View Full Version : Walk On: Ardent leads the Vols
OK, guys, here is what I'll be doing:
Historical backdrop:
For years the Tennessee Volunteers have been very successful. In fact, over the past four years, they've gone undefeated in the regular season, but have never won a national championship.
This success has naturally led to great recruiting, year in and out. Top 100 and Top 10 players throughout the nation want to play for Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer. It's not uncommon for the Vols to have 4 or 5 players of the top 10 in their recruiting class.
Unfortunately, the 2006 offseason leaves the Vols in a very awkward condition.
Tennessee normally carries four scholarship quarterbacks in a season, generally recruiting one of the best in the nation each year. During the 2006 season, however, a quarterback wasn't recruited as all four quarterbacks on the team were due to return.
It's sad it didn't work out that way.
Quarterback Colin Coleman decided to take his chance on the NFL draft, and we can only wish him well. Coach Fulmer may wish something else for him, however.
Frank Beyer decided during the off season it might be a good idea to steal from the book store. Unfortunately, it will cost him a year, as the Syndicate has suspended him for his action.
Malcolm Rivers decided to transfer, since he was going to be the third string quarterback this year; his decision was made, unfortunately, before Coleman or Beyer made their own decisions.
Fourth stringer, redshirt freshman, Chris Brewer was ready to step into the action and claim the starting role, but tore his ACL in spring camp. Coach Fulmer may have been a little rough on the young man.
That leaves us with young Ardent.
Ardent came to UT without hope of playing. He never once thought he'd take a snap at Neyland Stadium...the most he hoped for was to run through the "T" at the beginning of a game.
Ardent, a fifth string walk on senior from Bonne Terre, MO, has emerged as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers this season.
This is his story.
For the technical issues:
This is inspired by a youth football book I believe by Thomas J. Dygard, called "Fourth String", I think. The story is about a kid named Denny Westbrook, who's called into action quickly after injuries and a suspension have been issued. It's a one game thing for Denny, and the book tells about the week up to the game as well as the game itself. I'll be doing this for the whole season.
I'll be using TCY for this dynasty, and have simmed to the 2007 season. During this time, I recruited heavily it talent everywhere except QB. This allowed me to set up the QB who fictionally went into the draft early, as well as the suspension, transfer, and injury of the other three.
Walk ons are all that remain at that position now.
For simplicity sake, I won't be posting his numbers or any numbers, really. Maybe key game type numbers. I'll post the starters, and maybe the top backup at each position as well.
The season has not been simmed yet, and I don't have any intention of setting up a season where Ardent leads the Vols to a National Championship. If Ardent falls on his face, then so be it.
As for Ardent, he's definitely a walk on. I'm not renaming a player I recruited...I'm taking the spot of a walk on QB on the team.
Here's to handing off, I hope a lot.
illinifan999
01-06-2004, 04:49 PM
OMG NO WAY!? I read that same book. One of the better books I read when I was younger. I can't remember what the title was, but I think it was something like "Walk-on Quarterback" but damn. Weird....i'll be reading.
The Afoci
01-06-2004, 05:36 PM
I hope this goes as well as your DIII Hattrick season. :D
Yes i read that book too... it was Walk-On Quarterback. But good luck with the dynasty before it turns into a book club:D
illinifan999
01-06-2004, 06:33 PM
I loved that book.
I loved the book as well. Denny Westbrook is my hero. Mind you, I read this book over 10 years ago. :)
illinifan999
01-06-2004, 06:48 PM
I read it I think 3 or 4 years ago. I remember when kerillini and I went to a Bucks game, and it was night and my mom was driving us home we wanted the lights to be on so we could read the rest of it. :D
"Ardent Fever"
I plan on buying the book sometime, somewhere in the future.
I already own the first football coaching manual I ever picked up. :)
"Coaching the Blockbuster Defense" by Paul S. Hatem, published I believe in 1968.
They don't make 'em like they used to.
Desnudo
01-06-2004, 07:31 PM
How many other walk-ons tore their ACLs before Ardent finally got the call? :D
Originally posted by Desnudo
How many other walk-ons tore their ACLs before Ardent finally got the call? :D
Ardent did have to fend off a number of incoming walk on freshmen that dreamed the dream.
He won the job quite handily from those kids.
Makes you wonder what the backup situation is like at UT. :rolleyes:
Summer, 2007
It's amazing how things can change in just a year, Last year at this time I was a redshirt junior; a walk on who's claim to fame was that he was captain of the offensive scrub team. I wasn't on anyone's depth chart. No reporters or fans asked about me. In fact, you would have had to be a die hard Vols fan to even know I existed. I wasn't even listed under the alpha or numerical rosters.
In case you're wondering, I wore #15.
Actually, I was the "fourth string" quarterback, but depth charts never go that deep. Fourth string players hate the old saying, "Three deep depth chart". Not that UT even used three quarterbacks on the season. That's why Malcolm Rivers transferred.
I did some checking on teams throughout the country. Only five teams in Division I football used four quarterbacks. UT hadn't used four in a season since Casey Clausen was a freshman.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not in this for the glory. I don't fancy myself as a bonafide college quarterback. I never thought I'd lead UT onto the field at Neyland. I didn't come to UT for that. I came for the experience and to watch and learn from what I believe is the best college coaching staff around.
I've only got an average arm for a high school quarterback, and I fielded exactly 0 offers from schools of any sort. I'm not even all that fast. I'm just honestly not that great of a football player. I'm ok with that; I'm here because I eventually want to coach.
It's unbelievable how things change.
Even during spring football, Coach Fulmer was busy trying to come up with something. It was obvious he had faith in Chris Brewer, but that was about all.
I was leading the second team offense, and that had never happened before in my life. I actually had the worst weeks of my life this spring, mainly because I was trying to get used to the speed of the second team offense. I was used to the speed of non scholarship scrubs, and I got comfortable with that speed.
Coach Fulmer was upset and really got onto me to pick it up. He even tried using sophomore Keith Grier at quarterback. Keith came from an option high school, and Coach Fulmer turned him into a receiver. Keith played in every game of the 2006 season, but failed to make a reception. Keith looked just a tad worse than me at QB, and was promptly returned to wide receiver.
Things got even worse when Brewer went down.
By that time I had adjusted accordingly to the speed of our team. Fumbling was not an issue; but passing still was. Let's just say I won't make fun of Steve Grogan and his Tecmo Super Bowl passing anymore. My passing isn't much prettier.
Coach Fulmer was so upset he cancelled the Orange and White spring game.
I continued to work through the spring and into the summer on my passing. Coach had me go to any camp that would take me to help me out. I began throwing often with Terry Castleberry, Steven Everett, and Dennis Harrison our incoming starting receivers. The trio had combined for 65 catches in 2006.
Word began spreading as soon as Brewer was injured that it appeared I would be the quarterback for the Vols in 2007. Media coverage was constant, and now I'm the talk of east Tennessee. I can't go to many places around here without someone wanting to pat me on the back or shake my hand. For the first time, I've even signed autographs.
Summer camp was definitely interesting. It was obvious I had improved quite a bit over the summer, but I still wouldn't be considered a prospect by any D-I school. Ten freshmen tried out to be quarterbacks for the Vols this summer. We even had a guy come out who had played some college football a few years ago, and he was good. Unfortunately, UT found out all his eligibility had been used, and he had to go. Coach Fulmer eventually kept four of the walk ons, and even turned two others into receivers.
Coach Fulmer began stressing the running game early. Fortunately for all of us, J.B. Brewster decided to return to UT rather than turn pro. Brewster, in case you've fallen off the face of the earth, has won the Heisman trophy the past two years and ran for 2,200 yards and 25 TDs. Some feel that given our talent, we should turn to a more run oriented offense, such as the Power I. Coach Fulmer, however, will live and die with the I formation and that has always been his bread and butter.
The Sporting News, in their annual football preview, said that UT will only go as far as the legs of Brewster will carry them. Athlon didn't even rank us in the Top 25. Instead, we were rated #47. Coach Fulmer often let us know that the outside world didn't think the 2007 UT Vols team stood much of a chance.
So, here I am. Just a week away from my first college football game, and I'm a redshirt walk on senior. I'm nervous as can be.
The 2007 season schedule for the UT Vols:
Week Opponent
1 CALIFORNIA
2 at (22) Syracuse
4 NORTHWESTERN
$$6 at Mississippi State
$$7 at Kentucky
$$8 (13) FLORIDA
$$9 MISSISSIPPI
$$10 VANDERBILT
$$11 at (10) Alabama
$$12 at (9) Georgia
$$13 (35) SOUTH CAROLINA
Home Games in ALL CAPS
$$-Conference Games
Peregrine
01-06-2004, 11:13 PM
Great idea for a dynasty Ardent! As a Vols fan I can only imagine the trouble this would cause if even half this stuff happened in real life!
I often smirk about it, too.
It's a dream come true for one young man, his friends, his family, and SEC opponents.
It's a nightmare for anyone else associated with UT football.
