BERKELEY, Calif. — As a preseason Cal practice repeatedly went the offense’s way, junior linebacker Zack Follett wasn’t about to suffer in silence.
Never mind how experienced and talented the Golden Bears might be on offense. Their back-up offensive line wasn’t supposed to knock the first-team defensive front five yards off the ball.
At least, that’s how Follett saw it midway through preseason practice. So he called his teammates together for an impromptu state of the defense address. A one-word synopsis of his speech: “unacceptable.”
“I told (the defense) we needed to have an attitude out here,” Follett said. “Because when we play Tennessee, they will bring something a lot stronger than what we’re going against.”
Follett speaks from experience. But he developed a strong opinion of UT football long before the Vols routed Cal 35-18 last year in Neyland Stadium.
“I remember watching film last year of their spring game,” said Follett, who made honorable-mention All-Pac-10 despite starting only one game last season. “One of their O-lineman grabbed the linebacker, flat-backed him and did a dance over him. It made me think I better bring my A game.”
Collectively, the Golden Bears flunked their Neyland Stadium test in the 2006 season opener. And like so many of his teammates, Follett had his own haunting play for a Tennessee souvenir.
Follett’s nightmarish moment occurred in the third quarter as he latched on to UT running back Montario Hardesty at the line of scrimmage. When a UT lineman took Follett’s legs away, the linebacker lost his grip on Hardesty, who ran 43 yards for the Vols’ fifth and final touchdown. The play looked even worse on the replay.
Desmond Bishop, a senior All-Pac-10 linebacker on that team, thought the play was dead when Follett stopped Hardesty’s momentum. Bishop pulled up as Hardesty broke away.
“I saw the play on SportsCenter,” Follett said. “It highlighted Desmond standing there. That’s not Desmond Bishop. It was a misrepresentation of our defense.”
Cal’s defensive players saw more of the play the following week.
“Coach (Jeff Tedford) called the whole defense in there and put the play on the JumboTron,” Follett said. “To make sure it never happened again.”
The play was indicative of a game which brought out the worst in Cal. A year later, as Saturday’s rematch nears, most of the Golden Bears speak of “redemption.” Follett prefers a stronger word.
“The whole revenge factor is kind of driving me,” he said. “Revenge is when you’ve been hurt and you want to get them back. We owe them a little something. We’ve got to represent, not just for us but for the whole Pac-10. I’ve heard a lot of talk (from Tennessee) saying Pac-10 football is weak.
“We respect Tennessee for the beating they put on us last year. But that helped us in practice. UT has been our drive all summer.”
The memory of one play - Hardesty’s touchdown run -- is enough to motivate Follett.
“I know if I see No. 2 (Hardesty) in the hole, it’s going to make we want to hit him that much harder,” Follett said.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 42
agentorange writes:
Leavin' for Cal tomorrow. Anybody know where the Vols base of operations is? There's usually a bar that takes us in.
SFOrange writes:
start @ Jupiter.
Shattuck @ Center streets.
Downtown Berkeley (directly across from BART station).
http://www.jupiterbeer.com/jupiter/
pass it on or post alternative location from other Vol fans.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Well Mr. Follett, I am glad Tennessee played such a solid game that it was an inspiration and THE driving force all summer long. I look forward to Tennessee taking what we did in our performance last season and stepping it up to a whole new level so that we can inspire your team through yet another offseason next year. Maybe we can even motivate them enough with a win over Cal that they can knock off USC and open the door for more teams in the BCS race! GO VOLS!!! Can't Wait!!!
misterorange writes:
A loss to Tennessee in the opener should be the last thing that effects Cal. If Cal played in the SEC they would have to seek revenge on Florida, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, ect. But all things being current, if you don't beat USC you are nothing. I think this is appropriate.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Cal player quoted in article was kinda respectful, but headline seems to be something else. C'mon Montario, do it to 'em again.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
cal is a good program, and damn good school. Playing the sec is tough for the pac-10, but they sure do better than they used to do.
still would've loved to see auburn rematch with usc a couple of years ago, rather than that overrated OU team.
