Tennessee didn't have time to dwell on the heartbreak.
Lane Kiffin put the Vols back to work immediately.
After coming up just one play short of a huge comeback and upset at then-No. 1 Alabama on Saturday, the coach scrapped his old schedule and put the Vols on the practice field on a Sunday for the first time this season. The move might not have been specifically in response to their brutal 12-10 loss, but it obviously didn't hurt them to have something else to think about on what would typically be a day off.
"That's kind of what you have to do," left tackle Chris Scott said. "That was a tough game, we're not really excited with the outcome, but we have another SEC game this week and it's one that we have to get focused on. We just have to move on.
"It was such a tough game, so today's a good day to get it out of the way and get the questions out of the way and move on."
The Vols (3-4, 1-3 SEC) have already turned their attention to another ranked opponent, and they didn't waste anytime starting to prepare for No. 21 South Carolina (6-2, 3-2) on Saturday (TV: ESPN, 7:45 p.m.)
But UT also was able to put itself under the microscope more quickly thanks to the early workday, and other than its field-goal protection unit, there was plenty there to like and for Kiffin to highlight.
"I think instead of sitting around waiting for it they're in here getting ready, getting the film, getting the corrections done and we're able to move on," Kiffin said. "They get to see this is how close they were to beating the No. 1 team. It creates a lot of confidence.
"This was a heck of a game - a battle. I think if I would have sat here and told you guys last Friday we are going to score a touchdown, they are not going to score one at all and we are both going to kick four field goals - I think you would have felt pretty good about our chances to win. You have to point those things out to them and show them how much the little things matter. . . . They need to see what is going on and they need to see that their hard work is paying off."
The Vols hardly seemed to mind the chance to come back and do more with the Gamecocks coming to town this weekend, and they'll have the same opportunity for the rest of the season.
Kiffin used to stress a 24-hour rule to enjoy a victory or get over a loss, but the Vols didn't even have a full day to soak in what went down on Saturday before their next light workout. And that approach isn't expected to change after a first-half trial with Sundays off didn't give UT exactly what it wanted.
"We put so much on our kids and are so demanding of them, instead of having Sunday being their day off, I thought we'd come out here and practice, get it out," Kiffin said. "I've been around both systems of doing it, and it was just such a long wait. As coaches we're in here early getting everything done Sunday, then we wait all the way until Monday to rehash it with them.
"I'd rather get it out of the way, and then as a staff we get to move on to the next game and have a lot more time to prepare."
In theory, the players will be spending less time worrying about Alabama this week as well, and the timing couldn't have been better.
The Vols are turning the page and getting rid of one Kiffin brought with him from Southern California's playbook.
"I wanted to look at both ways having been around both," he said. "At (USC) we did it the way we were doing it for the first six games, but we also won every game, so it was a lot better because you were rehashing a win.
"It's a little bit different when you have to wait 24 hours to rehash a loss. We'll start winning, we'll also move it up."
The Vols also are already moving on.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 49
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
one way to help "get over" the alabama game....would be a beat down on the gamecocks and steve spurrier!!! do it vols......if injuries stay away and vols continue to play the way they have as of late.......Tennessee could go undefeated the rest of the season.....
oldvolsfan writes:
this staff knows what they are doing
FearTheVols1252 writes:
A spurrier beatdown is ALWAYS good for the soul!
HollySpringsVOL writes:
It always makes me SMILE.
tigervol77 writes:
I live in Columbia, SC and I would love nothing more for the Vols to put an old school beat down on Spurrier and the Lamecocks!!!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!
writer#358485 writes:
Amen on the Spurrier beat-down, about 45-3 would be about right, which is what the Georgia score would have been without the special-teams lapses. This team has been getting better every week, getting more bought into the new system, and is about ready to break out and make life miserable (at least football life) for a bunch of people. Can't think of a better candidate for providing some serious misery to than Spurrier! Go Vols.