I've actually been mistaken for being on the sideline in 1994. Most of my old high school friends thought I went to UT. I had intended to; I even received a letter from Fulmer saying I could be an equipment manager (through Mike Rollo's approval, I believe) if I attended. However, my financial backing fell through, and I didn't go.
One guy was convinced that he saw me in uniform on the sideline during a game and news spread among my old friends and teammates I was on the UT football team.
Imagine my surprise when I went home for Christmas that year.
Coffee Warlord
01-06-2004, 11:44 PM
Wheeeeeee!
Step 1: Talk Coach into letting you run the Run and Shoot! Run the ball? HELL NO! Throw it, scrub!
HornedFrog Purple
01-06-2004, 11:47 PM
Power-I baby. Just complete the occasional forward pass and let your backfield ride you to victory!
sterlingice
01-07-2004, 12:35 AM
Aw, screw this. I was expecting a hattie dynasty. Damn you, ardent ;)
SI
With a week left to go before we play Cal at home, Coach Fulmer has decided to change his primary formation to the Power I. The only problem is, our team is really unfamiliar with it.
Sadly, we do look better with me running the Power I than we did when I was trying to lead the I. Our passing attack was weak at best, and we don't have a stellar receiver right now. Grier could be something special if given the time to learn the position, but that may or may not happen this year. Besides, Brewster is our leading receiver for the past two years as well.
I can only imagine what the sports writers will have to say when they see us line up against Cal. Some schools have some Power I. But I doubt they run as often as we will.
The starting defense has given our new offense a nickname. NTO, or No Talent Offense.
Well, we do have talent in Brewster, and we'll run him to death.
fantastic flying froggies
01-07-2004, 09:25 AM
This could turn into a very interesting story... I like the way you're writing it so far, AE. Keep 'em coming...
We're actually favored to win by 6 points over Cal.
Cal hasn't performed all that well in recent years, posting 4 wins in three of the last four seasons.
It's still unclear how we'll do this season. The scrub defense can't stop us during practice. Then again, over the past three years, first team defenses haven't really been able to stop J.B. Brewster. What worries me is that Brewster hasn't been the only option before. We did have a passing game before.
It seems pretty clear to me that Brewster and the defense will be carrying us through the season. I've heard a thousand times that defense wins championships; well, we'll see.
Starting lineup for UT against Cal:
QB: #15 Ardent Enthusiast RS SR (0 career starts)
RB: #48 J. B. Brewster SR (39 career starts)
FB: #43 Roman Prescott RS SR (2 career starts)
FB: #32 Willie Jordan SR (0)
TE: #95 Dominic Witt SR (7)
WR: #82 Steven Everett JR (6)
LT: #77 Sammie Lochner SR (26)
LG: #71 Mack Raymond SR (39)
C: #58 Kevin Peters RS JR (26)
RG: #68 Ken Washington RS SO (0)
RT: #62 Bubba Spangler SR (39)
J.B. has over 6,000 career rushing yards and over 1,700 career receiving yards. Neither fullback has ever had a carry, although Prescott did catch 13 passes last season.
RG Ken Washington beat out incumbent Desmond Stephenson for the job.
Overall, we're weak in experience at the skill positions, but solid along the line. I hope this translates into success. J.B. will be running behind a very good and experienced offensive line, while the rest of the "skill" position players try not to get in the way.
Game time temperature in Knoxville: 93 degrees Fahrenheit. (I hope I spelled that right:) )
This game will be televised on "TV3".
Class is calling...I have to go...be back with the game in about 5 hours or so. :)
MizzouRah
01-07-2004, 06:53 PM
Been reading! I'm interested to see how you do in your first start.
Go VOLS!
Todd
It's good to see that the pollsters and such haven't decided to fault my team for their quarterback. We're ranked #5 in the nation at the moment. Cal isn't given the same love; they're ranked #72 overal.
Of course, they don't have Brewster, either.
Team captains J.B. Brewster, safety Melvin Briggs, and kicker Ray Alston return from the coin toss; we won and we'll receive. Apparently, they don't want the defense to win our championship. You'd think we'd start out by kicking off.
I secretly have hoped I would never have to enter the field today. That the defense and special teams would be out there all day. Converting every opportunity into scores and thereby saving me from entering the field.
When Aaron Moser is tackled at the UT32, I realize that dream is over. Coach and the offensive starters gather around. Coach yells in my ear the play. I turn and look back. Coach Fulmer's reaction is plain.
I turn to the huddle of players around me.
"Power I right, split left, option left, on one"
The team heads out onto the field. I walk a few steps, then realize I'm falling behind and then jog out into position. I can't believe I'm really doing this.
The Afoci
01-07-2004, 07:35 PM
Trip! Trip! Trip!
The first call was simple enough, but Coach Fulmer did a play change from what we discussed earlier. The first play was supposed to be "Power I right, split left, 21", with Brewster running up the middle.
Why he changed the play to an option, I don't know.
Once I got to the line, I found out.
Turns out Cal had figured we'd be running the ball a lot and showed us an eight man front.
I take the snap and run left. The line has blocked down, but there are still two players left on Cal's team left unblocked. I pitch off to Brewster, who strings the ball down the sideline and picks up 2 yards in the process.
I can't even hear myself think. The noise of the stadium is deafening. Rocky Top is thundering down on me from the band. All 104,100 fans must be screaming at the top of their lungs right now.
Everett runs out and Castleberry comes in with the new play. "Power I left, split right, 23, on 3, on 3, everyone, we're going to try and get them to jump early, ok? Break!"
We get to the line, and the defense hasn't changed, but the safety appears to be coming up to the line.
"Set, Hut!..."
I don't even get to the second hut before a defensive tackle grabs me and nearly throws me to the ground. Fortunately, he doesn't, and we're given a free five yards.
J.B. reminds me that won't work all game.
2nd and 3 now, and the call is for a play action pass. Everett will be the only option, and he's running deep.
I take the snap, and fake right and roll left, but Everett is double covered. What's worse is I didn't fool the OLB for long. I head up field and take what I can get...which turns out to be only a yard.
Prescott comes over to help me with my jersey; the left side is pulled down past my shoulder pad.
"Huddle's this way" he jokes and pats me on the back. I look to the sideline and get the next play. I head to the huddle and break the team quickly.
Brewster takes my handoff through the hole created by the center Peters and gets 11 yards before being hauled down. Our "first" first down of the game, and it keeps the offense on the field.
1st-10 at the Cal 49, and we give the ball to Brewster twice more up the middle and off right guard. He gains 6 on the first play, and 11 on the second for our "second" first down. This takes us to the Cal 32 yard line.
Coach Fulmer now calls for a screen pass, which works as I dump the ball off to the FB Prescott for an 18 yard gain. We go right back to the pass with a play action aimed for Prescott again. Prescott doesn't drop the ball and rumbles ahead for 7 yards after the catch to the 3 yard line before being spilled.
First and goal at the 3 and Brewster gets the ball and goes off right tackle for 2. 1 yard and I can nearly reach the orange and white checkerboard endzone from here.
Washington, the new guy on the O line, attacks his man a little early and we're sent back to the 6.
Coach Fulmer sends Everett in with the play and Everett is smiling.
"Power I right, split right, reverse option on 2"
The play works perfectly, and Everett takes the pitch intended for Brewster along the left sideline and into the endzone.
The poor corner to that side was spilled by our left tackle, Sammie Lochner.
6-0 UT, and I'm so happy I can hardly breathe. The offense heads to the sideline and I receive perhaps a thousand atta boys as the kicking team puts the extra point on the board with 10:01 left on the clock.
tucker342
01-07-2004, 10:19 PM
Great idea for a dynasty!
I'll be reading:)
Craptacular
01-07-2004, 10:19 PM
Cool idea ardent ... this should be interesting. Break a leg!
Wait, no, don't do that.
Winston leads the kickoff team onto the field and boots the ball through the endzone for a touchback.
I'm ushered to a phone that's linked to our coaches in the press box who tell me I'm facing a lot of different 8 man fronts and what appears to be quite a bit of zone coverage.
There's not much time for than that as Cal 48 seconds off the clock in going three and out. Cal netted 1 yard in their first drive.
Our returner, cornerback Bart Serra makes a fair catch at the UT40, and I'm going back onto the field with 9:13 left in the first quarter.
On first down, we run our first counter play with Brewster, and we picked up 5 yards on the right side.
The next play is an option to the right side and I quickly get rid of the ball as the DE comes crashing down on me. It left Brewster room to run though and he gained 11 on the play.
1st and 10 on the Cal 44 and we run a play action pass. Most of our routes are fairly short, because I'm more accurate with short stuff than anything else. Everett catches the ball at the 40 and turns upfield for 6 more before getting tackled at the 34.
We try and trap the DT this time on the right side and it didn't work. Brewster has to dust himself off after getting leveled for a 2 yard loss. The long yardage situation leads us to another play action pass. I fake the ball to Prescott and quickly lob it over to Brewster who's in the right flat at the 33. J. B. takes it to the 24 before getting tackled.
