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Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry (14) returns an interception for a touchdown against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Saturday.
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NASHVILLE - For a player known for his takeaways, it was Eric Berry's giving that had Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer talking.
"I gave (the game ball) to Eric," Fulmer said following UT's 20-10 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. "He gave it back to me."
Yet another instance where Berry - just a sophomore - continues to cement himself as one of UT's most memorable players of all time.
Despite another standout performance, Berry wanted Fulmer, who will step down following this season, to be the hero.
"Eric has achieved enough already to be at least one of the greatest that's played at Tennessee and certainly one of the greatest in this conference if he stays healthy," Fulmer said of his star safety.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis also didn't hold back any praise when asked about Berry.
"I think he's the best defensive player in the country, bar none," Chavis said.
Throughout the good times, the bad and the very bad this season, Berry has shown his skills at various times either via a booming hit or a record-setting interception return while the Vols have stumbled to a 4-7 record.
Fans should have seen it coming early against the Commodores. Berry registered two tackles on Vandy's first possession and could have been credited for another when he belted quarterback Chris Nickson, who spun around just long enough for UT linebacker Rico McCoy to record the official tackle.
Needless to say, Berry wasn't done.
Add another interception, another 45 return yards, another touchdown and another record to Berry's legacy thanks to a second-quarter play.
With 265 career interception return yards this season, Berry is the SEC single-season record holder, a mark held by Florida's Joe Brodsky since 1956.
Berry also passed himself. He had 222 interception return yards last season.
Is there any doubt that Terrell Buckley's NCAA record of 501 interception return yards will fall to Berry, who has 12 interceptions for 487 yards in 24 games?
Is there any doubt that Berry will pass the UT record, held by Tim Priest who intercepted 18 passes 1968-70? Berry has 12 picks.
Priest, an radio analyst for the Vol Network, doesn't expect to be UT's interception king for long.
"My son said a while back 'Well, the guy is going to break your record. At least he's a great player.' " Priest said. "I said 'There's no comparison between me to him. None at all.' "
Priest doesn't mind calling Berry a better athlete, and that has nothing to do with his play. It's more about his character.
"He's such an unassuming young man," Priest said.
Changes in defensive philosophies make Berry's chase of Priest even more impressive.
Priest intercepted passes when zone coverage ruled the day, meaning he was often facing the quarterback and set up to make the play. Berry is doing the same while playing mostly man coverage.
"He can play that coverage and find the football, too," Priest said. "Not many guys do that."
Nor have such a well-rounded game.
"He may be the best football player I've ever seen here (at UT) at any position," Priest said. "He's such a great combination of a guy that's a ball hawk that gets the picks and a big hitter."
Berry also impressed his teammates. In his much-anticipated debut at quarterback, Berry rushed for 11 yards on four carries.
Gerald Jones, who also plays the athletic quarterback role for the Vols, rushed for 11 yards on six carries.
"He did a great job with it," Jones said of Berry. "I wish we would have put him back there a little more but we don't want to wear him out.
"Eric's probably the better athlete. I'll give him that."
Berry's done all this with a left shoulder that has been hurting since last season's SEC championship game. Instead of complaining, Berry has remained silent.
"That's how I was raised," Berry said. "If it's not killing you, just strap up and play."
Berry wasn't concerned with his shoulder, praise or records after the game. He was just happy to win.
"It just feels so much better," Berry said.
Injury Update: Tennessee survived Saturday's game without any serious injuries.
Cornerback Brent Vinson (right leg) was the only player listed on UT's postgame injury report.
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group returns an interception for a touchdown against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Saturday.){kind=link}
Comments » 44
98memories writes:
Great pick it was. He's one of the best of all time. Berry that is.
FWBVol writes:
I'd love to see Eric Berry get a pick next week and return it for 15 yards to break the record in Fulmer's last game. It would even better if it was a Pick-Six that went about 80 yards in a win over the KY Cats.