Chainsaw writes:
It is my sincere desire that the beating the Big Orange lays down on Cal Saturday night will be the motivating factor in Cal's 2008 summer camp.
Go Big Orange!
mdvol writes:
I suppose we are to believe Cal has some special motivation playing UT again??? Spent all summer thinking of the Vols??? Revenge??? Well I have news for you Cal guys...... we've spent all summer thinking of kickin' YOUR asses again! WE ARE GOING TO FREAKIN' KILL CAL! Vols 35-Cal 17.
Again I say, what tradition does Cal have to drive the revenge factor? All their best players who might have cared either graduated or went pro early. Why would this team be any different? Do they think their 50,000 megaphones are going to scare us??? They'll just make the boos louder when we get up 35-zip again.
utvols36 writes:
agentorange, i'll be in Cali Friday with a contingency of Knoxville people as well as the Big Orange Army. On Gameday, they are putting something on at The Durant Hotel, in their Pub...it starts at 10am pst
Spuchy writes:
I love this situation; an underdog role for us AGAIN on the road against an overrated team...a team who the sports media has an inexplicable hard-on for. So Cal wants revenge? On who? They should look in the mirror because THEY sucked in thta game!
mtnvol writes:
West Coast football is SOFT! USC and the nine wannabes. ESPN highlighted the biggest games for the PAC-10....3 of 4 (if I'm not mistaken)were against teams from another conference! hahahahaha
govolsfan#214750 writes:
Im here in LA, getting geared up to drive up on Friday to go watch my Vols win this weekend. Im going take the fight to the Cal fans and infultrate their bar called the Bears Lair on gameday.
http://www.bearslairpub.com/about/ind...
Word on the streets here in So Cal is that the bears are indeed looking for a little revenge from their nationally televised smack down last year. Keep a close eye on their kick returner. With the new rule changes on kickoffs, I am hoping we can contain him. Go Vols!
BOASoldier writes:
And for any Cal fans that want to get inspired ...(after seeing that you tube post CR put up) go to Ooltewah Highschool on a Friday night in Chattanooga... they have more enthusiasm than that crowd I just saw
DSaVol writes:
Everybody talkin about revenge and who's gonna kick who but TN folks forget one little detail - Cal doesn't have that true freshman at corner this year and isn't likely to give up 50+ yard TD passes on 5 yard outs to this group of orange receivers. It will take a monumental performance for the Vols to win this game - not saying they can't or won't - but last year means nothing come Saturday night. Win and we play GA for the Eastern Division. Lose and the season could get ugly early.
Colliervol writes:
Yep, spuchy. I remember a little visit to Miami a few years back in the same situation. And I remember the outcome too.
Basketball_Jones writes:
I don't have a clue what will happen Saturday, just like I was shocked as hell last year when we beat em down. I do know this though, this is one game win or lose this team has to move on and think about So. Miss. Last year after week 1 Vol fans thought we were headed to Atlanta and then to a BCS game. This team must play hard all year and avoid mistakes. I just had a conversation with a friend about how its hard to get excited about UT football now that we have become a 2nd tier program. I am hoping they prove me wrong this year and put the Vols back up there with the nations elite. I am excited about basketball though
Volchaz writes:
Its just plain impossible to plan for the speed of the SEC.
BOASoldier writes:
Where did you see that info at sjt? I believe you whole heartedly ... I have seen the stats you post and know you do your research. Justwant to have some amo for future arguments with cal.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
The state of California has never been a very friendly place..for some reason the vols haven't had much luck out there, historically. I have a feeling that we have been intimited..surely in this modern day, the vols must stay focused..something that might have been lacking in past years.