Another 1st down, and the call from Coach Fulmer is pretty surprising: Bootleg to the left side. RG Washington pulled in front of me and made an excellent block and I'm finally tackled 10 yards down the field. To think people thought Casey Clausen and Peyton Manning were slow.
We're in the Orange Zone again, and Coach Fulmer shows he's willing to be a little daring again. He calls for the team to shift out of the Power I and into a no back look, to isolate J.B. on someone slow on the inside.
It works like a charm. Cal freaked out when we shifted and I went into the shotgun. Players pointing here and there and I bet half the defense was flat footed when I took the snap and lobbed it to the endzone. J.B. ran underneath it and caught my first career touchdown pass.
This time, I go to the endzone to celebrate with my teammates. I could never have envisioned my season starting like this. Wow.
Alston adds the extra point and Rocky Top never sounded any sweeter.
14-0 Vols, with 5:28 left in the 1st QTR
SirFozzie
01-08-2004, 01:37 AM
Wish that I was on ole rocky top,
Down in the tennessee hills.
Ain’t no smoggy smoke on rocky top,
Ain’t no telephone bills.
Once there was a girl on rocky top,
Half bear the other half cat.
Wild as a mink, sweet as soda pop,
I still dream about that.
Rocky top, you’ll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole rocky top,
Rocky top tennessee, rocky top tennessee.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VOLS!!!
fantastic flying froggies
01-08-2004, 04:20 AM
Excellent reading, keep 'em coming...
I'm given a little more time on the sideline this time as Cal puts together a small drive. Cal can't keep the ball moving, and are forced to punt. Serra is stopped on the return at the UT33 and the Vol offense is back on the field with 2:08 left in the 1st QTR.
We go with a double tight end look this time, and it forces the Cal 8 man front to even up. So far this game, Cal had been shifting to the tight end side, so maybe this will help things out.
Brewster explodes off the left side for 8 yards on the first play. As Brewster gets up, he signals he's got something wrong with his helmet. He runs off the field and redshirt freshman Brandon Mason runs onto the field for the first action of his UT career.
We get Mason involved early tossing him the ball to the outside to see if he can turn the corner. It doesn't work and Mason gets just 1 yard on the play.
We're in a 3rd and 1 situation now and Brewster comes back in. This is a great time for a dive to our best back, and that's exactly what we do. Brewster gets us our yard, thanks again to a great block by our center Peters.
1st down, and we send Brewster off right guard for 12, which takes us to the Cal 45. Brewster then goes off right tackle for 2. 2nd down is a screen pass to the fullback Prescott, good for 5 to the Cal 38. This kills the rest of the first quarter.
With the 1st quarter over, it's UT 21, Cal 0
3rd and 3 from the Cal 38, and Coach Fulmer calls a playaction pass.
"Power I right, fake 21, TE pop, on 1, ready, break!"
I take the snap and give a great ball fake to Brewster. Everyone, including the TV3 camera crew, think Brewster has the ball.
I spin around quickly and hit TE Dominic Witt at the 33 with my best shot at a fastball as he's running downfield. A Cal LB finally drags him down 6 yards later at the 27.
We quickly get back to the line and pitch it to Brewster to the outside on a quick audible. It works thanks to an unprepared Cal team. Brewster gains 21 down the left sideline before getting dropped by a safety.
First and goal from the 6, and Coach Fulmer calls for a counter off the right guard again. It works perfectly this time as Bubba Spangler runs over the DT; opening the gaping hole for Brewster to go through.
Alston kicks the extra point and we're up, 21-0 with 13:38 left in the 2nd quarter.
GO VOLS!
Cal puts together another masterful drive of three plays, and Brewster runs out to take the punt. Brewster doesn't do much better than Serra; returning the ball 5 yards to the Cal 48 with 12:42 left in the first half.
We run an option to the right side. It's slow to develop and I pitch late to Brewster, who gets back to the line of scrimmage. T Spangler ends up getting into it with a Cal defender on the play, and he ends up toppling the Cal player after the whistle. Flags fly from all sorts of directions, and we're now looking at 2nd and 25.
Brewster and I have a few words with Bubba, and Coach Fulmer sends in a replacement for Spangler.
The penalty backs us up to the UT37, and with a 3 TD lead, we're not going to try and be fancy and have a turnover here. We give the ball to Brewster for gains of 7 and 11 off the right side; and then punt from the Cal 45.
Redshirt sophomore Daniel Wheeler drops a nice punt inside the 10, but the short return places the ball on the 10, with 11:24 left in the half.
The defense heads out onto the field and they're fired up. Cal is starting with their worst field position thus far in the game.
The safety Briggs and DT Chester Murphy, a reserve player, come up with a sack at the 4 yard line. It's followed by a sack by DE Doug Stanton in the endzone. Credit the defense with 2 points, and we're going to have really good field position soon.
CB Mark Billmaier returns the free kick to the Cal 49, with 10:21 left in the half; UT up 23-0.
We start off with the freshman Mason at tailback, and we give him the ball on a trap up the middle. The trap doesn't work and Mason is dropped for a 2 yard loss.
Mason trots off the field and in comes Brewster. We run a toss to the left side for 6 yards; giving us a 3rd and 6 on the Cal 45.
We try to run a screen to Brewster, and it is successful in that it's a completion, but he's stopped 3 yards shy of the first down.
Wheeler comes out to punt again, but this time the punt tumbles into the endzone for a touchback, with 8:45 left in the half.
We go to the sideline and I'm sent right to the phone. I'm instructed to let Brewster know had he turned inside on the screen he would have had a touchdown. Instead, we had to punt.
Two drives in a row that have ended in punts; good thing we're up by 23 and the defense is playing lights out.
Cal's offense again lacks imagination, and the speed of our defense is top notch.
3 and out once again for Cal, but this time Serra returns the punt 58 yards down the sideline for a touchdown!
We're sitting pretty as the Cal team wallows in self pity.
The extra point gives us 30 so far on the day.
Cal still can't get anything going and again punts after 3 plays. This time Serra is tackled immediately at the UT47 and the first team offense enters the field again with 7:07 left in the half.
Brewster takes the ball up the middle for 5 on the first play, but is dropped for a loss of 3 on the next.
3rd and 8; we run a play action pass. Everett is tightly covered and Witt is too far across the field, so I turn upfield to try and get the first down. The defense clamps down on me quickly and I gain only 2, but the ball squirts out from there!
A mad scramble for the ball results in a Cal lineman recovering the ball and getting to the UT46 before being stopped.
Let's make that three straight drives we've been stopped, and my first turnover in my career. I should have slid instead of going for the 1st down.
Cal is blessed by my turnover with their best field position of the game, but the defense denies them anything.
3 and out, and Cal sends out the punt team again. Serra has a nice return but is tackled at the UT26.
On first down, we run a play action pass, and it works for 3 yards, but we're called for holding...and we're marked off a rare 11 yards.
So now, we're at the UT15, 1st and 21. Coach Fulmer sends Castleberry in for Everett, and we're going over the top.
"Power I right, split left, fade and post on 1, ready, break"
No fakes. Just a lob to the deep guy.
Cal lines up 8 in the box, and it appears to be bump and run on the outside, which is exactly what we want.
Ball is snapped and all the backs behind me stay into block. Castleberry takes his man deep and I lob the ball out to him.
Complete for 29! Castleberry starts to go down immediately, but the corner strips the ball from him. Both players are on the ground as the ball rolls toward midfield.
The safety covering Witt runs over to scoop the ball up but can't find the handle. Witt has the ball bounce right into his belly and starts rumbling, stumbling, and tumbling to the endzone. the safety nearly trips over himself at what he's seen and hits Witt almost half heartedly. Witt spins and bounces off the tackle with lineman ease. With what seems like 15 seconds later, Witt scores on the return.
Perhaps the happiest man on the field is Castleberry.
The extra point gives us a 37-0 lead with 4:43 left in the half.
Coach Fulmer gets my attention and lets me know that if Cal doesn't score this drive, then my day is most likely done. He's ready to bring in true freshman walk on Terry Schroeder.
I can understand that. I'm sure he wants to get some experience for his 2nd team QB.
Cal doesn't score, and Schroeder trots onto the field with a mix of starters and reserves.
In fact, I don't get back into the game.
The game gets even uglier as Schroeder has a hard time holding onto the ball, and Cal has an even harder time trying to score.
The game ends with a 61-0 shelling of Cal.
