Post-game audio
Event Details
- What: Tennesee vs. Alabama
- When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
AP Top 25 College Football
Blog react
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - You don't celebrate this Tennessee loss.
UT was too good for that. And it came too close.
So don't confuse what happened Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium with what transpired a month ago in The Swamp.
Never mind if it was another valiant, losing effort against a No. 1-ranked team. The 12-10 loss to No. 1 Alabama was nothing like the 23-13 loss to No. 1 Florida a month ago.
UT challenged Florida. It terrified Alabama.
UT's great effort was trumped by a great player - Alabama's 354-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody, who is agile and athletic enough to dunk a basketball - and more important, in the hallowed history of Alabama football - block a field goal.
He didn't just block one fourth-quarter field goal. He blocked two, including one on the game's final play.
That's all that separated the nation's No. 1 team from one of the greatest victories in UT history.
The game-changing blocks looked like reruns. Cody crashed through the middle of the line, swatted down a Daniel Lincoln kick, then raced downfield in celebration as the red and white pompons shook with joy.
As the pompons shook a final time, Alabama fans shouted what they always shout when a game goes their way: "We just beat the hell out of you!"
Who were they kidding? Seconds earlier, they were praying beneath their houndstooth hats.
No matter how decisive their final chant might have sounded, they hadn't beaten the hell out of anyone. They had escaped.
Escape acts shouldn't be minimized when you're contending for a championship. UT won a national championship 11 years ago by winning games the same way.
So credit Alabama with all its clutch plays: Cody's gravity-defying blocks, Javier Arenas' cornerback blitz that killed a third-quarter UT drive, and those four Leigh Tiffin field goals, including the 50- and 49-yard field goals that flirted dangerously close with failure before clearing the crossbar.
But credit UT, too. Credit it for succeeding where so many teams failed against Alabama. Credit it most for rallying, rather than collapsing in the fourth quarter against a team that prides itself in grinding the opposition into oblivion in the fourth quarter.
And credit it for distinguishing itself even as its record dropped to 3-4.
The Vols never went away. They scored the game's only touchdown on a desperation fourth-quarter drive. They recovered a fumble and recovered an onside kick.
They kept coming when logic - and Alabama's track record - dictated they couldn't.
No one defied a track record more emphatically than quarterback Jonathan Crompton. He impressed me more with what he did against Alabama than with all the completions and yards he amassed against Georgia.
Georgia's defense is a mess. Alabama's defense makes a mess out of quarterbacks.
It intercepted Crompton once. It blitzed him. It sacked him.
But it didn't shake him. Shaken quarterbacks don't play the way Crompton did in the fourth quarter.
He finished with 21 completions in 36 attempts for 265 yards and a touchdown. He outplayed Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. And he played far better against Alabama's No. 1-ranked defense than more heralded quarterbacks like Arkansas' Ryan Mallett or Ole Miss' Jevan Snead.
After Crompton's career game against Georgia, I wondered if it was an aberration. Now, I wonder if - after all the mishaps, losses and criticism - he has finally arrived.
He was good enough to beat the nation's No. 1 team Saturday. So were his teammates.
But they shouldn't celebrate how close they came. They're too good for that now.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 76
jd2009 writes:
Outstanding article. This team has a hell of a lot of heart, but champions win the small battles.
Go Vols, Go Vols, Go Vols... JC should go down in history as an illustration of traits we hope our children will show when they are young men.
It has been 11 years since I have been so proud to be a VOL!
one4black writes:
Nice column. I see most commentators are correctly noting that Alabama did what it had to do to win (and that is what champions do). But it would be nice if a few more gave some credit to Tennessee. The halftime idiots on ESPN2 (during the LSU slaughter of Auburn) noted Alabama's stout defense, but nothing on Tennessee's effort. They apparently did not see the stats, and assumed Alabama played a bad game. I will say that Alabama was better on special teams (i.e., FGs - esp. the 2 blocks) BUT their defense was not better than Tennessee's today!
