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Adams: Enough defense for some optimism
Southern Miss running back Tory Harrison is tackled by UT defensive end Xavier Mitchell on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
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The longer the game dragged on, the less of a drag it became for the Tennessee fans who stuck around for the full 3 1/2 hours at Neyland Stadium on Saturday evening.
Until the second half, they had no reason to feel any more optimistic about this season than they did after a 45-31 loss to Cal in the opener. They were rewarded for their patience.
The offense kept getting better. The defense finally showed up, albeit about six quarters late. Even the kick-coverage team became competent late in the fourth quarter.
And the Vols didn't just win. They won going away, turning a one-point halftime lead into a 39-19 victory over Southern Mississippi.
In many UT seasons, a 20-point victory over a Conference USA opponent might have evoked no more than a shrug from the UT crowd. But a humbling loss to Cal, followed by an inauspicious first half against the Golden Eagles, made the second-half performance worthy of a celebration.
UT defenders led the celebration. And you couldn't blame them for their animation after making routine tackles.
That defense was embarrassed in the loss to Cal. It didn't look that much better in the first half against USM, which was almost halfway to 500 yards after two quarters.
By then, a reasonable question for any UT fan: "Can we hold anyone under 30 points?"
Keep in mind USM has nowhere near the offensive weapons of Cal. Although quarterback Jeremy Young had a career-best 254 yards passing, he didn't remind anyone of Cal's Nate Longshore. Moreover, the Golden Eagles couldn't match the Golden Bears' speed or experience at wide receiver, and their offensive line wasn't nearly as formidable as the one UT faced in the season opener.
But USM's offense was good enough to gain 246 yards and score 16 points in the first half. At that point, the expectations for UT's defense were at ground zero.
In the second half, the same defense that seemed so inept for the first six quarters of the season, suddenly turned competent. It separated USM ball carriers from the football, made crucial third-down stops, sacked Young twice and recorded a safety.
You could see the defense's confidence growing with every possession. Meanwhile, hope was building in the crowd.
So maybe I shouldn't spoil things with a Florida reference. But you can't ignore the schedule. The Gators are next.
And just because the Vols held USM under 20 points doesn't mean they're capable of holding Florida under 40.
That's not as ominous as it might seem on first glance. As good as UT's second half was Saturday night, Florida's was just as bad.
After leading Troy 49-7 at half, the Gators gave up 24 points in the second half in winning 59-31. Sure, you could argue that the game was out of reach, and Florida's defense let up. But giving up 24 points in the second half against Troy is more than a let-up. It's a reminder that Florida lost nine defensive starters from last year's national championship team.
The Gators are unproven in the defensive line and the secondary. Remind you of anyone?
UT gave up 254 yards passing to a team that passed for more than 192 yards only once in 14 games last season. Florida gave up 283 yards passing to Troy.
So you have two teams with shaky defensive fronts and secondaries matched up against two hot quarterbacks.
UT quarterback Erik Ainge has completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 547 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in two games. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has completed 73.8 of his passes for 537 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in two games.
Despite its second-half improvement, UT isn't ready for an offense as dynamic as Florida's. But maybe Florida's defense isn't ready for UT's offense, either.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Posted by carolinavol on September 9, 2007 at 2:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey John, when you're optimistic, it's a very good sign! Now we have reason to look forward to Florida instead of dreading it. Go Vols!
Posted by threesdown on September 9, 2007 at 3:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so pumped...John is optimistic!
I...Don't...Know...what to believe anymore!
My whole belief system in John Adams is shattered!
The powerbomb was awesome...Anybody see that?
Posted by jawbreaker on September 9, 2007 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From the last drive of the first half until the 2nd teamers entered in the second half, I thought that the Vols acquitted themselves quite well on both sides of the ball. That 19-play USM drive was tedious, but the Vols only surrendered a field goal in the end. And, while the USM QB may not be all-world, he was a cool customer who made play after play until the defense started to bring effective pressure. Kick-offs and kick coverage even seemed to drift toward acceptable. While Daniel Lincoln's ability to kick-off is still very much suspect, I have to give him credit for his field goal kicking. I really didn't think he had the 48 yarder in him, and I had been dogging him since pre-season. It looks like teams are going to have to start recruiting short and long kickers like Barefoot (what a great name for a kicker, although he wasn't, literally) and Estes for USM. I also think that Coker will be more of a weapon the next time we see him, if he can keep his head straight and in the game. If the Vols are to have a chance against UF, the coaches must have them hitting on all cylinders from the start of the game. I don't think that there will be much chance for half-time adjustments to help, such as they did last night.
Posted by yeavols on September 9, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if there is such a thing as divine intervention, a game plan, a motivated defense, and an over confident Florida team, WE NEED IT NOW. PRAY!
Posted by BigAl on September 9, 2007 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Normally I agree with Adams, but he lost me with this one. Of course Florida gave up 24 points in the second half; they were playing their backups and letting the clock run out. To postulate that they are defensively on our level is Jr. High-type wishful thinking.
In 1999, we all thought that Florida's losses on defense had left them weakened, and that we had an advantage. Then this guy Alex Brown showed up and recorded 5 sacks, and we lost. Don't kid yourselves that Florida will be soft defensively, and that we'll exploit that. They will bring it, they always do. And we'll have no answer for Tim Tebow. This game will be over by halftime, barring a major collapse by Florida on both sides of the ball. Us getting it together in the 2nd half won't help this week.