For those inclined to stats
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD
48 Brewster 24 162 6.7 21 1
49 Mason 18 84 4.6 23 1
7 Schroeder 5 9 1.8 19 0
15 AE 3 13 4.3 10 0
37 Bedford 2 6 3.0 6 0
82 Everett 1 6 6.0 6 1
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
15 AE 9 9 113 12.5 29 1 0
7 Schroeder 10 6 83 8.3 24 1 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
43 Prescott 3 34 11.3 35 18 0
48 Brewster 3 29 9.6 15 14 1
32 Jordan 2 16 8.0 11 14 0
95 Witt 2 35 17.5 12 24 0
8 Castleberry 1 29 29.0 0 29 0
86 Witt 1 16 16.0 7 16 0
82 Everett 1 10 10.0 6 10 0
91 Kolodzik 1 16 16.0 26 16 1
37 Bedford 1 11 11.0 1 11 0
Other stats available upon request.
sterlingice
01-08-2004, 01:29 PM
Originally posted by ardent enthusiast
Other stats available upon request.
So, uh, how was your punter? ;)
SI
4 punts, 3 inside the 20. :)
In the locker room, Coach Fulmer gives the game ball to J.B. Brewster, and it was well deserved. Without J.B., I wonder how our team would have done.
Two things were clear about Cal:[list=1]
They needed to stop J.B. Brewster, so they ran 8 man fronts all day, and
they weren't able to stop him.
[/list=1]
I am mobbed by sportswriters who let me know for the first time that I didn't miss a pass all day. I knew I had a good day, but not that good!
Someone mentions that I've had the best debut ever of a Tennessee QB.
That makes me smile, because I geuss I did. Casey, Peyton, and Heath: Eat your heart out.
Of course, I have to put it in perspective. I was playing a very weak Cal team geared towards the run, which wasn't the case of the other three.
The players disperse to the places where they may be from, and I go home to my dorm room to relive the moments I will relish my entire lifetime.
tucker342
01-08-2004, 08:20 PM
Wow! Great game.:D
Good way to start your college career:)
Thanks, tucker, and thanks to everyone else who posted during the game.
Especially Rocky Top.
Game story aside for a moment, I'm honestly surprised at how well I performed. Cal may not really be that good, but to get rolled over like that?
I would have predicted the defense shutting down Cal, but I think I would have expected a little more of a struggle offensively, especially with the passing game. 9 of 9 is hard to believe for a good quarterback, much less me.
I recall a story I once heard about a qb (Testaverde?) that set a record for completions in a row for a game...and the complaint mentioned that the defense that they played against was poor. The counter was that most qb's can't have a perfect game against "air", much less a defense.
This has definitely been fun to write and play. I am glad I took notes during the game, as the log doesn't tell you the whole story.
I hope you all are enjoying this half as much as I am.
That said, I'm going home for the weekend tomorrow afternoon. I may post a bit of the week leading up to Syracuse, but not a whole lot until Monday evening.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
govols
01-08-2004, 09:50 PM
Anyone remember Tee Martin's game against South Carolina in 1998. Tee hit his first 23 passes for over 300 yards before missing on the 24... It was an NCAA record...
Too bad you didn't get a chance to break the record...
Oh, I remember. The receiver dropped the ball. :)
DataKing
01-09-2004, 09:37 AM
I thought Eli Manning set a new straight-completions record earlier this season? (or was it last season?) Something like 26 in a row. Maybe I'm wrong...
At any rate, this is good stuff Ardent. I'm looking forward to reading more, and seeing how you do once you get to SEC games.
I awake on Sunday morning quite sore. More so than I ever recall being. I'm extremely beat and exhausted. The first thing that pops in my mind is that I need to go see the game film of yesterday's game and start preparing for Syracuse.
My roommate shatters that thought for the moment.
"Have you seen your car?", asks receiver Aaron Moser, my roommate.
"Obviously not." I respond. Aaron likes to play this cat and mouse game with things he knows; things he knows that I don't.
"I hope you like the open air..." responds my friend.
"Say what?"
That got my attention. I throw on some clothes and run out to the parking lot. My passenger window is shattered, and my UT student ID card is gone.
"Guess someone wants a souvenir" remarks Moser, "You might want to check EBay in a few days".
"Thanks, hater, see if I throw you the ball in the near future."
"Like that would be much of a change."
I spend part of my morning with the police and then getting a new student ID.
Later that day, I finally get to watch yesterday's film and start watching game film on Syracuse.
Coach Fulmer points out that when I fumbled I could have thrown the ball away instead. Someone remarks that it would have ruined my perfect day, and the room is filled with laughter.
Coach Fulmer even chuckles a bit and we continue to dissect the game. I listened intently through the whole game; I figure I have a whole lot to learn, even when I'm not on the field.
Syracuse looked very tough. Ranked 7th in the nation last week, won yesterday, 34-3. The defense had 3 INTs and 3 sacks in the game. They flew to the ball and did a good job stopping both the run and the pass.
The best news is that we left the Cal game injury free. All our weapons will be back for this tough non conference game. We hear that Renaldo James, a starting ILB for Syracuse is questionable for the game.
That's always good to hear.
During the week, we find out that our matchup has been chosen for ESPN Gameday's Game of the Week, and we'll be shown on National Television, "TV1".
We stay ranked 5th, while Syracuse has leapfrogged in bounds to 7th. I'm not a betting man, but I'm told the line is actually for Syracuse by 3.
Syracuse ran a 3-4 against Southern Mississippi, but we expect more 8 man fronts like Cal ran against us. We look to run a little more inside because of this. We're likely to face a weaker front if they do that.
Further review of the game film shows that Syracuse, despite the interceptions, has a fairly weak secondary. Southern Miss just failed to capitalize on their mistakes. Not that I'm blessed with a golden arm, but we hope to take a few shots against them. The linebackers are perhaps the best unit on the team, while apparently the defensive line is anchored by a stud DE. We've paid special attention to him in our blocking schemes this week.
Our game plan remains the same. Get the ball to J.B. We're looking to run a little more option, with emphasis on pitching the ball. We're also trying to get Watson involved a little more. He'll be the man next season at tailback, after all. Of course, we have our screens and play action passes sprinkled in, along with very few actual drop back passes.
We've junked most of our trick plays for this week, since we figure Syracuse to be more disciplined than Cal, but Coach Fulmer kept the option reverse and TE reverse in the game plan; just in case.
Weather is a non factor in the Carrier Dome. Despite that, it's a nice day outside.
It's incredibly loud in the Carrier Dome. I wasn't quite expecting it. The enclosed atmosphere adds to the noise, I suppose. It won't matter much, though, to our offense. I didn't call one audible in the last game, and I haven't been given the liberty of doing so for this game, either. We go on "1" most of the time; going on "2" or more in hopes of getting the other team to jump offsides on occassion.
Because we're injury free, we'll field the same starting lineup as last week.
The captains return from midfield with the news that we have won the toss (again) and elected to receive (again). Note to self: Talk to coach about this "going on offense first" thing. Perhaps I've dazzled him with my stats and he's forgotten I'm a walk on.
The kickoff is a touchback and the starting O heads onto the field. This time, we stick with what was predetermined: HB dive featuring J.B. Brewster. A lineman slips through and drops Brewster for a 2 yard loss, though. The call from the sideline is to run the play again; we do, and this time get a 2 yard gain.
3rd and 10 from the UT20, and we've called an option to the right, with a long count. Syracuse jumps offside and we get five free yards. We change the play to a play action pass designed for WR Castleberry, but I float the ball, and the Syracuse DB swats the ball away with ease.
Wheeler comes out and punts the ball away; a very good 51 yard punt, SI. The return gives Syracuse the ball at the S33, with 13:30 left to play in the first quarter.
Syracuse can't muster offense on their first drive either; going 3 and out. The punt is fair catched at the UT34 by CB Serra, with 11:08 left in the first quarter.
Looks like we're in for a smash mouth slugfest today. Syracuse came out with the 8 man fronts similar to Cal; but the results were obviously different.
sterlingice
01-13-2004, 03:21 PM
Wheeler comes out and punts the ball away; a very good 51 yard punt, SI.
:cool:
SI
The Afoci
01-13-2004, 04:19 PM
Have they considered just hiking to the half back and putting another blocker in?
Have they considered just hiking to the half back and putting another blocker in?
They considered going to the single wing...but likened it moving to North Dakota.
Draw your own conclusion.
With the ball on the UT34, we decide to pound some more at the Syracuse middle. Brewster gains a yard on a trap up the middle, and then we run the companion play action pass. I come out of the fake throwing to the TE Witt, but the safety broke up the play.
3rd and 9, and we run a drop back pass. I hit the FB Prescott in the flat, and he gets the 9 we need and 2 more, giving us a 1st and 10 at the UT46.
We go to th middle again for a couple of yards, but RG Washington is called for holding. We felt good about the play, and ran it again, this time for 8. On second down, we try another play action pass, this time to Prescott. It's broken up as well.
3rd and 12, and I'm told to have both the TE and SE to run fade routes.
"Power I right, split right, double fade on 1, ready, break!"
I get to the line, and notice the loose man coverage. This may not work so well.
I take the snap and look to Witt, but lob the ball over the top to the SE, Everett. There is a collision in the air, and the ball drops to the ground. A flag comes flying in.
The call? Defensive pass interference, and a first down! The penalty gives us 15 yards.
