For seniors, it's 'go time' from start

A crazy ride. That's how one Tennessee senior described the experience of a class that plays its final game in Neyland Stadium tonight.

Tougher for parents in the stands than the players on the field, another said of Senior Night.

A trial run for the hardships of real life to come. That's how another summed up a tumultuous, transitional five years most of these seniors have spent on campus.

"It's just another game we've got to win to get eligible for a bowl,'' quarterback Jonathan Crompton said of a 7 p.m. kickoff with Vanderbilt.

"At the end of the day, that's when I'll really think about it. The first through fourth quarters, that's when it's 'go' time.''

Before 'go' time, though, the seniors have their final run through the 'T,' and none would have more right to get emotional than Crompton.

In 2008 and for the first half of 2009 he was a focal point for a disjointed offense. He's heard the worst that can come from a frustrated fan base accustomed to winning and exceptional quarterback play.

But the senior from Waynesville, N.C., turned a corner in early October and is finishing with a flourish.

Typically focused - with blinders on to block the cheers just as he had done earlier with the jeers - Crompton is thinking more about Vandy's defense than the big picture.

"This is not by any means a pushover game,'' he said. "It never has been.

"So we'll go out and play to the best of our ability and go from there.''

Crompton is a survivor from an acclaimed 2005 signing class that has played in one SEC championship game (a 2007 loss to LSU), twice failed to earn a bowl bid and saw its coach, Phillip Fulmer, get fired.

"We figured we'd be competing for the national championship every year,'' said tight end Jeff Cottam, "so it's been a little different than I expected.

"I've had four tight-end coaches and four offensive coordinators in five years so it's been kind of crazy.''

Linebacker Rico McCoy has made 37 starts, most in the class (Chris Scott is next with 36), but has a battle to make it 38 tonight.

McCoy said a knee injury won't keep him from his last date in Neyland Stadium.

The knee hurt so bad he shouldn't have finished the game at Ole Miss last week.

"I wasn't going to just sit on the sideline unless somebody dragged me off the field,'' he said. "It'll take a lot to keep me from being out there (tonight).''

That's how McCoy wants to be remembered to UT fans:

"A guy that always showed up to play, no excuses.''

Like Cottam and the other seniors, McCoy expected to compete for titles every year and had to adjust his goals.

"I've been to big (Outback) bowl games and a couple times without bowl games,'' he said. "It shows you the roller-coaster life can be.

"All good things must come to an end. I've had a great stretch here. No regrets.''

Only two seniors from the 2006 class say goodbye tonight, Jacques McClendon and Quintin Hancock.

Senior Day Elsewhere: Several members of the 2005 class will do Senior Day elsewhere:

Slick Shelley at Tulsa; Malcolm Rawls at Memphis; Raymond Henderson at Minnesota; LaMarcus Coker at Hampton. Darius Myers is a junior at Tennessee State.

'Dore To A Bowl: UT usually has its bowl homework done before late November. Tonight is the first time Tennessee could clinch bowl-eligibility against Vanderbilt since 1986, when UT beat Vandy 35-20 to finish 6-5 and earn a Liberty Bowl bid.

In 2005, a loss to Vandy knocked UT out of bowl eligibility. But even if the Vols had won that game they still would have had to beat Kentucky the next week.

Stormin' Norman: Vandy freshman Warren Norman leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage. He has 710-plus yards rushing and has tied Willie Gault's 1982 SEC record with three kickoff returns for a touchdown. His 1,789 total yards are only 16 short of Herschel Walker's SEC freshman record from 1980.

Unacceptable: After allowing 403 yards to Memphis and 492 to Ole Miss, UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin expects a better showing tonight.

"We've really been a team that's showed up every week,'' Kiffin said. "Maybe we didn't always win every week, we don't always play perfect, but last week was unacceptable. We've got to bounce back.''

Honors Tonight: Retired News Sentinel sportswriter Roland Julian is among five individuals being honored tonight by the UT Letterman's T-Club. Julian, George Bitzas, Tom Mattingly, Jeff Hagood and Gene McCarter will be named honorary lettermen. . . . Football trading cards are being given to the first 5,000 fans at gates 10 and 21.