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
SO close! We'll be ready to contend soon. I love this Defense!!!
vol2211insc writes:
well said john....i'm still sick to my stomach...but no reason the vols can't win now. Thats the most talented team they will face the rest of the season
vols1987 writes:
agreed. felt bad looking at Crompton after the game. he played really well, especially after making some great plays on that last drive.
FWBVol writes:
Great column John. You are right on with your observations.
Tennessee's offense outplayed Alabama's offense, and our defense played with Alabama's defense. But winning two out of three phases of the game wasn't enough today. Heck, if we kick another field goal, we still lose the kicking game hitting half our field goal attempts to Bama's perfection that department, and win the football game.
I'm not saying we will win out, but we should. And I'm not saying we will be undefeated when Alabama comes to Knoxville next year, but with a good recruiting class and the right quarterback, we might be.
volfanwestcoast writes:
Agreed, great column John. I am totally depressed yet so proud of this team. Any Bama fan singing "we just beat the hell out of you" knows what a lie that is. Saban and Urban both know the future is Tennessee. GO VOLS!
Brillovol writes:
Methinks the Crompton fog has lifted! Now let's go take down the 'ole Ball Coach!
GBO!
cdonsbach writes:
Go Vols.
agohn writes:
South Carolina is going to be fried and come Saturday. Our boys will be pissed...Go Vols!!
volcycle writes:
6 game win streak starts next week!! No reason to lose anymore!!!
mytrifecta writes:
Best article Adams has ever written. This team has arrived. I'll proudly wear my orange tomorrow and fly my UT flag.
gmponds writes:
It doesn't matter how many yards they gained..Its still a Loss. It will be two years before the Vols can compete. Nice moral uplifting "gee whiz" its okay we didn't win today but we will win out phooey Mr. Adams. Also, USC is not a pushover.just sayin
vut56#231073 writes:
Nice article. Fair is fair and JA gets his well deserved criticism all too often. In fact, I wanted to respond Saturday, to his predictions, but thought it a waste of time. The problem? Not his prediction but his ever present attemp to mix comedy with editorial opinion, with neither, all too often, being his strong suite.
Today, he gives us an accurate and postive report on a great game. No homerism; just the facts, mixed with valid opinions.
Crompton has now become more consistent than JA, but today was his (JA's) Western Kentucky.
sidwalkvol writes:
lo, the times are a'changing. UT plays with incredible heart and intensity and very nearly beats the bammers. Crompton plays with remarkable resiliance and efficiency and may be drafted. And JA writes a really complimentary article after picking us to lose by two touchdowns.
Who would have thunk ANY of that in August?
TommyJack writes:
Who are you, and what have you done with Adams?
normdia writes:
I've never completely agreed with Adams before this article. Somethings I agree with, most I don't however I completely agree with this one. I also think that we shouldn't lose another game this season...I'm not saying we won't, I'm just saying we shouldn't.
Looking forward to a very early morning @ the Calhoun's parking lot come next Saturday...I just hope it doesn't rain.
jman33163 writes:
Great game guys! No moral victory here, we should have won!! Anyone that can't see the direction this team is headed (up!) just doesn't want to see! Go Big Orange!!
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
What else do you expect from ESPN???? They have some goofy chic who knows nothing about football, obviously never played, some idiot who debates Mel Kiper, we all know what kind of fool he is, and a moron from the Big 10/slow who doesnt know a thing about SEC football. Put them all together and you got it..........It's ESPN!
leedsvol2007 writes:
After the Auburn game it did not look like we had a team capable of playing this kind of game. Since that game the defense has gotten better, Crompton has justified the faith Kiffin showed in him, and some of our young players have stepped up.
At this point we appear to through the transition period between coaching staffs. We now have a 5 game season to play. If we win them all we can make it to a better bowl.
The were so many positives today but in my mind the #1 is the obvious change in Jonathan Crompton. The fourth quarter performance against Auburn followed by his great game against Georgia were no fluke. His body language and demeanor now shows confidence and against a superior defense he made good decisions and gave us a great chance to win.
