Willie Bohannon was supposed to supply the pressure.
The Tennessee defensive end didn't need to do it to himself.
But with the one starter on the shelf up front, a banged up group of linebackers behind him and the Vols struggling to generate a consistent pass rush, Bohannon wasn't immune to a bit of stress against South Carolina. It didn't keep the freshman from creating some for the quarterback though, which might help Bohannon relax a little more heading into Saturday's meeting with Memphis (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m.).
"I was just like, 'Man, if I start, we can't lose,' " Bohannon said. "I didn't want it to be like, well, Chris Walker didn't play so that's why we lost.
"I'm glad we won, and I had a feeling we were going to win - there was never a doubt in my mind that we weren't. It was just, you don't want that in the back of your mind if you lose the game in your first time starting."
The Vols (4-4, 2-3 SEC) erased any possibility for that quickly against the Gamecocks. UT jumped out to a big early lead thanks to another hard-hitting defensive effort, an opportunistic offense, and for the first time in more than a month, a consistent pass rush.
Since harassing Tim Tebow and taking down the Florida quarterback three times, the Vols had gone four games without registering a sack. It didn't affect their ability to largely shut teams out of the end zone, but it was certainly a point of frustration.
The two sacks UT got on Stephen Garcia might not qualify as a major breakthrough, but coupled with 10 hurries, they were certainly indicative of progress. Now UT has to find a way to convert the latter into more of the former against the Tigers (2-6, 1-4 Conference USA).
"We always have pressure," Bohannon said. "Every time we come in on these days and look at film and stuff, we always have double-digit hurries. But we always come up short. Dan (Williams) probably should be leading the country in sacks right now because he's come so close to so many, and all of us have, really.
"(Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron) goes over it with us, he tells us how we came so short. I mean, it's something we always work on anyway. When you're a step short, it might be because when you come out of your stance you move back a little bit or something like that. It's simple things."
The Vols don't have all of them down yet, but they're starting to work the kinks out despite the mounting injuries.
Walker is still dealing with a sore back, defensive tackle Wes Brown has aching knees and both Gerald Williams and Marlon Walls were held out of practice Sunday.
But Dan Williams pressured the passer three times against the Gamecocks and picked up a rare sack. Ben Martin was credited with two hurries, Brown forced a fumble and Bohannon chipped in a career-high three tackles.
Even if those numbers aren't overly impressive individually, the sum was more than enough to help the Vols get the only one that counts in the win column.
"I thought we were OK," UT coach Lane Kiffin said. "I thought we did some good things. To play without Chris Walker, our best rusher, there were some good things there.
"But we just didn't give ourselves a chance sometimes by screwing things up as far as alignments, and we had a number of audibles that we missed. I think our guys got so high and so energetic, they've got to maintain their focus no matter what the environment is and no matter what the score is, and we lost that for a little bit."
They seem to have finally found the pressure they were looking for, though. And by the end of the game, only one team was feeling it.
Jackson Honored: Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson was named SEC freshman of the week for his performance against South Carolina.
Jackson had seven tackles, forced a fumble and had two pass break-ups.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 34
Pdiddy10 writes:
did u hear about floria only suspending brandon spikes for half a game??? that is what I call cheating. I think somebody on this site should complain about this... this is sooo unfair. one quarter. oh my gosh. we had people kicked off of our team for crims maybe a little bigger than this.
ps - where is eric berry in all this mess. i dont think he is playing to his full potential. HEN IS HE GONNA GET A FREAKIN INTERCEPTION?!?!?!?!?!/
plus we need to pull in jeff luc - michael dyer already commmited to auburn but we shouldnt give up! get jeff luc and jaackson jeffcoat
GO VOLS GO UNDEFEATED FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON! GO VOLS!
VOL03_NC writes:
Spikes is well noted for his unsportsman like attitude. I am surprised they finally did atleat something about the guy even though it was a slap on the wrist.
GahLee writes:
From ESPN.
Luc and the Vols
Indeed I was slow to pick up on this and admit this is not breaking news, but according to sources Tennessee has made a big push for Under Armour All-American linebacker Jeff Luc (Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast). One source called it a "done deal", but never underestimate the in-state Florida programs when they are determined to keep one of their own at home, particularly Florida at this point in time.
GreerVol22 writes:
one last piece of candy for those who have not seen it. belated Happy Halloween.
http://www.3sib.com/2009/09/15/holy-s...
VOL03_NC writes:
The Florida blogs I have been looking at for the last couple of days appears Luc is not solid there. They are pointing toward Luc going to UT but you know how that could be taken. It would be to UT's great advantage to have Luc on the roster. Man he is a beast!
FWBVol writes:
Do you know anything at all about football? Seriously, Berry not playing to his full potential? OK, maybe he's not, but no player does, Berry comes as close to anybody to reaching their full potential game in and game out that Tennessee has had since Al Wilson.
