KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee's pass rushers believe they're doing a decent job of harassing quarterbacks this season, but they're often frustrating themselves in the process.
The Volunteers (2-1) have produced just four sacks, which puts them in a three-way tie for last place in the Southeastern Conference. Nobody on the roster has delivered more than one sack. They failed to sack Florida's Jeff Driskel at all last week in a 37-20 loss to the Gators.
Tennessee switched schemes and coordinators in the offseason, but the Vols are on the exact same pace as last year, when they recorded 16 sacks in 12 games to rank 11th in the SEC.
Tennessee will get plenty of chances to increase those totals Saturday against Akron, which is tied for second nationally with 55.7 passes per game. The Vols defensive lineup will see a change in the backfield.
Tennessee sophomore cornerback Justin Coleman will make his first start of the season Saturday against Akron after moving ahead of senior Marsalis Teague on the depth chart.
Teague started each of the Vols' first three games this year and made eight starts each in 2010 and 2011. Coleman made four starts last season but had been filling a backup role so far this year. Tennessee released an updated depth chart Thursday that showed Coleman had beaten out Teague.
The change means Tennessee will have two new starters in the secondary Saturday. Byron Moore is moving from strong safety to free safety to replace Brian Randolph, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a 37-20 loss to Florida last week. Brent Brewer will take over Moore's old spot at strong safety.
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