Tradition took a beating at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. So did South Carolina.
Tennessee celebrated Halloween by wearing black jerseys. Its wardrobe might have gotten mixed reviews, but its performance in a 31-13 victory was worthy of an encore.
As far as I'm concerned, so were the jerseys. At least, you can read the jersey numbers without binoculars.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sympathetic to the traditionalists in the crowd, some of whom were e-mailing me before the game, as black-jersey rumors gained credence.
One wrote: "I strongly advocate the removal from the UT program any person (or) persons who are part of taking the Vols out of orange jerseys."
Easy, guys. It's not as though the equipment managers delivered UT's orange jerseys to Goodwill in the dark of a Halloween night. And no one has proclaimed this "Big Black Country," although I suspect UT athletic director Mike Hamilton had the moniker copyrighted just in case.
The orange jerseys will make a comeback - probably next Saturday against Memphis, although no one will trust what Hamilton has to say on the subject after he denied the team would alter its traditional color scheme against the Gamecocks.
But don't even think about burying the black jerseys in the closet or relegating them to a Halloween costume. They earned a place in the rotation after the way UT handled South Carolina.
It has been almost 20 years since orange-clad Vols beat a Steve Spurrier-coached team that badly. If the black worked against Spurrier, maybe it will work against Florida's Urban Meyer and Alabama's Nick Saban, too.
Not that Saturday night was all black-jersey magic. The team looked better than the jerseys in a 21-3 first half against mistake-prone South Carolina, which didn't come close to playing up to its No. 21 national ranking.
The game was basically decided in the first 16 minutes when South Carolina fumbled the ball over to UT on three of its four possessions. The Vols converted each of the turnovers into touchdowns on mini-drives of 43, 27 and 22 yards.
UT's defense took it from there. All South Carolina could manage was a couple of field goals until it trailed 28-6.
The victory over a nationally ranked team was impressive enough on its own merits. It looked even better when you parlayed it with UT's previous two games.
After a 2-3 start when the Vols sometimes played as though they were headed for back-to-back losing seasons, they have beaten Georgia 45-19, lost a last-second game to Alabama by two points and knocked off the Gamecocks with a dominant defense and an efficient, opportunistic offense.
A letdown could have been expected after the previous week's near upset of Alabama. Instead, UT picked up where it left off, playing as confidently and aggressively as it has all season.
That aggression was epitomized by the first and last hits delivered by star freshman safety Janzen Jackson.
On Jackson's first hit, he jolted the ball loose from South Carolina tight end Justice Cunningham, whose fumble led to UT's first touchdown. His last hit separated wide receiver Alshon Jeffery from the ball on South Carolina's final offensive play.
UT might have a 4-4 record, but those hard-hitting highlights are indicative of a team that has looked anything but mediocre for the last month. Instead, it has looked like a team that could win the rest of its games.
If it can do that, you shouldn't care what it wears.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group reacts to kicking a 39 yard filed goal in the 4th quarter against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium October, 31, 2009.){kind=link}
Comments » 53
cdonsbach writes:
Go Vols!
TommyJack writes:
I care. Lose the black. Odd that Hamilton just out and out lied about the jerseys.
troken writes:
TommyJack, get a life........
DennisVols writes:
Wins Baby
New coach, new attitude, and a new look. Not one I want to see in every home game but a change in how we do things was what everyone screamed for last season and now we see it on the field in how this team plays.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
ArealVolFan writes:
Seriously, if you care that much...stop being a fan. This was a great move. Didn't care for the look too much, but as the game went on it grew on me...maybe it was the winning. To be fair UT wore black before the 1921 season. Even if no one considers that tradition, I have no problem with this team putting its mark on UT by starting a tradition. They deserve it.
VOLorado writes:
all of those "traditionalists" should read this...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/...
especially the last sentence...
"The Vols wore black jerseys prior to adopting orange jerseys during the 1922 season."
NOT THE FIRST TIME... so, it's even ok for you old farts
ReVolver writes:
"Odd"?
Well, I suppose it would have been much less fun if he told us it was coming...is that what you're after?
