Tennessee Stat Book
When coach Derek Dooley and his Tennessee football team got off the bus Saturday afternoon to begin the Vol Walk, they were overwhelmed by the warm embrace of the assembled fans.
“That thing was unbelievable,’’ Dooley said, “after what they’ve been through the last couple of years. Overwhelming.’’
The Vols then paraded down the street to Neyland Stadium and returned the favor in a big way.
The Dooley Era — that’s three eras in three years, if you’re keeping count — is off and running with a 50-0 romp over UT Martin before an announced crowd of 99,123.
The Skyhawks of the Ohio Valley Conference were predictably overwhelmed. They were, after all, UT’s first non-FBS opponent since 1983.
Still, it was difficult to find too many nits to pick with what the Vols got done on a gorgeous evening for college football.
“Before you can learn how to win a game, you’ve got to not screw it up,’’ Dooley said.
Mission accomplished.
UT outgained the Skyhawks 537 yards to 142. The first-down comparison was the real tell-tale marker — 23 to 3.
“I was really impressed with their defense,’’ said Skyhawks coach Jason Simpson. “They’re long, they’re athletic and they’re fast.’’
UT Martin never seriously threatened the end zone. When a 43-yard field-goal try missed in the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks were doomed to become Tennessee’s first shutout victim since Vanderbilt in 2003.
“They were struggling to block us,’’ Dooley said.
“I’ve been on the other side before, where you don’t have the manpower.’’
Next week UT faces all the manpower it can handle. Oregon, due for a 7 p.m. visit on ESPN, obliterated New Mexico 72-0 Saturday.
“This was a good solid win,’’ Dooley said. “We start playing big-boy football next week.’’
UT’s defense played big-boy football. It was so dominant it even scored the final nine points.
Austin Johnson, playing his first game at linebacker, recorded a safety by tackling a Skyhawk in the end zone to make it 43-0.
Prentiss Waggner then intercepted a Derek Carr pass and motored 54 yards untouched to hit an even 50.
The offense showed up, too.
Tauren Poole ran for two touchdowns. David Oku and receiver Denarius Moore scored on long runs.
Box Score
Matt Simms found Moore for a 42-yard TD strike.
Daniel Lincoln hit both field-goal tries, from 21 and 35 yards.
After a tentative first 28 minutes produced a modest 13-0 lead, the Vols suddenly blew out all the stops.
Oku’s 44-yard touchdown was the lone offensive highlight until the first half was nearly finished.
“We kind of hit a lull there and kind of lost our rhythm,’’ Dooley said of a second quarter that was reduced to an exchange of punts.
“But then we did a good job in the last three minutes of the half. The last three minutes of the half and the game are always important.’’
Poole exploded 24 yards with 1:44 on the first-half clock to make it 20-0 and give a restless crowd something to cheer.
The fireworks resumed early in the third quarter.
Moore lined up at receiver, but took a handoff on a sweep to his left. He burst free from a clot of would-be tacklers and found nothing but green grass as he cut to his right. He outran the Skyhawk pursuit to the end zone for a 58-yard score.
That made it 27-0.
Moments later Johnson made a diving interception at the Martin 42.
The Vols went for it all and got it, Simms finding Moore deep on first down for the score and a 34-0 lead.
Poole struck again, from 14 yards this time, and it was 41-0. Your turn, defense.
The running game piled up 332 yards on 43 attempts, a robust 7.7-yard average.
Poole had 110 yards and Oku 77.
True freshman Rajion Neal chipped in 79 yards late against a tiring UT Martin defense.
Neal’s 40-yard run to the Martin 12 in the closing minutes set up another scoring opportunity. Dooley, however, ordered quarterback Tyler Bray to take a knee and run out the clock.
Jones was the top receiver with six catches for 86 yards but left the game with a hand injury.
Simms, the junior-college transfer, was generally in command in his debut. He was 14-of-24 passing for 181 yards and no interceptions.
The only turnovers came from Jones, a fumble on a punt return in the first quarter, and an interception by freshman Tyler Bray.
In each case, the defense was up to the task of cleaning up any mess.
“It was a good start,’’ said Dooley.