I predict we are going to be a tough package to handle down the stretch. The teams we face now will not be able to pack the line of scrimmage so we should see some really good play from Hardesty and Brown.
On defense it looks like we have more depth, especially since Marlon Walls was put into action today.
This team looks at lot like the 1994 squad that lost to Alabama when they managed a desperate goal line stand against us that won the rest of their games and then beat Va. Tech in the bowl game.
It was a disappointing loss but a great harbinger for the future.
GoVols!
volfaninwh writes:
good art. it still doesn't take away the pain of this close loss. this is a fun team to watch. Go vols keep up the effort.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Great Article Adams. There is a first for everything. Now, go and predict a loss for next week so that we know that you are the real Adams.........
P.S. Even after the column, nobody likes you because you are stupid!! We all remember the FOOLMER days!
mytrifecta writes:
obviously an attempt to incite the masses by this ignorant post. We beat the #1 team in the country, at their house, in every phase of the game...except the score. We're competing now. If by some miracle Berry stayed next year we would be a legitimate BCS team.
tenuscvol writes:
Good Article! Man what a close game...
It's GREAT to be a Tennessee Vol!
Crompton can really throw that ball and he played well today...
Looking forward to SC this weekend...
I say we win out...win our bowl and end up in the top 15-20...
GoVols!
Mtnbiker writes:
I was "Ok" after the game, disappointed for sure. I went to the computer room to see how i was doing in fantasy football(college). I had benched Bama's D in favor of OK's. I Started Hardesty despite CBS's guru(moron) rated him at 0. I am extremely satisfied in that regard. I checked to see if any recaps had been written up on the TN /Ala game. Nothing. SO i log on to World of warcraft to veg out and destress from the loss. I read another of the articles here and in the comments someone had recommended Adams bit. I read it, Agree 100%. I nearly had a tear in my eyes towards the end of the article.
No one gave us a chance. CLK, CMK and our WHOLE TEAM played one heck of a game. So close. Heck i still want to cry.
RockinTop writes:
I am sorry for my past frustrations with Crompton and I hope he reads this. He is really proving what Kiffin saw in him. You are a champion Crompton!
And these coaches we have.... Looking forward to the future!!!!
Go Vols!
vols4ever93 writes:
we will still have the D and the O is coming the future has never looked better and UT WILL be on top again in 3 years.
vols4ever93 writes:
i mean in year three. after next season.
mattnchatt writes:
AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!! Is all I can say after this game! Adams is right, we are too good to be happy with this. I hope the team uses this game as motivation and destroys the rest of their opponents. Big Orange is back!
tuscavol writes:
Hine site is 20/20 vision. Be proud of our team for the game they played today. I, like many of you, questioned Kiffin for leaving Crompton on the field. I am proud of the young man for showing me what the true meaming of "Heart" is. This team never quits. Our time is coming. Go Vols!!!!
tuscavol writes:
My bad folks. Hine SIGHT is 20/20 vision.
TheVolMan writes:
What a whiner. JA has been right all along. Too bad he goes over your head. Sounds like you are closet Failmer fan still mad b/c JA was right about him. Great article John. There are those, like this guy and the other above complaining about the use of humor, whose head remain in the ground. But you knew that already. Just keep laughing at them.
VolWoman writes:
Wow Mr. Adams, that's a great article you wrote. It made me feel good and made the loss a little less painful. The day will come (soon) when we can chant right back to Bama. I'm surprised they weren't too shaken to remember the words.
MidTennVol writes:
Oh, I'm celebrating, Mr. Adams. I'm 50 years old and I don't think I've been as proud of a Tennessee team since 1998.
The guts, the heart, the passion, the never-day-die determination...wow.
This group of kids is very, very special. And this old man is very, very proud of them.
FeelVol writes:
Good read John!
trace5254 writes:
UT has moved to a program where the fans are happy to contend or "scare" teams. My guess is that SC will beat UT and likely Kentucky. The future is not UT - the program will likely be up and down for years. Roll Tide!
