Audio interviews
Here's a look at what News Sentinel bloggers were saying after Sunday's game.
When You're Strange: Sunday night reflections on Alabama
Tennessee came one successful field goal short of upsetting Alabama, but a 12-10 scare was enough to knock the Crimson Tide out of the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll. That's probably more consolation to the fans than the team. The Vols' first Sunday practice found the team in excellent spirits though.
I thought Jonathan Crompton played another solid game Saturday, following up on his big outing against Georgia prior to the open date. Crompton's 265 passing yards easily were a season-high allowed by Alabama. The previous best was 214 by South Carolina. Furthermore, Crompton's total topped all but two Alabama opponents in 2008. Utah lit up the Tide for 336 yards in the Sugar Bowl and Arkansas managed 274 in the regular season.
Continue reading at Mike Strange's "When You're Strange" blog.
Austin Translation: Something special
Tennessee came back to work quickly.
It was no surprise which phase of the game drew the most interest from the Vols.
At times UT's special teams actually looked improved during Saturday's near comeback and upset over then-No. 1 Alabama, but with two glaring breakdowns ultimately costing the Vols dearly, unit coach Eddie Gran might get a bit more attention at practice this week. But for now, he's not planning on doing anything drastically different with his time.
Continue reading at Austin Ward's "Austin Translation" blog (the newest blog on GoVolsXtra).
The Vol Historian: "Thoughts from the Alabama game weekend"
There must really be a recession ongoing in the "Heart of Dixie." No bed sheets with a message about the game were spotted on any overpass all the way up I-59 today. That's been a vital part of the series over the years. Some were imaginative, some flippant. It was always interesting, occasionally enlightening.
Here are some thoughts from part of the "Silver Victor" seats in Section 422, high above the North stands, looking down the East sideline.
Continue reading at the Vol Historian blog.
Ask Griff: Kiffin proves a force to be reckoned with
Tennessee football is back.
The Vols proved as much in its hard-fought 12-10 loss in Tuscaloosa Saturday afternoon against the No. 1 team in the country.
A blocked field goal in the final seconds is all that separated this UT team from a place in the record books, and a forevermore spot in the hearts of the Big Orange Nation
Continue reading at Mike Griffith's "Ask Griff" blog.
No Silence Here: Blogs on Vols
Michael Silence took a look Sunday at what other bloggers were saying.
See what he found at his "No Silence Here" blog.
The List: Vol Stuff (10/25/09)
Marlon McKinney has a more indepth roundup of post-game coverage at his "The List" blog.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
mpm80#1357758 writes:
3rd
volsfannsc writes:
Just as Kifin has deemed it important that our team hurry up and get this out of thier system- so should fans. Our guys can only move on so far if the fan base doesn't. Yes, our boys played an outrageous game but now the focus needs to be on beating Spurrier, and so on and so on. As hard as Kiffin has been working on recruiting he deserves a bowl game for the exposure and publicity. This is only going to come by winning out. Physically, we're that good. Mentally- it is not a new learning curve I want the boys to go through. Last Saturday's game will be one to reflect on through the off-season. Next year, different outcome. For now, I would just as soon the fan base help our guys move on and prepare for SC. All I'm seeing now is how different sports writers are re-hashing the same game competing for the next pulitzer prize. It's time to move on and look ahead. Due to my login name, I think everyone can see why a win Saturday is important to me. I'm tired of the crowing since last year.
rocky_topper writes:
My reflection is this: From the past 3-4 weeks of SEC football, it is quite obvious there is blatant cheating going on within our conference. This cheating is either coming from the higher-ups where they are pressuring the officials of the SEC in keeping our #1 and #2 BCS hopefuls alive, or it is just within our officiating crew themselves. Remember this, at one point, no one would have ever guessed Tim Donaghy was a cheat either, but look at what this official was up to and the many teams who paid the ultimate price as a result of his cheating. At any rate, these are not merely coincidences, as coincidence aren't repetitive actions where ONLY the same two or three teams benefit from either phantom or consistent blown calls! I've never really been one into conspiracy theories, but there is definitely something going on in keeping LSU, BAMA, and Florida atop of the BCS poll! There is too much money at stake for our conference. My thinking this is not just from our game with Alabama. I wonder if Miss State, Georgia, and Arkansas fans and teams feel the same?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good points.
