Watching with Ward
Tennessee Stat Book
Quarterback C+
Tyler Bray showed more flashes of his great potential, but came with some costly mistakes this time. The freshman threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, but he also was sacked four times and threw three interceptions - including one in the second overtime that set the stage for North Carolina to steal a win.
Running backs C-
The Vols averaged less than 1 yard per attempt, another poor outing for a unit that failed late in the season to carry some of the load. Tauren Poole cleared the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his 40 yards on the ground, but neither he nor Rajion Neal were able to consistently find a way to move the chains. They also struggled to pick up blitzes.
Wide receivers B+
Five different targets turned in highlight-worthy grabs, including a couple of touchdowns for star freshmen Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers. Seniors Gerald Jones, Luke Stocker and Denarius Moore also closed out their careers with memorable catches.
Offensive line C-
Bray was consistently pressured and struggled with men in his face, with the young offensive line having a hard time keeping defenders away. The Vols didn't have much room to run, and even their end-around game that had been so successful struggled with poor blocking.
Defensive Line B -
Montori Hughes played like the player UT expected well before the season, providing a glimmer of hope heading into the offseason. Stopping the run, though, wasn't exactly sharp and it proved costly at the end.
Linebackers C
Nick Reveiz finished his career with a typical outing, flying all over the field and making a number of hits when other players couldn't. Daryl Vareen saw an abnormal amount of snaps, as Derek Dooley searched for someone who could make hits as consistently as Reveiz.
Secondary B-
Janzen Jackson, back from personal issues, was the best player on the field for UT's defense, but made a couple costly mistakes. The Vols largely held T.J. Yates in check, but couldn't keep the Tar Heels from flying down the field near the end.
Special teams D-
Daniel Lincoln will have a tough time getting over his missed extra point, which allowed the Tar Heels to kick a field goal to send it into overtime. Chad Cunningham missed a number of opportunities on punts to pin North Carolina deep.
Coaching C
Dooley couldn't do anything about the rule that went against him for the second time this year, but the UT coach might have something to say about it more in the future. The Vols became the poster boys for penalties in the closing seconds and the way substitutions should be handled by officials late in the game, but this time his unit wasn't to blame for having too many men on the field.
Overall C+
The Vols nearly received their karmic reward for the loss at LSU, but a trying season full of adversity will instead carry over into the offseason. There's little consolation now for the Vols, but the future looks bright for Dooley and his young roster. The record just won't show it.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 94
txsvol#372416 writes:
Jantzen Jackson the best player in the secondary? Hardly! The long touchdown in the first quarter was directly because he did not make an open field tackle, or at least, impede the player long enough for pursuit to catch up.(D) I will give credit for the athletic interception in the end zone(A+), but, leading with his helmet on the crunch-time NC drive tacked on 15 yards. (F-) Maybe he's the best athlete on the team, but from the neck up, he's a marginal player. Nonetheless, I hope that his family issues clear up, and I wish him better coaching/tackling technique next year. We should have won that game, and except for bone-headed plays, we would have! That's why it hurts so much. SAVol
kwvolsfan writes:
Tyler Bray needs to stop all the saluting, neck slashing, look at me B.S. These will all start drawing 15 yard flags next season. Especially with that horrible call in the K.S. game earlier.
Disappointed the Vols didn't win....future is bright and with a solid recuiting class (D. Linemen please apply within) we will be back on top in the SEC east.
kabulvol writes:
Janzen Jackson intercepted a pass in the end zone. Without that INT, its probably a TD for UNC. Get real, Janzen haters.
As for the penalty on him at the end - I was at the game and it looked fine. After getting home, I watched it and it looked bad. However, it wasn't really helmet to helmet and what was he supposed to do? Let the guy make the catch and then possibly juke him all the way to the end zone??
That Big 10 officiating crew was terrible. They made all kinds of weird announcements at the game. Horrible.
The 1 second thing and allowing UNC to basically commit a penalty and then still get to run another play is a flaw in the rule book that we were unfortunate to uncover. The call on Jackson, IMO, was huge. Looking at it at home, I don't see how you call that a penalty at that stage of the game.