Posted by FWBVol on September 9, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I go to church with a Florida grad and he was concerned about the performance of the Gator backups against Troy. You can't play your starters
every down in a SEC game, especailly in mid-September in the Swamp. Florida's second team has probably given the starters a stiffer test than Western Kentucky or Troy in the first two games. At least UT has played somebody. If Southern Miss was in the SEC it would be better than Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Kentucky. The Golden Eagles might be a Conference USA team, but they've been competitive with SEC teams in the past. Ainge has put up good numbers against decent teams. Tebow has good numbers against sub SEC defenses. I like the way Williams stepped up in his first start, and I like UT's chances in the Swamp. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
Posted by mmeletiou on September 9, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good point about FLs second team, but we won't be playing them.. hopefully. southern miss impressed me last night, but it was good to see tennessee's defense step up in the second half. their conditioning seemed much better. anybody notice cal only beat colorado by a touchdown. maybe they aren't as good as we thought. and what happened to our running game in the first half. i believe i only saw us run it 2 times, if you don't count ainge. i don't like our chances in the swamp but am keeping my fingers crossed and praying that they have a bad day and we have a great one..its the sec, anybody can beat anybody on a given day.how about south carolina, they look like they're gonna be a contender..
Posted by bigfan502 on September 9, 2007 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know about the vols...It seems big orange lacks something....like quickness, maybe that's it...quickness..any way what do I know. Sorry to hear former vol QB Jim Francis is no longer with vol broadcasting team...thanks Jim for hanging with the vols long after graduation. Jim will miss broacasting, but the vols' broadcasting team and vol fans will miss you a deal more.
Posted by bloodrunsorange on September 9, 2007 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have the speed to win! It’s just young! If the speed plays and plays well at Florida we will all be happy!
Posted by BainxGriffith on September 9, 2007 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well bloodrunsorange brace yourself for a let-down next Saturday.
The Great Pumpkin has run his course
Posted by andy112382 on September 9, 2007 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Make it 3 out of 4 at the swamp! GO VOLS!!!
Posted by ArkansasVol on September 9, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Vols!
I did the PPV thing and watched my Vols pull out a win with a much improved 2nd half. I have not seen much of any mention of the fact Fulmer pulled many starters from the O-line and D-line to start the 2nd half. The PPV announcers mentioned it briefly. It appears to me that the 2nd stringers did a fantastic job as the running game picked up right out of the gate, and the defense found another gear. Does anyone have any word as to the replacements that I am missing?
Posted by litlsmokey on September 9, 2007 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uhhhhh...John? I usually like to read your columns and see what you have to say. Really. But why waste our time with a column that anyone who keeps up with TN. football could write? Everything you've stated is pretty obvious.
Posted by ThurmondEppy on September 9, 2007 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Umm...I can't resist...It's JEFF Francis.
Posted by secten on September 9, 2007 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If we can't stop the run any better than we have in the first two games Florida will kill us!
Posted by Plasticman on September 9, 2007 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tebow is not 1/2 as mobile as the USM QB was. He was very elusive and had a strong arm. I think Tebow will feel the pressure like he has never felt it beofre since he has not played (started) against good competition. It's alot different being the starting QB vs. coming in for a few plays and running the ball to get a first down.Vols win this game by a touchdown !
Posted by tennfan111 on September 9, 2007 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If UT defense can get in Tebow's face all night, he will not throw the ball well. I say that we need to contain him in the pocket and let him feel the pressure.
Posted by BigUn on September 9, 2007 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think we need to realize that our Defense is going to struggle all year long. If the Antonio Reynolds is starting at DE, then we must be hurting. I've yet to see him make any type of play.
Not to mention Jarod Parish will be getting routinely burned.
It will be a long day in the Swamp for us.
Posted by 55Vol on September 10, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BigUn...then you were asleep during the game Saturday night.PPV showed many on the field plays and if were not for Reynolds in the first half, SM could have scored more. He had several excellent pass rushes, had one tackle for a loss and two hurries of the QB. Ayers did well in the second half but Renolds had a good game. It was number 89 that was around or underneath the most of the tackles.
Posted by LadyVol78 on September 10, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No mention of Rico McCoy's body slam tackle... come on people.. it was freaking awesome.. that was make up for his bone head play at the end of the first half!!
Go VOLS.. UT 45-UF 39
Posted by sjt18 on September 10, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John, I'm pretty sure that all three of UF's LB's are new and that they don't have alot of depth behind them.
Tebow's stats have been run up in non-competitive games against also rans. Ainge's stats have been run up against a now top 10 team and a very good, experienced USM team.
There is good reason to be optimistic... and since UF will probably score some points anyway, IMO Chavis should just let the guys lay their ears back and get pressure on Tebow. Under pressure, he may make some mistakes and turnovers.
Also, Andre Caldwell has an injured knee and may not play. If he does then he might not be as good.
Posted by DadwasaVol on September 10, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So many of these posters would just mail this in as a loss. Good thing they aren't coaching anybody. I love Tennessee's chances this week in the Swamp. I mean, seriously, can Florida stop Ainge? Vols 38, Gators 30.
Posted by sjt18 on September 10, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gen Patton needs to be the Vol DC. "I'm going to attack all day and all night... We're not stopping for a day or an hour or a minute... IS THAT CLEAR?"
If you get burned, fine... just attack some more and trust the offense to score points.
Posted by IPOrange on September 10, 2007 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just wondering - we ran the ball very little in the first half, and then started pounding it in the second half. Could that have been part of the game plan to force them to loosen up on D, or was it just more of the SOS?
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