Knew several Gamecock season ticket holders when I lived in Ga and many were delusional.
One guy's fav tee-shirt said, "You may beat us, but you can't out drink us". All I heard was about the Cockabooses.
I too, appreciate the much-better effort than last year esp vs Fla-Bama. It's was a blow to lose as we did Sat.
But the big focus should be on skewering the Gamecocks. Berry should break the SEC/National record on Int yds vs Garcia.
We need to bring the same intensity. I'm not sure anything can be done about the low FG attempt trajectories.
Looking forward to seeing the rebuilding of PRIDE which translates to WINS.
Seahawk writes:
Pretty funny stuff. It's 12-3 with a little over 3 minutes to go in the game. Bama has the ball running out the clock and Ingram fumbles UT back into the game. 3 points in 57 minutes of play and somehow UT "dominated" Alabama. Comical. And now it's "the refs stole the game" with the head coach leading the charge. What a bunch of excuse making sore losers.
SEC__Headgear writes:
The bias exists, no question about it. It is evident in the SEC office, in the media, and on the field.
It is not sufficient to take the field and play a game well enough to win. With college football, especially the SEC beginning to resemble the orchestration found in Major League Baseball, I don't know where to turn for pure sport anymore. Thanks to the number of games played NCAA basketball is harder to rig but cheating for players is harder to contol because one guy can have such an impact.
Refusing to accept the fix, pointing out inconsistancy, and calling for fairness is the best course for our coaches.
rdr4vols writes:
So what if they cheated. Sometimes the bama's and ugly gators have to do somthin' to help their cause. This year te-show and nickie are not so great. Just look around and see the trouble both are having with the "lowly" gamecocks and Vols. We are not the same team that blundered through the last eight or nine seasons. About the chickens I can't vouch for them. Just imagine in two years what it'll be like at Vol Country with the many top players settled in then compare it with the personel now who have improved greatly with slightly one year under Kiffin and company. We put the scare in 'em. This guy that I work with is a bama fan though raised here in upper East Tn. and he said he almost soiled his britches and had a stroke with the way the game ended Saturday. Little stevie coming to our house next and we will be eager to show that though he played ball at science hill in johnson city he ain't one of us. It is time to de-feather a bunch of chickens from south carolina. GO VOLS!!!
GoVols2009 writes:
We did dominate from every aspect with an exception of the field goal unit. should have been a 9-12 game at that point. Anyone can see what the refs in the SEC are doing.
chl1958 writes:
Obviously,there is something going on,but probably from the gaming industry. The officials can turn a game anytime by omission or commission! However,let's move on to defeating the other opponents on our schedule one game at a time!
rocky_topper writes:
Here is a great article on Kiffin and the Vols from the Orlando Sentinel. We are staying in the news which is a great thing for the recruiting front!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
paul5170 writes:
I for one am a die hard vol fan,have been for some 50yrs.Ithink I was the only one giving JC a chance,could not beleive all the bad mouthing going on.......but you had watch that game close,there was a lot of holding going on on the line.Yes they called several but there was many more not called. many close calls between rec. & db that were not called,I for one think they were just leting them play.
GahLee writes:
Great link...bet that women is getting grilled for stating the obvious though...Gator fans, well fans abound seem to think that he is an idiot, but they are just hiding what they truly feel.......fear.
Thanks for the link.
commonsense32 writes:
Ok, three of my friends and I went down to that shirthole you call a state friday night, and watched Hoover and Pelham high play and then on down to that dump of a stadium in Tuscaloser.
I am not reflecting on what might have been as they won, be it by 1 or 100 points, doesn't matter. The point I am trying to make is if we had won it wouldn't have been an upset as we discussed on the way down how defensively we were just as good as Alabama, and offensively we were a little better than them. Before you people rip me ask yourselves these questions...
1. Would you rather have Terrance Cody or Dan Williams? or Montari Hughes? Who is better? I say either Dan or Montari as that fat kat can't stay on the field longer than 3 plays and after 2 he is sucking air so bad he is irrelavent.
2. Would you rather have Jon Crompton or Greg McElroy? That's a no brainer even when Jon was playing terrible he was as good as that kid.
