Adams: Game, season all about comebacks

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Tennessee wide receiver Denarius Moore (6) wide receiver Marsalis Teague (10) and fullback Kevin Cooper (45) celebrate with running back Montario Hardesty (2) after he scored a touchdown in overtime on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, KY. UT won 30-24.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As Montario Hardesty broke through the heart of the Kentucky defense, the entire Tennessee team wasn't that far behind.

Hardesty crossed the goal line on a game-winning, 20-yard touchdown run. Then came the rest of the Vols, racing onto the field in celebration of a 30-24 overtime victory at Commonwealth Stadium.

It probably looked like one giant fast break to the basketball-minded fans of Kentucky. And every Wildcat in the house probably was thinking, "Haven't we seen this before?"

Of course they have. The programs go up or down. Coaches come and go.

But the UT-UK series produces only two outcomes: (1) A big UT victory; (2) A small UT victory.

The Vols' 25th consecutive victory in the series Saturday night was by the slimmest of margins, much like UT's 52-50 overtime victory on the same field two years ago. There was nothing small about the celebration.

Seniors Jacques McClendon and Wes Brown waved the over-sized, orange-and-white UT flag in the corner of the stadium, where their fans witnessed a dramatic ending to a monotonous rivalry. Then, Luke Stocker, the junior tight end from Berea, Ky., took his turn with the flag, swinging it in relief as much as for joy.

Stocker's fourth-quarter fumble set up Kentucky's game-tying drive. But his turnover was forgotten in overtime, which was all-Vol.

The Wildcats' only overtime possession was indicative of the second half, which was dominated by UT's defense. They went backward on three plays before Lones Seiber missed a 49-yard field-goal try.

Hardesty and his offensive line took it from there.

His touchdown run capped a career game - 39 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns.

It was a fitting ending to a regular season in which Hardesty rewrote his UT legacy.

For four years, he was the talented runner who could avoid defenders more easily than injuries. In his final season, he has emerged as one of the toughest, most durable running backs in a conference that devours fragile running backs.

His relentless running was the perfect metaphor for a team that seemed determined - despite all of its mishaps - not to be remembered as the bunch that lost to Kentucky.

There was more at stake than a streak, though. In a conference overflowing with 7-5 and 8-4 teams, UT was playing for bowl stakes as well.

A loss to Kentucky would have left the Vols 6-6 and near the bottom of the SEC's bowl heap that will go 10 teams deep. The victory might catapult the Vols all the way to the Outback Bowl in Tampa.

Two years ago, when UT qualified for a second consecutive Outback Bowl that didn't seem like such a big deal. But after last year's 5-7 record and this season's 1-2 start, a New Year's Day bowl signifies huge progress for first-year head coach Lane Kiffin and a program on the rebound.

Maybe that's why the post-game celebration was so robust.

The Vols weren't just responding to a comeback against Kentucky, which led by seven points late in the third quarter. They were reveling in a season-long comeback.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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