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AP Top 25 College Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Although Tennessee fell short in its upset bid against No. 1-ranked Florida, the feeling afterward didn't compare to the previous Saturday when UT was upset at home by UCLA.
The 29 1/2-point underdog Vols bounced back by playing Florida a 10-point game, 23-13, Saturday afternoon in The Swamp.
"No one gave us a chance," UT All-American strong safety Eric Berry said. "We were supposed to lose by 50.
"I wish we would have played like this last Saturday. It showed how good we can be if we keep buying in and believing in ourselves."
Big-Time Collision: Berry gave a detailed description of his second-quarter collision with Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.
"I just bit down on my mouthpiece and gave everything I had," he said. "All those power cleans and squats I did this summer … At first, I thought, 'Dang, he done run me over.'
"I was listening to the crowd go, 'oh' when I looked at the JumboTron. Montori Hughes kind of hit him in the back and pushed him into me.
"It was a good collision."
The collision between the two All-Americans came on Tebow's 4-yard run in a Florida scoring drive and ended with both Berry and Tebow on the ground.
Hardnosed Hardesty: UT senior tailback Montario Hardesty came into the game with a 1.3-yard career per-carry average against Florida. But that's not how the Gators will remember him.
Hardesty carried 20 times for 96 yards and scored on a 17-yard run against one of the best defenses in the country in his final game against the Gators.
"We wanted to make it a physical game for all four quarters," Hardesty said. "I think we did that.
"I hate to lose and I feel like we had a lot of chances to win the game."
Despite the loss, Hardesty continued his outstanding play.
In three games, he has rushed for 345 yards on 64 carries. He is averaging 115 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry.
Bad Starts: UT has started the season 1-2 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1982-83. But a 1-2 start doesn't always lead to a bad season.
In 2007, UT started out 1-2 but made it to the SEC championship game and finished with a 10-4 record.
In 1994, the Vols started 1-2 but finished 8-4 with a five-game winning streak.
In 1981 through 1983, UT started 1-2 but went 8-4, 6-5-1, and 9-3.
Lincoln Moves Up: UT place-kicker Daniel Lincoln kicked two field goals to move into sixth place among all-time Vols kickers.
Slowing The Gators: The Gators set an SEC record last season by scoring 611 points and had 118 points in their first two games this season.
That puts the play of UT's defense in perspective.
Florida's 23 points were the fewest it had scored since it managed only 17 in a three-point loss to Auburn in September of 2007.
Slowing James: UT succeeded in keeping longtime nemesis Brandon James out of the end zone.
James scared the Vols on the opening kickoff with a 50-yard return.
He totaled 97 yards on three kick returns, but UT didn't give him a chance to return a punt.
Last year against UT, James had a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown. In 2007, he returned three punts and four kickoffs for 193 yards, including an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown.
As a freshman, James had a punt return for a touchdown wiped out by a penalty. He still totaled 65 yards on four returns, including one for 35 yards.
Bad Stretch: The Vols have lost nine of their last 15 games. That's the worst 15-game stretch since 1979-80 when they also went 6-9.
Back With Bruce?: Kiffin had one last shot for the Gator nation at the end of his press conference.
Asked if he would "at least hum Rocky Top" since the Vols played close, Kiffin said no.
But, he added: "I'll come back down here with Bruce (Pearl) for the basketball game. He's 7-1 against Florida.''
Extra Points: The Vols are 8-9 in season-opening SEC road games since divisional play began in 1992. … They are 33-40-3 all-time in conference openers. ... Florida now leads the series, 20-19.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group takes the field against UT on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.){kind=link}
Comments » 43
TommyJack writes:
CLK has a set.
cdonsbach writes:
"I'll come back down here with Bruce (Pearl) for the basketball game. He's 7-1 against Florida.''
AWESOME
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Keep talking that smack CLK! I love it! Recruits don't want a coach that treats press conferences like a cotillion ball.
Chomp writes:
Indianavol .... come out from hiding. You promised to be here after the game.