3. Would you rather have Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown or Mark Ingram and Trent(?) Richardson? For me this one is easy as Montario runs harder than anyone in the nation, and I am not sure Ingram is even the best back on his team let alone the SEC or nation, and as far as BB is concerned I would take him over every running back in the country besides Montario.
4. Would you rather have Eric Berry or Arenas? Wow this is a no brainer and Eric alone makes our defense better than theirs period.
5. Would you rather have Rico McCoy or Rolondo McClain? This is easy did McClain even play Saturday?
Anyway, the point I am trying to make is We are a better team than they are, they just made a kick and we didn't. They also had a little help from the officiating and you will try to bash me on this but the officials in the SEC are crooked as can be. It is a HUGE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year buisness and the slimey slive has to make sure the 2 darlings, (AL, FL) make it to the ATL undefeated for the money, period, and if you don't believe this you are lost in the world.
This is to Alabama, I hate your state your dump you call a stadium and your fans. Have a nice day.
TommyJack writes:
Good points.
If, BIG IF, we bring same intensity, we should wax SC. If we give a pedestrian effort, it will be a game. (not sure we can give AL like effort to SC)
As for the kicker, see u-toob of the Palardy kid...He looks scary good.
topgun writes:
Look people!! We/you are wasting our/your time by trading our opinions of the crooked officiating by SEC crews to protect UF and UA.
We all agree--pretty much on the same things--BUT it doesn't change anything!!! Everyone needs to flood the SEC commissioner's office with emails/letters stating specifics of where the officiating has been wrong and has determined the outcome of games.
Send about a thousand emails to the SEC officials home office and let them have it as to the proof and FACTS of where they have been wrong.
Demand that the SEC issue an official statement as to why a penality wasn't called when Cody ripped off his helment and started celebrating before the "live" play was over. Demand it!!
Great effort by the VOLS!! VOLS might just win out now. Big Jon, you played a great game. First touchdown against the Bammers and the most yardage, by far. Too bad about Lincoln's kicking this year--definitely an off-year.
Vol fans, please do send those emails to the SEC demanding an acountability from the SEC refs. GOVOLS!!
UrbanCryer writes:
the only problem i had with the officals was that alaBUBBA only had 1 penalty. ut 8. cody ripping the helmet off at the end didnt bother me, he made a play and was happy. time to move on the usc. i did think it was funny that saben immediately stared making excuses though. ha ha! another coach thats scared of the lane train. Woo! Woo! All Aboard! GBO
UrbanCryer writes:
btw why hasnt anyone mentioned how low those kicks were. 1) its not like cody blasted through the line got right on top of the kicker and blocked 'em. 2) you know his fat a** didnt jump. hes 6'5" and raised his arms 9' total at most. get the dern ball UP!
TommyJack writes:
You guys don't get it. bammer wuz tired!
(saban learning the art of whine from Urbee and Stevie) Bwahahahaha
soulbrother writes:
watched the game until Crompton's first pick...sure, the score was close, but the song remains the same, a bad to mediocre quarterback and horrible, horrible special teams is not going to beat a top 5 team. from what i saw and heard, the rest of the team is first rate. not bad for a first year coach, though.
TommyJack writes:
You, sir, are a moran.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
You watched the game until Crompton's first pick?? Shows what kind of fan you are. Crompton threw for more yards agains Bama than any QB had and probably will this season. He also put us in position to win.
AceVentura writes:
If you're having a tough time dealing with this loss. listen to this country song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sz-H...
BigBrother12 writes:
Well you guys did dominate the line of scrimage and really should've won the game... Except for a couple of field goals anyway...
dlobh writes:
The only good point was about the refs. Complaining about the refs is useless. They didn't beat UT. No call at the end was the right call. However, UT did outgain Bama by a good margin. And the fact is, Ingram did fumble and Crompton led UT down the field to a touchdown. It's not like he fumbled into the end zone and the Vols recovered. You and Seahawk are just like Saban - can't give any credit to this UT team that you were supposed to wax in all your minds. It was a good game that Alabama was fortunate to win.