1st and 10 on the Syracuse 41 and we decide to run outside with Brewster; sweep style. Sweep left gains 4, sweep right is a no gainer. 3rd and 6 and we head left with a toss. Brewster picks up 2 and it's 4th and 4 on the Syracuse 35.
It's decision time in Tennessee. Do we kick or go for it?
Coach Fulmer decides to let us go for it, and we call an option right.
The DE closes down quickly and I pitch to Brewster hastily. Brewster cuts inside off tackle and gains 7, thanks to a great block by T Bubba Spangler.
1st and 10 on the 28, and we try a play action pass off the sweep action. After I turn around from the fake, I'm greeted by the DE; who is closing quickly on me. I lob the ball to the sideline, knowing full well I won't complete the ball, and I'm flagged for intentional grounding. Turns out I didn't get the ball past the line of scrimmage. A loss of 9 on the play.
Back to the 37, and I throw the ball out to Prescott in the flat. He breaks a tackle and gains 12, giving us 3rd and 7 on the 25. Fulmer goes conservative and we run off the left guard with Brewster for a yard, and kick a 41 yard field goal by Alston.
The kick gives us a 3-0 lead with 6:01 left in the first quarter of play.
While Syracuse has the ball, I'm asked by the offensive coordinator what the problem seems to be in moving the ball.
I let him know that the defense seems ten times faster and the contain defender is all over me; fake or not.
We haven't had much success at all moving the ball with the exception of throwing the ball underneath into the flats. Running the ball and our play action game have both been shut down effectively thus far.
Our coordinator then shows our offensive line that we "need a seal here, and a seal here to spring Brewster for a long gain.
We break from the group and I get some water. I come up to the sideline and see Syracuse has brought the ball up to midfield, but the drive has faltered.
CB Billmaier calls a fair catch at the UT 17, with 57 seconds left in the first quarter.
Coach Fulmer sends us out onto the field with an option right call. Syracuse strings us out, and I pitch late to Brewster, who ends up losing a yard.
For second down, we send Brewster out of the backfield in motion, and throw him the ball on a post pattern. The play is good for 12 and a first down at the UT29 and ends the first quarter.
At the end of the 1st quarter, UT 3, Syracuse 0
We head back out onto the field to start the 2nd quarter with our "seal here, and a seal here" play, and Brewster takes the ball upfield for 15; thanks in part to a great block by our C Peters, who folded and blocked out the OLB.
1st and 10 at the UT43 and we run the play action pass off the seal play. It works, and Witt rumbles upfield for 11.
First down at the Syracuse 46 and Brewster gets the ball off LG for 4. We follow that with an option to the right side for 9 and we move the chains again.
We test the right side with an option again and we get 5, this time with the freshman HB Mason. 2nd and 5 on the Syracuse 28, and we call a screen to Prescott. It works well, and Prescott is dropped just past the marker for a gain of 6.
First down at the 22 and we give to Brewster again, this time off right guard. We get a solid 5, and Peters simply runs over a defensive lineman to create the hole.
We follow with a play action pass to Witt that is knocked away by a defender, and a botched screen to Prescott thanks to pressure by a DE.
Alston comes back out and kicks a 34 yard field goal, giving UT a 6-0 lead with 10:36 left in the 2nd quarter.
This game certainly isn't going as well as last week's. This defense seems to get to the ball rather quickly.
Fortunately, their offense doesn't seem to be in sync. They mount a short drive but end up punting, with Serra (ed note: Every time I type this name I think of Serra Angel from the Magic card game...good times) returning the ball to the UT24.
That's where we set up shop with 7:17 left in the half.
Two carries by Brewster give us 5 and 2 yards, respectively, and a screen to the FB Jordan gets us 7 and a first down at the UT38.
An option to the left side is strung out, but Brewster takes the pitch and heads up field for 6. Brewster then takes a handoff up the middle for 2, setting up a 3rd and 2 on the UT46.
Perfect time for a reverse, and Everett just barely gets us the needed yards with a gain of 3.
Option right and I keep the ball for a gain of 2. A handoff to Brewster nets 4. Option left and again I keep the ball, falling short of the first down by 1 yard.
We look to the sideline, but the punt team comes out. Wheeler drops a 34 yarder inside the 20, but the return leaves the ball at the UT20 with 2:11 left in the half.
Syracuse takes the ball and lights off their 2 minute offense.
The good news is they need 80 yards. The bad news is that they get it. TD, Syracuse. The XP puts them up, 7-6, with 58 seconds left in the half.
The first score on our defense for the season, and we're losing.
The kickoff from Syracuse is a touchback, and we head out to the 20 with three receivers, a TE, and Mason in the backfield.
I hit Witt on a post pattern, and he's drug down 27 yards later. It eats up a lot of clock, but apparently Coach Fulmer doesn't think we'll score regardless and doesn't call a time out.
An incomplete pass to Mason in the flat, and an incomplete to Everett on a hail mary finish out the half.
At the half, it's Syracuse 7, Tennessee 6
And now...for your half time entertainment...The Afoci...
tucker342
01-13-2004, 10:21 PM
Not quite as good as last week.... but hey, at least you're not being blown out!:D
Not quite as good as last week.... but hey, at least you're not being blown out!:D
Definitely a tight game. You're right, I'm glad we're not blown out. Our defense really seems to be able to handle the load. 6 quarters of play and only 1 TD allowed.
In the locker room, an argument breaks out about who blew the coverage that allowed the touchdown, but it is silenced quickly.
Fulmer praises the defense for their work thus far; this is a team that scored over 30 last week. He lets them know we're going to really need their help if we're going to win this.
The team breaks into smaller groups and our offensive coordinator takes charge of the offense. We go over what has worked and what hasn't. Syracuse has done a good job shutting down our running attack, but we're committed to running the ball and we won't shut that down. I'm asked if I feel comfortable out there throwing.
"As long as it's not play action", I respond, "they're all over when it's play action. Drop back passes seem to be working OK."
Before I know it, our time in the locker room is done, and it's time to go back out onto the field.
Syracuse gets the ball first in the second half, and the defense responded to Coach Fulmer's words at half time. Syracuse is forced to punt after 3 plays, and the ball rolls out of bounds at the UT 43 with 13:12 left in the third quarter.
Great field position for the Vols; we need to capitalize here.
We run an option left on the first play, and Syracuse smothers Brewster. I turn it upfield and get 2 yards before getting dropped. We turn it around and run the option to the right. This time I pitch to Brewster, but this time he loses 2 yards.
3rd and 10; we motion Prescott out of the backfield and throw the ball to him on a slant pattern. It works perfectly, and he gains 15 yards before going down at the Syracuse 42. First down!
We give the ball to Brewster on a counter play to the left side for 2, and then a screen to the freshman Watson for 8 gives us another first. An option to the left gets us another first as Brewster takes the pitch and gets 10.
1st and 10 on the Syracuse 22, and we run the option left again, this time with Watson for 3. On second down, we try play action to Everett, but the play is broken up. 3rd down and 7, we run the ball off tackle to set the ball in a better spot for the kicker Alston. We gain 2, putting the ball at midfield on the Syracuse 17.
I watch from the sideline as Alston misses wide right and the FG unit returns down trodden. My heart sinks (ed note: and it did when I simmed the game).
With 8:30 left in the 3rd quarter; Syracuse 7, Tennessee 6.
My heart sunk when Alston missed the kick, and it sunk a little further as the Syracuse offense mounts a successful drive and lands a field goal for their trouble.
2:54 left in the 3rd quarter; Syracuse 10, Tennessee 6.
A nice return on the kickoff is negated by a holding call, and we head out to the UT16. 17 minutes left to win this game is all I can think of, and we're not going to do it inside our 20. You can sense an urgency in our huddle, and on our sideline. Can we get it done? Can the offense come through? We need a touchdown; field goals are worthless now.
Brewster gets 4 on a toss to the 20 yard line, and a hard count draws a defender offside, making it 2nd and 1. Perfect time for a deep ball, but unfortunately Washington allows a sack, and I am dropped for a loss of five. The first time I've ever been sacked and it couldn't have came at a worse time. 3rd and 6 and a screen to Jordan gets a first down plus 3 to the UT29.
Brewster ends the 4th quarter with a 5 yard gain up the middle.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, Syracuse 10, Tennessee 6.
An option to the right is our first call of the fourth quarter, and Brewster takes the pitch upfield for a gain of 7, and a 1st down at the UT41.
Brewster gets 5 yards on the next carry and dropped for no gain on the next; both plays up the middle. 3rd and 5; I hit WR Castleberry over the middle for a gain of 11 to the Syracuse 43. Witt follows that with a 15 yard reception over the middle as well.
1st and 10 on the Syracuse 28. The defense is reeling. We send them to the sideline when I hit Witt again on a post pattern. Witt breaks the tackle of the safety and rumbles in for the TD!
The UT sideline celebrates as Alston hits the XP.
11:39 left in the 4th quarter; Tennessee 13, Syracuse 10
The_herd
01-14-2004, 09:37 AM
And the tension mounts.....
