Meister der Farbe » rushed for 132 yards and three scores and Higgins

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee believes its defense has the depth that can enable the Volunteers to avoid the blown leads that haunted them in each of their losses last year.The depth is most notable up front, where the ninth-ranked Volunteers have accumulated so much talent that former five-star recruits havent been able to work their way atop the depth chart. Tennessee opens the season Thursday by hosting Appalachian State.Honestly, this is the most depth (at defensive end) weve ever had since Ive been here personally, senior defensive end Corey Vereen said. Im not used to this.The Volunteers went 9-4 last season but led in each game they lost. They were up at least 13 points in losses to Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas. They fell to eventual national champion Alabama by giving up a go-ahead touchdown with 2:24 remaining.Tennessee outscored teams 378-173 in the first three periods but was outscored 87-79 in the fourth quarter and overtime.There have been times where weve had guys out there who had already played 60 snaps, defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. Its hard to (have) what we term as Superman efforts, closing a drive out, a two-minute drive, making those efforts and plays, thats hard to do if youve been out there 60 snaps.That shouldnt be an issue this season.Tennessee believes it has the elements in place to be dominant and disruptive, the buzzwords new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has consistently used to describe his ideal defense since arriving from Penn State.Were deeper here at d-end than Ive probably been anywhere, Shoop said.The Vols depth is evident from a look at some of the players who arent expected to start Thursdays opener. Defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie was rated as the nations No. 1 recruit in his class by Scout in 2015, yet hes still listed as a second-teamer behind senior Danny OBrien and junior Kendal Vickers. Sophomore defensive end Kyle Phillips, a former five-star prospect, isnt on the first team or second team.Both guys are still expected to play Thursday. Tennessee is hoping to rotate about six defensive ends into the game at various points, which should prevent the Vols from overworking anyone and relying too heavily on defensive end Derek Barnett, who has recorded 10 sacks each of the last two seasons.This rotation were talking about is going to put us in better position to close games, Stripling said.Tennessee also is bullish on the rest of its defense.The linebacker corps features returning starters Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Darrin Kirkland Jr. Cornerback Cam Sutton, entering his fourth year as a starter, headlines a secondary that features plenty of guys versatile enough to play multiple positions.The Vols built their depth on defense by signing two straight recruiting classes that had consensus top-five rankings. The second of those classes arrived in 2015, which means all those recruits have now been on campus at least one year.Tennessee also has received a boost this year from the returns of Phillips, tackle Shy Tuttle and defensive back Rashaan Gaulden from injuries that caused them to miss most or all of the 2015 season. Tuttle has been brought along slowly as he recovers from a broken fibula, but Tennessee coach Butch Jones said the sophomore tackle would be available Thursday.Were at the stage now where we can rotate guys in and not have a drop-off at any level, Sutton said. In the fourth quarter, we can have our closers in and be able to close games out.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Air Jordan 4 Retro For Sale . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Discount Air Jordan 4 Retro http://www.cheapairjordan4retro.com/ . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Cheap Air Jordan 4 Retro China . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. White Air Jordan 4 Retro . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. RUSTON, La. -- Ryan Higgins threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Trent Taylor become Louisiana Techs career leader in receptions and the Bulldogs beat Rice 61-16 on Saturday night to become bowl eligible.Boston Scott rushed for 132 yards and three scores and Higgins completed 18 of 25 passes for 292 yards and added 106 yards rushing -- including a 71-yard TD run that gave Louisiana Tech (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA) a 28-0 lead late in the first quarter. Taylor had seven catches for 131 yards and moved past Troy Edwards -- the 13th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft -- into first onn the schools career receptions list with 284.ddddddddddddThe Bulldogs had a season-high 735 total yards including four plays of 70 yards or longer: Higgins 71-yard run, a 71-yard reception by Taylor, an 89-yard catch and run by DeJuawn Oliver, and a 70-yard TD run by Boston.After Olivers touchdown, Jonathan Barnes PAT kick was blocked and Rices Darik Dillard returned it 98 yards to make it 54-2.Rice (1-7, 0-5) had just 33 total yards in first quarter. ' ' '