Tackles for a loss, sacks, interceptions and pass deflections compiled Tennessee’s defensive stats and then some in its 20-13 win over Texas A&M on Saturday.

The No. 19 Volunteers’ defensive play makers brought positive vibes to the post-game press conference after the teams’ performance.

Vols senior linebacker Aaron Beasley, who had 5 tackles on the day, was part of a solid defensive effort. It was apparent when team’s offense struggled at times to pull away from the Aggies.

“Today, we had our offense’s back,” Beasley said.

Tennesee tallied 2 interceptions — one apiece from senior defensive backs Gabe Jeudy-Lally and Kamal Hadden — 2 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 5 tackles for a loss of yards.

“That just speaks to the work we put in, it’s true to that,” Beasley said as he spoke on the consistency of the Vols’ defense.

Senior defensive back Tyler Baron spoke of high praise for Jeudy-Lally’s pick, which he took back 36 yards.

“That was a good-ass interception, man. Excuse my French,” Baron said.

Junior tailback Jaylen Wright, who led Tennessee’s with 136 rushing yards on 19 carries, lauded James Pearce Jr.’s effort against Texas A&M. The sophomore defensive lineman had three tackles, two of them for a loss, and a sack.

“He’s him,” Wright said. “What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained.”

Baron, who said he’s heard criticism of the Vols’ defense in the past, refused to listen to the praise from those who blasted them. Baron noted there’s more that Tennessee’s defense can be doing better.

Beasley said him and his fellow Tennessee defenders took inspiration in the words of wisdom from Eric Berry. A former NFL safety and ex-Vols standout, Berry spoke to the team before the game.

“His message was that we’ve prepared our whole lives for moments like this, and we should never take it for granted,” Beasley said.

Tennessee, now 5-1 on the season, faces No. 11 Alabama next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.