Like backyard football

A Jacksonville manager slaps Henderson in the face several times in the locker room before the team takes the field. A bit bizarre and barbaric, perhaps, but it seems to inspire Henderson by getting him in a nasty mood.

"I'm not a player like John Henderson who gets smacked before the game,'' Allen said with a laugh.

"I mean it's a fun game. I'm on the field smiling and talking. That's what it's all about."

Allen, who is second in the SEC with total tackles with 68 in seven games, was named Walter Camp national defensive player of the week for his 15-tackle performance against Alabama. He said his outstanding game wasn't the result of pent-up anger and bitterness that he took out on the Tide. Instead, it came from what he calls a pure love of the game.

That was evident on replays when Allen could be seen smiling, laughing and enjoying himself after some of his hardest tackles.

"I was talking to everybody, running backs, linemen and the officials," Allen said.

Allen said that on one play a Tide player was on the ground and purposely kicked him in the leg. Allen told the official to look at a mark on his thigh.

"He had kicked me a little bit and I was telling the ref,'' Allen said. "I said, 'Look at the red mark on my leg.'

"The next day I woke up and I had three cleat marks there on my leg. It was (done) out of frustration. He apologized the next play. I told him not to do it any more. He's a good guy.

"I also had a little conversation with (Tide assistant) Sparky Woods, who is (UT walk-on) Casey Woods' father. I talked to (Tide lineman) Wesley Britt. I ran track against him. I'm just talking to everybody and having a good time."

Allen gives UT defensive coordinator John Chavis credit for getting the Vols prepared to play and allowing them to "fly to the ball."

"It's like backyard football,'' Allen said.

"Guys are just making plays because they aren't thinking, They are just reacting. Guys are just having fun."

While having fun, Allen has been making life miserable for opponents.

"I'm not a nasty player,'' he says. "I play the game fair. I play inside the white lines. I give all-out, but I'm not a guy who takes cheap shots.

"I like being on special teams and defense; I'm even thinking about playing on offense. I just enjoy playing the game."

Chavis says Allen, a converted cornerback, is a rare breed in the secondary who is exceptional at both tackling and covering passes.

"We have to be able to cover passes,'' Chavis said. "That's the thing we want them to do first and foremost.

"Because of the nature of what we do defensively, you aren't going to find many guys out there who are going to be physical.''

Gary Lundy may be reached at 865-342-6274.