Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee wide receiver Denarius Moore makes a touchdown reception over Memphis' Curtis Echols on Saturday night.
Memphis coach Tommy West's joke in the preseason turned the Tigers into the butt of a 56-28 pasting in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and several players said the confusing joke, which was based on Kiffin stupidly selling a talking dog, was the root of UT's motivation.
"I guess that dog bit back a little bit today didn't he?" Kiffin said with a smirk.
Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon cut straight to the punch line when asked about West's comments.
"It was a shot at our coach," the senior said. "When you attack our coach, you attack our team."
A shot, maybe. Funny, no.
"It might have been the worst joke I ever heard in my life," McClendon said. "We came out and took care of business. I guess the joke is on them this week."
Kiffin said his players and assistant coach Ed Orgeron were especially motivated by the joke, which seemed to question Kiffin's intelligence.
Kiffin, however, declined to say that the joke affected his play-calling - even though it sure seemed like it.
Was Kiffin thinking about being ridiculed when he called two trick plays in which tailback Montario Hardesty and receiver Gerald Jones each threw a pass? Both attempts fell incomplete, but the message was sent.
The Vols weren't holding back.
Was Kiffin mindful of the slight when he called for an onside kick, went for it twice on fourth down in the first quarter and was willing to throw downfield on a moment's notice, especially on first down? Kiffin didn't confirm nor deny he had an emotional response to being teased.
Instead, he said the offensive plan was derived from another West comment.
"Their coach had made a comment during the week that they were going to change things up to make sure they stopped the run," Kiffin said. "He kind of gave us his game plan that way. So we wanted to make sure we came out throwing the ball."
And they did, led by Jonathan Crompton, who completed 21 of 27 passes for 331 yards and five touchdowns.
Just a little more than a month after fans were calling for Crompton's job, he was finally benched. However, the circumstances weren't what most would expected when the senior was struggling in September. Crompton now leads the SEC with 21 touchdown passes.
After leading UT to a 49-14 advantage, Crompton was replaced by junior Nick Stephens.
"If coach takes you out, that's a good sign," Crompton said, seemingly unaware of the irony in his statement.
UT's offense was so good, it seemed to heal some wounds. Reserve receiver Nu'Keese Richardson caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown just days after he missed Sunday's practice, leading many to wonder if he had left the program.
"Today was big for Nu'Keese," Kiffin said.
Making West eat his confusing words was just part of the motivation for UT. Sending a message to Memphis-area prospects was another.
"I hope so," Kiffin said. "I hope that you saw where we're going regardless of us playing them or not."
And as for West's comedy career, Kiffin might suggest he stay with his day job.
"I don't get the joke," Kiffin said. "It makes no sense to me. Somebody can maybe explain it to me."
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group and linebacker Herman Lathers (34) take down Memphis running back Curtis Steele (26) during action Saturday, Nov 7, 2009 in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.){kind=link}
Comments » 51
kabulvol writes:
I wasnt able to see the game over here. Sad I missed the Big Orange Air Show!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Get 'em ready for Ole Mess.
Huge game Saturday.
milesofsmiles writes:
kabulvol. Stay safe, there will be many more BOAS for you when you return home. Thanks for your service. Smiles to you.
murrayvol writes:
So what was the joke? The short version.
I've been on the road for 4 days and out of the loop.
tensie2004 writes:
Iam so proud of the Vols and Coach Kiffin and his staff. Things are changing for the better of our program. Thank god for these coaches and the players buying into their plan.
GO VOLS
GO VOLS
HallowedHill writes:
Let's stick it to Ole Miss this week! GO VOLS!!
allvol32 writes:
All of us know someone who inevitably butchers jokes - Tommy West's joke telling skills fall into this category I think. A zinger it definitely was not...I'm not sure why it even made it to print.
Ringside writes:
The Ole Miss game is the biggest game for UT in a long time. Win and UT goes to a New Years Day bowl if they win out.
VolnPickwick writes:
Thank you for your service, you are in our thoughts and prayers. There will be plenty more "air shows" for you to see, stay safe!
DragonSlayer123 writes:
I agree that the next game is the biggest game of our season now. It shoul dbe that way every week, but this week in particular, because Ole Miss is the only team that stands between us and a New years Day bowl game.
