Tennessee offense finally showing signs of life

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s dormant offense finally may be awakening just in time for the stretch run.

After failing to score a touchdown in two straight Southeastern Conference games, Tennessee gained 383 yards last week in a 34-20 loss to No. 3 Alabama, which was ranked fourth at the time. Tennessee’s 181 yards rushing were the most allowed by Alabama all season.

That performance gives Tennessee (3-5, 0-4 SEC) confidence heading into Saturday’s game at South Carolina (4-4, 2-4). The Gamecocks are allowing 32.8 points per game to match Vanderbilt for the SEC’s worst scoring defense.

Tennessee’s offense got a boost last week from quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who played most of the game while a shoulder injury sidelined Justin Worley. Tennessee coach Butch Jones still hasn’t named a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game.