The Afoci
01-14-2004, 09:51 AM
And the walk-on QB mounts an assorted animal.....
Thanks. Halftime entertainment over.
Once again we watch in fear from the sideline as Syracuse apparently has found a weak spot in our defense. We try everything we can, but nothing we can do stops them.
Syracuse drives the ball down the field for the touchdown, retaking the lead.
With 7:10 left in the 4th; Syracuse 17, Tennessee 13.
After a touchback on the kickoff, the Tennessee offense takes over on the 20.
A pass to Prescott in the flat nets 12 and a first down; but an option gone wrong results in a yard loss for Brewster. We turn it around with an option left. Brewster cuts upfield quickly with ball and gets 7 before being tackled.
3rd and 4 from the UT38. Another pass out to the reliable Prescott in the flat results in a gain of 10 and another critical first down.
We continue our assault on the Syracuse offense, running and passing; eating up as much of the clock as humanly possible and hoping to exploit something in the defense to get a touchdown.
An option left nets 2 for Brewster, followed by a 11 yard catch on a curl pattern by Everett to the Syracuse 39.
A counter play for Brewster results in no gain, but Mason gets 9 on a flat pass. 3rd and 1, and we run an option to the right side. Brewster takes the pitch and lunges forward. It's close, and I think we got it, but the referees are going to have to measure it.
I watch in disbelief as we fall a few chain links short of the first. 4th and chain links, and I signal to the coaches just how far we have to go. With the ball on the 30 and just over 3 minutes left, there is no choice. We have to go for it.
Brewster gets the call, right up the gut, and he responds. He breaks a tackle at the line and surges forward, with a gaggle of defenders on top of him. He finally topples over at the 25.
It worked so well, we try to move the ball up the middle two more times with Brewster but the defense responds to the challenge and it's 3rd and 10. Syracuse sends out their defensive backs for a nickel defense.
A pass to a wide open Castleberry which would have resulted in a first down is underthrown, and I look to the sideline for help. It's 4th and 10. We don't get this and it's over.
Syracuse sends out another DB to get into a dime coverage, and backs the defenders way off. We're lined up in a bunch look on the right side.
Everett gets clear of the other two receivers, rubbing off his defender as he cuts across the field. I hit him in stride as he crosses the first down marker and he gets 10 more before being stopped!
First and goal at the 5! I did it, I did it! WOW!!!
Back to the Power I and back to an 8 man front for Syracuse. We go for a fade on the first play to Everett, and he catches the ball in the corner of the endzone with the defender draped all over him. Touchdown, Tennessee!
The crowd is silent as the Tennessee players celebrate. Alston kicks the XP, but there is plenty of time left on the clock.
With 1:16 left in the game; Tennessee 20, Syracuse 17.
Alston boots the ball through the endzone and Syracuse must go 80 yards in 76 seconds for the win, and perhaps 50 yards for the tie.
Syracuse throws an incomplete pass. (1:09)
Syracuse completes a pass for 54 yards to the UT26. (0:49) Shoot me now, please.
Run up the middle for 1 to the UT25. TO, Syracuse. (0:39)
Run up the middle for a loss of 3 to the UT28. TO, Syracuse. (0:27)
Run up the middle for a loss of 2 to the UT30. Penalty, Tennessee, Unnecessary Roughness, Ball placed at the UT15. (0:17)
Run outside RE for a gain of 4 to the UT11. TO, Syracuse. (0:05)
28 yard FG is good.
End of regulation, Syracuse 20, Tennessee 20.
Coach Fulmer was livid for the defender to get a penalty on that drive. What would have been a 47 yard field goal resulted in a 28 yard chip shot.
Can't cry about that now.
Syracuse wins the toss and elects to go on defense first.
We go out to the Syracuse 25 looking to provide a steady dose of Brewster.
Brewster sweeps left for 7, and then takes a trap up the middle for 9 to the 9 yard line. Syracuse comes strong and stops Brewster on the next play for a 2 yard loss, but it doesn't stop our spirit. We give to Brewster again, this time of left guard for a gain of 8 to the 3 yard line.
Syracuse nearly sends everyone; which makes my fade pass to Everett that much sweeter. No one is even remotely close to him as he catches the ball near the corner of the endzone.
Alston adds the extra point, as we're now regulated to watching our defense and hoping they don't let us down again.
Syracuse comes out to the 25 and tries to drive us off the line as well. It doesn't work for them, however. They lose a yard on the first play, and the second play results in no gain.
3rd and 11, and the Syracuse QB drops back to throw. We bring both safeties, and he's flushed from the pocket. He gains 2 before stepping out of bounds.
4th and 9; ball on the 24. Pass. The Syracuse QB drops back, scans the defense, can't find anyone open, the DE Stanton pressures the QB, who throws the ball to a receiver a little earlier than he wanted. The result? Incomplete!
Tennessee wins, 27-20! On national television, the Vols pull off a tremendous victory on the road! Wow!
tucker342
01-14-2004, 06:37 PM
wow. What a game! Great job telling the story, you had me on the edge of my seat!:D
MizzouRah
01-14-2004, 09:34 PM
Nice thread! If my power would have went out before reading it all, I would have kicked my monitor! :D
Todd
fantastic flying froggies
01-15-2004, 02:59 AM
Great game !
A bit of advice for you, fire your kicker ! he makes that easy FG in the 3rd Q and voila, no need for OT...
Thanks guys. I kept telling myself that nothing better happen to my pc during this game. It takes almost an hour to sim, as I write down notes in between plays, which means I run the plays slow, and pause after each. Defense goes by a little quicker...at least I don't have to pause too much.
In the locker room after the game, Coach Fulmer awards me with the game ball. I don't know what to say. I felt Brewster or Everett were probably more deserving.
The flight home was sweet. I was "floating" on cloud nine. It's hard not to let this success get to my head. I know I really am only as good as my teammates, and if I was on any team but UT right now and in a similar situation, I probably wouldn't be very successful.
Sunday rolled around and this time I wasn't just sore. This time I was beaten, scuffed up, and sore. Still being 2-0 when everyone expects you to lose...you can't beat that.
Viewing the tape on Sunday it was clear that Syracuse was focused on stopping the run and play action pass. We ran it at them quite a bit during the whole game. Once we realized that play action just wasn't going to work, we went with a 3 and 5 step passing game when we need to and got most of our yards for the game. I knew going in that Syracuse's defensive backfield was their weakest link, but I didn't think I'd have that great of a game against them.
What surprised me was Syracuse's play in the middle. Time after time we plunged in the middle expecting them to be soft with rather inexperienced players there. We were stuffed on most occassions.
It's an off week for the team, so we'll do some conditioning, but we won't get ready for Northwestern for a while. Regardless, I"ll be watching tape of the Wildcats for the next two weeks.
Later in the week, I'm totally shocked to see my photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
"Walk On: Ardent Enthustiast Leads Vols past Syracuse" is the caption as it shows me throwing the ball.
Everywhere I go now, fans are asking me to sign their copy. Never in a million years would I have guessed this would happen.
Northwestern is a horrible team this year. 0-1 for the season, and they were scrubbed by Georgia Tech, 45-15. Tech ran over 40 times for 190 yards in the game, and I'm sure Coach Fulmer is ready to carve up the defense with J.B. Brewster. Heck, Mason may get a hundred before the game is over.
Northwestern didn't stop the pass, either. They allowed 300 in the air, and the 3rd completion % against the defense was 50%. I like the looks of these numbers.
They do however, play Duke this weekend, so maybe their team will turn it around. Northwestern is ranked 105 overall.
SirFozzie
01-16-2004, 07:23 AM
Go Vols!
Damn.. I wouldn't have butterflies in a situation like that...
THE BUTTERFLIES WOULD BE HAVING ME :)
Guys: This dynasty will not likely be updated until Tuesday. I just found out I have Monday off, so I'm going home for the weekend. Cheers!
The Afoci
01-16-2004, 12:24 PM
Guys: This dynasty will not likely be updated until Tuesday. I just found out I have Monday off, so I'm going home for the weekend. Cheers!
Just like the real UT team, take the weekends off. ;)
Outstanding work, Ardent. Can't wait to read more!
Crim
JonInMiddleGA
01-16-2004, 05:47 PM
Darn good stuff
For our performances against Syracuse, J.B. Brewster, T Bubba Spangler, and I are all named players of the week.
It's really not all that big of a deal. Lots of players get named player of the week.
Stats for this week:
Tennessee Individual Statistics
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD
48 Brewster 40 142 3.5 15 0
15 AE 4 2 0.5 3 0
49 Mason 2 8 4.0 5 0
82 Everett 1 3 3.0 3 0
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
15 AE 29 20 242 8.3 28 3 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
43 Prescott 5 51 10.2 34 12 0
95 Witt 4 81 20.2 60 28 1
82 Everett 4 39 9.7 22 20 2
48 Brewster 2 27 13.5 10 15 0
32 Jordan 2 16 8.0 10 9 0
49 Mason 2 17 8.5 8 9 0
8 Castleberry 1 11 11.0 3 11 0
I nearly forgot our punter.