Lots of holding calls against UNC that were never called.
And Bob Davie, as I watched part of the replay at home.... Dude, that wasn't a late hit @ the end of the game. How can I see the play one time and clearly see the UT player blocked into the UNC player and you see it multiple times and say definitively it was a late hit? You sir, are a jack apple.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I was going to write a huge rant on here and blast Dooley, blast Lincoln, and blast the idiot officiating, but I can't. These last four seasons have just been too much. It was always hard to be a Tennessee Vol fan, especially with CPF at the helm, but this is too much.
I just don't care anymore. I'm numb. Mediocrity seems to be the new norm for UT and it's scary how many fans just embrace it. I, for one, will not continue to accept it.
I love the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am a proud graduate. Prof. Dumas in the Linguistics Department and Prof. Daunt in UT Physics and Astronomy changed my life. Professor Folz wrote a letter of recommendation that helped me get into law school and I will forever be grateful to him. I donate to the UT arts and sciences department every year and love walking over the campus whenever I am in Knoxville.
However, I will no longer be rewarding Mike Hamilton with my money or attention. His decisions in waiting too long to fire CPF and then hiring Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley have embarrassed this program beyond measure. It is beyond comprehension that he has been able to retain his position. As long as I keep "supporting" Volunteer sports by buying caps and shirts and watching the games, nothing will change because I will be rewarding Mike Hamilton's bad decisions. I wish I could support Coach Summit, but any money or attention that goes to Summit just makes Mike Hamilton's bottom line look better.
I am boycotting UT sports until Mike Hamilton is no longer the AD, not because I am a fair-weather fan, but because hurting UT sports in the pocketbook is apparently the only way to get rid of Mike Hamilton.
And as this website is a UT sports forum, I will no longer post on here. I know most of you will try to "stick it out" during this rough patch and that's your decision, but I am tired of supporting a program that has all the resources, yet repeatedly fails.
I know some of you think I am a troll and not a "true fan" and all I can say to you is "F yourself" (and I mean that from the bottom of my heart). For those of you that have engaged me in intelligent argument, I say "good luck" and wish you the very best of a New Year.
tedstryker1980 writes:
Solid recruiting next year??? Our 2011 class is currently ranked 9th in the SEC, just ahead of Ole Miss, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. That rings a bell. Those are the only SEC teams we beat this year. Teams like Arkansas and Miss State are obviously on their way up. Sadly, I cannot honestly say I feel the same way about the UT program. The SEC is a jungle. I hope Dooley proves me wrong... but the way I see it the Dooley era will be one of 6-8 wins a year and losing records against our SEC rivals. We are probably stuck with CDD for five years... he has a tremendous buyout. I wish we had made Gus Malzahn an offer. Anyway good luck next year and GBO! Please prove me wrong Dooley!
Slystone writes:
Coaching C
Dooley couldn't do anything about the rule that went against him for the second time this year, but the UT coach might have something to say about it more in the future. The Vols became the poster boys for penalties in the closing seconds and the way substitutions should be handled by officials late in the game, but this time his unit wasn't to blame for having too many men on the field.
And this is all you have to say about the coaching. How about the last possession in regulation the Vols ran three straight run plays not even trying to get a 1st down. Giving the Heels the ball back with time still on the clock. Conservative azz play calling cost them this game. Play to win... always.
keepitreal4vols writes:
C- for running backs? Did I miss something?
TSCinSFO writes:
I agree with VolAlum and Slystone. I won't blame the refs. I don't think they care who wins and they could've called even more fouls on the Vols. As a life long Vols Fan I don't see Dooley ever getting us back to elite status. His recruiting and coaching is VERY weak. When your racking up penalties like we were, call a timeout and regroup your players. The 3 runs up the middle then kick to put your D in a prevent is playing to lose. Still couldn't run, return a punt, and worst of all the showboating that could've been called. I hope I never have to listen to Bob Davie call a game again. He sounded like he worked for UNC. I'll watch the Vols next year, but doubt I'll spend my money going to games on this team until Dooley proves he can beat a team that is better than us.
