First-year Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said Monday he wished the Vols could play Florida again this year.
If that were the case, the animosity level might be even higher for the rematch.
The war of words continues, two days after Florida’s 23-13 victory over UT in The Swamp.
On Sunday, Florida coach Urban Meyer told his teleconference audience that he sensed Kiffin and the Vols were playing to keep the margin of defeat down rather than to actually win.
No. 1-ranked Florida was a 29-point favorite.
“You didn’t feel like they were going for the win,’’ Meyer said. “They wanted to shorten the game.’’
Meyer pointed out there was “no urgency’’ on UT’s part even when Florida led 23-6 in the fourth quarter.
Asked about Meyer’s comments, Kiffin chose his words carefully:
“I’d say this. This offseason the (SEC) commissioner (Mike Slive) made a big deal about our renewal of vows about what we’re supposed to say about other teams, other coaches, other players.
“Obviously, Urban feels he doesn’t need to follow that. I won’t say anything else.’’
Asked if he’d ever say an opponent didn’t play to win, Kiffin said, “No, I would never say that.’’
Kiffin did say something else, though, indirectly taking a swipe at Meyer.
Meyer said a flu outbreak among several key players adversely affected Florida’s performance against UT.
Asked if he was concerned about flu striking Tennessee, Kiffin said:
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll wait and see, and after we’re not excited about our performance, we’ll tell you that everybody was sick.’’
Kiffin was pleased with the Vols’ game plan, especially the manner in which the defense went after Florida’s All-America quarterback Tim Tebow.
“We had ’em bottled up,’’ Kiffin said. “We’ve got to tackle Tebow. That’s the story of the game. On third down he made a bunch of plays. I thought our plan was great, but we’ve got to do a better job of tackling.
“I wish it was like basketball, where you got another chance to play ’em, where you played ’em two times in a year.’’
Elaborating on the lack of urgency in his offensive strategy, Kiffin repeated his comments from Saturday after the game: That he was doing what he thought gave UT its best chance to win.
“If we put three wides (receivers) on the field, which is what our no-huddle is, you get into their two-down line where they stand everybody up and move ’em around.
“And that’s very difficult to protect. Especially in that stadium with the crowd. You have to change all your protections.
“So that was the best thing, in order to put us in position to win. And we moved the ball doing that. That’s the style we needed to play at that time.’’
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 417
golfballs03 writes:
booyah!
TommyJack writes:
CLK da man.
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
Here is a link to the video with Coach Kiffin.
http://www.volunteertv.com/volsfootba...
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say "polarization" complete. Witch Doctor ask who "spin" gonna win this one?....Witch Doctor say no need to answer...Witch Doctor already know..
Bones never lie
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
corch urban meyers is gonna get what's coming to him if he's not headed off to notre dame in the next year or 2
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Meyer will be coaching the Panthers next year and Tebow his first round pick. I say talk smack all you want coach! Let a Nick play!
mike_d writes:
Kiffin could have come out of this smelling like a rose. His team plays good, the other teams fans are worried, the other teams coach seems rattled. He could have took the high road and not mentioned it again and made the others seem petty. BUT, he just cant seem to do that. He must have watched alot of jerry springer growing up. Sometimes the last word is not the best.
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
And the sun was in Tebow's eyes going both directions on the field, everyone's girlfriend and/or boyfriend broke up with them right before the game, the pregame meal left them all bloated and gassy, the team was worried about the long-term performance of pork bellies..........
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
Ok enough with Florida lets move on to Ohio.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Sounds like another coach from the '90s we all knew and hated. Gators are getting a bit of "little stevie superior" right back at 'em.
Bufforange00 writes:
Kiffin is a man--he doesn't listen to the media. Glad to see he has the cjones to stand up and spit in the face of the media and all the other naysayers, then has the moxie to follow it up today. What a great change of pace from the Great Pumpkin
Wii60 writes:
You know what's awesome? How Florida fans aren't going to show up here and blow this way out of proportion.
mdvol writes:
Tennessee was at its best when Florida had Spurrier. If Kiffin and his staff are driven by the fact Florida is #1 and has UM then so be it.