Wheeler had 2 punts for 85 yards. A long of 51 and 1 inside the 20, SI.
fantastic flying froggies
01-21-2004, 10:20 AM
Hey everybody, AE 's back !!!
Season stats after 2 games:
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Cmp Pct Yards Avg Lg TD Int Sck Yards Rating
AE QB TENN 2 2 38 29 76.3 355 9.34 29 4 0 1 5 189.4
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 10 6 60.0 83 8.30 24 1 0 2 10 162.7
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 2 2 64 304 4.7 21 1
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 2 0 20 92 4.6 23 1
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 5 9 1.8 19 0
AE QB TENN 2 2 7 15 2.1 10 0
Everett, Steven WR TENN 2 2 2 9 4.5 6 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 2 0 2 6 3.0 6 0
Player Pos Team GP GS Targ Ctch Yards Avg YAC Lg TD
Prescott, Roman FB TENN 2 2 10 8 85 10.6 69 18 0
Witt, Dominic TE TENN 2 2 8 6 116 19.3 72 28 1
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 2 2 5 5 56 11.2 25 15 1
Everett, Steven WR TENN 2 2 7 5 49 9.8 28 20 2
Jordan, Willie FB TENN 2 2 5 4 32 8.0 21 14 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 2 0 6 2 40 20.0 3 29 0
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 2 0 4 2 17 8.5 8 9 0
Witt, Monty TE TENN 1 0 1 1 16 16.0 7 16 0
Kolodzik, Thomas TE TENN 2 0 1 1 16 16.0 26 16 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 2 0 1 1 11 11.0 1 11 0
Player Pos Team Punt Yards Avg Lg In20
Wheeler, Daniel P TENN 6 241 40.1 51 4
Hey everybody, AE 's back !!!
Yep, I got in yesterday afternoon, and went to class. I was totally exhausted afterward (up since 4:30 am, I drove 6 hours to Chicago, and had a 6 hour class almost immediately afterward).
I'm looking forward to getting the Northwestern game done today/tonight, and posting it tonight/tomorrow morning.
Go Vols!
MizzouRah
01-21-2004, 10:40 AM
Glad you made it back ok. Too bad you didn't get to come over and see my first ever FOF Championship. :)
Todd
With the week off, most of my teammates gathered to watch a game of football instead of play. ESPN and company was at Kansas State for the National Game of the Week. It was quite nice to see Arizona State come in and beat them.
We were hoping to see the Northwestern-Duke game, but it wasn't televised. Northwestern rolled over Duke, 31-3. Looks like they're not as weak as we first thought. At least we'll see plenty of game film on them.
The latest polls have us ranked 2nd in the nation, behind Ohio State.
School Record Conf Rank
Ohio State 2-0 B10 1
**Tennessee 2-0 SEC 2
Texas 1-0 B12 3
Oklahoma 2-0 B12 4
Florida State 1-0 ACC 5
Nebraska 3-0 B12 6
Washington 1-0 PAC 7
Alabama 1-0 SEC 8
Colorado State 2-0 MOU 9
Georgia Tech 2-0 ACC 10
Stanford 2-0 PAC 11
UCLA 2-0 PAC 12
Miami 2-0 BEA 13
Arkansas 2-0 SEC 14
Oregon 2-0 PAC 15
Washington State 2-0 PAC 16
Penn State 1-0 B10 17
Arizona State 2-0 PAC 18
Purdue 2-0 B10 19
South Carolina 1-0 SEC 20
Pittsburgh 2-0 BEA 21
South Florida 2-0 USA 22
Maryland 3-0 ACC 23
Virginia 2-0 ACC 24
Brigham Young 2-0 MOU 25
I'm not exactly sure why we keep moving up in the polls, but I imagine it has to do with the voter confidence in me changing.
Glad you made it back ok. Too bad you didn't get to come over and see my first ever FOF Championship. :)
Todd
Or the voting of MVP. :)
Game film showed that Northwestern's defense really dominated the Duke offense. The unit forced 2 turnovers and 6 sacks.
Duke's not that great of a team, anyway, and the game was in the rain. Duke's running game was non existent through the whole game as well.
NU used a lot of 8 man fronts to stop Duke, and we are fortunate to see how they used it. Since it was so successful against Duke, we naturally believe they'll try it against us as well.
We, however, have a running game. I don't believe Northwestern will stand much of a chance against us.
We've put in all the trick plays again, and the practice week has been a little relaxed. We're expecting to roll over NU the way they rolled over Duke.
Blessed with no injuries, it appears our starting lineup will remain the same for the Northwestern game.
Fortunately, the game is at home and we won't have to make a road trip to Chicago. Unfortunately, it's raining very heavily in the Knoxville area and this game might get a little sloppy. As long as I can hand the ball off cleanly, I don't see much of a problem.
The game will be shown on local television, "TV 5". Unless you're from Tennessee, chances are you won't get to see the game. :(
fantastic flying froggies
01-21-2004, 11:12 AM
The game will be shown on local television, "TV 5". Unless you're from Tennessee, chances are you won't get to see the game. :(
We'll just have to listen to it on FOFC Radio...
We'll be playing in front of another sold out Neyland stadium crowd. I absolutely love it here. Running throught the T has always been a dream of mine. I'll have another couple of turns at it before my career is over.
It's 51 degrees today, and despite the all day rain, the field is in pretty good shape. It's slippery, but there are no signs of puddles. That's too bad; some of the best games of all time were played in the rain and mud. It doesn't appear we'll be mud slinging today.
Northwestern wins the toss; the first time all season we've lost the coin toss. They elect to receive, and I'll get to watch the opening drive this time instead of playing it.
The kickoff by the kicker Alston goes deep into the endzone, but the NU returner brings the ball out. The Vol coverage unit clamps down on him; shutting him down at the NU16. Not the wisest of moves.
The Wildcats throw us for a loop. They gain 10 yards on two plays and appear to be moving the ball quite well.
On their third play, the QB fakes a handoff and throws deep to a receiver at about midfield. Streaking over and intercepting the pass is the safety J.R. Blades who heads upfield to the Northwestern 17 before being tackled.
Momentum is ours, and the offense heads out onto the field with 13:30 left in the 1st quarter.
We had sort of a trick play for the first play designed. We ran up the middle against Syracuse on the first play last week. We're going to fake the run up the middle, and I'll carry the ball on a trap over the right side.
What I didn't expect is that the Wildcat defense had a trick in mind for us as well.
50.
As in defense. This is not what we prepared for.
The 50 defense is a good run defending option, although it's not as good as the 8 man. The 50 gives you five down linemen, but typically the two outside linemen are stand up linebackers. It provides a little more flexibility in coverages. Maybe they're afraid of my weak arm after watching the Syracuse game.
I'm not allowed to call audibles yet; but it doesn't mean I can't wait to snap the ball.
I take a step away from our center Peters, and look over the defense. This will throw a wrench in our plans until we figure out a way to counter this change.
With about 5 seconds left on the play clock, I take the snap and fake to Brewster. The fake is effective, and I turn upfield with the ball in my belly. G Washington paves the way and I am dropped 6 yards downfield at the NU11.
Castleberry brings in the play, a dive to RB J.B. Brewster, and I tell everyone we're going to try and buy some time and go with the hard count. The play is on three. It works like a charm; a NU defender was anxious and jumped offsides.
1st and goal at the 6, and this time we run the dive on 1. Northwestern creates an effective pile and we end up with no gain.
2nd and goal and the play called is an option left. NU strings us out, and I pitch to Brewster late. Brewster finds a hole and cuts upfield for the touchdown! The G Raymond had pulled on the play and created the hole.
Alston adds the extra point, and it's 7-0 UT with 12:26 left in the first quarter.
The kickoff is deep and this time the returner stays in the endzone.
Smart move.
I thank Blades before he heads out for the opportunity, and the defense heads out to the field.
I speak with our offensive coordinator about what I just saw. Another thing the Wildcats can do with the 50 defense is bring blitzers from all sorts of angles. On the last drive they brought a corner and safety on one play. We begin to come up with a plan when I'm told it's time to go onto the field again.
S Melvin Briggs just intercepted the ball at the NU37, and was tackled immediately. I scramble to put on my helmet and head out onto the field. I look to the clock and it reads 11:43.
Wow, the defense certainly wasted no time. Due to the quickness of the turnover, we have to run out a play.
Brewster ends up coming in with the play call, a run up the middle for him.
The stunned NU defense is run over. Brewster is tackled 19 yards downfield and T Bubba Spangler absolutely crushed a linebacker to help spring him.
First and 10 on the NU18, and we try the middle again, but there's nothing there this time. Time for the play action, I think; and I'm right. Fulmer calls for a play action pass off the dive fake, and it works perfectly. WR Steven Everett makes the catch at the 12 and is hauled down at the 8 for the first down.
