Gameday
LEXINGTON, Ky. — With a career-high 19 tackles, Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo could make a pretty good case for himself as the defensive MVP of UT’s 52-50 four-overtime victory over Kentucky on Saturday. But the junior had another player to nominate.
Reserve defensive back Ricardo Kemp, used primarily in UT’s nickel package, finished with two sacks and interception.
“He’s probably the player of the game,” Mayo said. “I had a conversation with Ricardo before the game. He had a feeling he was going to have a big game.
“Ricardo was coming off the edge and made a lot of plays for us today.”
Despite playing in all 11 of Tennessee’s game this season, Kemp entered the game with just one pass break-up and only eight tackles.
Against the Wildcats, he had five tackles and his first career interception.
Those two sacks both came on plays in which Kemp, a sophomore, blitzed from his cornerback position.
“It’s been a part of our package, but we haven’t run it all year,” defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “We have some things we felt like we could get after him. Sure enough, we did. Our guys did a tremendous job, and I’m proud of them.”
Fulmer Calls It: In his Tuesday press conference, UT coach Phillip Fulmer was asked how he felt about getting in a high-scoring shootout with Kentucky. His answer: “I don’t care if we block a kick and win 3-0 or win 52-50, as long as we’ve got more points than they do.”
Reminded of his hypothetical score Saturday, Fulmer said, “I should have gone to Las Vegas.”
Cot Up: Senior tight end Brad Cottam’s first catch of the season went for 59 yards. UT coaches said the senior would have been a big part of the offense had it not been for a wrist injury suffered during preseason practice.
Cottam returned to the lineup against Arkansas on Nov. 10 after UT’s administration determined a sixth year of eligibility was not likely to be granted by the NCAA. Cot-tam also caught a 7-yard pass against Kentucky, giving him two receptions for 66 yards in the regular season.
Bowling: UT’s bowl destination seems all but set, barring any surprises. If the Vols beat LSU in the SEC championship game next Saturday, UT will play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 1.
If UT loses to the Tigers on Saturday, the Vols will likely return to Atlanta to play in the Chik-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31.
The Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Jan. 1 seemed a strong possibility until Arkansas upset LSU on Friday. Saturday’s Auburn-Alabama game also could have an impact on UT’s Cotton Bowl chances.
Replays Fortunes: Freshman Gerald Jones had a touchdown catch upheld by instant replay in the first overtime. From one camera angle, it looked as if the ball may have come out of Jones’ hands, but the video evidence was deemed inconclusive to overturn.
Chris Brown had an acrobatic reception overturned by instant replay in the first quarter. At first, the senior tight end appeared to tip the ball to himself, then haul the ball in as he fell to the ground.
Replay, however, revealed that the ball touched the ground before Brown had possession.
Injuries: Senior defensive end Xavier Mitchell suffered a left shoulder injury. Freshman cornerback Brent Vinson also left the game with a reoccurring shoulder injury. Sophomore tailback Montario Hardesty re-aggravated an ankle injury. Junior receiver Josh Briscoe suffered a shoulder injury and a possible concussion.
Looking Forward: Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said UT’s coaches will have to carefully manage practice this week to ensure the Vols have fresh legs against LSU.
“They’re all tired,” Cutcliffe said.
Tennessee will keep its normal practice schedule, returning to the practice field tonight and taking Monday as an off day.
Mike Strange and Dave Hooker contributed to this report.
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Comments » 24
CoverOrange writes:
Would like to know why Kemp flopped on the ground after his interception. He had several more yards to run and several seconds to use up that might have made a difference at the end of regulation.
Just curious.
McIntireIMP writes:
I think he had to pee.
FWBVol writes:
Once again it seems as if UT might get a bowl shaft. Nothing against the Chik-fil-A Bowl...I love their food, but the Cotton Bowl is still the bigger national game in the mind of most people. We waxed Arkansas and win the East so there should be no way the Razorbacks are picked for the Cotton over the Vols.
newtonrail writes:
The Cotton Bowl, because it was an original bowl, may seem bigger; but payout larger from Chic Fil A.
DannyVol writes:
Leave it to some Volunteer fans to make lemons out of lemonade. We are going to Atlanta, people. Going there means one thing: Sugar is now the goal. Don't be scared of Les Miles and his wounded Tigers. They just lost at home to a team we absolutely pounded.
Atlanta is a lot closer to Knoxville than Baton Rouge and Tennessee is a helluva lot happier to be going there than LSU, whose national title hopes were erased at home by Arkansas.
In any case, if we happen to wind up in the Chik-fil-A Bowl, so be it. Six weeks ago, no one even saw that coming.
utmdm writes:
Wow, what a game plan. He ran it to perfection to get the score he planned on!!
CrankE writes:
Uh, that Vegas thing was also hypothetical...right coach? We don't need no gambling troubles. In your shoes, I wouldn't even joke about that unholy of unholies.
I was pulling for LSU to win it against Arky. I wanted that #1 BCS monkey to be on their back when they came to Atlanta to meet us. With them dropping out of the national title picture though, it's tougher for the SEC to get two teams into the BCS. It hurts Georgia and that's worth a chuckle, but it hurts everyone else too. SEC East Champ in the Chick Fil-A bowl? Sigh.
Once again though, the press, the conference, and those Bullfrogs will be pulling for LSU. If Tennessee knocks them off, then they'll drop down yet another notch in the bowl pecking order-along with every other team in the conference.
