Adams: 'Go for it' looked like call on every play

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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