Until the end of practice on Thursday, Tennessee's football coaches hardly mentioned the Orange and White Game. With two more practices last week, they could hardly afford players to let players look ahead, even to an intrasquad scrimmage.
But beginning with a meetings on Friday, followed by another pregame meeting Saturday morning before the Vol Walk to Neyland Stadium for a 3 p.m. kickoff, it's all about game day for the Vols.
"Starting right now, it's count-down to gameday for them," UT first-year coach Lane Kiffin said as he left the practice field Thursday evening. "They're doing nothing but focusing on the game from here on out. We'll have pregame meetings tomorrow and the morning of the game to get them ready."
And they better be ready.
The Vols have sought a new intensity in their previous 14 spring practices, and coaches and players have liked the response so far.
But with more than 30,000 tickets already sold and room for as many as 70,000 fans even with ongoing renovations to Neyland Stadium, the Vols and their new coaching staff will get their first taste of a gameday atmosphere.
How players respond won't just be important. Kiffin says UT's most important day of spring practice will be its last one.
"It's the most important evaluation tool we've had so far," he said. "To put our team into Neyland Stadium in front of our fans which is where we have eight games next year, we've got to see how they perform in that situation. It's why we want so many fans there, because we want the energy and the noise and the Vol Walk and see how they respond to it. "See which guys it scares and which guys rise to the top."
Still, a few standouts won't be available for Saturday.
Safety Eric Berry has been held out of full-contact drills all spring as his shoulder heals from offseason surgery.
Defensive end Wes Brown won't play either, after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on both knees Wednesday. And cornerback Brent Vinson is out with shoulder surgery, too.
There could be other holdouts as well, but quarterback Jonathan Crompton says he's excited about the atmosphere for Saturday's scrimmage.
"That's the reason why you play here," he said. "With our competitive nature, that's what we want to do. But when the ball kicks off, we're focused in."
Plenty of eyes will be focused on Crompton and his fellow quarterbacks, who have had an up-and-down spring. At times, they've seemed comfortable in Kiffin and coordiantor Jim Chaney's new offense. At others, they've been slow to make decisions and turned the ball over too much.
Today, those turnovers will result in points on the scoreboard.
Kiffin will split the teams into offense and defense, with the offense scoring seven points for touchdowns and three for field goals. The defense can earn four points for a stop, five for a turnover and seven for a touchdown.
And if practice - in which the offense and defense keep score and compete against one another during team periods - is any indication, there will be plenty more competition in store Saturday afternoon.
Not to mention some fired up fans - and fired up coaches.
"It's going to be unbelivable," Kiffin said. "The Vol Walk, from Fan Day to be around our people, for all of our staff, not one of our coaches have done that before. We can't wait to get to Saturday."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 161
prideofthesouthland writes:
C-ya at the O&W game vol fans!!!
govols1295 writes:
Go big orange!!!
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
I'll be there! GO VOLS!!!!
rocky_topper writes:
I'll be there! Go BIG Orange!
dvols writes:
go white!
i'm just sayin
appalachianvol writes:
Live in Fl will have to wait until sunday night to watch it on direct tv. Go big orange!
bigorangesob writes:
Just heard on the news Mike Rozier is coming this summer
dvhill100 writes:
Can you tell me when and what channel on DirecTV?
suPEARLman writes:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/con...
Not sure if anyone else has posted this. Good article on our boy EB!
Volsnfl writes:
Huge Vols fan here in Fl,cant see on tv but ill find a place sunday,GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!
govolsfan#214750 writes:
Im stuck in SoCal, I too would like to know if anyone can tell me when and what channel on DirecTV the O&W game might be replayed on?!?
Volsnfl writes:
LOL,I have a big T sticker on my back window of my truck and to watch people behind me at red lights giving me the finger lmao,Priceless!!!
Volsnfl writes:
It cant be hard to find it on Direct tv,just pull down menu.
dvhill100 writes:
Tn spring game on DirecTV is at 2000 and 2300 on channel 649 on Sunday night.
