have made those plays. But if you are a defensive player, that is when and how you want to play," Chavis said. "I'm just thankful we progressed enough as a defense this year, we were able to step up and play the way we did (today)."

Much like they were throughout the regular season, the Tennessee defense was far from perfect against the Badgers. Wisconsin still finished with 347 yards total offense, including 192 on the ground. Tailback P.J. Hill returned from injury to average a startling 8.3 yards per carry against the Vols.

Arian Foster (27) puts a move on Badger defensive back Ben Strickland. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

But after being handed a 21-7 advantage by the Vol offense late in the second quarter, Tennessee's defense made play after play to ensure the Volunteers would go home winners this year -- something they were unable to do in a loss to Penn State here one year ago.

"That second half, our defense bowing its neck like it did -- they basically preserved this win for us," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said.

"We always go into it knowing it can go both ways -- if the offense is not playing well, we have to pick it up, and vice versa," linebacker Ellix Wilson said.

"Right there at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter today, I think we realized if (Wisconsin) scored, that was it. We couldn't let that happen."

So instead of folding after the Badgers trimmed their lead to 21-14 at the half, Tennessee's defense responded by forcing Wisconsin into punts on their first three possessions of the second half.

The visitors kicked a field goal to pull to within 21-17 with 9 seconds left in the third quarter, but were stymied by UT on their only two possessions of the fourth period.

The first threat ended when linebacker Jerod Mayo forced Badger quarterback Tyler Donovan into an incomplete pass on fourth-and-two from the Tennessee 10-yard line with 5:52 remaining.

Antonio Wardlow (38) celebrates his interception and the victory with teammate Jonathan Hefney. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Reserve cornerback Antonio Wardlow intercepted another Donovan pass at the Tennessee 1-yard line with just 28 ticks left to finally put an end to Wisconsin.

"When I saw that Wisconsin was going to go back on offense with about a minute and a half left, I realized our Mustang package was going back in and someone was going to have to make a play," said Wardlow, who was only in the game due to injuries and suspensions to other Vol defenders.

"I'm grateful I had the opportunity to make a play that contributed to our team winning today."

So was Chavis, who saw his unit go from dreadful in a 1-2 start to the season to the main reason Tennessee left Tampa as Outback Bowl champions this time around.

"Our kids never, ever lost faith in our coaching staff or in themselves. I'm very proud of them for that," he said. "This was a defense capable of getting us to an (SEC) championship game and almost winning a championship game. We've come a long way."