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.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Alabama

The third Saturday in October. Which actually is now technically the forth Saturday in October. Either way, this is one of the most storied rivalries in college football and the older I get the more I am beginning to appreciate the opportunities I get to witness it live. It was a no brainer then that I had to jump on the chance to head down to Tuscaloosa with a couple of my friends to watch Tennessee take on the Crimson Tide in Bryant Denny. I had been down once before and all I remember was how much the Alabama fans A) loved and worshiped Bear Bryant and B) were incredibly awful hosts. That was when they were bad. I could only imagine what it was going to be like now that they were good.

Jordan and Phil met me at my apartment around 9 and we were on our way to watch either one of the biggest losses in Tennessee history, or one of the biggest upsets. We stopped in Birmingham for some ribs at Dreamland BBQ then back on the road we went. When we got to Tuscaloosa I was pretty floored with how evident the damage from the tornado was even 6 months after it had ripped through in April. there was a very clear path leveled through the middle of Tuscaloosa.

We drove right down the middle of University Blvd. and caught plenty of stink eyes seeing as how we had our Tennessee flags flying from the car. I feel comfortable in saying that we were three of the bravest souls there for about 30 minutes. We parked about 6 blocks away from the stadium and to my surprise the first Alabama fan we came in contact with was extremely inviting and just when I began to debate if I had fallen into some type of paradox, another Alabama fan went out of his way to welcome us to town and wished us well. Surely the rapture was next, as the lamb was laying down with the lion. It didn't take long for things to change. Shortly after these encounters we made our way to Denny Chimes and I got separated from Jordan and Phil. I asked a fan who was tailgating with his friends if I could cut through in order to catch up. He said sure but after I did this another one of his buddies made it very clear he was unhappy with my action. After cussing me out and threatening my face, I told him he didn't have the intestinal fortitude to back up his threats.

I will say, Alabama's campus is surprisingly beautiful. Very obvious that it is southern.

It was finally time for the game to start, and it couldn't have started any better. Alabama got the ball to start the game, then out of no where Austin Johnson intercepted an AJ McCarron pass and Tennessee was in business. Parlady kicked a field goal and Tennessee was on the board first. That's right. Tennessee was leading the Alabama Crimson Tide. In order for Alabama to win this game they were going to have to come back and win. If I wasn't sitting in the stratosphere I would have taken a picture but the scoreboard was about a half mile away so it was not happening.

Alabama answered with two field goals but with about three minutes to go in the half Parlady hit his second field goal of the game, this time from 52 yards out. Tennessee was doing something to Alabama that no one has been able to do all year, be within 14 points of them at halftime. The score was 6-6 going into the break. The Pride of the Southland Band won the halftime battle by performing the circle drill. That is always a crowd favorite.

The best part is leaving the field in the form of a giant Power T.

Alabama came out looking like the team we all knew they were. What surprised me more than anything was after they scored their first touchdown, some random Alabama girl ran up about 6 rows, got in my face throwing the bird, and cussed me out. I had never met her before in my life, and she passed 6 rows of Vol fans to get to me. I must have really made an impression on her. It was the most bizarre thing I have ever witnessed in my life. The assault of points continued and after the Tennessee defense looked so good in the first half, the Vols looked equally terrible in the second. Alabama dominated in every facet of the game during the second half. The final score was 37-6 meaning Alabama covered the spread. Jordan, Phil, and I all left the stadium defeated.

More Alabama high jinx ensued as while we were walking down the ramp with the 99,000 other people that were at the game, one Alabama fan decided Jordan wasn't moving fast enough for him and ran right up his back, then informed him he should walk instead of texting. Where do you want us to go Usain Bolt. We can only move as fast as the people in front of us. While walking down University some Alabama sorostitutes made it known that they could not wait for the puke orange to be out of their city. News flash hun, we are even more eager to be out of this crap hole. Glad we are back in Knoxville for the next two weeks. Fayetteville looms.

Every time I see the Alabama state flag, I wonder how long it took some of Alabama's finest to think of that design. "Guys, I got it! A red x!"

Saturdays In The Fall - LSU vs. Tennessee

This was the start of the two week gauntlet. First Tennessee was taking on the top team in the country with LSU coming into Knoxville, then traveled to face the second best team in the country in Tuscaloosa. Three of our top players were missing after Janzen Jackson was dismissed from the team and then Justin Hunter being injured and lost for the year. Follow that with the Tyler Bray injury and you had a recipe for a terrible outcome for Tennessee.

The more I started thinking about the game, the more I started to think about how during every national championship season there is always that one game that is close one you should have won bigger or the game where the team you lost to had no business being in the game. Why couldn't that be us? Why not now? The closer it got to kickoff, the more I honestly started to truly believe that at the end of the game I would be on the field helping to rip down the goal posts. It is frustrating to see the team you love have so much talent only to not have the depth and experience to close games out. The first quarter couldn't have started any better, and it only gave me hope that maybe this could happen. However Matt Simms threw and interception that was returned 95 yards to the Tennessee to set up a Jarrett Lee pass to Reuben Randle for a touchdown, putting LSU ahead 7 - 0 early in the 1st.

No matter how hype you are coming out of the tunnel, you still have to play the game. Sometimes the emotion just isn't enough.

