For UT Vols football fans looking for positives, the list is surprisingly long

ATHENS, Ga. — In a less-than-successful season for the Tennessee Vols, it's easy to be critical. It's not always as easy to see good things in a bad season.

But if you're willing to look for them, they can be found. Here's what I came up with:

No quitters: Player attrition has become commonplace in college football. And players no longer wait for the end of the season to announce they're transferring.

Although UT is off to a 2-3 start and has lost three games by 26 points apiece, none of its players have quit.

Accountability: First-year coach Jeremy Pruitt hasn't failed to criticize his own coaching. That's not how it usually works.

In his first game — a 40-14 loss to West Virginia — he pointed out things he could have done differently. That was refreshing.

Run defense: No opposing running back has rushed for as many as 100 yards.

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Georgia's Elijah Holyfield has been the most successful. He rushed for 78 yards on 16 carries in the Bulldogs' 38-12 victory Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

Florida's Jordan Scarlett had 77 yards on 11 carries. No other running back has gained more than 63 yards on UT.

Quarterback runs: Although running quarterbacks are a prominent part of college football, Georgia's Justin Fields is the only quarterback to run effectively against the Vols.

Fields, a freshman who backs up Jake Fromm, rushed for 45 yards on five carries and scored two touchdowns. In the previous four games, opposing quarterbacks totaled just 71 yards.

Joe Doyle: No one on the team had a tougher act to follow than Doyle, who replaced star punter Trevor Daniel.

Doyle didn't have a great opener against West Virginia. But since then, he has punted 20 times for a 43.4-yard average.

Brent Cimaglia: UT's placekicker hasn't had many opportunities, but he has made the most of them. He is 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts. Last season, he was 8-for-13 as a freshman.

I've already mentioned UT's punter and placekicker, but a special-teams unit has been Tennessee's strength.

UT's punt-coverage team has been outstanding. Opponents have returned four punts for a total of minus-2 yards. The longest return has been for 3 yards.

Shy Tuttle: When he signed with the Vols, he was one of the highest-rated defensive linemen in the country. Injuries sabotaged his first three seasons, but he's having his best season as a senior.

Maybe, NFL scouts will take note.

Jauan Jennings: The wide receiver was dismissed from the team last season but returned under UT's new coaching staff.

No one fights harder for yardage when he gets the ball.

Hard runners: Tennessee doesn't have anyone among the SEC's rushing leaders. But all four of its running backs have battled for extra yardage without great blocking.

Darrin Kirkland Jr.: Like Tuttle, Kirkland has had his career hampered by Injuries. His knees might not be in the greatest shape, but he's having a productive season.
Tennessee's veteran linebacker has 23 tackles.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or John.adams @knoxnews.Com. Follow him at: twitter.com/job adams is.

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