A solid W by Tennessee last night. I would have been happier if it had been more convincing but I never really feared Tennessee was in danger of losing this game. The Tennessee D is showing the effects right now of all the injuries to the LB corp as well as the loss of Janzen Jackson to the suspension (but don't call it a suspension). The win makes the Vols bowl eligible which is a good step in the right direction for the program. Crompton continues to impress and was able to go out of Neyland Stadium a winner and a much improved QB. This group of Tennessee seniors has some talent but has had one heck of a roller coaster ride in their careers. I am very glad that Hardesty has been able to stay healthy thus far in his senior season and see his hard work pay off. The offensive line which is senior laden has had a fantastic season as well despite being very thin. I love the seniors on defense (plus Eric Berry who will almost certainly go pro). Dan Williams has been phenomenal all season long and Rico McCoy has clearly been the best LB for the Big Orange D. Throw in the contribution of Wes Brown and the seniors on defense have been great all season. Eric Berry, what can you say? He has been the highlight for Tennessee fans through a few years in which the team has been mediocre. He will be missed greatly if he does, in fact, decide to go pro. But there is still one game left and it is going to be a very tough one. The Kentucky Wildcats under the tutleage of an excellent coaching staff that features former Tennessee OC Randy Sanders (who was run out of town, BTW) have been steadily improving the last few years and, after beating UGa last night, appear ready to have their biggest season yet. A win over Tennessee at Commonwealth Stadium (which would be their first win over the Vols in 25 years) could vault the Wildcats into a New Year's Day bowlgame. Conversely, the Vols would greatly improve their bowl opportunities with a win next Saturday. It will be the most pivotal game in this rivalry in quite some time. Tom, I think you and I agree that the most important aspect of this season is to show how things are turning for the good in Knoxville to recruits. This staff has done an amazing job so far in assembling an impressive group of commitments. Of course, nothing is set in stone until the bottom line gets signed. That, of course, can work against Tennessee but it can also work in the Vols' favor. I think the most critical recruit on the board at this point is Florida LB Jeff Luc. Tennessee is very thin at MLB and this guy could be just what the doctor ordered to oversee that Monte Kiffin Tampa 2 D. I can't help but envision a Derrick Brooks-type patrolling the middle for the Vols. Anyway, a 7-5 season plus a bowl win would be an incredible step in the right direction for this program I think. The fact that the Vols get afforded the extra month of practice that comes along with a potential bowl berth is important as well. I like the way the program is headed. There are brighter ORANGE days ahead for the rest of the SEC (now if Notre Dame can just convince that smart alec Urban Meyer to head to South Bend...).
The highlight of the season came last night! With Vandy needing 11 points and only 4 minutes left in the game, Wes Brown, the senior that has had so many problems with his knees, the Wes Brown that was being held out of heavy contact because of those knees, was a major factor in Vandy being held to a field goal after over 10 penalty assisted downs in the red zone. It was that same Wes Brown that ended Vandy's hopes of getting that last 8 points. With 14 seconds McKinzey took the final snap. Adams forced an errant pass right into the hands of Wes Brown at the 25 yard line. Wes intercepted a pass and ran it back 25 yards dragging a Vandy lineman the last 5 yards for a Tennessee Touchdown. He was not going to be denied. The kid will not play a down in the pros but he just got his lifetime memory last night!
This is poor quality video, but it is of the Wes Brown interception. After the actual play, the camera is turned to the big screen video scoreboard and you can see what happened better. <object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-qW_KGX2vFQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-qW_KGX2vFQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>
Here is a link to the Vandy game highlights that shows a 2:54 video. From the 2:10 mark on is the Wes Brown interception. This is a much better look at the Wes Brown Play. Vandy Game Highlights
The NCAA has decided to throw a flag on Lane Kiffin for late hit out of bounds. This video evidence came from the Vandy game when Wes Brown was running the 25 yards to the end zone: <object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WabdOIxVJvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WabdOIxVJvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>