What a classy thing to do giving CPF the game ball. I'd bet it gets a special place in the Fulmer trophy case.
blitzshoot writes:
Congrats Berry. You are a leader!
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Yeah there are a lot of empty spots in that case that should have been filled by now. Phil should not have a problem finding a spot.
miamiVOL writes:
Eric Berry will be a consensus All American, Thorpe Award Winer, Ronnie Lott Award Winner and Bednarik Award as a true sophmore....wow , just wow at the player this kid is.
cobbwebb writes:
no doubt about it, one day we will mention the name eric berry along with names like peyton manning, reggie white, doug atkins, and johnny majors! this kid should be captain of this team from day one of next season! whomever the next coach will be, is getting a gem in this kid, and a leader!
rabidvol1998 writes:
It's a shame you have such low self esteem you feel the need to make such hateful, yet ridiculous comments.
Oh well, I imagine your trophy case is full.
tenuscvol writes:
I look forward to throws down the field especially when the other QB is scrambling...you can always see Berry coming into the camera view on every one of them...
He is a great assett to UT in so many ways...
GoVols Skin dem Cats!
Go Auburn!
tenuscvol writes:
good one...
utmdm writes:
Full of roadkill?
FWBVol writes:
Tongue in cheek: If you haven't heard, Hamilton did drop the ax on Phillip Fulmer. If this was a football game, your comments would draw a piling on or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Based on the tone of most of your comments, I'd dare say even Phillip Fulmer's worst season is more than you've ever accomplished.
volongulf writes:
Perhaps you can share with us how many young men you have inspired such loyalty in?
DennisVols writes:
Eric Berry should also win the All American Class Act Award. His humblness is as great as his talent. In a year where we have seen comments from players that have not been approprate or classy. Seen players appear to quit or not put forth 100%, Berry has held his head high and given us 100% all the time.
If only all the players put forth this kind of effort who knows what this year might have been.
volcycle writes:
"Will Berry return next year" is my question. He probably deserves the Heisman this year, but that award has been proven to be a joke. Have you ever heard of Gino Toretta? Or better yet Charles Woodson who led no offensive or defensive category, career or otherwise. He only led the ncaa in hype and TV highlights.
Berry is the real deal!! I wish him well and I hope it will be with us next year.
ctownvol writes:
Berry is a class act indeed. Don't worry volcycle. He will be here for at least one more year. You have to be out of high-school for 3 years before going pro.
DennisVols writes:
Berry cannot leave for the NFL until after his junior year. So we get at least one more year.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Is anyone else sick of dvolfan - rc shepards - garbage?
He made over 22 posts today - in a 10 hour period - insulting Manning, Ainge, Fulmer, Clausen, Mims, and White praises Spurrier and claims to be Vol fan!
Dvolfan - if you are a Vol - are the biggest loser fan in UT History!
RockyTopReign writes:
I can't wait til next year when our new coach gets here and wins all these SEC titles. We can put in a new offense and maybe go to ATL every year or even 5 out of 11 years would be sufficient. I hope we win the national championship every year too. We should when we pay 2.8 million to a football coach, that has to be more than any other coach makes. Also lets make sure this new coach is not overweight and make sure he yells and jumps up and down alot. That makes a huge difference in football. Oh yeah fire Bruce Pearl he hasn't won a NC the past three years.
NOLAvol writes:
What kind of coach attracts such classy, skilled, outstanding young men like Eric Berry--a kid who went through recruitment with the benefit of a father with NFL experience?
Oh, that's right... some fat, over-the-hill, loser.
Yeah... sure.
[...we are making a big mistake...]
posivol writes:
i bet it meant as much if not more than the w.
posivol writes:
pleasegetridofthisidiotposer
posivol writes:
deserves them all
zqvol writes:
Look in the dictionary, the picture besides class is Coach Fulmer and Eric Berry, the one beside classless is PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE.
jsm67vol writes:
Great Post. It is rare these days to see such humility in an athlete. With a couple mor pic six's he could exceed the offenses points for the year. Agree with earlier post that he should be named team captain by the new HC. He sets the example for what this team should aspire to be.
volcycle writes:
Yea!!! I did not know that!
tennman65 writes:
Or maybe all the ripped underwear from the weddgies this low life pathetic loser got growing up!