It is also an outside possibility that we may be in the top 25 this week. Maybe.
dvols writes:
lots of glugging going on....
TommyJack writes:
Joke thing seems almost manufactured by media. Nothing to it then or now. Nothing to see here folks, move along.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
There ARE times when it would have been better if you'd just had the ability to shut up. This may have been one of those times.
Sure was a strong offensive show. Loved every minute of it. I agree with the Coach, we need to FINISH the game. Great teams finish. We're headed in the right direction.
Kabulvol: I echo "Vol in Pickwick". God bless you for your service to our nation. We salue you this Veterans Day.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Way to go Eric.. Crompton did good! Stephens did ok..have wonder about him next year against a team like Ala or Fla..
Does anybody know why Poole never plays? I would have thought he would have gotten in for a play or two.
revjulian writes:
below is the joke as reported by the Commercial:
"A friend of mine was in Knoxville," said West, and where else would you have expect the friend to have been?
The friend wanted to find Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's house. When he finally found it, he saw a sign in the front yard: "Talking dog for sale."
The friend saw a Lab, sitting there.
"You the talking dog?"
"Yep," the dog said.
"What's your story?" the friend asked, and the dog told his tale.
He'd been talking all his life. He once worked for the CIA. After a while, he got tired of that and took a job in security at the Knoxville airport and -- it was about this exact moment that Kiffin showed up.
"You really selling the dog?" West's friend asked the Vols coach.
"Yes," said Kiffin. "Five bucks."
"Five bucks? Why would you sell a dog like that for five bucks?"
"He's a liar!" Kiffin said. "He didn't do any of that stuff!"
Hahaha.
"Pretty good, eh?" West said.
SouthDakotaBob writes:
Noticed the other Reveiz kid out there making some plays, must be in the blood. GBO!!!
deadheadvol writes:
great win for the vols, being a Memphis native makes it even better for me. Thanks Kabul Vol for your service, if you need/want anything send me an e-mail deadshrimpbluez@yahoo.com
corrinebrown writes:
Speaking of jokes
memphis tiger football
BillVol writes:
Our staff and players got bent out of shape over THIS?
acolvol#632266 writes:
Big Orange fans have your back CLK. No one knocks Kiffin around here except one person...Knox Kiffin.
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
I can see it now, me getting up a 5am to head down to Tampa for the Outback Bowl. Bloody Mary morning in my future. Let's take care of Ole Miss which is a high noon shootout. I was one of many who called for Crompton's job eariler in the season, now I'm eating my words, but they taste pretty good. Keep it up JC!
GO VOLS!!!
kd45music writes:
That sound you hear is me eating crow. Crompton has shown he can play. The Crompton of the past three games is not the same guy who started the season. I apologize personally to you, kid.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Let that be a lesson to all wannabe comedians and joke tellers out there - If you're gonna tell a joke about UT, don't be a lousy joke-teller - Kiffin will make you pay.
volnbig11land writes:
Agree with kd, me too JC.
NorthwestVol writes:
I got a big laugh out of a "Crompton for Heisman" t-shirt I saw at the Georgia game. Not very funny any longer. If he can continue his play, and the Vols win out, his UT career will make a great story. Talk about staying the course.
steelersman42 writes:
BA-ZING!
murrayvol writes:
Thanks.....I think.
Much ado about nothing I'd say.
ncvol17 writes:
Ole Miss & UK are both going to be tough road games..Both need to beat us to keep on the bowl track as well. Vandy has no weapons but the other 2 do...Kiffin will not take either lightly as some posters seem to...
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
wal0001#214475 writes:
Please resign RC... we can not take this anymore. Unlike you , we love our tigers and still somehow believe we can compete in Division 1...the stats show we would be 5th in the sunbelt...
This post in the Commercial Appeal by a Memphis fan blew me away. The Tigers played in front of only 4,000 fans in their last home game. And this guy is talking about how much the Memphis fans love their team!??
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
A few fumbles in the spring are the only knock that I have ever heard on Poole, who is reported to run the ball very well. Like a lot of people, I wanted and expected to see him in this game. Coach isn't talking, so who knows?
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
It is great to see the Reveizes playing. But I can't help wishing that they were out there kicking field goals like their daddy used to do.
