September, 2006

It was a weird day at Neyland Stadium.

Rain, and more worrisome-- lightning, postponed the start of Saturday's game 55 minutes. There was serious concern voiced to me by UT officials that the game might not be played.

Fortunately, it never came to that.

It's impossible to criticize the UT football team after their 21-20 loss to Florida. Were there things they could have (should have) done better? Yep. But overall, this is an easy team to like and admire.

Start with senior defensive lineman Justin Harrell, who played with a left arm so weak it required a special brace. Harrell will have surgery next week that will end his career at UT. But he wanted to have one more game wearing orange.

He inspired his team. Just not enough to beat Florida.

I spent Sunday in Nashville covering the Titans loss to the New York Jets. On the drive home, I was hit with stunning news from UT.

Two key defensive players are out for the season-- after suffering injuries in the win over Air Force.

The good news is, UT says defensive lineman Justin Harrell will fully recover from a ruptured bicep tendon. Harrell's UT career may be over. He's a senior.

Defensive back Inky Johnson remains hospitalized (in stable condition) with what UT calls blood vessel and nerve damage to his upper right extremity.

Wow!

Vols offense is very impressive. A 99-yard drive! Swain and Taylor catches cover plenty of ground. Vols taking control. Give Air Force credit. They continue to pound away for points. Another big night for Vol receivers and Ainge. Looks like another solid win heading into Florida. Vols showing they should be a contender for SEC East-- but there's still a long way to go!

Entertaining 1st half. Air Force option has Vols on heels. Long Air Force drives of 5:28 and 8:23 shorten game and keep Vol defense on field waaaaay too long.

Vols offense making big plays-- especially Ainge to Swain on 3rd down. Vols' 74-yard drive in 2nd quarter is huge-- not just because it ties the game, but also allows Chavis' boys to rest. Air Force doesn't punt until 3:03 left in half. Vols look crisp, sharp, in 2-minute scoring drive to end half. Ainge solid with 13 completions (15 attempts).
Overall, not bad! 17-10 at the half.

Many issues facing the Vols in tonight's game. What about the "look-ahead" factor? Vols open SEC play next week-- but need to focus on task at hand-- beating Air Force. Pregame warm-ups finished. No unexpected news regarding players. That's always good. Impresssive fly-by with F-16 fighter jets and a B-52. Vols honor four former players killed in WW II prior to game. Good touch. It's almost time to play.

Here's a recap of my 2nd half post from Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. A computer issue prevented it from transmitting. No, the dog did not eat my homework.

Good 1st quarter. Vol defense has come together quick. Especially linebackers. Hard hits. Vols second possession was an eye-opener. Ainge perfect. Cutcliffe impact evident on play calling. 12-yard touchdown strike to Brown capped off a great drive. Cal quarterback Nate Longshore looks lost. Vol defense is overpowering Cal offensive line, Longshore hit hard. Stewart interception was great, but give Robert Ayers credit for hit on Longshore. Vols need to cap 1st half with another score.

Just 45 minutes to go before the season kicks-off at Neyland Stadium. All that can be said, has been said-- by the media, the players, and the coaches. It's time for the Vols to play. It won't be easy. Cal will kickoff as the higher-ranked team, and will try to prove they're worthy of that #9 national ranking. The Vols, well, they've got plenty to prove too. All eyes on Ainge during warm-ups. Can he get the job done? We will find out real soon. Another update at the end of the 1st quarter.

It's gameday! Finally!

This may be the most compelling season-opener I've covered at Tennessee. There have been many.

Playing at UCLA in 1994 was memorable for a number of reasons. The heart breaking injury to Jerry Colquitt in the Vols first offensive series at the Rose Bowl. Manning's debut. Helton's effort to pull-off a come from behind win. 1994 was hard to beat.

Like it or not, we in the U.S. are finding out the "us against the world" concept doesn't work very well. Even in basketball.

We can continue to make lame excuses with bloated egos about how "our" version of basketball isn't suited to the international game, and that it doesn't matter. But the fact remains-- we're getting our butts beat by better teams, and it does matter.