Vol_trapped_in_Florida writes:
Bob Davie was such a NC fan boy it made me sick...well not as sick as the Big 10 officials made me. I'm with you, TN got hosed with bad calls and that last "hit" by Jackson was BS. He knocked the ball loose and never hit him with his helmet, that was shoulder pads all the way.
allntl1#565211 writes:
We need Woody Hays back from the grave to Beat Tyler Bray senseless. First time in my life I have rooted for the other team because of the thug like mentality from the Vols. Bray wants highlights he will get them all day when they compare his no calls to the kid from Kansas State who made a simple salute after the touchdown. Dooley better get control of the punk mentality of this team before next year. We looked like Miami of old but unable to back it up.
volzrock54 writes:
This was a short rant?
latinvol writes:
What's up with all of the VOL-hating on here?!!!!!??!?!?!?! Last month everyone loved the bobble-head, and tyler bray was the second coming of "you-know-who." Now, it's the "thug-mentality," cocky, arrogant, undisciplined antics of a bunch of prima-donnas. Get a life. they are kids having fun.................. don't compare it to the K-state kid either(though, i think he should have NEVER been penalized). I'm not into all of the "hoo-rah, rah" after a touchdown, but all i saw in both games were kids having fun and celebrating after a touchdown....... let the kids play.
Oh, and by the way, the comment rippin' Bray for crying after his OT interception. What is that comment all about? everyone has been questioning his laid back character and the need for him to take some leadership. His crying shows me the he cares, and that he plays with real passion. i also saw several times during the game, while he was on the sideline firing the boys up. he is beginning to realize that next year the team is his, and he is going to have to lead by example, and with words. get behind him. he is going to do it.
on another note........ Yes. It was another extremely frustrating game to lose, and UNC benefitted from their own penalty. Gauranteed that rule changes soon.
as many have said, we lost the game to some of our poor, sloppy, and undisciplined play. when we play like that, we run the risk of having a referree's decision bite us in the biscuit at the end of the game.
aside from that, i felt like this game was a microcosm of the entire year--- great pass game; flashes of good defense, offense, coaching, heart, and dedication; AND no run game, poor pass-blocking, lack of discipline, poor play calling, freshman mistakes. this loss will taste bitter for a while, but it will light a fire under the players coming back, and some good lessons will be learned from the 2010 season.
GBO. the future is bright. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
CCLC writes:
You can say one thing for Derek Dooley now – he’s got more experience celebrating a phantom win than any other head coach in the country.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=haA7OL2bDD0&feature=player_embedded
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
B- for the Defensive Line? They didn't get a push at any time in the 4th quarter. Their QB had WAYYY too much time in the pocket.
While disappointed, I can't be a hater. We will improve and this loss may be the catalyst.
Go Vols!
slambob2#228938 writes:
I agree that Jantzen had a bad game - certainly not the best player on the field last night by a long shot.
But he's a very smart and very talented guy. I think the layoff where he couldn't practice hurt him badly. He's that great combination of smart and instictual and will be a huge NFL player. I hope he comes back next year.
madisonvillevol writes:
i'd say ut will go on without your money or your attention....don't think you will be missed nearly as much as you think.
west_tn_volfan writes:
God forbid these players should have fun! In the seventies, we could do darn near anything after a score and there was never a flag for celebration. Now people are so afraid someone might get his feelings hurt, that players have to act like robots. I have an idea,lets just not keep score anymore and give everyone a participation trophy after every game. As for you, any person who claims to be a Vol fan and cheers for the other team, is a jerk and shouldn't even be on a UT message board. Go find a team to cheer for where the players don't celebrate! Ought to be some boring football.
boogimn3 writes:
latinvol...agree all the way...I was around when UT won the NC in 1951, so I've seen more than I want to admit...
When Dooley came to UT most agreed he needed 3 years to turn the Fulmer mess around...
What I see now is a QB who has an absolutely electifying long ball, which I have missed greatly...Some receivers I am excited about, a young bunch of guys who want to win in the worst way...and, yes, a need for better
talent...