RollTideJoe writes:
Listen, if there has ever been flagrant cheating it has come from Neyland over the years. I know you don't see that, but some of the worst calls ever have gone against your foes. You got a call or tow Saturday, too. Don't overlook that. You folks want to whine every time something doesn't go your way. Like the helmet at the end of the game. Replay shows 0.00 on the clock; the game is over. You played a good game; stop the whining.
jsm67vol writes:
You guys played a good game too RTJ. I expected bamas D line to cause a lot more problems throughout the game than they did. Its always easier to remember the calls that go against your team than the ones that go in favor. When the CBS announcer mentioned Cody removing the helmet, I'll admit I was soooo PO'd. After slamming another cold one and thinking about it a while, I don't see any officiating crew making that call. Should they have called it? Maybe, but it doesn't change the outcome most likely. Bama has a solid chance to get a NC this year if your QB can get back on track. As for the Vols, they continue to impress. According to everyone on earth, we don't have the talent or depth to hang with teams at the top of the SEC and we prove everybody wrong each week. For the first season of a program undergoing a major rebuild, that may have to be good enough, for now!
volunteers2011 writes:
Ok lets recap our games with the number ones.
Florida> play a solid game and lose by 10 at FL.
Alabama> lose on the last play of the game.
Everyone has to keep in mind the gators had flu-like symptoms and the tide was suffering from fatigue as quoted by their excuse making coaches.Clearly they are scared.You trolls want to focus on Kiffin whining.I would be chastising my coach for being the classless act he is.However given your history of cheating, violations,book scandals, and bad hires. I can understand why he is welcomed into the family.You deserve each other.
AtlantaTide writes:
Great game by the Vols, whining from the coach about a no-call....but conspiracy theories?
Build on this near-win, your team and Monte Kiffin deserve kudos. But to live in angst over this vast right wing referee conspiracy in our game is really dumb.
The SEC office must be very pleased that the cursed officiating team that we all know and love did not work this game. Wow, how that might have played out!
Good luck the rest of the season...we'll see you guys in the Top Five at NSD.
volinlouisiana writes:
The pretty funny stuff was the 250 total yards of offense. You all got ougained by 100 yards. We outgained you by almost half of your total. We missed 3 very makeable field goals and you won by 2 points. It may not be dominated, but it's definitely pushed around, and some of the most die-hard Bama fans I know admit they should have lost the game. So keep laughing.
volinlouisiana writes:
We don't need to whine about the officiating. It was a well officiated game. We need to kick the ball higher. I can assure you MT. Cody didn't jump either time to block those field goals, and we lost because we are still not good at special teams.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
No excuses here. Check the stats. We clearly beat Bama on the field and they beat us on the score board. The only "dominate" player is Cody. He is a beast! CLK is only speaking the truth and keeping the Ref's in check. Lighten up Seahawk. The SEC Ref's have had a tough year. No need for YOU to be the Sore Looser. Try converting over to the BIG Orange...you won't be so tense. Go Vols and Go CLK!
SEAL_9821 writes:
Yeah that's right. It's that little thing called statistics that gets posted after each game. And yes, we did beat bama in everyone exept rushing which was still close. Don't post on here and sound like an idiot. Know the facts and then post
murrayvol writes:
Saban coaches Belichick style....if you can get away with it, do it....at least until the refs make you stop.
There was a lot of holding and "influencing" receivers by the Bama dbs. They're good at it, it works, and nobody said stop.
murrayvol writes:
Who are you and what have you done with pdhuff?
He's never had a post that long.
murrayvol writes:
I watched him in the St. Thomas Aquinas/Byrnes S.C. game. This guy is a game changer.
He may be the most important recruit we've got.
murrayvol writes:
He probably hasn't had a chance to review the film and fully appreciate just how badly the Tidy Boys got their buttocks handed to them....excepting the fg unit of course.
And this is only the beginning.
murrayvol writes:
Ah yes, one more cyberface of the illustrious zzzzz. Too dumb to know what's coming.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Agree totally. I was there too. I never said a word and was accosted, threatened and insulted because I was wearing orange. I literally almost squashed the last drunk kid into a crimson pulp. Glad I didn't. GBO.
