[Tuck4Bama]

KNOXVILLE — Labor Day was a work day for the Tennessee Volunteers.

When your defense gives up 45 points, every minute is needed for improvement.

The Vols returned to the practice field Monday, two days after losing 45-31 at Cal. Now the focus turns to Southern Miss and how UT's defensive line can make massive improvements before the Vols' home opener at Neyland Stadium in four days.

"It gave us a lot to improve on," defensive tackle Demonté Bolden said. "It gave us time to put a chip on our shoulder and go out there and prove to America and the people in Tennessee that we're a lot better than what it seems. First game, yeah, we're a young defense. But we have a lot of things to bring to the game."

UT starts laborious task to fix defense