It was also a good way to repay their fans for an emotional welcome.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 210
nepperso#220348 writes:
Whooooo!! I feel like eating duck this week!!! GBO!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
rajion neal's gonna be good.
GBO!
Shake_Bake writes:
We have some things to work on,...but all things considered a very good start! A win is a win, especially when you have a tough schedule like the Vols have this year.
We have to be patient, this is a young team, and they will make mistakes; it will take time to improve the overall team play.
EastTNvolfan writes:
2nd half was great, 1st half was a little rusty. A good confidence booster. I see now why Dooley has Simms as the starter. Bray will be great but has a bit of a learning curve to make to catch up to Simms. Let's get ready for Oregon and show everyone that the Vols are back!
baldingalum writes:
#40 dominated!
SIMSVOL writes:
Great opening game for a new era of Tennessee football. Got some big games and big challenges ahead this season - with Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, SC - and you can add Kentucky to that tough game list as well. Congrats VOLS and CDD!
OwensboroVol writes:
No need to celebrate. If we win next week then we can celebrate. UT Martin was clearly not in our league and done very well to keep it as close as it was. I get no thrill from beating an undermanned team 50-0. Beat Florida 50-0 and you'll be able to hear me yelling in Knoxville from Owensboro, Kentucky.
RaineyVol writes:
no chance next week!!
DennisVols writes:
Impressive 1st game. Had some kinks but most teams do that don’t have an all new OL, coach, coordinators, position coaches and QB.
I know it was UT-Martin but I also know it was Miami OHIO not FL they gave UF more than anyone thought possible, it was Jacksonville ST that beat Ole Miss not Jacksonville Jaguars.
Give UT some credit. Next week the real season begins but after tonight UT is still undefeated and still has a chance against OU next week.
Keeping it Real
GoVols!!!
RespectTradition writes:
does anyone know when/if the game will be re-aired?
Go Vols!
Digital5000 writes:
Couldn't have put it better
Looks like this week in Oregon they are going to have overcast and some very tall trees. Lets feed these granola eaters some biscuits and gravy this weekend.
-Enjoy Yourselves
LEXKYVOLS writes:
Yes, glad to see Bray play today - now I can stop saying - put Bray in, put Bray in. :)
ncvol17 writes:
a good win. we better bring a 12 gauge to the duck hunt next week...Simms needs to quickly learn to look off receivers in my humble opinion..
PennVol writes:
Defense has a lot of potential. Could keep us close in some big games this year. Ya never know what might happen. Go Vols!
oskie_score writes:
Congrats HC Derek Dooley, Staff, and players!
3 cheers for DCJW---what a defensive display. Really the fact that he has first hand knowledge of Oregon's offense...gives us an edge.
Offense, a work in progress, put forth a nice effort---550+ yds!
RB looks SOLID!
Hunter and D. Rogers blocked very well.
All-in-all it's a "W"!! I'll take it.
Again, congrats Tennessee Volunteers!!
oskie_score writes:
I believe ESPN has it.
DennisVols writes:
10PM Sports South Sunday
OwensboroVol writes:
One thing I failed to put in my post, Everyone who can be at Neyland next week needs to be there. For a PAC-10 team who has never played in Big Time College Football Neyland can be very intimidating. The more folks there yelling hate and discontent at the Oregon Players can really help the Big Orange. Oregon just has never seen anything like they are going to see next week.
DiegoVol writes:
Austin had a great game! Great move to LB by coaching staff!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Nice start to '10
From what I could see, the defense really did well. They got good pressure on the QB, and save a couple of long pass plays, really shut the passing game down.
These guys are a work in progress. I think they'll play the Ducks close next week.
Sims got better as the game went on. He threw a lot of high ones early on, possibly b/c of jitters, but got better...
All in all, proud of the team, and proud of CDD getting his first W in Knoxville! GBO
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Love your optimism.
LibertyVolance writes:
First of all, I want to thank all football fans for making this a positive first day of action. Coach Dooley and this fine new staff looked sharp, the team focused and played hard. Espn gameday announcer Pat Ryan did an excellent job of calling the game. It was fine, ahh, it was fine.
oskie_score writes:
Agreed! He is somethin' special to watch.