We will lose more games than we want to next year, and some coaching changes will almost surely happen through opportunity and necessity, but we're on the right track, as I see it, so relax and start venting on the basketball team- they need a few good kicks in the as*s...
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Vols threw the ball WAY too much!!!Draughn,who I believe is UNC's 3rd string RB made Poole look below average at best.It seems to me somewhere in that barrage of passing Chaney could have found 4 running options for big gains..Considering UNC spent most of the game teeing off on Bray;A good OC would have found something to exploit that pass rush..On a 2nd and 3 yards we were passing????UNHEARD of in UT football history..Goes back to the old rule::The team that runs for more than 100 yards usually wins the game!!
ridge_runner16#368042 writes:
Has I have posted numerous times, UT will not be able to compete until we get an O. Coordinator. We need to get rid of Kiffens left over trash. Why did Poole only touch the ball 11 times, He averaged 3.4 yards a carry and you do that 3 times in a row it's a first down. But he only touches the ball 11 times and where was he a the end of the game, they didnt even play him then all of a sudden he shows up in the OT. The run game looks horrible because all the end araounds which we ran about 5 times for negative yardage each time. We ran the end around so much we even ran play action pass off an end around one time. If UT is to compete in the SEC then we have to be balanced and be able to run the ball. Our Offensive Coordinator knows nothing about the run and why do you think Kiffen didn't take him to USC when he left. This is the time to get rid of him, untill then there we be lots of games just like this one...high Octane passing with meaningless results at the end.
Mtnbiker writes:
Dude your an Idiot. Have a great Life, go cheer for UNC next year.
ridge_runner16#368042 writes:
I agre that the kids should be able to celebrate some...so what if they salute the crowd, just so long the celebration does not delay the game. College football is losing its luster with all the stupid rules, many games are being decided by officials judgement calls now instead of the players. NCAA needs to wake up and fix their rules.
CCLC writes:
Are you sure 3.4 ypc???? Tennessee had 27 total yards rushing???
jobrando#216494 writes:
Your grades are way to kind for the defense. The coaches failed the reality check for next year and 2011 could be as bad as this one. If it is I hope Hamilton is first to go and Peyton comes back to straighten this mess out. This is the worst year I can remember in the last 50 years we have been without a running game. It's like the line was just coached for pass protection and that was not good last night. I'm no coach but I assume the problem starts with the OC then the running backs coach and line coach. The only thing that can save Dooley
through another year is a top 10-15 recruiting class with some solid big men . A solid pick for DC after Wilcox resigns this weekend and an improved 7-5 season. Worley I hope can bring some maturity to the QB position that will bleed off on the other players. Like most I think Bray must gain weight and maturity to survive. Look for Worley to be on his heels.
OldVols68 writes:
They have also become poster boys for the team least likely to make a first down on 3rd and 1 or 2 yards. Quite a change from the heyday of Fulmer's better teams.
But after all is said and done we MIGHT have won the game if Lincoln kicks that extra point. Obviously UNC could have still scored a TD if the score had gone to 21-17 and made the extra point a "mute point"!!!!!
Vol_trapped_in_Florida writes:
From the NCAA rulebook found online: http://www.ncaapublications.com/produ...
Initiating Contact/Targeting an Opponent—
ARTICLE 3
Approved Ruling 9-1-3
II. Receiver A83 has just leaped and received a forward pass. As A83 is about to regain his balance, B45 launches and drives into A83 above the shoulder area with his helmet or shoulder.
RULING: Foul by B45 for targeting and initiating contact with a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. Ejection for a flagrant foul.
There was no foul. This doesn't even mention the obvious visible proof receiver never kept possession of the ball.
KFDLaw writes:
I would be lying if I said I have not thought about doing the same thing you have done. It is frustrating to show up in Knoxville on Saturdays with so much hope and witness the same old problems surface week after week. In baseball you get three strikes and you are out, but Mike Hamilton seems to receive a pass on all his strikes. I am disturbed about his apparent immunity.
