Saturdays In The Fall - Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee

In a game that was do or die for the Vols, James Franklin brought in one of the best Vanderbilt teams in a long time to square off against arguably the worst Tennessee team ever. I knew this would be a tough game and honestly I was quite worried. However I also knew that with a win in this game, a sure fire win in Kentucky next week would put Tennessee at 6-6 on the season and send the Vols to a bowl game for the third straight year. I went to the game with my dad and when we got to our seats in the stadium I knew right away it would be interesting because about 3 rows in front of me there was a former Vanderbilt offensive linemen. Upon further inquiry I learned that he had played for the 'Dores during the 2005 season in which Vanderbilt won.

The game started out in Tennessee's favor. After Vandy got the ball to start, a Jordan Rodgers fumble gave the ball to the Vols and they were able to stroll right down the field on three plays and punch the ball across the goal line on a 2 yard scamper by Tauren Poole. Vols lead early 7-0. Tennessee got the ball back on a Jordan Rogers interception made by Austin Johnson but an interception thrown by Bray put Vandy in business and Zac Stacey scored one play later on a 6 yard run. Tennessee was able to gain the halftime lead however when Tyler Bray threw a brilliant pass to Da'Rick Rogers to put the Vols up 14-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter Vandy tied the game when Tyler Bray tried to zip one across the middle to Mychael Rivera but his pass was intercepted and taken 100 yards the other way to tie the game at 14. Vanderbilt took the lead in the forth quarter when Jordan Rodgers hit Chris Boyd with 12:21 left in the game and Vanderbilt looked like they may pull off the win. Tennessee took the ball down to the redzone on the ensuing drive, but on a field goal attempt by Parlady that first looked blocked, then after review showed that a Vandy player did not touch the ball, Tennessee benefited from a running into the kicker call and on 4th down, Bray hit Rogers who made a ridiculous catch, tying the game at 21 and eventually being the play that sent the game into overtime.

Reminded me of catches I used to make in my old playing days. . .

In overtime Tennessee won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Vandy came down to play at our end of the field. After picking up a first down, on third and 6 Jordan Rodgers again looked for his tight end on an out route. This time Nashville native Eric Gordon was there to pick the pass off and return it 94 yards for a game clinching touchdown. The only problem was that a ref had blown him down at the 6. Tennessee was going to have to come back out on offense and try to win the game. Just before the Vols took a snap the play was reviewed. Confusion rang throughout the stadium as it seemed Tennessee was about to get screwed out of another win. However this time vindication arrived in the form of the head referee announcing that Gordon's knee had not touched the ground, and that the touchdown would stand. Tennessee won an overtime thriller 27-21 and would now travel to Lexington to try and beat Kentucky for the 27th year in a row to make them bowl eligible.

I've never been so happy to be Vanderbilt. This is where we are.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Arkansas

Not really a whole lot to comment on with this game. Tennessee was out played and out matched. For a second towards the end of the first half I honestly thought that maybe Tennessee could pull an upset. Arkansas was extremely hyped for the game and it was obvious that Tennessee just couldn't match it. Tennessee got the ball to start the game but after a promising drive stalled, Arkansas quickly moved the ball down the field and ended up converting a third and goal to score.

From the Tyler Wilson pass to Wright for the first touchdown, to the 23 yard De'Anthony Curtis run for the final touchdown, Arkansas was absolutely the better team all night long. What was also obvious was the fact that they had more experienced players and all around better athletes. Tennessee will be here in a year or two, but right now it just was not meant to be. Arkansas's McAdams had quite possibly the more impressive punt return I have ever seen.

Arkansas got the scoring started when after a lengthy Tennessee drive that was snuffed out, Arkansas quickly went right down the field and Tyler Wilson found Jarius Wright for a seven yard touchdown pass. Tennessee had to punt on its next possession and that is when Joe Adams broke no less that 62 tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter it was Arkansas 14, Tennessee 0.

The second quarter didn't start any better. On the second play of an Arkansas drive, Dennis Johnson broke through a gap and after Tennessee didn't wrap up he was on his way to a 70 yard gain with a touchdown at the end of it. As halftime approached Tennessee seemed to be getting it together. Worley found Neal on a 50 yard bomb and then Neal finished the drive with an 11 yard run for a touchdown. The Vols went into the locker room down 21-7.

The third quarter dashed all hopes of the Vols possibly winning. Johnson busted off a 15 yard run for a touchdown after Wilson found wright on a 26 yard pass. Joe Adams scored again when Wilson found him on a 40 yard touchdown pass after Tennessee couldn't convert on a 4th and one from their own 40. Tennessee could not do anything positive and the fourth quarter included more of the same. Broderick Green got in on the act by starting an Arkansas drive with a 40 yard run then finished it by being on the receiving end of a Tyler Wilson pass for a touchdown. De'Anthony Curtis finished the scoring when he scampered in from 23 yards out, setting the final score of 49-7 in the Razorback's favor. Tennessee now has to win their last two games against a tough Vandy squad and then at Kentucky in order to be bowl eligible. This could get interesting.

Luckily no more of these types of athletes.