RoadTrip writes:
Run the table, Coach! The SEC will tremble in anticipation of the Lane Train coming down the tracks.
Go Vols!
DownTheField writes:
Agreed. I'm always uncomfortable the week after an emotional game, but I think this staff is too determined and focused to overlook any detail.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Anybody have info on Dan Williams and Rico McCoy? Will they be ready to go for South Carolina? How bad are their injuries?
DownTheField writes:
this is too funny! fear the boobs- haha!
SmokeyHound writes:
ERIC BERRY TO GO FIRST ROUND FIRST PICK IN THE NFL DRAFT!!!!!!!! ERIC BERRY SHOULD GO FIRST TO THE TITANS BECAUSE THE TITANS ALREADY HAVE 22 GOOD QBS AND THE TITANS SECONDARY IS JUST AWFUL!!!!! THE TITANS NEED ERIC BERRY BECAUSE BERRY CAN PLAY ANY POSITION. QUARTERBACK, LINEBACKER, SAFETY, CORNER, BLITZ, COVER, ANYTHING!! EVEN BLOCK!! BERRY 4 HEISMAN, THORPE AWARD AND FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK!!!
DownTheField writes:
just a kind suggestion: find a more relevant thread for your insights
GC23Vol writes:
Wow that's priceless right there
1974Vol writes:
So far the staff's 24 hour rule seems to be working. This was a killer loss and must have some emotional hang over to it for the players, but SC awaits and they don't care if you lost a close one. Just wish I was a betting man for Bama game; Vols and 16 was a stone cold lock. Look for this Vols team to show up in the Holloween Bowl!
DownTheField writes:
agreed.. GBO
beaus27 writes:
Any word on the rumored UT wearing all orange & S.Carolina wearing all black? I heard of the "USC all black curse".
DownTheField writes:
agreed... FTB!
madmax1247 writes:
I agree. Berry is the best player Tennessee has had on D. Al Wilson would be second.
txvolsfan writes:
ugliest man boobs I ever saw!!
TXVOLSFAN
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
Stick to the Lane Train Vol fans!! The Big Orange Nation is on the rise!!!!
DownTheField writes:
hahaha ... i'm picturing something like that geico commercial with the stack of bills with eyeballs...
jsm67vol writes:
I like the way Lane thinks! Get over it and move on now, not tomorrow. Can't wait to be in Neyland Stadium Halloween night!! Go Vols!!!!!!
ArealVolFan writes:
I fully expect at this point to win every game left on our schedule. With as well as we have played against GA,FL,and AL....there is no reason we can beat teams like SC,OM,KY,VY, and UM. OM and SC will be tougher games but I won't expect either to come down to a fg to win it. Our D has been great and the offense improves every week. I expect that to continue and I expect us to win out from here on out.
Voluvr writes:
Have Lincoln actually start moving when the ball is snapped not when the holder gets it and back the holder up 1 yd to help his elevation.
Great job Vols.
DownTheField writes:
moundcody.com
DownTheField writes:
I noticed that Saban was rockin the man boobs in his too tight tee.
Madkels writes:
I vote this post of the week!
asleep#212036 writes:
I know this is off the subject but this is the latest string so here goes. For all the folks griping about Cody's helmet, please see Andy Staples article on SI.Com about it. The SEC office responded and just as I thought, the penalty was missed but would NOT have resulted in a rekick. That's because there was a change of possession and it was a post-kick penalty. It is a live ball foul enforced as a dead ball foul. Thus, if there were time left on the clock, the next play would have been Bama ball 15 yards back from the recovery spot. No time was left so no enforcement. That's straight from the SEC office so conjecture is no longer necessary. Of course the fact that it was missed is disturbing enough! Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Back on subject, I don't know if I can sleep now that you guys have put Cody's manboobs in my subconscious. Darn all of you!!!
That is way funny and I can't wait to see more posts. Anybody know a good OTC treatment for nausea?
