It was once again a masterclass from the Tennessee defense in College Station.

Despite a slow start from the offense, the scoring arrived in the fourth as the Vols defeated Texas A&M 22-7.

T.J. Metcalf and Dejuan Lane led the defense, both grabbing an interception while combining for eight total tackles.

Things got started with a solid opening drive for the Vols (8-2, 5-2 SEC) offense, as the team drove all the way to the Aggies' (4-6, 1-6 SEC) one-yard line before George MacIntyre was stuffed at the goal line.

The stop forced the Vols to kick a field goal despite a solid 15-play drive. Still, Tennessee opened with an early 3-0 lead.

“I think this football team has composure, competitive composure,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “Continuing to play the next play, they’re okay playing in tight games.”

After the opening score from the Vols, the next three drives from either side became a defensive clinic, including two three-and-outs from the Aggies and two from the Vols offense before the first quarter ended.

After two rough offensive drives, the Aggies broke the drought with a six-play scoring drive, capped off by a 25-yard touchdown run from KJ Edwards.

It became quite clear that once again, long drives were going to be a theme for the Vols as they amassed a 13-play drive in response to the Aggies' touchdown.

Yet once again, the offense was stifled in the red zone, forcing Heupel to send out kicker Cooper Ranvier for his second kick of the afternoon.

The 30-yard field goal put the score at 7-6 in favor of the Aggies.

The scoring once again went quiet to cap off the first half, but wideout Mike Matthews went down with a knee injury in the second and wouldn’t return for the rest of the game.

Injuries continued into the third quarter as MacIntyre went down with a knee issue after some pressure from the Aggies' defense. Receiver Mike Matthews also sustained what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Despite trailing by one going into the third and the offense finding no traction, the defense continued to stand tall, forcing another three-and-out from Reed.

By the end of the third quarter, the Vols defense had allowed zero first downs in the entire quarter.

Before the quarter ended, though, the Vols offense was able to put three more points on the board with Ranvier’s third field goal of the afternoon.

Just like last week, though, the Vols saved most of their scoring for the fourth quarter. Faizon Brandon continued to see inconsistent reps, as he entered the game and delivered the first touchdown of the game, a five-yard pass to DaSaahn Brame.

“With where the game was and what we felt like we needed, it didn’t feel like the right place for George with that injury,” Heupel said. “That’s why Faizon was in there.”

The Vols wouldn’t look back, as the defense continued to hold Reed and company. Reed finished the day going 9-for-22 with just 71 yards in the air and one interception, which came from Dejuan Lane to cap the game later in the fourth.

While the injuries pile up, the Vols still stand strong behind their defense. They head back home for the final home game on the schedule against LSU next weekend.

Source: Yahoo Sports