Continue with Operation Restore Order!! BEAT LSU!
inquiry writes:
The Sugar Bowl is the prize, although New Orleans itself is still a wreck and a dangerous place to hang out for a few days..but if we loose..
Here's my question: I thought the "runnerup" of the SEC automatically got a bid for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando (where it's warm outside in January), a "New Years day" bowl of some stature.. Having to go back to Atlanta again for a bowl seems monotomous to me (is that spelled right).. perhaps the $$$ are higher, but where would you rather go as a team, Orlando or Atlanta?
mtnvol writes:
Inquiry, when the Vols win the first game in ATL, we won't have to go back! I love to eat at Chik Fil A but don't want to go bowling there. Ringing in the new year in NOLA is the goal!!!!!
rubbervol writes:
SEC ATLANTA
volsfannsc writes:
Good grief! Kemp INT's a pass and you're critical of what he does after the catch? I'm sure in your college playing days you did it differently or have you even played a game of organized football? After the Florida game I was the first to tell my friends the season was as well as over...yet I still pulled for my Vols without an ounce of remorse. I read daily about how lucky UT has been, and all the arm-chair coaching has amazed me. What sport- what game- doesn't involve a percentage of luck? And for all of those who work a 9 to 5... I truly wish you were given the opportunity to coach this team for a single game without the expense of costing the program a huge embarrassment. You would probably say "Fulmure is paid to perform flawlessly". I'd like to know what job you have and would love to be a fly on the wall to ensure you have never made mistakes in your workplace. THEY WON THE SEC EAST ! No one expected that after the Forida game. The players AND the coaching staff show a great amount of resolve in doing so. Those that second-guess and have nothing better to do than to find every little mistake made in a game- do all of the true Vols fans a favor and pull for someone like Ohio State. THEY WON THE SEC EAST...enjoy it as it has come through a lot of hard work and determination.
movol77 writes:
TDTN on Fulmer, "He even called the score."
Which is another indicator on Fulmer's destiny to lead TN to another NC before he's done. "ALL ABOARD?"
wisonsinvol writes:
Movol77, I'm on board and agree with most of what you write. But I cannot agree with responding to TDTN. Most of what he writes isn't worth reading and it certainly isn't worth responding too. Anyway, I'm with you man, let's get this next one done and issues with bowl games will resolve themselves.
DroopyDrawers writes:
I am for Kemp & Rogan. #24 is awful. #13 Vinson is doing a great job for a freshman. Play the nickle all the time. 3 DL and the Nickle. Berry & Rogan hit like LB's. Better idea, bench Heffney.
leedsvol2007 writes:
The Sugar Bowl would be the best destination.
GoVols!
gohawks1 writes:
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here - I thought that catch by Chris Brown was declared a reception. This article says it was overturned, but I remember the close-up showing that it was on his foot and not on the ground. Did they overturn that call, or was it confirmed as a catch?
Either way, what an effort!
wisonsinvol writes:
IPO, Brown's catch was overturned and ruled an imcompletion. Ball bounced on the ground meaning he didn't have control. On Hancock's catch in the endzone, they ruled couldn't be overturned. The ball did hit the ground, but you couldn't tell whether or not he did have control of the ball - control is the difference between completion and incompletion when the ball touchs the turf.
gohawks1 writes:
All right then. But it was still an athletic effort that deserves a high five.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Kemp most likely went down as he wasn't comfortable with his possession, that is he didn't want to fumble.
C'mom guys, unless you've played the game, don't criticize so much.
Another heady play: Josh Briscoe called timeout whne Ainge was about to be flagged. I assume that the receivers may have the green light to do so while Erik is reading the coaches...
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
another comment:
I don't know about you guys, but it seems a lot of what UT checks to isn't very good. Sometimes I think they need to just go with a hunch and let the offense move quicker.
Right now, the other teams defense is getting inot a rhythm of watching the playclock count to 4...
CoverOrange writes:
That wasn't Hancock, Wis-on-sin (interesting name)on the second replay for a TD. Wasn't it Gerald Jones?
IPO, maybe you were thinking of the Bama-Auburn game were a Bama receiver bounced one off his foot and came up with it. You are right, though, impressive to see the effort and ability of Brown and Jones.
Volsfannsc, good grief, I was just asking. I was hoping he would take it in for a score and put the game away but instead he flops on the ground with Woodson closing in. Couldn't really see else was downfield of him. Otherwise, Kemp played a great game. Maybe he wanted to make sure he didn't fumble.
CoverOrange writes:
That's what I thought, mpark. After watching the efforts by Berry and Rogan to run with the ball this year, just surprised me to someone flop down. May have been the safe bet.
Would like to see the offense step to the line and go on first count at least once, however, I do think it was Fulmer's strategy yesterday to shorten the game as much as possible and never hike with more than two seconds on the clock.
JETnTN writes:
Like I've said for 3 weeks....... MAYO PLEASE COME BACK NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! See all you Volunteer Friends in the ATL Saturday!!!!
LargeOrange writes:
Posted by slovog - "... take TWO guns. And a can of Lysol. It's an even dirtier slagheap than Memphis." That is not right, The French Quarter, which is close to the Dome and most of the hotels, is totally renovated. We were there this spring for a few days for a bachelor party, and had a blast. It is actually nicer now than before the hurricane. We stayed mostly in the Quarter and didn't visit the parts of town that you see on TV that are still devastated. Living in Atlanta, I especially don't want to go to Chic Fil A. It won't matter though, because the VOLS are going to beat LSU and we will be partying on Rue Bourbon New Years Eve! GO BIG ORANGE!
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