Photo by J. Miles Cary
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LSU graduate and Farragut resident Bryan Pabst donned a shirt in LSU colors and a Tiger pendent and joined UT fans on Johnny Majors Drive Friday morning. UT fans Bill Bradley, driving, and passenger Houston Hardy start to leave for the game in Atlanta in their big orange car.
Photo by J. Miles Cary
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UT fans gathered on Johnny Majors Drive Friday to show their support for the football team
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"LS Who?"
That's how a small but vocal gathering of 50 or so diehard Vol fans greeted one very brave alumnus from Louisiana State University at noon today who showed up at a send-off campus rally for the Vols .
The University of Tennessee Volunteers meet LSU Saturday afternoon in Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference Championship football game.
Clad in a jacket with LSU's purple and gold colors, Bryan Pabst of Farragut had hardly screeched "Go Tigers" before a phalanx of 50 or so Vol fans flooded into the street and after him.
Tom Johnson of Oliver Springs, who drove in for the rally near Stokely Athletic Center and Thompson-Boling Arena, led the orange army. Pabst was flanked by a few of his fellow employees from Partners in Pediatrics. He said they'd talked him into risking his neck and his mother's tiger pendant by appearing.
Johnson said he feels certain the Vols will be victorious in Atlanta after hearing encouraging words from offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe on Friday morning on TV.
John Peterman of Powell said he's a faithful Vol fan, but conceded he was surprised when the Vols made it into this year's SEC championship game.
"It's unreal. They've been a very lucky team. But then that's how they won the national championship," Peterman added.
Erin Hoskins, a UT journalism senior, said she's headed for Atlanta tonight. She paid $110 for a ticket in an online auction. "That's the cheapest I could find," she said. The bidding for some seats was up to $350 and student tickets were selling for as much as $180. She'll stay with friends and ride MARTA downtown for the game at the Georgia Dome.
Vol football team freshman Emmauel Allen waved goodbye to the crowd after tucking an orange shaker into his SUV's rear window. He had a cheer of his own: "Sugar Bowl, here we come."
The national championship game will be played Jan. 7 in New Orleans.
More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 8
superk#226173 writes:
Be careful on the transportation you use. There are alot of crime plus a bunch of homosexuals around some of the areas down here. Especially mid-town.
govolsfan#214750 writes:
"LSU graduate and Farragut resident Bryan Pabst" is a complete tool! He was quoted as saying.."I could not believe LSU was able to build such a big bandwagon this year to allow room for fair weather LSU fans like myself. But I guess after we lose this weekend to TN, Les leaves and our recruiting goes dry, there will be no bandwagon next year."
CoverOrange writes:
"a phalanx of 50 or so Vol fans flooded into the street and after him"
Did they have pitchforks and torches in the chase. Doesn't sound very neighborly.
bucklesvol writes:
Keep your comments to your self superk!!!
utmdm writes:
First trip to SEC title game. Stretching the budget for my son who has never been and he reports to the Navy in Feb. We are at the Hilton. What transportation would you suggest?
hueypilot writes:
utmdm take Marta Never seen a safety issue, It is always super crowded for a game so you've got lots of company. Kind of gets you primed for the game since all the fans are in there together. Parking near the GD is a mess and traffic is terrible. Park at an outlying Marta station and pay the few bucks it costs. Get your return ticket or fare before the game so you won't have to wait in line. You'll be fine
King30 writes:
I have to laugh! Way to go, Bryan!
But you know as well as I do that come tomorrow at 4pm you'll be at home, sitting in your recliner, in front of your big screen tv, with your purple and gold shirt covering up an orange Power T t-shirt and orange undies, cheering on our Volunteers under your breath while your little part of the Orange Nation surrounds you.
It's inevitable.
DadwasaVol writes:
Superk - been watching too many TV news stories of homosexuals beating up football fans?
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