Playing DB isn't always about interceptions, especially in the defense Monte is using this year. Eric is all over the field and being asked to sacrifice some interceptions for the good of the whole defense.
A good college quarterback is going to find where Berry is on the field and try not to force the ball in his direction. They know Berry can turn a pick into a TD in 10 seconds or less.
The things Berry is being asked to do this year are the same things he'll be doing in the NFL. If EB goes pro after this year we'll find out how close the NFL guys think he came to playing up to his full potential this year.
1974Vol writes:
Blogisphere has Luc as silent commitment to Vols. But nothing really matters until signing day. This will probably be an even crazier finish than last year.
Laydbakvol writes:
I agree! EB isn't hurting his draft stock one bit this year. Not much gliltz, maybe, but as solid as they come. He's playing smart and taking advantage of playing for the real "old ball coach", CMK. I know there's always the shadow of a potential injury by sticking around for another year but think of how he could benefit by playing under Monte another year.
VOL03_NC writes:
EB is just changing his stats from "picks" to "Tackles". His numbers are still going up every saturday!
Need_2_Know writes:
I just watched the Steve Spurrier show as well and you're right, he seemed downright whipped. Having not watched his show previously, I don't know what his normal demeanor is relative to a win or loss, but just listening to him tonight he sounds tired and somewhat disgusted. If you are a Gamecock player or fan, you've got to wonder about his seeming lack of enthusiasm. And I'm not a Spurrier hater, never have been cause he's been an innovative and successful coach for a lot of years. USC-lite must really be a millstone of a program.
PdxVol writes:
hell yeah man, that´s what i´m talkin about. ¡GO VOLS! ¡GO UNDEFEATED THE REST OF THE SEASONS,NOT JUST THIS ONE! let´s be the first team to go undefeated for 10 seasons straight, man, that´s what i´m talkin bout.
Southland writes:
Oh Spurrier couldnt do much better than anyone else in the 100+ years of SC football. Aint anybody going to do much there ong term
Voluvr writes:
We beat Spurrier exactly like he used to beat us. Get up big very early, hang on for the ride, score one more time, then, there just isn't enough time to come back.
Slystone writes:
It's getting National attention. They were talking about it on a Charlotte radio show. Not only Urban being easy on his player but they fault the SEC for not doing more.
carolinahurricanevol writes:
carolinahurricanevol writes:
Regarding Nuke: Listening to Coach Kiffin tonight on VolCalls he was asked about Nuke's situation and replied " Nukeese is having some personal issues, he was back in today gameplanning, it's nothing" I hope all speculation was just that, speculation. I think if there was a problem Kiffin would not have commented on it. Let's hope thats the end of it.
hueypilot writes:
I'm not one to hold on to a grudge or anything, but what the heck does an all state player from Johnson City have any business going to Florida? So I very much enjoy watching Stevie prostitute himself by tarnishing what was a brilliant career, finishing out his coaching at a second-rate football school so he can get a membership to Augusta and fetch drinks for Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
volsfannsc writes:
*******
“We understand the game of football,” Meyer said. “Some of us have played it. Very emotional things happened in that game in particular that were not good for either side, but the bottom line is we’re Florida and he’s Brandon Spikes and we expect certain things. He understands.”
The SEC issued a statement saying it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida.
*******
The key statement here was "but the bottom line is we’re Florida and he’s Brandon Spikes and we expect certain things" and so does (evidently) the SEC. I have a 14 year-old son who is an avid Vol fan, and after reading this stated "Well, I gues money drives the SEC"....this from a 14 year-old! I understand that the SEC feels there is a pot of gold with SEC teams as No.1 & 2, but at the cost of a kid possibly loosing his eyesight? C'mon. I've always said with pride that my team plays in the SEC, the toughest conference of all of NCAA football. Now I just say I'm a UT fan and hope some ACC guy doesn't jump me about our Bobby Bowden approach to discipline. Mike Slive, you have shown in earnest that the student has been taken out of the 'student-athlete". I really thought that college football was just as much about academics and becoming a responsible adult as was a good athelete. This is beyond sad- it's heartbreaking.
CHS52VOL writes:
Willie Bohannon, Jantzen Jackson and several other Vols played defense the way it should be played. I watched the Auburn/Arkansas game and there is no way Antonio Coleman should have been selected as SEC Defensive Lineman of the week. That honor should have gone to big Dan Williams. If he was not in the backfield hurrying the quarterback, he was 15 yards downfield tackling a runner or receiver. The guy is a holy terror! He "swims" through opposing lineman the way Michael Phelps swims through the water - like a shark! GBO!
sitinhere writes:
If EB stays another year, I hope he will be a Peyton story not a John Henderson one. Peyton stayed and was still #1 pick but JH fell a few spots. I would love to see EB stay to see if we can get an SEC championship next year but I would hate to see him get hurt. But could you imagine EB and JJackson with another year under his belt? Best safties in the NCAA. No reciever would want to go across the middle.
navyvolinva writes:
Can you believe that some people say brandon spikes will be a better pro than Mr. Meyo in New England?