I'll put a vote down for you in the "no fun" column, Tommy.
That being said...I don't think I wanna see those jerseys used again. Good as a Halloween treat, though.
Go VOLS!
VOLorado writes:
beat me to the punch
GOBIGO72 writes:
The younger generation loved them. My son (sophmore in college) texted me and said "they were awesome" and our cousin who is 26 said the same thing.
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
"It's a players game, and they loved it". -- Lane Kiffin in post game interview with Erin Andrews
CDRKen writes:
STFU. They looked great. Especially on All Hallows Eve and 31-13.
kring writes:
GOOSE BUMPS!!!!
Black Jerseys Rocked and so did the VOLS.
I like that fact that Hamilton "Tricked" us. It gave me goosebumps to see them run through the "T" all decked out in Black.
As an alumnus that began attending UT when Fulmer took over, I got used to losing those games that we should have won and always had to keep my expectations in check.
It's a new attitude on Rocky Top and we're not going to accept being the 3rd best team in the SEC East anymore.
The black jerseys were just for Halloween but they underscore the fact that things are changing and from what I see, it's to a more disciplined, winning program.
jr8657 writes:
The new black jurseys looked awsome! Outstanding idea! It's time somebody started listening to the players and started doing things to get them excited about playing the game again and playing for Tennessee again. When's the last time you seen the entire team this excited and showing emotions about playing on the sidelines and on the field like this team does now!! There's such an excitement again around the program and it's great to see it again. This is way it used to be and feel to watch The Big Orange play...EXCITING!!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
black is okay, however with the orange "T" on the helmets and the orange jerseys ......... beautiful!!
tenuscvol writes:
31 - 13 on the 31st...
Even Jason Jackson's name has 13 letters...
I can only believe this is an omen indiciting that after decisively winning our bowl we end up 13th in the final AP poll...
And next year (ok..maybe the next)...
13-0
GoVols! Great Game!
Punt_Formation_Leaverton writes:
Are the traditionalists serious? I see no harm in wearing a black jersey for Halloween. Now, I don't want us to go down the road of Georgia and any other team who wears black jerseys ("Black out") as a cliche attempt to rally the troops at every single major game of the season
In the end, it's just a jersey, people
tenuscvol writes:
Sorry, ment Janzen Jackson...
GoVols! Beat them Tigers!
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
TommyJack is probably also moaning because the band did something other than showtunes, a tour of the state, the firebird suite, or a tribute to 1940s country music. This pathetic resistance to change and backwards attitude inhibits progress.
go_vols_go writes:
we could easily be sitting 6 and 2 had a few plays gone our way in the UCLA and Bama games. We will be a force once the Kiffin machine gets in full gear
TommyJack writes:
Exactly
chbradshaw writes:
I think a black pants with orange "T", white jersey and white helmet would look great against Ole Miss.
Win in Oxford and the Big Orange is likely bound for a New Year's date with Oklahoma in the brand new Cowboys stadium.
The Vols are back!!!
tmb3 writes:
Some people are never happy. I think the black jerseys were great in addition to the fact that we won. Kiffin and his team of coaches are doing a great job! Go Vols!
rootin4volz writes:
The BLACK JERSEYS are AWESOME!!!! You people who are against the team wearing a different color jersey need to go find something else to get your underpants in a wad over. Besides, they took away the curse of the orange pants!
joshvols writes:
i love it. the best part is the players wanted it and the administration came through. like lane kiffin says, it's all about the players at tennessee now. just one more selling point to go in the bag of recruiting tricks.
CrankE writes:
The best part of these jerseys?
No names on the back.
TEAM.
a10acvol writes:
Hey Guys, it's just a Jersey. You wanted change, the players wanted to wear black jerseys and the results were 31-13. I just wonder if Fulmer would have agreed to such a Halloween Trick!