DMSVOL writes:
As for eating earlier words about Crompton, count me in. As for the talk about "winning out" and which bowl we'll get or the opponent, everybody just calm down a little. Anybody that thinks Ole Miss, Vandy and Kentucky are three consecutive automatic wins, needs a dose of reality. All three of those teams are plenty capable. All three games will be SEC battles. Take them one at a time.
Go Big Orange!
John_10065 writes:
ATDHE.net
Choppy live feed but it beats not seeing the game at all.
smoky50 writes:
speaking of a bigger joke, Memphis period.
Mtnbiker writes:
Who'd have ever dreamed Crompton would be leading anything except the INT category. Way to Coach him up CLK and others.
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
Tell me about it! I was at the last UT/Penn St Outback bowl. Those guys bring a lot of fans to their games. Would love some revenge in that aspect. Yea its early. But, if your going to drink all day, you have to start early!
GO VOLS!!
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I am very happy about Tyler Bray's commitment to Tennessee. I firmly believe that he will lead Tennessee to SEC and NC games. Could he step up as a starter his freshman year, like Peyton and Casey? I think yes. But Marc, how can you doubt QB "miracles" under this staff? Right now, I would not trade Crompton for Tebow...I really wish that we could keep him for another year. Can he claim soup-sandwich situation for a redshirt year that he actually played? I guess not; even if he could, Crompton has too much good character for blame. Point is that the two Nicks are being well coached, and both have a lot of talent. Maybe you don't, but I expect a very high level of competition at the QB position next year. And I like Stephens' possibilities. It's all good.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
About the 2010 JC QB recruits... I suspect that Cam Newton is one of the most physically talented college quarterbacks in the country. That's no joking. I almost wish that we would get him, but I don't. Maybe I am wrong, but his history strongly suggests that he lacks the necessary character to be our team leader. I got nothing against Matt Simms, really. People trash him for flipping a bird to a hostile crowd after a championship HS game. It's an easy guess that he heard some ugly things throughout that game that no player should hear. Somebody took a party picture...I guess that Matt should have been a more professional teenager. As for his leaving Louisville, Brohm was a great QB coach at Louisville, and he got the ax under new management. Simms was recruited by Brohm. When Brohm was fired, Simms transferred to JC. That is not a big knock on Matt Simms in my book. Frankly, and I seem to differ with Marc on this, I do not see the 2010 class needing a JC quarterback.
jet writes:
Hey Kabul Vol,
Thanks for looking out for us. We are saving you a seat and building a championship team for your return!!!! Stay safe. After your return, we'll get the NC!!!! GBO
jet writes:
Me too. TN people are the heart of America. We love our football and we love our soldiers.
cloudodust writes:
Don't feel bad. I didn't get to watch it either. Next time, right..? GBO
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
The best play of the game was the fake spike as time was running down by JC and then a sneak for the TD!
dma38256#264746 writes:
Kabulvol, thanks for your service...you can see the game at the SEC web site:
http://www.secsports.com/default.aspx
Click on the power T and you will see the link.
unclesmoke writes:
I was the first to bench Crompton, thank God Im not the coach. Way to go JC , Im your number 2 fan. Lane has got to be number 1. Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!
tennisvol writes:
I don't guess ole West will be telling any more jokes for some time.
micbrooks#212023 writes:
Conventional wisdom is that he is being redshirted. NO doubt he has the talent, but we are simply too deep at Tailback. Just hope he is patient enough to wait for his chance, and doesn't transfer
belayvol writes:
Might be good enough for a gator fan like yourself. Don't forget the rabbit ears with aluminum foil for $9.99. You might even be able to pick up a life if you shop early enough. Walmart now carries caskets in stock. They even have a pink Hannah Montana model you would look great in.
TnScooby writes:
In case you missed the point (which you clearly did), it was because he is stationed in the Middle East in the military...perhaps you should read before you post a smarta** remark
crimsonviper writes:
You are an idiot.
You can see his username and understand where he is.
How many times have you been banned fool.
Wal Mart sells baseball bats, do us all a favor and knock yourself out.
AFVol423 writes:
The dogs a liar....Ha ha ha.
anything for bulletin board material.
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