Tony made some good cuts too nice to see that leg holdin' up.
We're fortunate in that we have a SOLID corp of RB's.
WR too, I was impressed w/ the raw talent of Hunter and D. Rogers...nice dn field blocking,
nakamine writes:
Yeah...Oregon hasn't played in a big time stadium like The Rose Bowl before, have they? With that ignorant statement out of the way, good luck to our boys, and yes, make Neyland rock. They'll need all the help and luck they can get to beat a conference favorite. GBO
Stepchild_nFL writes:
Bring on Buffalo.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think we can all stop saying put Bray in now
oskie_score writes:
Another changed moniker...you don't fool anyone retread!
ncvol17 writes:
they say Autzen Stadium is one of the wildest in the nation, and by far the wildest in the Pac 10. I doubt they will be intimidated. We need Mr Humidity as our 12th man
196SVol writes:
Heck with that. Bring on WYOMING!!
alwaysVol writes:
you do know that they lost to Jacksonville state?
VolsToTheWall writes:
considering it was UT Martin, the only thing i feel confident in saying is Jacques Smith is a beast
nakamine writes:
We'll see. Bray has the kind of arm and size that could get him to the next level, but I'd assume whoever is hot will play, and that's the way it should be at this level.
FWBVol writes:
I hope you aren't saying the Ole Miss team that was beat by Jacksonville State today was as impressive as anyone you saw today. I didn't watch the game, but they gave up 40-something points to an Ohio Valley Conference team.
MNvolfan writes:
ummm...you know Ole Miss got beat by Jacksonville St today don't you? that pretty much discredits any comments you post about Simms performance...
ChuyitoDawg writes:
Congrats Vols. A win is a win regardless of the opponent you face, just ask Ole Miss. You've got your hands full next week with the Oregon boys, Good Luck.
nakamine writes:
Who is "retread"?
TnTravelerVol writes:
Did anybody else watch this on ppv. Those fellows were horrible calling the game. Couldn't get names right, didn't know what was going on. Man, it's like they picked those two off the street. I'll be at the game next week. Oregon will be a tough one. Go Vols
Volfan51 writes:
I am with you OwensboroVol and they will hear me from Central City,Ky. as well. Glad to see them get a win and some experience under their belt because they have a long season ahead of them.
VolsToTheWall writes:
guys guys guys, the only other game he watched was florida
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
thanks, Chuyito...
Pretty good start, just hope they can get even better as the season rolls on.
RandRams writes:
Nice win TENNESSEE!
Congrats to CDD, Staff, and players!!
Bring on the mighty Ducks! Ambushed the UNM Lobos 72-0...things WILL be a little different in Neyland boys!
nakamine writes:
I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure they used an F-crew since it was a non top 25 PPV.
DiegoVol writes:
Yea he had the jitters.. He was over throwing receivers pretty bad. He was throwing the ball way to hard. I'm pretty sure it was all nerves. He is young and will mature. I cant stand his release,I wish he would get his arm up. He defiantly has a cannon for a arm.
BigBadVol writes:
Hey Dawg classy post. Some of the trolls on here could learn a few things from you. Congrats to the Dawgs today.
BigOrangeFreak writes:
WVLT is re-airing the game tomorrow night (Sunday) at 7pm.
I might just watch it again.
GBO! Pluck them Ducks!
mdvol writes:
Can't win 'em all unless you win the first one!!!
We are going to surprise some damn people.
We will upset either Florida or Alabama.
TNVOLNTX writes:
It's a start...and not a bad one.
ncvol17 writes:
you do know that Pat Ryan was a UT QB in the 70's and a 13+yr NFL vet right? He used to do color for the Titans I believe. The announcer kept mixing up Oku and Poole though.
JenB (Inactive) writes:
Totally agree... This is a great start! GBO!!
SummittsCourt writes:
Keeping the competition in mind, 50-0 was a good beginning for the Dooley era. Defense played well, 2 great running backs, and aQB with a good arm should give Vol fans some hope of doing some good things this year. Considering that the UF only had 28 total yards 2 minutes into the fourth quarter & Ole Miss gave up a 21... pt lead in losing to Jacksonville St., I would say UT played some very good ball tonight. Go Vols!
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