TheFuj writes:
Some of the "old tradition" hates the change, but the kids love it. We are not recruiting the "old tradition guys", we are recruiting the kids. You need to have the talent to win (consistently). Also, it is really not a "change", it is an alternation.
seacondor writes:
KRING got it right! Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Their is a buzz in the air...Thank You Vols! If you ever wondered what the age of some of these posters are? It's easy now. Pretty much...open and shut, black and...
bamavol97 writes:
Hey, let's give TommyJack some credit. Everyone seems to be after him, but he's got a sense of humor. The "exactly" response is hilarious!
gwtvol85 writes:
Seacondor, you are correct. I was watching on the tube and, despite the rumors before the season started or denials by Hamilton prior to the game, when our Vols busted out of the tunnel in those black jerseys I let out a yell that matched an excitement level I haven't felt in years. Better yet, the team backed it up with their attitude... an attitude that is trickling down from this staff. This staff plays to dominate and win and looks to always improve. Kiffin walks off the field at halftime 21-3 and tells Ms. Andrews that they've still got a lot of work to do, especially on offense. Love it. And if you don't think that letting the players have a say in wearing the black jeserys had an effect on those recruits in the stands you don't know 17 and 18 year old boys very well.
Clevername writes:
The black jerseys are just the latest of the many innovative ways this coaching staff has used to motivate this team to get superior performance week after week. This is such a breath of fresh air compared to the prior coaching staff that lacked the ability to motivate anyone ... fans or players. You better believe that future generations of Vol players ARE paying attention and have moved the Vols up another notch on their list of great places to play ball. Go coach Kiffin and Krew !!!
Next time I hope they consider using white pants with the black jerseys and white helmets ... cool.
Go Vols !!!
hueypilot writes:
I THOUGHT I was an old fart. But you really are an old fart. They looked very cool and no big long time tradition is lost or even bruised with this one-time motivational stunt on Halloween night.
rusty_shackleford writes:
I heard John Pennington say the same thing on pre-game radio (before I turned it off for his shear idiocy); something to the effect that "we'll never be able to trust this administration on anything ever again." BS! How that fat, dumb blowhard keeps any kind of job in the media is beyond me. If they came out and said it was black jersey night, it wouldn't have been as big a deal. And if you weren't there the stadium EXPLODED when they came out!
I don't care if they wear black, white, orange, or blue. The best color is spelled W-I-N!!!!!!!
murrayvol writes:
Depends on your definition of "lied".
murrayvol writes:
Rich Brooks nixed black jersies for UK vs MSU.
That turned out well.
newtonrail writes:
My University of Tennessee had no official colors prior to Young Fart.
BuckFama writes:
What is really hard to understand, whether you like the black jerseys or not, is why some of you people think the color of the jerseys had anything at all to do with the score or the ultimate outcome. Tennessee was favored to win, Spurrier's USC teams traditionally play .500 ball in the SEC, and they were playing in Knoxville.
Tennessee won the game because the Vols were better prepared and had a supportive home crowd. Whoever thinks that jersey color had anything to do with the game's outcome has been playing too much NCAA '09. Or watching too many "@ueer Eye for the Straight Guy" reruns. Sad, in either case.
TommyJack writes:
Soooo, old fart. Who says it's a one time thang?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Come on, TJ, you've got to get over this "lying" bit. Hamilton was asked on Monday about the black jerseys. He said he wasn't planning to do that. The PLAYERS, and possibly some others around the program, had been talking about it, but it wasn't until WEDNESDAY that the players, to whom we all owe more than we can possibly repay, asked Hamilton if they could wear black. It was a lucky thing that there is a jersey manufacturer in the immediate vicinity who could whip them up in short order. The fact that the jerseys weren't coordinated with any of the rest of the uniform should have given you a clue that the jerseys were improvisations, not the result of a nefarious plot against Vol tradition. Most people know the difference between lying and changing one's mind when conditions change.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Who is Jason Jackson? Maybe you meant JANTZEN Jackson, our hard-hitting freshman free safety.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sorry to pile on! I DO think there is a "T" in his name, though.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, we'll all wave to you in our rear-view mirrors on our way to the national championship game in a few years!