Go Vols!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
but not as big a loser as you! these are kids, moron. (OOPS, you may be a kid too)
newtonrail writes:
You would know a loser, Rob Ellison, look in a mirror. Naffy the racist.
98vols writes:
You must have forgotten about Reggie White, Billy Bates, Jerod Mayo was no slouch either. Albert Haynsworth as dirty as a player he turned out to be makes a ton of money too in the NFL.
Brillovol writes:
Fear the SWEATY boobs!
GOBIGO72 writes:
I agree. Very Proactive, not reactive...this is good stuff. We will enjoy watching Stevie get embaressed on Saturday - Feel our wrath Stevie. This time your in the wrong place at the wrong time. Get ready for the beat down. We're pissed and your next.
GerryOP writes:
Nope! Big Al is #1 ... for now. If Berry hangs around for another year...
monsterman writes:
While Berry and Al were both great, I gotta go with the Zunit here. REGGIE WHITE, THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, WAS A LEGEND!
tennisvol writes:
It's good that UT is moving on because the offensive genius, the ole ball coach, is bringing his team to town on Saturday.
tennesseebee writes:
Put the whammy on the ol' ball coach. I'd hate to be Garcia on Sat night. Shame Spurrier! Humiliate Stevie! Take the Cox out!!
OldNumber7 writes:
I congratulate this team! The crimson fans left with messy pants and now know, just like the rest of the SEC, that these coaches and this staff can take a thin, young bunch and outplay the number one team in the land! Keep up the hard work! The best D wasn't wearing red Saturday!
The bar has been set as far as I am concerned. Competitive, 60-minutes, great defense, disciplined...I now expect Tennessee to play every game like the number one team in the land because they are doing it. And they are competitive every week. Keep it up!
DSmith1669 writes:
Obviously disappointed with not getting the upset last week - But as a fan from the last 20 years (1999 grad), I can easily say I am the most proud I have been of a TN team. We dominated both lines of scrimmage in the 2nd half and the players left it all on the field and deserved the win.
If our kicker is healthy, we get the win but they gave it all they had.
I know there were certainly instances of this (effort) under the previous regime but it had been a few years since I have seen it.
Our team outplayed #1 ranked Bama at their house - I just want to say 'keep it up' - I love what I see!
windy writes:
I thought Tn played very well. Geft ready for USC. Go vols
Loud_Proud writes:
HAHAHAhAhAHAHAHAHAHA!!! that was the funniest post i have read in a long time! keep up the good work, haha......awesome
Fryinpansvols writes:
I think this is a great idea Coach! Get ready for the gamecocks boys! We need this one!
micbrooks#212023 writes:
I would go with the Manzier, or man's brazier as touted by Kramer on Seinfeld. Cody would need the magnum size
Fryinpansvols writes:
Enough of the man boobs! That highlight ESPN keeps showing makes me sick! Time to focus on South Carolina.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Great as he was as a pro, Reggie only had one really good year at UT; he didn't even start regularly until his last year. Both Berry and Wilson were great from the beginning.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There is no way to win arguments like this, but, IMHO, none of those guys you mentioned had careers at UT as successful as Berry and Wilson. Reggie and Haynesworth were/are great pro players, but each only had one really great year at UT. Bates was a fighter and a fan favorite, but I don't think he ever made even All-SEC. Mayo could have played on almost any UT team ever, but would you REALLY take him over Big Al Wilson?
AtlantaTide writes:
Oh yeah, the Vol fans are definitely moving on to USCe.....right.
Delusional minds with manufactured conspiracies, mysterious bammer payments to referees, inexplicable inoperable headsets.....truly a diabolical vast right-bammerwing conspiracy against the Vols.
Dam them cheatin' bammers! (add East TN accent)
.
AtlantaTide writes:
Now THAT is funny; as a huge Seinfeld fan, I was thinking of the same episode as I enjoyed reading all the man boob comments...
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