VolInColorado writes:
Thank God for Eric Berry.
I wish PF the best. There is more to being a great coach than winning NC's. I hope PF moves up at UT and enjoys the rest of his career without constant bombardment by "fans". It is going to be sad to not see him on the sidelines next year.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not that he isn't deserving of those, I'm afraid the team's performance, or lack of same, will cause him to lose out on some of those awards. The fact that he is a sophomore won't help him, either.
pammyvol1000 writes:
I hope we get to keep him for 2 more years!
cjraney writes:
"That's how I was raised," Berry said. "If it's not killing you, just strap up and play."
That is a football player. Real shame our team accomplishments will fall far short of his individual feats during his time as a Vol.
alfrizzle097 writes:
That is a football player? Did the pads not clue you in?
elchichon writes:
you can stop taking your shots now. he's not coaching anymore, but he's been one of the best coaches the university of tennessee has seen. give the man some respect.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Okay, here we go again. Phil beats up on a program that is viewed as the worst in the conference year after year and the Fulmerites come back out. Is it not true that there are a lot of empty sports in his trophy case that should have been filled by now considering the talent he had for 15+ years? If you do not think so, then you are the idiot.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Did I say that compact1? You must like underachieving if you think that he should not have done more with what he had.
arkvol writes:
What happened to yesterday's first story after the game. Something like "Vols beat Vandy 20-10" ??
TommyJack writes:
Monumental upset. One for the ages.
arkansas_vol writes:
At least we are not Notre Dame
OrangePower11 writes:
My friend, if you happen to have a trophy case, I will personally have one made for it...
"2008 Low-Life of the Year"
Change is coming, let it go, maybe even come up with a fresh new screen name? Let that creativity flow, young Alabama fan. Don't be censored.
KnoxVox writes:
Well, I for one hate to see Fulmer go. I do believe it's time and would have much rather seen Phillip go out a winner and on top because he is a winner. Only the 'General' has achieved more (slighly) and let's hope Mike is methodical in his search to replace Coach because it was 40 years between Neyland and Fulmer.
I for one Coach Fulmer hope you'll stay on as head of recruiting or whatever. If not there is no doubt success will go with you. Thanks for the decade of dominance, the many memories, and putting the integrity of UT above all else!
CalPoly_Vol_Fan writes:
You are a jerk.
VolinBama writes:
Its okay to let Fulmer enjoy the last two games, he has given much to this University and to me as a fan. However, I agree with that it was time for a change. Yes, we can be tongue in cheek that a new coach will win a SEC championship and a National Championship, but it is quite obvious to anyone paying attention that Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have passed us by the past five years. It is one thing to enjoy a sentimental win over Vandy, but lets not pretend this ship was anywhere near being on the right course. Enjoy coach Fulmer, thanks for the memories!
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Orangepower11. While you are making my trophy will you also make sure that you pick up UT's participation medals for the last 10 years. Phil forgot to get them for some reason.
volintexas writes:
Eric is a stud. Thank you Johnny for signing his dad out of Natchez. George Cafego, one of the all time great Vols and a Vanderbilt hater, would have been very pleased to have watched this game. Bad News probably did it see it some where. It was nice to see the Vols stick it to Vandy even in the midst of a bad year on the Hill.
smillar31 writes:
I concur 100%! Retain CPF. Fire Mike Hamilton! And maybe Dave Clawson. Let CPF prove whether he himself can or cannot coach anymore. Let him handle OC duties. If he can't do it, then he'll know it's time to hang it up at UT. My name is Shep Millar and I also sign my post so that in the next few years, when things are horrendous for our program, no one can say I didn't say "Keep Fulmer!"
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