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Tennessee Stat Book
Northern Illinois Huskies
Nick Reveiz was getting himself pumped up early Saturday night when he looked over and saw his dad.
The former Farragut High School star had a feeling this would be a big night. So did former Vols' kicker Fuad Reveiz.
"I saw him on the field before the game when I wasn't sure if I was going to start," Reveiz said of his dad. "I told him to pray for me because I feel like I'm going to have a big opportunity tonight.
"He just said, 'You're going to be good son, you're going to be all right, just play the way I know how to play.' That's what happened."
Reveiz played better than all right in making his first start at middle linebacker in place of injured Ellix Wilson.
He was credited with four tackles - a number defensive coordinator John Chavis might want to challenge - but helped UT's defense hold on to a 13-9 victory against Northern Illinois.
It was the defense to the rescue again.
"Nick did a great job for us," Chavis said. "It didn't take him long to adjust to the sprint package and I think the plays he made were outstanding."
Ben Martin knew Reveiz was ready to play the first time he saw him in the huddle.
"I think Nick played pretty well from what I saw," he said. "He's pretty amped up anyway. He's a headcase, he's an animal and he's a really emotional player."
The Vols (2-3) needed all the emotion they could muster against the Huskies.
The Vols had to make some adjustments on the fly when Northern Illinois starting quarterback Dan Nicholson went out with an injury. DeMarcus Grady entered the game and provided more of a running threat.
"I think our guys did a great job," Chavis said. "They (NIU) came in there and did some things we've never seen them do with their sprint package. Evidently they were a little concerned about the pressure and I think that's why they did that.
The Huskies rushed 34 times for 72 yards and completed 14-of-26 passes for 118 yards.
Senior linebacker Nevin McKenzie, also making his first career start, led the Vols with a career-high nine tackles, including 1 <0x0192> sacks and 2 <0x0192> tackles for loss. Rico McCoy added eight total hits and safety Eric Berry six.
Defensive end Wes Brown, playing on a bad knee, added a career-high five hits and chipped in one of UT's season-high four sacks.
"We played good, but we can always do better," McKenzie said. "We're here to help the offense out and we expect to play that way."
As usual, Berry made one of the biggest plays of the game when he picked off Nicholson and made a 48-yard return to set up UT's first score, a 36-yard field goal from Daniel Lincoln.
"We got a turnover that led to some points, but we'd like to get those in the end zone," he said. "I think Eric had a chance and we need to make another block down there so he can get it in the end zone."
The only other minor complaint Chavis had was one big play given up by the Vols.
Grady fired a 35-yard pass to Willie Clark to convert on third-and-8 and set up Northern Illinois' second field goal of the night.
"I'm really excited we didn't give up any touchdowns," Chavis said. "We gave up a big play that led to points and that's what we've got to eliminate, but I think we made a lot of progress."
It's going to take that kind of progress with the Vols heading to Georgia next Saturday.
"It's going to be hostile down there in Georgia," Walker said. "We went down there and beat them two years ago and beat them last year, so they're going to be really intense and ready for us.
"We just have to set our jaw and play good SEC football."
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 19
imnotwithphil writes:
Majors is right. Chavis has saved CPF's job for YEARS and deserves the lion's share of the credit for the 1998 championship game.
Wouldn't it be fitting if CPF was summarily fired - and they brought Johnny back as interim head coach while we searched for a replacement... perhaps there's an opportunity for our school to right a wrong... as well as fix a mistake that should have been corrected in 2005.
hmhawk writes:
Looks like a 4-8 season with a strong wind at our back LOL.Thank you defense.At least I can brag ao ya'll at work.
hmhawk writes:
Supposed to be on not ao.
RocketVol writes:
Defense is doing its part. Cutcliffe always had a goal of 30 points. What this season could've been with 30 pts per game.
eutefan writes:
I though the Reviez kid did one heck of a good job... showed the Vol spirit throughout the game.
Wonder what other contributors are riding the bench? I saw lots of other ... faces that I'm sure would like to help their university.
fedupvol writes:
3-9
tennecwingrider writes:
I'm thinking 3-9, 0-8 in the SEC.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
GREAT JOB DEFENSE .
CT_VOL writes:
My favorite part of the game was when Fulmer calls back to back time outs on the NIU 3 yard line to ensure everyone's on the same page. After waiting 10 minutes for this careful and crafty planning, we are treated to an instant Stephens sack! Funny sad!
Frank
HamptonsVol writes:
Your first paragraph is correct. Your second one makes you an idiot.
rockitwithrespect writes:
if anyone were to replace fulmer in a interim capacity, it would be chavis. he is in-house and has tenure. no need to bring back ghosts of seasons past
bigt4ut writes:
Last night my questions were answered why we are not producing many points on offense, you cant blame the QB this time cause stephens had a decent game. I really think this Clawson character and his staff have no clue how to teach and call offensive plays, because its not like Richmond is struggling since he left, they are ranked number 1 in D1 AA. And I know our line sucks, but not all the blame cant be put on them because the new staff switches them almost every down on different sides of the center, either the right or the left, which is obsurd. Clawson and Foolmer need to go!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
The worst thing the program could do is run a National Championship coach out in mid season...kiss the chance of getting a top shelf replacement away. Fulmer is here for better or worse for the remainder of the season at least. Sadly I'm seriously thinking 4-8 as a very possible outcome as well. I sure hope not, but if so, it will probably seal the deal.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
What, a pine rider getting a chance and playing a good game? Tks, Reveiz, we've never heard of such a thing. We'll put your pic beside Jamal Lewis and Tee Martin.
On to the Dawgs....
TommyJack writes:
Kesling almost had me there for a spell. Then it dawned on me we weren't playing Oklahoma.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
That's great for Reveiz, but I'd sure like to see more Gerald Williams. Even at this level he looks like a man among boys...that dude is some kind of physical specimen. I bet he'd play like a stud if they'd actually put him in there.
hmhawk writes:
Wingrider,I'm trying to think positive.
TurboFan writes:
CT, NIU called the first timeout.
shoalcreekvol writes:
1) Johnny Majors should never be allowed back on campus after what he did to CPF with the comments last week. That's the last straw as far as I'm concerned. Johnny is a washed-up, sour old sot who didn't put the school first when he was here and he is willing to take the school down now to get back at CPF. Screw him. No retired number, no Majors Street, no honor for the honor-less.
2) Clawson was at Richmond long enough to build the program. That's why they are still #1 after 6 weeks without him. To imply that it is evidence that he is not a good coach or was not a factor in their success is IDIOTIC. He deserves an opportunity to get out from under CPF's thumb to see what he can do. No one in their right mind thinks we are seeing Clawson's offense on the field.
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