VOLoom writes:
I love the Vols and hate we lost, but rule or not I think big Cody ripping his helmet off in celebration was deserved after single handedly beating us. If it were the other way around and one of our players did the same thing after a huge play we would be crying about how unfair it was if they got penalized. Give his big behind props and let it go.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
We are studying aliens at Area 51 and Castro had the Kennedys assassinated. I think the SEC just has incompetent refs.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
As a Big Orange fan, I still have to agree with you. If the refs were going to hand the game to the Tide, they would have found some type of penalty on the onsides kick. That would probably have been an easier sell
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned that I have read. That supposedly genius of a coach, Saban, has the ball on the UT 2 yd. line and 2nd down. If you have Ingram in your background, you don't throw 2 straight passes especially against a good defense like UT. I think Ingram could have scored easily with 2 running plays.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Their is always a little homecookin with the refs when we play at bama; This game wasn't too bad; I remember one year we had 7 pass interference penalties in one game; all leading to first downs or first in goals for bama.. This game 2 or 3 penalties in the last 5 minutes of the game but nothing too blatant..I don't think you can call a penalty when the clock has expired..If your gonna beat bama or any NO#1 you've got to make TD's when your lucky enough to get inside their 30 yard line PERIOD...As for Cody he should celebrate now while he's at bama because in the NFL they have plenty of lineman that will knock him on his fat butt and he's far to slow to touch a QB with a quick release in the NFL. I can't help but notice that the SEC refs do seem to make questionable calls in favor of unbeaten teams; No doubt the commissioner wants a sec team in the BCS championship; but Bama may not get there with an average QB and FLA may not get there with an average passing game..If the Vols gave them that much problem think what Texas would do on NEUTRAL field.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Don't know much about Palardy but I live 10 miles from St.Thomas and they have a coaching staff as good as a lot of colleges. IE Chris Carter the all pro reciever coaches the WR's
ChattMac writes:
Either UF or Bama will experience what everybody who plays them does regarding officiating when they get their December match up. Who knows,,maybe the accusations will cost one or both a victory next month. If not, I can't wait to see the whining start from the offended team. There are also the replay issues as well. I'm shocked that the Bama fumble was called a fumble on the field. Ref must have slipped up. It was close and could not be overturned which ever way it was called. What I've noticed is that UF, Bama, and LSU get the call that benefits them if it comes under review. Call it down if it's close, call it a catch, etc. Then they can rely on their partners at CBS and ESPN to provide insufficient camera angles to over-rule their decision.
ChattMac writes:
Which ever team it is, I hope Texas is in it. I can root for them. For the first time in my life I will root against the SEC team in the Championship game because neither Bama nor Florida deserves to be there. I will not watch the SEC championship game either. So much for their huge ratings. The rest of the SEC and even the city of Atlanta should make the SEC champ game the laughing stock of the nation. I'd love to see a half-full stadium for that one and very low TV ratings. That would serve the SEC, CBS, and ESPN right for orchestrating a phony match up.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It's been mentioned any number of times. And while it is true Cody is heavy and didn't have to jump to block the kicks, he CAN dunk a basketball. He is going to make a TON of money playing on Sundays. Although CLK said Lincoln had an injured quad that he slightly re-injured in warm-ups, he has always had a low trajectory on his kicks. Hopefully, the new kicker coming in next year, Palardy, will fix that but, in the meantime, it would help if we improve our blocking on FG attempts. Maybe with, say, Dan Williams and Montori Hughes in the middle of the protection, the blockers won't get so much penetration.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree with, or at least understand, most of what you say, but I think you are wrong about Cody. I think he will be a great pro. In the 3-4 defenses especially, a big, immovable guy in the middle is essential. He doesn't have to rush the QB, he just has to tie up two blockers so the ends and LBs can rush the passer. He also creates a big pile-up in the middle of the line, forcing RBs to run wide where, again, the ends and LBs can make the play. There are several guys just like Cody who are making REALLY nice money in the NFL right now. He will not be a bust in the NFL unless he gets lazy and cocky like Bama's big O-lineman from last year, Smith, I think.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
We'll just have to see who is in the "National Championship" game, but, really, who is better than Bama and Florida in the SEC? Yeah, they haven't looked all that dominant in this game or that game, but who has looked better all season? As I said on another thread, there has not been a single really dominant team in all of college football this year. Any one of six or eight teams is capable of winning it all this year, including UF and Bama.
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