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Tennessee Stat Book
The first quarter was still in progress when it became clear to even the most casual observer at Neyland Stadium that Tennessee didn't take Memphis seriously. But I don't mean that in a bad way.
The Vols didn't show up as complacent as a 26-point favorite might. Instead, they attacked the game as though a championship was at stake.
Their aggression was exceeded only by their confidence.
Leading 14-0 at midfield in the first quarter, UT coach Lane Kiffin treated a fourth-and-3 proposition with all the care of the first play of a preseason scrimmage. "Go for it," he said.
The Vols never stopped going for it in a six-touchdown first half en route to a 56-28 victory over the outmanned Tigers.
UT made its first fourth-down conversion, missed the second and treated both success and failure the same. Why not? The risk was minimal.
If you failed, what was the worst thing that could happen?
Answer: You would get the ball back on downs.
But the worst thing seldom happened in the first half against a Memphis team that looked less competent than its 2-7 record suggested in falling behind 49-7. In fact, the Tigers looked even worse than Georgia, which the Vols pummeled 45-19 four weeks earlier in Neyland Stadium.
And it couldn't conceal its ineptitude beyond the opening kickoff, which UT's David Oku returned 69 yards.
Its first offensive play was even less promising. The center snap sailed over quarterback Will Hudgens head.
Memphis' shortcomings were most obvious when the ball was in the hands of the other quarterback, UT's Jonathan Crompton, who had thrown for four touchdowns and more than 300 yards by halftime. Twice in the first half, he ignored double coverage and threaded a pass between Tigers defenders.
Again, the message couldn't have been any plainer: "No respect."
Although the most rudimentary plays worked splendidly, UT resorted to tricks as well.
Running back Montario Hardesty threw one pass. Wide receiver Gerald Jones threw another.
I was waiting for Cody Sullins to throw a pass to Cory Sullins.
So what got into the Vols?
Several players mentioned during the week they were offended by a generic joke Memphis coach Tommy West told at Kiffin's expense to a group of Memphis boosters.
Or maybe the Vols were just caught up in the spirit of the day, which the SEC might as well have designated as "BCS Pride Day."
Five conference teams took a break from the usual league mayhem to tee off on non-BCS opponents. The results were predictable: Georgia 38, Tennessee Tech 0; Kentucky 37, Eastern Kentucky 12; Auburn 63, Furman 31.
That was just the afternoon fare. Later, Ole Miss was taking care of Northern Arizona about the same time UT was having its way with Memphis.
But there could be a more serious explanation for UT's dominant and dazzling first-half performance.
The team just keeps getting better. And a year after a 5-7 season, it's intent on demonstrating how good it can be.
Really good, according to the last four games. The Vols have routed Georgia, beaten then-nationally ranked South Carolina by 18 points and lost a last-second game to unbeaten Alabama by two points.
The Vols scored so fast and so often against Memphis, their defense seemingly lost its edge. In a game decided in the first half, the lapses were hardly crucial.
It's not so important how the Vols finished the game. What matters is how they finish the season.
Based on the first half against Memphis, UT fans will like the ending.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 8
PdxVol writes:
Damnit it´s about damn time
DCVol writes:
Congrats to J-Cromp! Helluva game.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Keep it rolling.
Different horse to ride this coming Sat.
Hitch 'em up!
murrayvol writes:
All depends on which team shows up....Ole Miss or Ole Mess.
The Grove will be a nice distraction.
richvol writes:
Great game. The offense looked really sharp but I am beginning to wonder why our trick plays and even reverses never work. Every time we try to run one it screws up. Anybody remember the old fumble rooskie that UT ran to perfection in Starksville against Miss State several years ago? The center laid the ball on the ground and our right guard steped around him,picked it up,and scored from the 30 yard line. No one knew who had the ball.
Perhaps a little more practice on executing these type of plays whould make them more effective. I don't recommend spending a lot of time on it but we sure could have used some misdirection or trickery a couple of times this year. I wish we used the Utah pass too...it's very effective.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It seems to me that UT has never excelled at trick plays. The one you mentioned was a rare exception; I know I was shocked, first, that they tried it and, second, that it worked!. Except for a rare pass by a RB or WR, we just never have done it much, going all the way back to the Dickey days.
Teams that rely on deception use it enough to be good at it or they fake it on lots of plays to set it up for when they do use it. Just remember that everybody is still getting used to each other. Given comparatively limited practice time, I'm sure the staff feels it needs all the time it has to get the primary offense down.
wskeen#212984 writes:
I loved the result, and they looked really awesome, but that kind of ease can leave this offense, especially Crompton, a bit over confident going into what could be a very dangerous Ole Miss team next week. Crompton looked brilliant watching the game, but upon re-watching from the DVR after the game, I saw way too many passes that would have been dead meat against good SEC defenses. As a matter of fact these same passes WERE picked off earlier this season. I love the progress Crompton has made. I like the effort and tallent the receivers are finally showing. There's a lot of progress, but don't let a really poor Memphis defense lull anyone into believing this team is suddenly unstoppable. They need to play within themselves amd let a pretty good defense keep the Vols on their quest for an unbeaten November.
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
my prediction of winning 8 or 9 ganes this year is looking very accurate.Saban won 6 his 1st year and as we all know they had less work to do Shula ahad a great team....Cryer lost 3 a with a great team.. Watch out Master Kiffin is coming for U Bummer and Gayters!!!!!!
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