Laydbakvol writes:
Never thought I'd feel good after a loss, but if there ever was a such thing as a "moral victory", this was it. I just wish we hadn't given up on the long ball. Suprised that Hardesty could do what he did with that gone. That last interception by JC was more of a Hail Mary and not so much his fault. It is hard to tell on TV if the receivers are getting open, though. Maybe they weren't. Thanks for the effort guys. There'll be a few sore Gators in the morning.
volhome#407234 writes:
The article should be titled "Final Score: Tennessee 29 1/2 Florida 10". Never has a loss felt so sweet. Now just pack it back up and get back down to business. Still nine more to go this season, and a lot more to play for than what we thought going into today.
VolinUtah writes:
This team and program are turning the corner faster than I expected. Yeah, I would have loved to smacked the Gators today, but they know they were in a real game and were lucky to win. I am proud to be a TENNESSEE VOL!!!!
MikeTheTiger writes:
I am not even a Vol fan, but I tip my hat to Kiffin and the Vols! Love the attitude of Lane. Three years from now the conference better watch out.
CrankE writes:
"The Vols are 8-9 in SEC road games since divisional play began in 1992."
They've only played 17 SEC road games in 17 years? Cleanup on aisle 17!
Love Kiffin's attitude. The UCLA game was a real bust as far as play selection. This game was much better. Got to sow seeds before we can reap fruit.
I sure do wish Hardesty could have broken 100. He deserved it. 4 yards from the 4 would have been mighty good ;)
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
There is no time to look back to the UCLA game and now that this game is over its time to move past it. Its time to prepare for Ohio now. Forget the first 3 games all that matters is this saturday. Go Vols
Vol_in_Atl writes:
Not a Hail Mary on the INT...just another bad throw by a bad QB into dbl-coverage...he had time to look elsewhere...
bigtimevol writes:
OK, just a thought here, but our QB has 7 int's in three games. Clearly our intention is to run the ball. Can't Stephens do that and manage not to throw as many int's? Ohio seems to be a perfect opportunity to try a change?
BillsBrother writes:
You are just piling on after the play is over. that was the right throw at that time.
VOL03_NC writes:
SWEEET!!
I guess the drama is somewhat good!! especially today...
GO VOLS!!
DannyVol writes:
I saw "what if" and immediately thought "only losers think in those terms". Then I saw John Adams' name...
give_him_6 writes:
There are no moral victories in football only wins and losses. BUT...THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD OUR FOUNDATION ON!!!! Kiffin and the Vols starred the "mighty Gators" in the face and didn't even flinch. We went toe to toe and hit for hit with them and we came out looking way better than expected. Kiffin has us on the right track. And what I noticed was this..you take Teabow out of their offense, and we would have won that game. Monte and the D shut them down. Teabow IS their offense. And he's gone next year. AND..the little lizards come to Neyland Stadium. AND...WE WILL BE SINGING ROCKY TOP ALL NIGHT LONG AFTER BEATING THEM NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!
VOLKING writes:
The #1 team in the nation playing an unranked and rebuilding team with a first-year young coach. They have home field advantage and a Heisman Trophy winning QB. They were going to punish us by 50 points to shut Kiffin up. I'd say they bit off a little more than they could chew. You just saw a glimpse of what we are going to be in 2 years. We are a QB and an offensive lineman or two away from being a powerhouse again. Congrats to the gators for a hard fought victory over a tough opponent. See you next year.
dbc5361 writes:
Tennessee is the new Vandy, celebrating moral victories.
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
Go back to living in your tree. We don't care what you think
pdhuff#552644 writes:
7 ints in three games tell the tale.
D has been stellar.