SavTnVol writes:
Think about this for just one minute. Back in the 70's the celebrating was a team celebration. The first memories of UT football I have is the piling on, by the whole offense, of the person that had scored the TD. Now, it more of a "look at me" type celebration where the one scoring the TD wants to be singled out. It starts at the recruiting stage with a lot of these idiots. Just watch the high school all American games. If these idiots didn't want to be singled out, then why do they wait and do the "Big Show" on TV announcing where they are attending college? They are sttention getting, spoiled, selfish POS's that end up not doing any good for the team so they can grab all the attention to themselfs. This is what is wrong with college sports. It's turning into a ME effort instead of a TEAM effort..Who was it? Wasn't it Billy "Whiteshoes" Johnson that started all this "look at me" phooey with that end zone dance?
volbald writes:
Bray was better than a C despite all of his juvenile attention-grabbing hand antics. Considering the lack of a running game and O line inexperience against a really good defense, Bray played well. He shouldn't have had to be in overtime. This team has had to pass to win - and did - but didn't get any help from its place kicker. And DD's decision to "run in place" for the last series instead of trying for a first down to run out the clock was PeeWee League level. We'll see next year if DD's late game decisions improve. J. Jackson was either in the wrong place most of the game or DC Wilcox can't coach - so which was it? In retrospect, Wilcox's defense has impressed opposing teams this year about as much as M. Kiffin's defense impressed opposing team's last year. And I don't think "lack of talent" is a viable excuse.
asleep#212036 writes:
Recruiting rankings mean nothing, especially at this point, and Gus Malzahn? He has less college coaching experience than Dooley and we don't happen to have a Cam Newton on our team. Don't know how Dooley will do but playing against an experienced team, with an experienced coach, we looked young and played young. It happens. Our lack of experienced talent compared to other SEC teams is staggering and this season at least, overwhelming. I am making no decision about Dooley at this time because his hands are tied too tight right now. If we are still struggling in low-level bowl games in two years, then I would agree with you (and others) that maybe he got in over his head. Go Vols!!!
volbald writes:
With Malzahn but without Cam Newton, Auburn would have been 7-5 or 6-6 this past season. DD has made some dissappointing game decisions but we can see next year if he's learned anything.
Huttdawg100 writes:
He's a freshman. He was in high school just a few months ago. This is his first bowl game as a starter. When I was a freshman at UT, I was insane. At least he's not robbing convience stores or selling his jersey. Let's give the kid a chance to grow up before we throw him under the bus.
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
Maybe you and Candy can some day rise to average
kd45music writes:
Well, bye then.
superblueyonder writes:
Spot on! Late hits, taunting, dancing, title belts moves, throat slashing, etc. Another team full of classless thugs. Act like you have scored before! Tyler Bray acted like a middle schooler. I lost all respect for him when he was facing the NC bench and making the throat slashing move after we tied NC. Hope CDD can reign some of these thugs in and teach them all some class before next year. Watch the offseason. You will be reading about arrests, fights, DUI's and other problems from this team
bobbarbilly writes:
A "true fan" does not cut and run when adversity rears it's head.
Please, please reconsider. Our country has too many unemployed people now for you to cause that number to spike by closing down the UT athletic department due to the loss of your contributions.
So bye...watch the backswing of that big orange door on your way out.
Huttdawg100 writes:
I actually thought Davie helped us out last night:
He really talked up Bray, and the comparison's to Peyton Manning would only catch a recruits eyes. He also talked up the freshmen: Hunter, Rogers, the o-line.
Also, our lack of a running game has going to get some running backs interested. We were the only game on TV, and guys like Mike Bellamy were probably noticing our need for a play maker out of the backfield.
I think I'm reaching for a positive spin to come out of this debacle... I need some alcohol.
james#216392 writes:
I agree that Dooley has no control of his players. His players make stupid plays, show off and he doesn't crrect it. Jackson didn't practice for two weeks. He shouldn't have played. But because he is one of our best players, we let him play. I hate that he has personal problems at home but you miss practice, you sit. It sounds like Sparky Anderson of the big Red machine saying His stars had one set of rules and his turds had another set. (His words, not mine)
geraldodell#1377039 writes:
I can only say amen to what you said about Jackson. Best player on the field for our defense? Someone must have seen things from a different perspective that I did. I thought (except for the interception) that Janzen stunk the place up with missed tackles and bonehead leading with the helmet play which proved to be a major penalty which aided UNC in a big play. Good players don't make those kinds of mistakes.