VOL03_NC writes:
WHOOT WHOOOT!! LANE TRAIN IN TOWN. EVERYBODY ON HEADED FOR TO THE FUTURE!!!
GOT FREE PACKS OF GATOR NUTTS AS SNACKS.
GO VOLS!!
man i lov Kiffin...
AllVolAllDay writes:
Get em coach!!!!!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor cant wait till this hit the wire. Witch Doctor loooooove spin!!
Bones never lie
formerflgranny writes:
I like the spunk in Lane Kiffin....Kick um when their up Lane and kick um when their down. I'll be going to my first Tennessee football game this Saturday since moving from Florida. I like this new coach he seems very bright and he is kinda cute also.
Witch_Doctor writes:
opps. already is
Bones never lie
MANVOL writes:
Why is that so many people on this post think it's ok for all the coaches to pile on us and we are just suppose to smile and take it. we have done that for 16 yrs, not anymore. Go get'em coach some of you need to grow a pair and you kow who you are...
doh writes:
meyer called off the dogs? dont think so. he doesnt have that type of personality. just ask georgia last year after they showed him up. if he could have he would have put up 50. but he couldnt. way to go coach kiffin. good game plan. tebow wont be there next year.
tennesseebee writes:
thanks for having mercy and compassion king meyer. funny this is the first time you've shown it.
Elkabong1940 writes:
Put in Stephens!
ColeTrickle writes:
For the supposed #1 team in the country they sure wine alot.
realitycheck33 writes:
I think Dooley says it all here...
So this is it Tennessee? This is where you are as a program? You lose by 10, never threaten to win the game and you’re singing “Rocky Top” all the way home? Hey Vol fans, if the game had unfolded the same way and Phillip Fulmer was your coach, how would you feel? You’d be ripping him for conservative play-calling. This is the quote that was the stunner from Lanie Kiffin: “We probably could have kept (the score) closer if I had been even more conservative, but we took some shots and things got away from us a little bit.” What shots? Did he see the same game I did? Tennessee did not come to Gainesville to win but to not be embarrassed and go home talking about a moral victory.
Meyer was 9-4 his first year and beat UT. You're 1-2 with one moral victory. got to go..
berryballer writes:
we cannot keep running the ball we need alot better qb play. cmon vols
Plasticman writes:
We already had a coach like that, his last name was Fulmer. I like Kiffin's bravado and so do the players and recruits. Meyer is coming up with every excuse possible for his teams performance. Just tell it like it is, the Vols punched the Gators right in the mouth and were not intimidated and will not be intimidated as long as Kiffin is the coach!
macgaz writes:
Looks like Florida has a case of the Whine Flu
Vay_Owe_Ale_Ace writes:
The quote about the flu is classic. It should be posterized and put on a plaque outside of the sports complex.
tennesseeduke writes:
Great gameplan on defense, a little to conservative on offense. CLK has it going and I think we now know he and this staff can coach college players. Can't wait to get some gator bait in Knoxville next season. We will finish 9-4 or 10-3 this season and what a great season it will be for a 1st year coach.
Vol_FAN_atic writes:
Just goes to show that Meyer is a liar!
He vowed to "embarrass" us Saturday so he was lying when he said that or he is lying now stating that he called conservative.
Bottom line is, if he could have scored more, he would have.
kman29 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor figure eventually some smart reporter find out(AD office maybe?) if those flu shots pre-scheduled for gator players on Sunday. Witch Doctor say article make it sound like a "huge" concern just after poor showing and was rushed to be put together...Witch Doctor believe this gonna be GOOD!!
Bones never lie
******************************************
UTByrd writes:
Puhleeeze, somebody talk about Montori Hughes stripping Tebow near the goal line. Nothing, Nada, Not a word about this talented true freshman.
Also, 1st time in 30 games Tebow does NOT pass for a touchdown. According to the announcers, Florida was missing a ton of talent, yet they returned 22 starters. Very interesting when excuses are being made for Florida and not enough credit being given to the Vols.
One thing for sure. All potential recruits who watched this NATIONALLY aired game know what the score is.
cincykid writes:
Coach Kiffin, for the love of God will you please zip it, I mean just shut up and get ready for the Bobcats. Enough already about Florida and Coach Meyer and wanting another shot at Tebow - why don't you ask for another shot at UCLA while you are at it? You are like a teenage girl - always yapping....
