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Defense thwarts Beckum, Badgers
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TAMPA, Fla. — What in the bloomin’ onion happened to Travis Beckum?
Wisconsin’s star receiving tight end was barely a factor as Tennessee beat the Badgers 21-17 in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday.
After a season’s worth of accolades based off 73 receptions for 960 yards, the junior had only two receptions for 22 yards against the Vols.
“He was the focus of our defensive game plan,” said junior linebacker Jerod Mayo, who had 13 tackles and broke up a pass. “He’s a great receiving tight end. That was our goal coming into the game — to stop him.”
Fellow linebacker Ryan Karl said Wisconsin’s passing game revolved around their big target in the middle.
“We knew he was their big-play guy,” Karl said. “If they weren’t able to feed him the ball, they weren’t going to be able to do what they wanted to do as an offense. Being able to stop him, it was a big part of us winning today.”
Stopping Beckum was just part of the game plan for the Vols, who won just their third bowl games in nine years. As is always the case when playing a Big Ten opponent, stopping the run was thought to be most important. Well, maybe not.
UT allowed 192 yards on 41 carries for a 4.7-yard average. Standout tailback P.J. Hill, whose health was questionable coming into the game with a bruised quadriceps, ran for 132 yards on 16 carries and was never tackled for a loss.
The running lanes seemed to be open, but Wisconsin spent much of the first half passing, and subsequently falling behind 21-7. Even Mayo admitted he was bit surprised when the Badgers got away from the ground game so early.
“I thought they were going to do some more misdirection,” Mayo said. “But they started throwing the ball and made some plays, but we made the plays when it counted.”
The Vols made plays without two defensive starters, defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden and linebacker Rico McCoy, who were suspended for academic shortcomings.
McCoy’s absence caused quite a shuffle, especially with Karl trying to overcome a broken right elbow he suffered in the SEC championship game. At least five linebackers played significant snaps in the Outback Bowl.
“I’m definitely proud of the way these guys have stepped up and been able to play when guys went down,” Mayo said. “Those guys being ineligible, we just treated that like an injury and went out there and played our hearts out.”
No one more than Karl, who was forced to the sideline holding his injured arm in the first quarter, then returned to play most of the game.
“I’m used to being a little smaller and getting banged up a little bit throughout the game,” the 6-foot, 218-pound senior said. “There was nothing that was going to keep me out of this game.”
Karl wasn’t ready to say his involvement in the Outback Bowl was inspirational, but missing practice had its advantages, especially when his teammates began to tire.
“I was out there screaming at them and just getting them mentally ready,” Karl said. “I feel like that was the biggest part of me in this defense.”
UT’s defense also was led by its criticized defensive ends. Seniors Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds each had a sack, and Robert Ayers made a tackle for a loss.
“Xavier kind of set the tempo for the game,” defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said, referring to Mitchell’s sack on Wisconsin’s opening drive. “Overall, I think they played extremely well. We were able to make a big play when we had too.
“They played their butts off. They played hard for the entire 60 minutes.”
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan often seemed determined to run no matter the consequences. That resulted in some hard hits by the Vols and slow recoveries by Donovan.
“I think that shook him up a little bit,” Mayo said.
Donovan finished the game with 155 yards on 14-of-24 passing, but it was his final pass that would prove to be the most memorable when it was intercepted by sophomore defensive back Antonio Wardlow, ending Wisconsin’s comeback attempt.
“I saw the quarterback lob the ball up in the air,” Wardlow said of the deep pass he intercepted at the UT 1. “I knew I had to go up and make a play on the ball so I went up at the highest point and caught the ball. A million thoughts were going through my head.”
Perhaps some of those thoughts centered around the hefty amount of criticism UT’s defense — especially its defensive backs — had received this season.
And perhaps it was appropriate that UT’s defense, and ultimately a defensive back, won the first bowl game for the Vols since they beat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl following the 2004 season.
“Our defense bowing its neck like it did was incredible,” coach Phillip Fulmer said. “We gave up three points in the second half. They basically preserved the win.”
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Posted by james on January 1, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The defense had to because the offense stalled. Why can't Tennessee adjust like other teams. Why did CUT take Ainge out on the only good drive of the half? Didn't make a lot of sense. I could see one play but when it got third and long?
