Berry returns pick for TD, game ball to Fulmer

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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.

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.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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