XildnSC writes:
DirecTV - 649 SSHD 8:00
stroker writes:
Sports talk radio says sports south 8PM Sunday EST
Volsnfl writes:
Lakeland here
volstasis writes:
They're repoting on insidetennessee that we have picked up commit number two. 290 pound DT out of LA.
Volsnfl writes:
SWEET!!!!,hope its true,Go VOLS!!!!!
volstasis writes:
It's on volnation also.
sebfootball_39 writes:
I thought there was a big game on tomorrow, but then i looked and saw that FSU wasn't playing!
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Did you park at the Orlando International Airport Wednesday? I saw a truck with the "Power T" on the back glass then.
belayvol writes:
I have one of the huge neon power T lights in the rear window of my truck. On a dark night, you can see it from 1/2 mile away on the interstate.
Volsnfl writes:
FOLKS,I feel better this year,even if were 6 n 6
Volsnfl writes:
Bid D to TENNESSEE!!!
the10sevol writes:
I live in lizardland, too, and have DirecTV! Where can I see it PUUUUHLEEEEEEEZE! Of course I'll be calling in sick on Monday...and be too hoarse to talk until Thursday...
sebfootball_39 writes:
Im a Big Orange and Seminole fan. I live in Ga, but don't think i like flea eatin bulldogs
sebfootball_39 writes:
Is that game the game tommorrow only broadcast locally or nationally too?
the10sevol writes:
Mighta been me, I work there
sebfootball_39 writes:
We are in that lost world called GA
Vol43 writes:
I'm gonna be there. Dc is supposed to be there too. I hope he/she is. GO VOLS!
belayvol writes:
Is that after the Urby & Slappy show?
atomicvet62 writes:
Here in the Tricities area (Johnson City Tn) it will be on sports south Ch-437 at 8:00pm on Sunday 4/19/09.
Go Vols,Go Big Orange.
Voluvr writes:
lol. C'mon. You got to give us some credit. At least we are likely to earn our SEC money this year. Especially, after we stomp Florida.
Voluvr writes:
Maybe I hit on something. How about we take all the SEC money and distribute it from the top down. Then, it would be unlikely that there would be anything to keep a school like Vanderbilt in the SEC. Have a cummulative score from all sports. Man, I'm smart. Especially, when I say we are going to stomp Florida.
belayvol writes:
Did you know that a gator is the only animal you can hit between the eyes with an axe handle and the ASPCA does not give a flip?
Voluvr writes:
Makes sense. Then, they can simulcast a Jerry Springer show in the Florida section with all that white trash who are up there fighting with each other while we stomp Florida.
Voluvr writes:
Stomp Florida.
Voluvr writes:
Stomp Florida. C'mon everybody.
belayvol writes:
Let me change to my outdoor shoes first. That stuff stinks up the house for weeks.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Hope to catch on replay
A few things to watch:
- QB's: hopefully the 3 competing for the job get a chance to work with #1 offense against #1 Defense- most likely One Hopper starts, for thos of you going, particluary watch his hand offs and high pitches or shuffle pass, more importantly getting thru his progressions. His throws to the relief valve versus getting thru reads fast and hitting the target(s)preferably Wideouts to stretch the field--i still like Stephens, he has has the attitude i want in my huddle where no one can take a break-One Hopper i saw enough in 08, when the lights are on he checks out, it happens, not dissing the kid, but not everyone can be the QB one of the top SEC programs in the country...let BJ and Nick push each other..but the facts are who Plays, Stays or Goes...i still like Stephens in the fall by Game 4 (again): Stat Prediction: Crompton: 7-16 with 1 td and 2 int,
Coleman: 8-14 with 0 TD and 1 Int, Stephens: 10-15, 2 td, 0 Int
-WR: Who wants to take the leadership role here and win a slot...Rogers needs to get some stickem if he plans on hanging, good wheels, but suspect grips, Hancock, Paige and who else??? The door is still open...
Place Kicker: Lincoln, he will either be the Man or the Goat, i prefer the masculine one
Punting:Time will tell, any students want a shot?