Saturdays In The Fall - Middle Tennessee State vs. Tennessee

So this week's game started at 7pm with the game I actually wanted to watch more starting at 8pm. By my count I would be able to watch the 4th quarter if Tennessee was able to put it away early and the fans left allowing traffic to be light. After getting to campus my dad informed me that we would be able to upgrade our seats with his boss and sit in the Tennessee Terrace for this game. To me that meant one thing, TV's inside a warm atmosphere. I was also pretty excited about getting to check out the new Terrace that had only been open about two years. We got our new tickets and headed to Phillip Fulmer Way to see the Salute to the Hill performed by the band. Something I had forgotten was that the Alumni Band marched in front of the Pride on homecoming weekend so that was something we had to endure.

Once you're out of the Pride, you shouldn't be allowed to march. When was the last time Carl Pickens ran a post route for the Vols?

Once we finally got inside the stadium I was amazed at how large and open the terrace was. HUGE orange shaded pictures lined the inside above the walkway in what seemed like an 80 foot ceiling. My biggest concern was locating the TV's, but while I was looking for that, I noticed an open taco bar. This had to be heaven. Once the game started and it was apparent that Worley was going to throw for nothing short of 500 yards and 8 touchdowns, I decided to just take in the whole experience. I was living with the kings. For one moment I was able to look down on the peasants in the cheap seats and feel like royalty. Once Tennessee had built a comfortable lead I walked outside to see how Alabama was doing. I also wanted to take in the view of Peyton Manning Pass from the large bow window area that hung over Phillip Fulmer Way. I have no idea how much the entire project cost but I do know that it is money well spent.

Glad I was able to enjoy a real game while Tennessee had the exhibition outside. WHERE IS MY TACO?!?!?!

Honestly I couldn't tell you one thing about this week's game. I remember Da'Rick Rogers making a catch that seemed unbelievable and making me wonder why he couldn't have made that catch last week against South Carolina. Worley took a huge step forward all be it against a team that at it's best is still really bad. With Arkansas on the horizon the entire team will need to take another big step forward and hopefully walk into Arkansas poised to snatch up the upset. It was nice to get a win but unfortunately Tennessee is still a really bad football team without Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter. No matter the record though, it's always great to be a Tennessee Vol.

Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top, ain't alot of wins as well.

Saturdays In The Fall - South Carolina vs. Tennessee

The final shot for Tennessee not to go 0 for October in the SEC came Saturday when South Carolina limped into Neyland Stadium. Marcus Lattimore was out for the season with a torn ACL and Stephen Garcia had one too many and had been kicked off the team. Connor Shaw had taken over at quarterback and Alshon Jeffery was struggling at wide out. However, there is nothing like a Tennessee secondary to make your woes in the passing game get better it seems. I went into the game fully expecting Tennessee to give up nothing short of 300 yards receiving to Jeffery.

Tennessee started the game right where they left off in Alabama. Three and out, punt, but this time the receiver of the punt was not very good at catching, and pulling his best impression of a Tennessee punt returner from 2010 he allowed the ball to bounce off his chest and onto the turf. Tennessee recovered and after they were stuffed on three straight plays, Michael Parlady came on to bang home a 22 yard field goal. After this small victory, the exercise in futility continued.

After the two teams exchanged punts a few times Tennessee finally got back into a position to allow Parlady to try another field goal that would put Tennessee ahead 6-0. This time the 47 yard attempt was blocked and the teams exchanged punts again. Tennessee's defense was playing great, until on a forth and one play the secondary got caught looking run and allowed the Carolina tight end Anderson to break free. Shaw found him for a touchdown and South Carolina took the lead 7-3. On the following series Tennessee had a third and one play from the South Carolina 44. Worley dropped back to pass and had Rogers down the sideline. Worley couldn't have put the ball in a better place, tight spiral, just over the defender, right into the hands of Da'Rick Rogers for what would have been a Tennessee touchdown if Da'Rick hadn't allowed the ball to go right through his hands. More punts ensued and Tennessee went into the half down 7-3.

Oh what could have been.

To open the third quarter Dooley chose to try an onside kick. The ball bounced out of bounds and South Carolina started with excellent field position. Shaw threw pass straight to Prentis Waggner though and Waggner took off down the field. The entire time he was running I think everyone in the stadium was thinking the same thing, GET INTO THE ENDZONE!!! It was not meant to be though, and Waggner was tackled at the three yard line. On the first play Poole was stuffed three yards deep and then on play two Worley threw an interception. South Carolina then proceeded to go on a drive lasting 20 plays, and covering 98 yards, ending in a touchdown when Shaw scored on a QB draw play from five yards out. Tennessee was now down 14-3 going into the forth quarter after running just four plays in the entire third quarter.

In the forth quarter Tennessee seemed to be loosing ground fast when South Carolina began another drive that looked to be one able to run the clock down again when Brian Randolph forced a fumble and Tennessee recovered. Worley ended any thought of Tennessee maybe making a comeback when on the first play from scrimmage he threw his second interception of the game. A three and out for South Carolina, followed by an unproductive drive lead by Matt Simms, lead to South Carolina being able to run out the clock and win 14-3.

Guess we are still watering the bamboo. Just keep watering.