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Another convert. We even have the UF fans singing Rocky Top. Welcome aboard, now go let your mommy teach you the words.
Volfan1 writes:
When I read Meyer's arrogant, pompous comments (whining) in the Jacksonville paper, it caught my attention. To Meyer, it was like the Vols just wanted to get the game over & not be scored on too much. What a jerk. Why couldn't your two deep defense stop the drive then Meyer?
And as far as the flu, they hardly had any massive attack on the team as it would seem. For that matter, Meyer said today that the TWO or THREE players who were sick were already ok and no other players are sick. Some flu. Just more whining. Can you imagine how he would cry if Tebow had the flu?
Way to go Kiffin!!!! Stand up for your guys!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say why did he allow everyone to hype it up.......so he could sink the state economy? Witch Doctor believe he really must hate gators too!!
Bones never lie
Vol_FAN_atic writes:
Shut UP! D*@k.
Go some where else and play. Why are you here posting on a site and badgering Vol fans about how we are beneath you?
It will be intersting to see if you are still here eating crow after we beat you next year and we finish with a 9 - 3 record this year. (same as your beloved Meyer in his first year)
listentothemusic writes:
I hearby nominate Lane Kiffin for the Oscar Meyer Weiner Award. I feel confident UT has the Head Weiner in college football.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say from this day forward that game be known as
"The Flu Bowl"
Bones never lie
VOL03_NC writes:
DONT FEED THE TROLLS...
They cant talk anythig good on their site so they come to ours. Just not wanted either way. Must be lonely :(
ROCKY TOP YOULL ALWAYS BE...
GO VOLS!!
kman29 writes:
Im sorry but I have lost all respect for Vol fans at this point. Repeat after me.....YOU LOST THE GAME!!!!!! FLORIDA WON!!!!!! I know this is very hard to understand. I expect Vol fans to be excited for the future, but the comments on here are truly pathetic. No longer does the Vol fan base even act like they are a premier program. Heck, not even S.Carolina fan would cheer this much for a loss.
My question is this, when your so called "young team", a team who started more upper classmen in their starting 22 than UF, goes into next year against a more veteran Gator team, while they are starting a true freshman QB, a whole new oline, a new secondary and defense.....are you still going to buy into the kiffin excuses of being too young and no depth?
Vol_FAN_atic writes:
By the way I have never been on your Gator site. EVER!!
Not a fan and have no reason to be on YOUR site. I suppose you are just trying to figure out when your term in "TOP of SEC Office" will be over.
For the record; You cant spell top of SEC with without "Rocky Top"
tnfletcher4#652889 writes:
Yep, W.D. you are correct. here is a link
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
the10sevol writes:
i like your line of thinking, had not considered it in those terms.
and i think uf has surpassed bama as our biggest rival. never would have guessed that would happen in my lifetime. other opinions welcome?
GBO
Volfan1 writes:
AMEN. We heard ad nauseum about the Tebow SEC TD rushing total. We heard little about stopping his passing streak. We heard nothing about Hughes. We heard little to nothing about scoring on the "mighty" gator defense, that had not given up a td all year (albeit UF's first two games were against two middle school teams). You would have thought, given our offensive limitations, a two-deep defense could have stopped our last drive.
Why? Tebow and the Gators are the network's hope for ratings.
Verne Lundquist has Urban's picture tatooed on his belly.
In fairness, Gary Danielson gave the Vols their due. He did a good job.
VOL03_NC writes:
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say from this day forward that game be known as
"The Flu Bowl"
GOOD STUFF! ILL SECOND THAT VOTE.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor tell gator friend to free mind of that pollution. Witch Doctor say world what we perceive it to be. Witch Doctor say secret to life is the constant changing of direction and adjustments to course. Witch Doctor say try different perspective. Witch Doctor say life really is what make of it.
Bones never lie
jmillran writes:
Yeah uh I don't what game YOU watched but in the one I saw when we tried to go for big plays, the ball was intercepted. Running the ball was our best chance. Go Vols!
usnavyvol writes:
There's always one in every bunch...TOOL
and yes...PLEASE GO..AWAY
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