bosscat writes:
Any article written by John Adams should come with a warning label--"These words may be hazardous to a Volunteer's health". Ever since he jumped in bed with Paul Finebaum and WENT ON THE AIR on Finebaum's Bammer show to bad-mouth Fulmer, I have placed him in the "two-faced, yellow-journalism, stir the pot, throw enough spit around and some of it will stick, sensationalist, weasel of a writer" category. The biggest step in the right direction for Tennessee players, coaches and fans would be for him to crawl under a rock and stay there. Seriously, the man has an agenda and it is all about what's best for John Adams and not about what's best for Tennessee. Keep that in mind whenever you read anything he writes.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I certainly agree. However, I don't think there is going to be a QB change. Kiffin is sending a message across the country: WE NEED A QB. Keeping Crompton in the football game yesterday showed a couple of things. We need a QB and Kiffin will work with you no matter how horrible you are. Every recruit who was watching yesterday saw a coach who could have won at Florida if he had all the right players. Kiffin's post game comments were pretty awesome and still invited more recruits to come to play. The media certainly helped our cause. ESPN's stupid comments about a total humiliation and how Urban Myth was going to teach UT a lesson never happened. Many Fans left the stadium angry and felt they lost the game. The interlopers on this site now have to eat their own sh_tty words. But back to Stephens, ya he can play the game just as well as Crompton and probably not throw as many interceptions. I believe we could have won the game yesterday if we had a QB. Right now florida gets to enjoy their sec success partly on their coaching, but more so on our waning recruting and coaching in the last 10 years. That's all changed now and the florida base knows it. Kiffin will keep Crompton in the game because he and everyone else knows we need a QB next year.
TennRadioGeek writes:
And how about the deep long strong throw to the bleechers....? JC isn't about to handle pressure.
But what is this stuff about moral victory? Is this like Alabama winning 12 national titles?
Maybe we can have the MORAL VICTORY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.... Thats it. IF you can't handle the heat start a new class.....
FIRE MIKE HAMILTON
TennRadioGeek writes:
Vandy has done this for years and ALCOHOL was involved.
Does this mean that VOL fans are drinking more? Stay tuned to next week...and the next and next.
Been loosing to Florida since we got our AD
FIRE MIKE HAMILTON.
TennRadioGeek writes:
A great coach would have know we needed a new QB 10 months ago.....
A GREAT recruited would have already signed one....
FIRE MIKE HAMILTON
volsoutwest writes:
I am not celebrating a moral victory but am celebrating an outstanding effort on the part of our team. A little in-crompetence perhaps on offense but a great effort non the less. Something to build on for this year and to look to for next year. Go Vols!!!
steelersman42 writes:
Although Crompton may not be the caliber of quarterback needed to win an SEC Championship, he's not the reason we lost this game. We lost because we couldn't stop Tebow on the ground. The interception Crompton threw at the end was simply an excellent defensive play. Florida fans should be concerned---they've become a one-man team---and Tennessee fans have excellent reason to be optimistic.
Volinar_21 writes:
If we had at least an avg. playing QB under center we would be 3-0 right now. Watching yesterday''s game, that's what I learned. We have a great team here. The defense is amazing! The running backs and O-Line played very well. Crompton did nothing to help the team or the game. When we had to throw, he couldn't do anything. And that wasn't just against Florida, UCLA too. He is not the guy. It is time to sit him down for good and put in Stephens or the Freshman in. With Crompton on the field our offense is one dimmensional. Why is Crompton starting? He is has done nothing on the field to prove that he can lead us to victory against a decent opponent. Outside of the Western Kentucky game, look at his stats and tell me when in every game he has played in, that he has had a good game???? Look at his stats! He is not the guy. I am disappointed that coaching staffs over the last 2 years that continue to give him chance after chance.
Volinar_21 writes:
Crompton is not the caliber of quarterback needed to win a GAME much less an SEC Championship. His inability to perform makes our offense one dimmensional and very predictable. That's why we lost yesterday, last week, and lose many more games this season with Crompton behind center. Look at his stats for every game and prove me wrong.
rockytop#413695 writes:
The more you write the less intelligent you become. Fulmer did not leave us loaded. He left us Crompton. He took the same players against Florida last year and got his butt handed to him. It's amazing what a little coaching can do to improve players.
Give this staff a full year and watch out. Berry said imagine what this team could be like if they had been coached by this staff for 4 years. I think he knows a lot more than you.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
TENNESSEE TRIVIA - Began his Vols career by throwing 106 consecutive passes without an interception - best start to a UT career and tied for fifth-best on all-time Tennessee list.