Offensive Line: The key to the success of this offfense, last year they did not know which hand to place ont he ground due to the flip flopping...just hold the block for 3 seconds and let the RB run wild
Defense: Walker is building his case for a big year, that kid has so much upside...Linebackers: Nick Reviez just watching the kid hustle on special teams, you want to go head butt him- may not be the best athlete, but has a heart the size of 5 players..Rico McCoy, just let him wreak havoc..if you get by him #14 is bringing the wood....
Coaching; Be Fair and let the kids show off there stuff...
Defense Wins
kabzs writes:
That's sweet. Get in their heads 5 months early.
mtownvol writes:
QB10 - Good post but another thing that will be fun to watch is the enthusiasm of the coaches and how it carries over to the players. I've been to a lot of spring games but have never been this excited. GO VOLS!
Waldorf writes:
It's going to be nice to see an actual spring game again instead of the phooey Foolmore put out there. Something tells me there will be no 6th team running back getting 25 carries while all of the starters are wearing green jerseys. I'm surprised Foomore never put green jerseys on the linemen.
Good riddance Foolmore.
RoadTrip writes:
Straight scoop time and sorry for the length. I was a guest of a letterman Vol friend at their group's family event/barbecue tonight at Haslam Field. This is my second one of these.
Kiff spoke for 30 minutes. Here is where we are.
Full speed contact tomorrow. Offense/defense playcalling will be conservative due to television coverage. Crompton is leading the QBs, is totally into the new playbook. Kiff is happy with overall progress of the QBs despite a few bad practices. Strong improvement in the receivers and O-line. Is happy with Hardesty and looking forward to Brown in particular. Said the first team defense is very strong - looking for depth when they come back in August. Said Chris Walker was the star of spring practice. Is checking close with MH on NCAA items so that he reduces the flack - which drew a laugh as he told about an "unnamed" major DB recruit on campus today who was with Willie Mack, who could not attend the event. Said many of South FL's top recruits will be in town for the game tomorrow thanks to Coach Gran. Feels they are making strong inroads into that area.
Then spoke with Coach O and Coach Chaney. Coach O is very happy to be on Rocky Top and is looking forward to showing some wiseazzes he knows how to coach as well as recruit. He was smiling because he had the Brousarrd commitment in the bag. Coach Chaney wants to max out the abilities of what he has to work with and keep them focused and intense. He said we may not win every game, but, it will not be because we were not prepared, focused and intense. Seems like a good guy - very analytical.
Spoke with Asst. AD David Blackburn and MH. David is a close friend with my letterman friend. He said that neither Majors or Fulmer and their staffs could come close to matching the intensity of this one. He said they are very organized and on top of things and that he is amazed, quite frankly. I congratulated MH on having the guts to make the tough calls and that they were appearing to be winners. He was sincerely appreciative. I guess he is still a little bummed out about the fall-out from many of the ex-players and fans.
My final major discussion was with Aaron Douglas' mom, Karla Horton Douglas, an old business acquaintance. Aaron and family are thrilled with the move to OT. He is working hard trying to learn the footwork and leverage aspects. The coaches, Aaron and family are pleased with his progress. She is hoping he makes it through tomorrow without injury since he just came off double shoulder surgery last year. She thinks if he does he will then have more time to hit the weight room and continue to build strength before August and will be fine. .
I cannot begin to tell you how pumped I am! Been bleeding Orange for over 50 years and this is as good as it gets. Kiff wants the Vol Nation to understand that our support makes a major difference in the recruiting and performance of the team.
the10sevol writes:
Good to know, thanks.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Yea me too..,
Vols are taking over central fla.
VAvolfanRON writes:
another fact about gators.....they do shed tears!!
belayvol writes:
Thank you for this. More fuel to my fire.
the10sevol writes:
QB10, good post, but the search for a punter? Are you kidding me?
Holy Thunderfoot! Props to Widby!
I don't think the mother lode's quite done yet. Each of us, as Vols, needs to reach for our local phone books, and look for listings for "Colquitt, C-O-L-Q-U-I-T-T". As them these questions: "Have you ever punted a football? Would you like to?"
I'm guessing there's an 18 year old Jennifer Colquitt or an 82 year old Edith Colquitte who can pin the Tide at the two! We haven't even explored that side of the family tree!
We're here to help, Coach O...
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