When all is said and done I place the blame on Lincoln. His low trajectory kicks finally caught up with him and it cost us the ball game.
Huttdawg100 writes:
Honestly, QB's proved to be the difference in the game. On one hand, you got a senior QB for UNC: his highs weren't too high, and his lows weren't too low. He was able to get his team into position to win at the end of the game. Bray made a freshman mistake late and it cost us the win in OT. He'll grow up, and those mistakes that lead to losses will become big plays that lead to victories.
vol88 writes:
Fairweather fans suck, sir. STAY GONE!
manx writes:
What was painfully obvious after watching my first VOLS game in many years is; The entire state of TN needs to go on a diet.
vol88 writes:
We must have spanked your team a bunch for you to hate us bad enough to be trolling on our site at 6:27 a.m.
VolInSabanLand writes:
As a lifelong Vols fan and one involved in high school sports, (the players of which are so influenced by the college and pro guys), I whole-heartedly confer in your assessment of Bray's antics. I lost a great deal of respect for him last night. I guess the concept of playing with dignity is truly dead as we see this phooey all over the place these days. I think the boy has great potential, but he needs to GROW UP, 9as do almost all players today).
rdrgtr writes:
Does your mommy know you are on the computer?
allntl1#565211 writes:
You have a messed up view of celebrating. How about the players run to the other teams sideline and give the bench the finger. That would not be as bad as looking at the other team and signal I just slashed your throat, save that phooey for gang banging time. I am a fan and that is why I am bothered by the embarassment on the University. You can get off the site and go back to watching WWF.
Tau_of_Tennessee writes:
Didn't you just contradict yourself..."I am boycotting UT sports until Mike Hamilton is no longer the AD, not because I am a fair-weather fan,"....If we would have gone 13-0 you would have been fine. Your decision is based on win-loses, therefore you ARE a fair weather fan. Please disclose your law firm bc I want to avoid it.
will_austin writes:
Daniel Lincoln = the worst kicker in Tennessee history. Enjoy your car wash job next year...
He has lost us SO many games.
beachvol writes:
Wow, I can't believe some of the comments today. Yes, we lost a bowl game last night that we could have won, but at least it wasn't like some of the beatdowns we have received in recent bowl games. Given our extreme reliance on youth, especially on the critical OL and DL, I thought we made a good showing (though I am not a fan of showboat moves). The tv guys mentioned how we played 16 true freshmen this year, but the more significant point is that we played those guys A LOT. We were every bit as good as UNC last night. I realize they aren't a powerhouse team, but they have talent and we came as close to beating them as you can without actually doing so. I think our overall performance was encouraging to potential recruits.
Janzen made a great play to save a sure touchdown, and a couple of bonehead plays as well. There is no doubt he "launched" himself to try to knock the ball out of the players hands, but he did not lead with his helmet nor did he hit the receiver above the shoulder area. I don't think his hit met the letter of the rule for a foul. What I don't understand, however, is how that guy was so open on a deep throw when we were in prevent.
I thought our defense played pretty well, especially in the second half up till the last drive. I would like to have seen Dooley be more creative on the runs in our last possession, but it was CRITICAL at that point to take time off the clock. One incompletion would have given UNC about 40 more seconds, which is a long time. I think Dooley has us on the right track, and given time for the young linemen to beef up, we should be competing with the top of the league in a couple of years.
martintnvol writes:
I really like how this idiot says he is a fan and then proves he is not. I served in the army for 21 yrs and his type was always trouble. A little self centered and self serving, and has a way bigger opinion or himself than anyone else.
In the end those types are cowards that are only around for the good times, HE IS GOING TO MISS OUT NEXT YEAR BUT WILL NOT BE MISSED. GBO
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