FREE NICK!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
I don't normally defend JC but that was the make-or-break play that Kiffin called and he threw it right on the money. There was no double coverage - it was a hitch and go play. There were no underneath routes - the TE and (I think) the back were in for max protect. He beat the corner and the ball was right there. The safety just made a great play out of his centerfield position - exactly like he is coached to do. Great call, great throw, great defensive play. Game over, the better team (for now) won and let's move on to the rest of the season. Now about the other interception..... Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
NO moral victories - only encouragement at the play of an overmatched team on the road who played like they belonged there. That is something we haven't seen on the UT sidelines for quite some time. You don't win all the games you think you can but you never win the games you don't believe you can win. Far too long we have gone into games hoping to win. No more - at least with Kiffin we will play the game expecting to win, regardless of the outcome. That in and of itself is enough for me not to question our decision to change coaches. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Funny, the only people on this string talking about "moral victories" are the Kiffin haters. I don't recall Kiffin, his players, or any of the other optimistic fans on here taking that position at all. There are no moral victories, only wins and losses. However, there is a way to play the game even when you lose, and for that Kiffin is infinitely more qualified as a coach than his predecessor. And just like Fulmer, if he loses too many he will be fired, your alleged "moral victories" notwithstanding. A Fulmer/Chavis team WOULD have lost by 50 and STILL claimed they played well enough to win and things were fine. Kiffin's team lost by 10 and he was very clear: we didn't make enough plays and that it's a loss - plain, simple, and unacceptable. Wow, what a difference! I'll tell you what - wait until your guy Phil gets a new HC job and become a fan of that school because you sure don't seem happy here. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Whoa hotshot! We're not bagging on UCLA at all. You guys have a great coach who's doing there what we would like to do here - bringing the program back to national prominence. And you had an advantage - a functional quarterback (and a genius to coach him to boot). We are not claiming a moral victory but Nueheisel himself said you were going to put the ball in our quarterback's hands and roll the dice. We are only saying if we had gotten the same level of play you got from your true freshman, we would have likely won that game. That's it, nothing more. I personally hope you guys win 'em all - it would put our loss in a better light later in the year. Plus, who doesn't just hate USC? Good luck the rest of the year. And by the way, Louisiana Lafayette beat K-state on the road, so....Go Vols!!! (and Bruins)
cincykid writes:
Will UT's "victory" at Florida amount to a hill of beans if it is followed by losses to Auburn, Georgia, etc. later on....? I don't see UT being able to score enough points to win against good (e.g. UCLA) competition. BTW, CLK et al prepared for this Florida game for over six months and still came up short against a flu-stricken team.
LutherGator writes:
That is the difference between winners and losers. Vols feel good about a loss, Gators are not satisfied with their win. Who is going to work harder to get better? The satisfied loser or the motivated winner? Vols have a long way to go.
navarrebeachvol writes:
13. d-bag is a goof with no life and a fool, and yes, scared. fear the Kiffin
navarrebeachvol writes:
well said coach Fulmer. your days are numbered. you and the rest of the trolls will die off. its already happening...gator interlopers are rare this day. denial is a sad thing, jackleg, hahahhahahhahahhah Go (real) Vols!
navarrebeachvol writes:
GATOR BOY, we can see you are scared. very scared. Fear the Kiffin (s), you have met your high water mark, enjoy it, spud
asleep#212036 writes:
Flu-stricken? What? A team with that many 5-star players shouldn't have had a problem replacing a running back and a lineman. That's Urban Meyer trying to convince himself (or more likely the media) that they really are invincible, they just had the flu. And how long do you think UF prepared for us? 10 minutes? Please. They are better, sure and the right team won. I get it. And if we can't win down the road, this loss meant nothing. I'll put it this way: I'd wager a lot more SEC folks outside of Gainsville and Knoxville would say UT was more impressive in the loss than was Florida in the win and right now, that's the best we can do.
navarrebeachvol writes:
flu strikken team. hahahhahahha. right, funny we didnt hear about that until after UT busted their chops with heart, not talent. i thought u Gators were 3 deep across the board? pleeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz. women make excuses like that. women and gators that is. well, one and the same
CHARLIEDONTSURF writes:
I posted here during UCLA/Tennessee week. I was actually pulling for you guys. I loved how the Vols fought the entire game. You actually made
Florida look...well...very average. All you really need is a quarterback and a some special playmakers on offense, and you are there. You are about a season away from being back in the mix with Florida, Bama, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
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