The voice of Tennessee football is first-year coach Lane Kiffin, who is not at a loss for words even after a loss.
The star is Eric Berry, who, after three games, is on pace for back-to-back All-American seasons.
But if you had to put a face on this new era of UT football, Montario Hardesty’s would be appropriate.
UT has had bigger, faster and more elusive running backs. Yet it never has had a running back compete harder than Hardesty.
And isn’t that what UT football is supposed to be about?
In the fifth season of a career marred by injuries — both major and minor — Hardesty has emerged as more than the driving force behind a struggling offense. He has become a role model for a new coaching staff, which demands energy and effort above all else.
Kiffin and his staff no longer have to explain their expectations to a new player. All they need is a Hardesty video.
Every one of his 20 runs in Saturday’s loss to Florida had an almost-desperate quality to it, as though a championship was hanging in the balance.
That wasn’t a revelation. It was what we saw throughout preseason camp, even while freshman running backs were capturing much of our attention.
Hardesty had a new look about him as well. He didn’t look like a running back whose career was sabotaged by an ACL injury, as Hardesty’s was as a freshman. He looked more like a former high school sprinter who could cover 100 meters in 10.3 seconds, as Hardesty did in New Bern, N.C.
The preseason wasn’t an aberration. It was a preview.
After three games, Hardesty is already closing in on a career year. The same player who had never gained more than 384 yards in a season has 348.
The yards gained don’t do justice to his success story. You have to see the tape. You have to watch him attack opponents as though he is a linebacker who just happens to have a football under his arm.
You saw his relentless running against Florida when he gained 96 yards on 20 carries. And he gained most of that against an eight-man front, which had to pay no more than token respect to UT’s whisper’s worth of a passing game.
UT football has been blessed with numerous exceptional running backs. None of them expended more effort play after play than Hardesty did in The Swamp against one of the nation’s most formidable defenses.
You don’t gain 96 yards against that defense on effort alone.
Hardesty looks faster than at any other time in his college career. He also seemingly hits the hole quicker and cuts with more authority. In fact, he looks like an NFL running back.
Hopefully, he can get there in one piece while running without a complementary passing attack and behind an offensive line that is already painfully thin due to injuries.
No matter where Hardesty goes next, he will leave something behind if he plays the rest of the season as he has the first three games. His highlight video should become required viewing for UT’s next freshman class.
Kiffin can preface it with a simple: “Here’s what we expect.”
Hardesty can take it from there.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 58
ethanfrome writes:
Good article John.
BillsBrother writes:
**Randy Sanders, David Cutcliff, Dave Clawsen
allntl1#565211 writes:
Adams you got it right for once.
Hardesty owes alot to hard work and this incredible coaching staff for making him a possible NFL prospect and in less than a year.
What will Bryce and Oku be like after 4 years.
Hope Wyche makes it 4 more years so urbie is around for these men to run up big yards on him.
BillsBrother writes:
I think young Mr Hardesty and young Mr Crompton would have enjoyed & benefitted from four years of the Kiffin demoninator.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Hardesty is a BEAST!
TampaVol81 writes:
Don't forget to give the O line their credit...
SignalMtnVol writes:
We saw flashes of this his entire career. Unfortunately, due to injuries and the old regime's love affair with Arian Foster, flashes are all we saw. Hardesty has the potential to be an early 2nd round pick solely on the effort he has displayed this year. If he finishes the season out like he has started, there is no doubt he is an early 2nd / late 1st round pick. Stay Healthy and run HARD, Hardesty!
1manningfan writes:
That gave me chill bumps. Hardesty is the man! I had a buddy call me from Fl after the game who is actually a Hurricane fan and he was like, who in the hell is running back number 2. I just Hardesty, but explained to him he is finally healthy and that he was caught with the injury bug until now. Keep it up Hardesty you deserve everything to this point, you have represented the Vols jersey well. Go Vols!!!
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Put in Nick Stepehens and you will see drives extended and the Stable of UT score Touchdowns.
UT may have the best 4 RB in the country
GahLee writes:
Eric is still the face of the program.
doubledown writes:
I think without Lane Kiffin and the other offense coaches, plus a new upstart back coming in like Bryce Brown, Hardesty had all the reasons necessary to have a great 2009 and a probable in the spring NFL draft.
Joevolsxtra writes:
I'll agree with you there!
smokeyvol writes:
He has always had it. He is just now healthy and hungry.
crimsonviper writes:
M.Hardesty is an absolute thrill to watch.He runs every play like the season is on the line.
While I am giving credit where it is due,John Adams,great story.Thanks
utrxlax writes:
Randy and Dave for sure, but if Cutcliff hadn't left for Duke, Fulmer would still be here and a good chance our starting QB is Terrell Pryor.
Only negative thing Cutcliffe did do to UT is leave for one of the worst head coaching positions in college football.
Madkels writes:
Agree with everyone's take on this being Adam's best.
As for Mr. Hardesty, his determination is great. He runs with the focus Travis Henry had on that final drive against Arkansas in 1998.
Laydbakvol writes:
Nice article, Mr. Adams. Even if you did mention Florida three times (I'm counting "the swamp" as one) there wasn't a single mention of you know who. See, that wasn't so hard.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
My first clear memory of Hardesty was when he ran over about five or six California Bears on the way to the end zone when they played here four years ago. I thought then that he was one of the toughest RBs UT had ever had. I'm glad for both him and the team that he seems to be in the best shape of his life and showing what many of us thought he could have done all along if he hadn't been injured so much. Pound the rock, big guy! All the way to the NFL! You deserve it!
thevoice writes:
Looks like John A. finally had a sip of that Orange Koolaid. It tastes pretty good huh John?