VolGrad writes:
I bleed deep Orange. As a graduate of UT, I'm as fond of the Traditions of Big Orange Country as any. I also know that Tennessee wore black jerseys before deciding on Orange as the preferred color as per several articles on the subject. So that is as much a part of our History and Tradition as hating Alabama and beating up on Kentucky and Vanderbilt. All this ranting about the color of our jerseys is laughable. Hiding behind a Tradition that doesn't cover your argument is a farce. We could have all come out looking like the Joker on Halloween night, and if we'd still won the game... that would have been ALL that mattered. The History and Tradition of Tennessee is ALL about winning. It is literally a Winning Tradition. It isn't an Orange Tradition; it isn't a Black Tradition; it isn't a ROY G BIV Tradition. It is a Winning Tradition. This team is well on the way back to upholding that. And if the guys want the black jerseys from time to time - it's all good. The best thing I noticed (as someone else has already observed) about those Black jerseys was that they had no names on them.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not for changing our core colors. Our colors are Orange and White until something happens to change that... again. Until then, the majority of our games should be played in the Orange and White. But that Black and Orange combo on Halloween was very appropriate... especially considering where this team has fought back from and the improvement they've shown as of late. Halloween night versus Spurrier's Gamecocks was the perfect time. I can't really think of any other game this season where that might work. But it is ultimately up to the players, coaches and AD.
And as for those of you complaining that "Mike Hamilton lied to us" you only come off as being bloated with self-importance. Last night would not have had near the amount of "effect" if we'd all known about it in advance. That was perfectly handled, and as reported - quite the last minute decision for the AD in response to the team's request.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Since we can't run a controlled experiment, we will never know what effect if any the black jerseys had on the outcome of the game. The only thing that matters to me about this is that the players SAID they were fired up about the jerseys. As I said before on another thread, the whole country thought we would be down after the tough Bama loss. We have seen UT teams be down in such circumstances before. It should have been clear to everyone that the team was NOT down Saturday night. To WHATEVER degree the black jerseys aided in this, I think the change was worth it. Wait until the next time they break them out to whine about jerseys.
TommyJack writes:
Last minute decision,my azz. Bloated with self-importance? Like it.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
If you say so, though, FWIW, I have seen it spelled "Jantzen" in KNS articles; I just knew the other guy was wrong about "Jason" Jackson.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I see that Adams spelled it "Janzen" in this article. But then, according to a heavy majority on here, Adams doesn't know anything. As far as I'm concerned, his name is "Ka-RUNCH" Jackson!
BuckFama writes:
I have no clue as to what your idea of the "whole country" is, but very few of the national pundits predicted USC to win, and practically none of the local media chose the 'c0cks.
Anyone who has ever played knows that after a loss like the Vols experienced in Tuscaloosa, the players are eager to get back onto the field to show that the loss was a fluke. While beatdowns might demoralize, losses attributed to missed field goals just piss off players. They must demoralize the couch-sitters.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Whatever, dude. I didn't take notes on who said what about the letdown, but I know I heard more than one national "expert" say that. Besides, the letdown after an emotional game is so common it is almost a cliche. Previous editions of the Vols helped make it so. I have both played and coached basketball and have experienced such letdowns in both capacities.
In any case, the essence of my argument is that the PLAYERS said the jerseys gave them a boost, and, unless you are one of them, I don't how you can say they didn't. Do you think they were coerced into saying that just so Hamilton would be justified in selling more jerseys? If so, I've got nothing more to say to you.
tnvolfan30 writes:
If ya don't like, you don't have to buy it...or go to it, or whatever it is that ya do. All I'm saying is, what's the big d@mn deal?? It was Halloween and the KIDS on the team wanted black jerseys. Who gives anyone the right to question what the AD, coach, adminstration, or anyone else over at UT does? Does any of these whiners sign their paychecks? I don't think so. Guess the "traditionalists" can't take change at all. It's not about you, it's about the TEAM. If you have a problem about it, then go the he11 on! No one needs you, and quit going to the games. My wife talked to a lady at work and she said that people were leaving the stadium because of the jerseys!! HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT??? Some of these "fans" whine at anything, and we even won big!! Get a life!! GO VOLS!! I'm a REAL FAN!!! ARE YOU?
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