Blake Toppmeyer

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Bob Shoop pushed up his orange Tennessee ball cap and wiped the sweat off his brow as he exited the field Monday after the Volunteers’ 42-41 double-overtime victory over Georgia Tech.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been that tired at the end of a game,” said Shoop, UT’s defensive coordinator.

Shoop said the game “was as unbelievable of a chess match as I’ve ever seen.”

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Tennessee’s defense won the opening minutes, forcing consecutive three-and-outs, but after that, the Yellow Jackets spent much of the night working the Volunteers silly.

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In the end, the Vols renewed their membership to the 600 Club. Georgia Tech used its wishbone offense to pile up 655 yards on 96 plays.

“I wouldn’t make too many judgments based on that one game,” Shoop said. “Wait until we get into a more traditional game.”

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That said, some deficiencies were cause for concern regardless of the offensive system — namely, missed tackles.

Shoop counted 18 whiffs by the Vols.

The Yellow Jackets converted 13 of 18 third downs.

Monday marked the fourth time in the past five games that UT surrendered more than 600 yards. Remarkably, the Vols won three of those four games.

In the 10 seasons before 2016, Tennessee allowed 600-plus yards just three times.

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The Yellow Jackets piled up 535 yards on the ground. That gives the Vols the nation’s worst rushing defense entering their home opener against Indiana State (0-1) on Saturday (TV: 4 p.m., SEC Network).

“We have to do a better job of spilling blocks,” defensive line coach Brady Hoke said. “We didn’t do a good job of that until about the last quarter.”

Georgia Tech gained just 11 yards on six plays on its first two possessions. After that, Shoop said, the Yellow Jackets deviated from their triple option into other areas of their playbook, including the belly option and quarterback counters.

What Shoop would have done differently

If he had it to do over again, Shoop said he would have substituted more.

Several Vols played about 90 snaps or more, he said.

Middle linebacker Colton Jumper said he played every snap. Defensive end Jonathan Kongbo said he played about 90 snaps, and Hoke said defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie played about 85.

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“Sometimes situations dictate. Going forward, if we can play more, we’ll play more,” Hoke said.

Hoke’s conclusion about the defense?

“I think it’s a little hard to say where we’re at,” he said.

It might remain that way even after Saturday.

The Sycamores, an FCS school, gained just 293 yards during their 22-20 loss to Eastern Illinois in their season opener.

If nothing else, it’ll be a chance to shore up the shaky tackling the Vols displayed Monday.