MidTennVol writes:
Uhh...it's "hindsight," friend.
sidwalkvol writes:
No, we have moved from a team that scared nobody and excited no one to a team that plays hard and gets in position to win. No, we did not get over that hump yesterday, but look at the tide rolling out of there, relieved and celebrating, and tell me THEY don't know they dogded a bullet.
VoL4LiFe86 writes:
It is hilarious how bummer fans act like they have never been as low as UT has been recently. You are quick to crawl out of your little hole when you start winning and criticize UT fans for supporting our team even when we lose. i guess we should just crawl in a hole too just like bamma has done the 3 times they haven't had winning seasons since 2000. Oh yes! I do believe we have all been there before and the future looks bright for BIG ORANGE COUNTRY! If you thought today was scary just wait until next year. GO VOLS!
DarthVol writes:
I was almost convinced this game was going to be Karma for 1990. But alas, it was more like a replay.
Fantastic game. I am nothing but proud of the effort, game plan and execution.
"There's not going to be no rematch" - Apollo Creed
CHS52VOL writes:
Mr. Adams, when you expose your ventral underside and allow your emotions to play a reasonable part in your writing, you are a terrific journalist. Thank you.
Grantland Rice was correct: "It isn't whether you win or lose, but how you play the game". The young men who have suited up for the Vol football team this year deserve our respect and admiration. So does Coach Lane Kiffin and his staff. This year, and the Alabama game in particular, will enjoy a special place in my 70+ years of Vol fandom. It's great to be a Volunteer!
Salpointe writes:
What an effort and what a game! I count this as a "W" for the team and for JC. I agree with what Adams said about Crompton. He has tremendous heart and I'm glad he is on our team. I believe JC will make a super QB if he improves on only two things: 1. He has a tendency to focus exclusively on his primary receiver; watching him all the way and to the extent of blocking out the kind of coverage his receiver is in. And this is his 2nd problem: 2. Throwing into double and triple coverage. Both of these habits have been his undoing. I think it would help if he consciously focused and looked at the 2nd and/or 3rd receiver before picking up his primary receiver. Bottom line - he is telegraphing his intended receiver to the DB's by exclusively focusing on that target all the way down. Don't mean to be a "Wet Blanket" and rain on his parade but to truly get better, Jon must correct these two glaring faults. He's our guy though and I'm with him and the team all the way. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Crompton fan and always have been and I want him to be the best - He deserves it!
JohnnyU writes:
This column nails it. I really like the direction the program seems to be going under Lane Kiffin. If you instill toughness and heart and discipline into a program before you get more more talent, that is a very good sign.
JohnnyU writes:
DarthVol, I had the exact same thoughts watching the game about 1990, especially with them winning on 4 field goals by the son of Bama's kicker in that '90 game. One thing though, there will be a rematch, and I'll be there.
volsgirl writes:
I saw the sad look on Crompton after the game.........I know Crompton....you are great person .....Go Vols
linebam writes:
The Vols shouldn't lose again... some might point to next week as questionable, but I don't think SC is as good as first thought. Ole Miss is good, but very inconsistent; Monte will give them all they can handle. The Vols offense is on the upswing and that has to scare the hell out of everyone that's left on the schedule. None of the remaining games should come down to special teams; the Vols will outplay all the rest in offense and defense. 8-4, baby... 8-4! Book it!
linebam writes:
I wonder what all those QBs who've committed elsewhere are thinking now...
trace5254 writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z475wB... This is the best Ramma Jamma ever!
The National Championship train has left the station. Roll Tide.
Bandit1066 writes:
Football teams are remembered by their years. For me, the great UT teams have been 2004, 1997, 1985, and 1965. I will add the year of 2009 to this list, and Crompton as having been the best QB turnaround since Daryl Dickey, a sixth year (he took a year off) senior, in 1985. Win out, Vols. You deserve it!
Psychovol writes:
John Adams takes as much critism as Jon Crompton and both are misunderstood. Both have won me over and garnered my respect. Crompton was a man against Bama and I do believe he's arrived. Kiffin deserves a lot of credit for his handling of Jon's psyche. This staff can definately coach'em up.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.