10ECMATT writes:
Just goes to show that meyer is getting stuck with Florida States' old trash from the 90's. Same thing happened to them. Recruit trash and thugs, play trash and thugs. They can then go to the NFL, or prison, to be heros for our youth.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Now we know the cost of a good eye gouging is only one half of a game.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
So today is the anniversary of CFP being shown the door. How 'bout we do the same with Jimmy Whaaa!-ams, Blob, and Grif the stiff. Then the house cleaning would finally be complete.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
So today is the anniversary of CFP being shown the door. How 'bout we do the same with Jimmy Whaaa!-ams, Blob, and Grif the stiff. Then the house cleaning would finally be complete.
VolunTenMile writes:
OK, but if he had used a knife, the suspension would have been three quarters. Gun = a full game.
Cldvols1 writes:
Vols looked great! We go undefeated to finish the 09 season 8-4. Go Vols!!
chargervol writes:
The Vols' defense held the team together early in the year until the offense got up and running. I am so glad that they don't have to stay on the field 35-40 minutes a game any longer. As far as the spikes thing, its assault, simple and true. If this happened at a bar, or in public, this would be at the very least simple assault. The SEC and meyer accept this behavior, due to the lackness of the penalty. This was worse than the Oregon running back laying out the Boise St. player. The Bronco was flapping his jaws at the Duck. The georgia kid was wrapped up and could not defend himself. What a tough guy spikes is. lol! BTW, the oregon kid has missed every game since that debacle. He was an NFL draft pick waiting to happen, yet kudos to the ducks coach for suspending him with the heavy hand. He is teaching the kid, that in society, there are consequences for bad actions. Spikes should be getting taught the same lesson. Slive and meyer both should be ashamed, but, they're not. The product is bigger than the problem, sad. GO VOLS!!!
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
DuhMan knows how to copy and paste. Duh made this same post at least three times
sameolvolalum writes:
I think we'd all agree that if EB would've poked at some opposing player's eyeballs, Slive would've suspended him for the rest of the season. I'm no longer as avid an SEC supporter as I had been. Vol fan.....naturally.....but not the SEC as a whole. Slive has allowed the integrity of the SEC to be questioned nationwide for the prize of the great American dollar. I'm not just casually talking out the side of my mouth, here. What's obvious is obvious. GBO!
Volunatic writes:
I'm amazed at how well Kiffin & Co have coached up this team. The high level of player development is a nice thing to see.
I didn't have high hopes for our D-Line getting much pressure on opposing QBs this season because we were so thin at DT after last season. I have been impressed.
As for the "eye gouge"-- if a Georgia player had done that to Tim Tebow, would the SEC let the Georgia player ever play college football again? I doubt it.
BigVolFaninSC writes:
You are spot on! I think that arrogant sucker deserves a little humiliation! He got some when he was with the Redskins (He never beat the Cowboys! he he) but it wasn't enough! For all those times he tried to stick it to Peyton and Fulmer I hope he never wins against Tennessee again! GO VOLS!!!
loyalvol_alltheway writes:
Please stop this nonsense about Berry not playing up to his potential. Berry does EVERYTHING he is asked to do with passion and with skill.
If you know anything about defensive strategy, you'll know that Berry has been used in a variety of packages and played his role exceptionally well. He's made great hits, sacks, forced fumbles, picked up fumbles (wish that one against Georgia was an interception), hurried the QB, gone head to head with Tebow, and forced offenses to plan around his presence.
The reason he does not have more interceptions is because they are throwing away from him. The play he made to pick off Tebow in the Florida game was an NFL quality play. Tebow threw the ball to his receiver's outside shoulder - and low - which is right where only the receiver is supposed to be able to get it. But Berry made a diving pick.
You also have to recognize that Berry is mentally ready for the NFL. He understands the defensive schemes, does whatever is asked of him, and helps some of our younger players get their assignments right.
And he NEVER complains. Berry is one of the best players we have seen on defense at UT, and he is having an outstanding season. Once he gets his pick to break the record, all this nonsense will stop.
odtn#267368 writes:
The 3 Stooges: Slive, Meyer, and Saban.
Only they can do no wrong.
A coach may be suspended for speaking about poor officiating, but a player can endanger another player's welfare deliberately and it warrants only a slap on the wrist. The SEC needs to worry about fair play, fair officiating, and stop protecting the good ole boys.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Spurrier was a T-formation QB at Science Hill. UT was still running the single-wing at the time and refused to change just to get Spurrier. Another example of tradition being an obstacle to progress, as UT was just about the LAST big-time program to use the single-wing. UT also lost out on Steve Sloan of Bradley County for the same reason. Although not as widely remembered today as Spurrier, Sloan was an All-SEC QB at Alabama and I THINK was QB on a national champion team. No doubt some Bama visitor can tell me for sure.
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