Laydbakvol writes:
PS. Has anyone seen a good photo of "the collision"? Not the youtube video, but a good quality picture that can be used for desktop background.
tractoronthepole writes:
Who was the ghost writer for John on this one?
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
Hardesty is not a "horse" in the Tennessee stable of running backs....M. Hardesty is a BEAST!! He has NFL written all over him
pammyvol1000 writes:
Hardesty is de Man!!
utfutbolfan writes:
Yep, that's right!
the10sevol writes:
good article on a fine Vol. thanks, ja.
i still think it's eb's face that's in other teams' minds, since he's in their faces all day. their view of mh is more of the back of his jersey as he blows by and through them. at least from that angle, they can read his name on his jersey.
GBO
Huttdawg100 writes:
Well said... I've been watching Hardesty, and I see NFL talent all over him. Imagine this guy in the same backfield as Peyton Manning.
movol77 writes:
"Hardesty looks faster than at any other time in his college career. He also seemingly hits the hole quicker and cuts with more authority. In fact, he looks like an NFL running back."
A couple of times this season I have found myself thinking that if Hardesty stays healthy, he's gonna be a great RB catch in the next draft!
RunningWithTheVols writes:
Always have loved Hardesty's ability. Kiffin is teaching the team the difference between being "playing hurt" and being "playing injured".
The Gator D will say Hardesty was the toughest back they faced all year.
GoVols22 writes:
I hope this hard work gets Montario drafted
WytheVol writes:
I remember that game as well, as my first memory of Hardesty and expected to see a lot of him over the last couple of years. Until now, I thought that might have been the abbaration... He has shown this year that he intends to carry our offense, particularly against Florida. He will win us some close games down the stretch if he can remain healthy.
utclassof1992 writes:
My first memory of Hardesty was when he had #34 on his back and he shredded the Ole Miss D for a long gainer. He hit the hole like lightning, but got hurt. If that doesnt happen, he is the starter for 4 years and Foster sits or plays fullback. Until this year, he hasn't looked like that same back. That knee must have really bothered him, because he is 2 steps faster and looks more like that #34 that made me stand up when he touched the ball.
bull4vols writes:
His highlight video should become required viewing for UT’s next freshman class.
Kiffin can preface it with a simple: “Here’s what we expect.”
From now untill the end of the Kiffin coaching era all freshmen will be required to play like hardesty.
SouthALVol writes:
I liked watching Hardesty look for people to hit at the ends of his runs Saturday. I especially liked it when he made it a point to hit that UF guy in the end zone on his touchdown run. I have to give credit to my Mom who tapped Hardesty as a tough runner when he was a freshman.
BigVolFaninSC writes:
I agree with you! It seems that LK has won over the most negative person at the NS! It's also good to see what Hardesty can do now that he is completely healthy! I hope he stays healthy all year and parlays a good Senior season into a good spot in next year's draft! He's had enough to overcome so far and hopefully the pendulum will swing the other way! Go Vols!!
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
Thanks CatScratch.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
He is all Vol and a leader. Let him know before, during and after all games. Thanks. It's not easy nFL.
steelersman42 writes:
I've been scouring the entire Internet for it for days now. haven't been able to find a single one.
xvolx writes:
Hardesty has given 110 percent. Great job.
VolJoe writes:
Hopefully my nephew will be the next UT player from New Bern in about 18 years. I was born there, and am a UT student with all of my eligibility remaining, but unfortunately I have small hands (like a carnie).
MidTennVol writes:
Nobody has earned his carries more than Montario. Nobody deserves it more. Great to see him finally get his chance to shine. The guy is a bull.
volsfan4ever writes:
I'm so glad Hardesty is finally healthy and getting his shot to play.note to arian foster,this is what a real running back looks like..Barring injury I foresee him getting 1,000 plus this year easy...He deserves everything he gets..GO MONTARIO,YOUR THE MAN!!!!!
CRFVols writes:
I agree with the statements about Hardesty's performance this year....he's been a beast, but that's a pretty bold statement about him in the swamp considering T Stephens performance in 2001.
But I can't wait to see what else #2 can do this year...I pray he stays healthy.
PennVol writes:
Hardesty is solid and a good role model for Bryce Brown.
gnm53108 writes:
Agree.
John...are you feeling ok?
ETNTigerFan writes:
I agree. He's certainly the face of the UT offense. He was really running hard last Saturday. I'm happy for him that he got over the injury bug for his senior season.
jakethevolguy writes:
Nice piece, Cat. Thanks for the link.
lctaylor#266399 writes:
I have been saying for 4 years that Hardesty was a better back than Foster. The old regime always seemed to plays favorites rather than talent.
What about early in the Florida game when a big hole opened up for Montario and there stood Spikes in the middle of the hole. Hardesty absolutely destroyed Spikes, left him on his arse grasping at air, while Hardesty picked up another 6 yards. I thought that was the best hit of the game. Better that the Jazen Jackson hit and better than Berry's hit on Tebow. Unfortunately, NOONE is talking about our 5th year senior Beast of a running back destroying Florida's big mouthed Linebacker. After that play, we heard pretty much nothing out of Spikes the rest of the game. Hardesty - 1, Spikes - 0
dvol writes:
I read all these posts about N.S. Do any of you remember why J.C. started the last two games last year? Well I do N.S. played so poorly that the coaching staff had to go back to J.C
G8er_H8er writes:
Nice article on a deserving VOL. Good work John
DenverVol writes:
Nice article Adams. MH is currently the #2 RB in the SEC. Sure would like to see him take over the #1 spot this weekend and stay there for the rest of the season. GO VOLS!
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