LSU put another touchdown on the board after Tennessee had a three and out. Jarrett Lee found Spencer Ware for the touchdown this time and it looked as though Tennessee was starting to fade. Things looked to have taken a turn for the worse when LSU intercepted another Simms pass but luckily wasn't able to capitalize and the Vols came out on the next drive and surprised everyone. Tennessee had a 12 play drive that consisted of 8 running plays and covered 80 yards. FINALLY Tennessee had something that resembled a running game. Unfortunately that joy was short lived as LSU was able to close out the first half by driving down the field seemingly with ease, kicking a field goal to take a 17-7 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Things didn't get any better in the second half. LSU opened with a scoring drive that was highlighted by Jordan Jeffereson's first appearance in this game and capped off by Spencer Ware punching it in from a yard out. Tennessee tried to answer but after a Matt Simms pass fell incomplete, Matt Darr pinned the Tigers down at the LSU one yard line. LSU proceeded to absolutely define the term "cramming it down their throat." The Tigers went 99 yards in 17 plays without completing a pass making the score 31-7 Tigers and essentially ending the game. LSU would end up scoring once more making the final 38-7 but it was over as soon as Tennessee couldn't answer the bell after LSU made the game 24-7.

Tennessee is making improvements and no one can argue that point. However it is also extremely apparent that the Vols have a ways to go before they are competing with the top teams in the conference. One has to assume that next year the offense will be much better and the defense will improve and depth will build. The only sticking point is that the fans and administration stand behind this coaching staff and understand what they inherited. Obviously time will tell but I can't wait to see Dooley and his orange pants hoisting the SEC championship trophy in a few years and I have full confidence in his ability to make it happen.

Keep your head up, better days are ahead.

Saturdays in the Fall - Georgia vs. Tennessee

This was the game that Tennessee had been hoping for. The one that would finally justify the hiring of Dooley and show that in fact Tennessee was on the upswing. I mean after all we had one of the best quarterbacks in the nation as well as one of the top receivers and Georgia's style of play was catered more towards running which is something our defense was pretty good against. These all played into why I was actually pretty excited about this week's game. Plus it was a sellout. How much more could you ask for?

One of my friends, Andy was meeting me at my apartment and we had a friend who had docked at the Vol Navy whom we were going to go hang out with before the game. I had never actually been to the Vol Navy in the 24 years I had been a fan. Honestly it was a neat experience. Curtis had what I would call a decent sized boat. That was before I looked at it in context. Flanked by two 100 foot house boats this thing looked like a dingy. I was also impressed with how everyone in the Vol Navy worked together.

Curtis learned a valuable lesson. Don't park a small boat between two huge houseboats or you may die from a death pit of carbon monoxide.

Finally it was gametime. I snuck over into the student section to sit with some friends who had seats on about the 45 yard line. This was supposed to be a great place to be to watch Dooley get that first big win. Tennessee won the toss and I fully expected Tennessee to stop the Bulldogs and then go down and score to take the lead and it would be on from there. However that is not at all what happened. Tennessee kicked off to Georgia and then Georgia, led by Aaron Murray, went on a 15 play drive that took exactly 5 and a half years off the clock only to cap it off with a field goal. Tennessee then countered with their own 14 play to miss a field goal and with 2:44 left in the first quarter and Georgia ahead 3-0 I decided it was time for me to shave.

Georgia came out with a 10 play drive that ended in a punt this time and Tennessee was able to put together a drive that lasted seven minute and ended when Michael Parlady nailed a field goal. The scoring bonanza was in full swing with the score tied at 3. I could sorta feel however that Georgia was just ready to break the game open. Tennessee was really showing that they did have other weapons on offense with Mychael Rivera really stepping up and making some big plays, but there were multiple times when a Georgia reciever was about 40 yards down field behind everyone but Murray had just over thrown them. Georgia was able to drive down the field and knock through yet another field goal with only about a minute and a half left in the first half. I was really impressed with how the Vols were able to answer though, putting together a solid drive with Parlady putting up three points again as time expired in the first half. Tennessee was going to be getting the ball back in the second half tied with Georgia. I was liking our chances.

The halftime show was awful. It was a ripoff from The Wizard of Oz. The only good part was when the band made a tornado, which I thought would have been more appropriate for the game with Alabama.

Tennessee started the second half with a three and out, punted to Georgia, and Georgia needed only eight plays to put it into the endzone on a drive capped by an Isaiah Crowell run from a yard out. Tennessee was able to answer with a short possession ending with a Matt Darr punt that was downed at the Georgia seven yard line. Great special teams play led only to a defensive break down when letting Georgia recievers get past the secondary finally bit Tennessee. Murray found Mitchell for a huge gain on a post pattern and then two plays later Crowell was scampering into the endzone again from 17 yards out.

The teams exchanged punts until about 6 minutes left in the fourth. Bray was hurt on an earlier possession when his hand connected with a Georgia helmet, fracturing his thumb and bringing Matt Simms into the game. Amazingly Simms was able to lead Tennessee down the field fairly quickly and after a long 4th down conversion, Simms punched it in for a touchdown. Parlady proceeded to kick the extra point straight up the centers back end and the score stook at 20-12. The onside kick was a disaster but the defense stood tall and Tennessee would have one last chance, getting the ball back with 18 seconds left. The first play was an incomplete pass and the last play of the game was something Vol fans were very familiar with, Simms being sacked. These next three weeks could be really tough.

Alot of this lies ahead. Buckle down Simms. God speed.