Josh Smith hauls in a pass as Arkansas State's Chris Humes approaches in this file photo.KNOXVILLE - In its third game of 2013, Tennessee went to Oregon short a couple of wide receivers because of injury and started Vincent Dallas, who played on defense for part of preseason training camp and actually left the program the following month, between two true freshmen.
The Volunteers are down one key piece of its receiving corps heading into their third game this season, but the situation is far less bleak.
Despite the high ankle sprain that will keep Von Pearson out for a few weeks, it's been business as usual for Zach Azzanni's unit ahead of Saturday night's trip to No. 4 Oklahoma.
"We've got to pick up the rifle and move on," Tennessee's receivers coach said after practice. "Josh Smith's done a great job, and those guys were splitting time anyway. Having Johnathon Johnson back healthy helps, too, so we have some depth. Any time you lose a guy like Von, he's a difference-maker.
"We know that, but the next guy's got to pick up the rifle and move on. We haven't skipped a beat. We're not changing the game plan or anything like that. We're running what we run, because I think we can with those other guys."
Pearson owns Tennessee's longest play of the season so far, a 56-yard catch-and-run against Arkansas State prior to his injury in that game last. The junior college transfer, Azzanni said, has the best ability to turn a short pass into a big gain among Tennessee's improved group of wideouts. That's where the Vols will miss Pearson the most.
Pig Howard, Marquez North, Pearson Smith have combined for 29 of the 36 catches by Tennessee's receivers this season, and Johnson, Jason Croom and freshman Josh Malone, a former five-star recruit, will need to help pick up the slack.
"Somebody has to step up and fill the hole," Malone said. "Von's a playmaker. He makes big plays, and we're just going to have to step up and make plays.
"It's just another opportunity for me to come out and play and get more chances to get the ball in my hands and make more plays."
Tennessee is still waiting for the 6-foot-3, 204-pound Malone to break out as the Vols search for better efficiency in their downfield passing game.
"The more reps he earns from practice, the more reps he's gonna get," Azzanni said. "That's just how we work it. The more trust we have with you in practice, the more reps you'll get in the game, and Josh has been doing a good job. His practice habits are improving. He's doing some good things, so you'll see him more and more."
Third down for what?
In the embryonic stages of the season, Tennessee finds itself ranked 14th nationally in third-down defense, as Utah State and Arkansas State combined to convert just seven of 31 such opportunities.
The Vols were 92nd nationally in the category in 2013.
"We've been better on third down because we've been better on first down," defensive coordinator John Jancek said.
The Vols have allowed just four plays of 20-plus yards, while the Sooners have 11 such plays this season, including touchdown runs of 22, 31, 82 and 23 yards.
Communication key
Tennessee likely will start two true freshmen on its offensive line on Saturday night, and two more linemen will be playing the first significant snaps in a road game in their careers in a stadium where Oklahoma has lost five games in 16 years.
To prepare, Don Mahoney's group has worked on communication up front and practiced a silent count this week.
"Obviously the center position's got to be the one that takes complete charge and pass [the call] throughout," the offensive line coach said. "We can't get caught up in the elements. We've got to be focused in on what we're doing each and every play and not get caught up in all the hype."
There's no shortage of that for Oklahoma's defensive front, which is big, athletic and fast. Jordan Phillips, a 6-foot-6, 334-pound nose guard, anchors the line, and outside linebackers Geneo Grissom and Eric Striker bring speed and disruption off the edge.
"It's going to be a test just because they are SEC-talent guys, but we're treating it the same way," Vols center Mack Crowder said. "We've just got to get after them like we've been doing the past two games."
Status updates
Tight end Ethan Wolf (knee bruise) ran through some agility drills with a trainer on the side of Wednesday's practice, and Tennessee coach Butch Jones said on his radio show Wednesday night the freshman will travel to Oklahoma, though it remains unclear how much he'll play. ... Defensive back Rashaan Gaulden has returned to practice with his right wrist heavily taped. ... Tennessee's "Pride of the Southland" marching band will not make the trip to Oklahoma.