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
In the words of the immortal mdvol....WE'RE GONNA FREAKIN' KILL CAL!! GO VOLS! enough of this chatter....kick the #*$& ball already!!
DannyVol writes:
"Cal says Bears owe Vols"
Now, did he really say that? No. He said that the way in which they lost was a motivating factor. He also said a lot of things that pointed toward respect for UT.
CoverOrange writes:
sjt18, from what I've read in many articles over the years, UT has #1 vs #2 and #2 vs #1 in practice all the time, only in scrimmages do #1 go against #1. Where do you get info that UT has its best players going against each other? I think that source of info is what BOA was asking about.
TDTN, similar question to you, I've been looking for an online source of UT historical schedules and stats. UTSports offers nothing. How many times has UT played USC? 6? I don't think its a big number.
BOASoldier writes:
Not if you read cals site .. they are talking quite a bit of trash ... type in Cal football to google and click on the first link... sjt was right earlier they have only been practicing 1st team on 2nd team ... only time they have 1st on 1st is for a series yesterday and today and that's it
wyomingvol writes:
From the Big Bro:
I'm expecting you to yell louder than any of the wine sipping, computer loving, tree hugging yuppies. Bring your own megaphone! Sorry I couldn't be there.
Lets show these Cal Yups what the Vol Nation is all about!
Hope the see alot of Orange,
GO VOLS!
WyomingVol
Wafflehouseblows writes:
It's not that we are less informed or "sophisticated" football fans as sjt18 stated, there are a mulititude of reasons why it may appear as such:
- Allegiances in this area are spread pretty thin, there are a number of colleges and universities in the immediate vicinity so the focus in the area is not entirely on Cal as it is on Tennessee in Knoxville
- Cal has not, until recently, had a very successful football history so there was no tradition for success, hence there wasn't a lot of our parents passing down their rooting loyalties to their kids
- Unlike Knoxville, this is more of a professional sports area with a number of options for the fan base to choose from. UT football is a year-round obsession in your area, out here it's much more seasonal
Lastly I wanted to say that I've been to Knoxville and spent a lot of time throughout much of Tennessee and the south in general, and while many of those areas do have their redeeming qualities, the fact that your whole existence revolves around UT football, many of you dress up to go to football games (which I'll never understand), you consider anything deep-fried as one of the major food groups and shaving your favorite NASCAR driver's number in your back hair to be quasi-normal should be huge warning signs rather than qualities to embrace.
threehundredbowler writes:
Michigan is right.We lost in 1980, 17-20 and again in 1981, 7-43.We are 2-1 against Cal. UCLA is another story.We have played them 13 times since 1965,with a 8-3-2 record.
dfreeman writes:
Marc and Boa are we going to get any rain down here off Hunter rd?? Here's a third from Ooltewah as well! Anyways can't wait til saturday! Football is here, GO VOLS!!!!!
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
We are 0-4 vs. USC all-time. The first time they beat us was in the '39 Rose Bowl following the scoreless opponent year. I think the score was 7-0. From the way it sounded in 100 years of Tennessee football video Gen. Neyland let the players cut lose all the way to Cali (they took a train). Thus a sub par performance in the game.
williamhhorn#563539 writes:
Hey prettyboy "wafflehouseblows", congratulations on not caring and simultaneously commenting on college football. If you'd like to guest star on squidbillies you should find that site. Otherwise stfu, or contribute something useful to the conversation. Your ignorance and boldness to display it are ridiculous and unnecessary. Find me at the game, I'll be wearing jorts and an Orange jersey, and will happily educate you if you'd like to become part of a winning organization. Otherwise, hold one, or at least say something useful.