Their guy is even worse. You run over the Vols to the 10. Get a 4th and very short and you go for a pass play. Either take the FG or run it again. Good win. Go VOLS
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 1, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job on Wisconsin's TE. The job we did against him reminded me of how Jason Allen shut down Kellen Winslow against Miami in the Orange Bowl in 2003.
Posted by FWBVol on January 1, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the record, UT has actually won three of its last six bowl games and two of the last four. Don't make things seem so doom and gloom Dave there's enough of that from TouchdownTN and his cronies.
Posted by vol52 on January 1, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The D played a very good game. They got much better as the season developed.
Posted by eduardo on January 1, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy couldn't shake loose on our soft coverage. Way over rated. The defense and offense left a lot to be desired from Wisconsin. This is the only opponent this Tn. team could handle. If you would have put them up against Mizzou or anyone else they would have been stomped.
Posted by pdhuff on January 1, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why Wisconsinky tried to throw with their backs getting yardage I don't know. I guess that's why we were having bloody mary's and Chavis was coaching. Congrats Vols, no other way to say it!
Posted by Plasticman on January 1, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eduardo, please go back to your Gator board and post. THis is a Tenn. board!
Great game by Mayo and the defense. D-line stepped up and DE's put some pressure on Wisc. QB.
Posted by tom865 on January 1, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually credit Wisconsin's staff for mixing the calling up a little bit. He's just looking at what has and hasn't worked with Big Ten Teams against the sec in the past. Too many Big Ten teams hang their hat on the running game and although it may work for a series or two, if you keep trying the same play calling it would have cost them and then they would have been forced into desperation. And indeed Wisconsin nearly beat Tennessee. It's just that Wisconsin doesn't have a capable enough passing game to exploit our much more advanced sec secondary. This is the reason I am an unabashed SEC fan. Florida is an embarrassment to the sec for losing to Michigan. I think their offense plays too much like the Big Ten offenses.
Posted by bloodrunsorange on January 1, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I really appreciate the WIN! I would have liked to have seen Crompton pay a few series. Happy New Year!
Posted by invisiblekid on January 1, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The defense caught a few breaks early in the game like the fumble off the big pass play but they more than held up their end of the bargain, especially in the second half. I thought the speed of our defensive line gave their lumbering offensive line some fits today and it showed in the number of hits and hurries on Donovan. I thought the same thing as Mayo, with the way that the Vols were coming after Donovan, they could have been burned with some misdirection in the second half. Nice to see Karl go out on his own terms. I have questioned his speed and tackling at times but never his determination or dedication to the Vols.
Posted by volcop on January 1, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why did CUT take Ainge out on the only good drive of the half?offense stalled thanks to play calling at times We overcame HORRIBLE offensive play calling. Period.Who in the hell was calling the red zone plays? I hope he's gone.Typical second half Cutcliff play to not lose play calling that all most cost us again. Even the anouncers said ill-timed strange play calling pulling out gadget plays that blowup to end drives when we were moving the ball.
GOOD RIDDINS CUTCLIFF
Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on January 2, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We played about like one would expect for the 16th ranked team in the nation. Still a whole lot to work on.
Maybe we'll be able to run the ball next year. Maybe we'll be able to stop the run next year.
Maybe we'll be able to go deep next year.
Maybe we'll be able to rush the passer next year.
Have a great couple of months off, team. And congrats to seniors.
Posted by johnlg00 on January 2, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good win for the Vols, but I agree that there was some strange decision-making on offense for both sides. Much as I would like to see the offense open up some, UT has seldom run gimmick plays well, though I'm sure someone can think of some. Even more astounding to me was WS giving up on the run game. They could have run for 400 yards on us, even with the defense playing its heart out. We just don't have the bulk and depth to bear up all game against the kind of running game they could have had. Their QB is a warrior, but it was clear to me that passing is not their forte. From what I saw, both teams need new offensive staffs!
Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 2, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Wisconsin site said that Beckum slammed his helmet to the turf, he was so frustrated.
I would like to think our dbs could be pretty good next year.
Posted by Badgersrule on January 2, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice job by the Vols defense. I never guessed they could shut down Beckum like they did. Several of Bielema's calls were as questionable as the Vol's fumblerooski, but none more so than the ill-fated pass play on 4th and 2 in the 4th quarter. The fact that the Badgers had to burn 4 timeouts because they couldn't get the play off on time was inexcusable (one even came out of commercial break!) The Badgers were out-played and out-coached.
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