Wafflehouseblows writes:
I never said I don't care, I was just trying to illustrate why the fan base here isn't as single-minded in its support of Cal as Knoxville fans are of UT. I follow closely and am knowledgeable about my favorite Bay Area teams, but I don't think it's necessary to prove that to you. FYI - "jorts" haven't been a socially acceptable fashion statement for about 15 years now, shocking that you'll be breaking those out for your trip to the big city.
threesdown#452226 writes:
Hey Wafflehouseblows...Are you smoking medical marijuana? I know it's legal out there in your tree-humping state. I know you follow your Gay Area teams(we follow our teams too-Titans, Predators, Grizzlies, Braves) But they will never NEVER compare to the Mighty Volunteers. You can play that dumb redneck card all you want I'm sure you and your elitist buddies get a little giggle out of it...I understand...It is just your defense mechanism against the thing you fear the most...THE EDUCATED SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN THAT WILL KICK YOUR CANDY ASS ALL THE WAY BACK TO BERKLEY AND MAKE YOU CRY FOR YOUR MOTHERS TEAT AS YOU SOIL YOURSELF! EAT IT AND CHOKE ON IT!
threehundredbowler writes:
Burntorange is right.I overlooked the fact Tennessee lost in the Rose Bowl twice to Soutern Cal.1939, 0-7 and 1943,0-25.Thanks for the correction.
SFOrange writes:
good god. focus guys. Its a friggin' game not a culture war. UT fans will bring it loud and orange into Memorial Stadium. Its all good.
As for threesdown's comments--just sad.
Go Vols.
CoverOrange writes:
FYI, though I can't find confirmation on the internet, I'm pretty sure USC beat UT in 1939 Rose bowl 14 to 0, not 7-0.
CoverOrange writes:
To SFOrange's point, some need to go read the articles on the BBVols trip to the Nazi concentration camp and the impressions it made on them. The question asked over and over: How could one culture so hate another culture to the point of genocide? The postings on here may be all fun and games but some take it too seriously in the name calling and the attributing of eccentricities of the few to the masses of a culture.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Nice gamesmanship and competitiveness represented in this story. Sounds like the UT-Cal series would be a good one to repeat like UCLA used to do...
Coach_Joe writes:
I went to the web site bearslairpub that govolsfan listed. Having 8 people in a bar shouldn't be considered intimidating. I also thought it was funny that they listed one of their big features on the wall was beating Stanford a few years back. This is hilarious! That would be like a bar in Kentucky bragging about beating Vandy.
threehundredbowler writes:
wd40plusvol,ESPN College Football encyclopedia,the complete history of the game says the score was 14-o in 1939.Again,my bad.Thanks.
khawk writes:
It just fires me up even more for the game hearing comments like this. We WILL be more physical, we WILL knock people off the ball, we WILL run the ball down their throats. No doubt that Cal will come out charged up and playing with emotion but what UT has been able to do time after time on the road is withstand that initial surge and win the game with ball control and field position. UT has something to prove as well. The running gave averaged fewer yards that I can remember in my 30 years as a vol fan!!! Enough said! GO VOLS!!
bigorangebluegrass writes:
ok, waffle house does not blow. I really like waffle house. It's a great place to get some grub after you party a little too hard, say, like, after your Vols beat the living phooey out of California Saturday. Then, who knows....maybe all us southern idiots could get togther and dress up for football games, shave our back hair into a stunning impression of neyland stadium, and decide which cousin we should marry..man, we should get our priorities straight.
gohawks1 writes:
So what's up with Coker? That whole thing's been kept quiet. Does anybody know the story?
LSU 3
MSU 0
And so it begins.....
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
Well I've heard it on College Football Today for a couple weeks now... we're going to lose to Cal (like we should have last year) because all of our receivers from last year are gone and Coker is suspended for the game. ESPN needs some new analysts who actually study the games because they have forgotten about a few people:
1) Jerod Mayo (3 sacks against Cal last year)
2) Montario Hardesty (sick run against Cal last year)
3) Chris Brown (scored the games first touchdown on a nice catch in the middle of the field and busting through a Cal defender to cross the goal line).
Man it's going to be fun watching this game tomorrow.
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