The call from the sideline is for a counter off the right side, and I decide to go with the long count again. It works, as the same defender jumps offsides; First and goal at the 4. We come back to the line with the same play, but Brewster is stopped for no gain.
We love play action at Tennessee, and that's what the next play from the sideline is. It's almost a lock that if you stop us on a play we'll run a play action off of it on the very next. The play action on our counter play has the tight end fake being defeated on a block and crossing the field, hopefully alone.
The play works perfectly; the Wildcat defense drops Brewster to the ground quickly and then I lob the ball to the goal line, into the waiting arms of TE Dominic Witt.
Touchdown, Tennessee. Alston adds the extra point.
14-0 UT, with 9:32 left in the 1st quarter.
Alston places the kickoff in the endzone, but this time the returner brings the ball out to the NU22.
Wow, their best field position.
This time I get to thank Briggs for the turnover before he heads out, and then I quickly head back over to the offensive coordinator.
NU goes 3 and out, but delivers a good punt. CB Bart Serra returns the punt 10 yards to the UT34; our worst field position of the game, with 7:02 on the clock.
Our first play of the drive is a bit of a trick play; a screen pass to the TE Witt. It works, sort of, for a gain of 2, but I'm leveled after the play and FB Roman Prescott has to help me up off the ground. The cheer that results isn't because I got up, but from the late flag from the referee. A late hit penalty puts the ball on the Northwestern 49.
Coach calls for a pass; a post pattern by Witt specifically. The ball is tipped away, as their safety makes a good play. Second down and we go option right. Brewster takes the pitch down the sideline for a gain of 5 to the NU44. Third and 5, and we get 8 on a trap off the right side.
It worked well, so we run a trap up the middle on first down, but only get a yard. You know what is coming. Play action. This time to the FB Willie Jordan, who gets the needed 9 yards for a 1st down at the NU 26.
Option right is the play called and the DE crashes down on me. A quick pitch to Brewster should get us solid yards, but instead J.B. slips on the grass and is stopped for a loss of 2. Dang it. Second down and Coach Fulmer calls for a fade to the endzone. Witt and Everett go to opposite ends and I lob the ball to Everett. Everett fights for the ball and makes the catch in the endzone, Touchdown Tennessee!
Alston adds the extra point.
21-0 UT with 4:00 left in the 1st quarter.
3 touchdowns in the 11 minutes. Wow.
Alston doesn't kick the ball off as deep as usual, and the NU returner brings the ball all the way to the NU33.
Northwestern actually silences the crowd as they beat Serra on a fade and are inside the UT20 yard line. S Briggs picks off an errant pass in the endzone and the crowd comes back to life.
Our ball at the 20, with 2:24 left in the 1st quarter.
A trap off the left side gets Brewster 9, and a slant pass to Everett nets 10 and a first down.
Brewster gains 4 off right guard, and I'm called upon to run a bootleg right. The NU defenders are fooled initially, but the DB's quickly gain ground on me and I end up losing a yard in the process.
It ends the first quarter.
At the end of the 1st quarter, it's UT 21, Northwestern 0.
3rd and 7 on the UT42, and we run an old fashioned sweep left. It works to perfection and Brewster gains 12 before stepping out of bounds. We come back with a sweep right and gain 8 yards on the other side of the field as well.
Brewster plunges over the right side for 3 and another first down. We try and get fancy and I throw the ball to a wide open Brewster, but I end up missing him completely. No one said I had accuracy.
2nd and 10 on the NU35, and we run a sweep right. It nets 4 and sets up a 3rd and 6. RB Brandon Mason comes in to spell Brewster and catches a screen pass. He gets the first down and more with a total of 17 yards on the play.
Brewster returns and we run option left. The DE crashes and Brewster takes the quick pitch upfield instantly. He's stopped at the 2 yard line and once again we are in the Orange Zone.
Brewster plunges up the middle for 1 on first down, and gets the touchdown on a plunge on 2nd down.
Touchdown, Tennessee!!
Peters crushed a linebacker to give Brewster the needed room. Alston adds the extra point.
28-0 UT with 11:05 left in the half.
The kickoff by Alston goes into the endzone, and the returner brings the ball out to the Wildcat 19, where he's tackled by my roommate, Aaron Moser.
NU can't put a drive together and punts the ball away. Serra comes away with a 15 yard return, and we go back out onto the field at the NU38 with 9:33 left in the half.
Brewster gains 10 over the left guard for a first down, but slips on the next play for a loss of 1. Second and 9 at the NU29. The call is a play action pass, but Witt and Everett are well covered. I head upfield along the sideline and get 7 yards before a safety forces me out of bounds.
A drop back pass on 3rd and 4 results in a first down as I hit Mason for 8 yards. 1st and 10 at the NU14 and we run option right. Again the end crashes down and again I get rid of the ball quickly to Brewster. He's finally brought down at the 3 yard line.
A dive up the middle nets 2 for Brewster, and we run play action on 2nd and goal from the 1. The result? Witt makes another easy TD catch, and Alston adds the extra point.
Touchdown, Tennessee!
35-0 UT with 5:44 left in the half.
I'm told as I get to the sideline that if Northwestern doesn't score on this drive, that I'm done for the day.
I watch as the Wildcats go to their number 2 QB as well and go 3 and out.
My day is finished.
Neil Schneider finishes the game at QB, but is hardly impressive.
The defense returns an interception for a score, and Schroeder runs an option in as well.
Alston hits a field goal, but misses one as well.
Northwestern nearly scored at the end of the game, as the UT defense was in prevent.
Final score: Northwestern 0, Tennessee 52.
SirFozzie
01-21-2004, 01:59 PM
Gooooooooo Orange!
tucker342
01-21-2004, 07:47 PM
wow... that was pretty ugly:)
Good win
Back in the locker room, Coach Fulmer awards J.B. Brewster his second game ball of the season. Finally I can get dry after watching just over a half of football from the sideline.
It's dawned on me that in the 3 games this year, I've haven't quite played 2 whole games. Neil Schneider, another walk on freshman, played this week.
Another off week provides our team with some more R & R. We play Mississippi State at Starksville in two weeks.
Lady luck is on our side, as no one reports any injury of consequence.
3 UT players are again recognized as players of the week. Again, I'm named one of them.
Running backs J.B. Brewster and Brandon Mason are recognized as well.
This week's numbers:
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD
48 Brewster 29 127 4.3 19 2
49 Mason 19 93 4.8 20 0
15 AE 3 12 4.0 7 0
6 Schneider 3 9 3.0 8 1
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
15 AE 11 9 89 8.0 28 3 0
6 Schneider 13 6 66 5.0 20 0 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
95 Witt 4 24 6.0 29 17 2
32 Jordan 3 21 7.0 11 12 0
82 Everett 3 48 16.0 35 28 1
49 Mason 3 30 10.0 27 17 0
8 Castleberry 2 32 16.0 14 20 0
Punting Punts Yards Avg Long In20
2 Wheeler 2 80 40.0 40 1
It's hard to be more consistent than Wheeler. :)
Season stats through 3 games:
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Cmp Pct Yards Avg Lg TD Int Sk Yards Rating
AE QB TENN 3 3 49 38 77.5 444 9.06 29 7 0 1 5 200.7
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 10 6 60.0 83 8.30 24 1 0 2 10 162.7
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 1 0 13 6 46.1 66 5.07 20 0 0 0 0 88.7
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 3 3 93 431 4.6 21 3
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 3 0 39 185 4.7 23 1
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 5 9 1.8 19 0
AE QB TENN 3 3 10 27 2.7 10 0
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 1 0 3 9 3.0 8 1
Everett, Steven WR TENN 3 3 2 9 4.5 6 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 3 0 2 6 3.0 6 0
Player Pos Team GP GS Targ Ctch Yards Avg YAC Lg TD
Witt, Dominic TE TENN 3 3 15 10 140 14.0 101 28 3
Prescott, Roman FB TENN 3 3 10 8 85 10.6 69 18 0
Everett, Steven WR TENN 3 3 10 8 97 12.1 63 28 3
Jordan, Willie FB TENN 3 3 8 7 53 7.5 32 14 0
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 3 3 6 5 56 11.2 25 15 1
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 3 0 8 5 47 9.4 35 17 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 3 0 11 4 72 18.0 17 29 0
Witt, Monty TE TENN 2 0 1 1 16 16.0 7 16 0
Kolodzik, Thomas TE TENN 3 0 1 1 16 16.0 26 16 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 3 0 2 1 11 11.0 1 11 0
Player Pos Team Punt Yards Avg Lg In20
Wheeler, Daniel P TENN 6 241 40.1 51 4
Wheeler is the model punter. 40 yards and it's almost a lock to be inside the 20.
What surprised me is that we didn't throw the ball to fullback Prescott against Northwestern. He was our leading receiver going into the game. Now it's Dominic Witt. Who says we don't throw to the TE at UT?
A 200 rating?!? I'm starting walk-on QBs in TCY from here on out!
;)
Good reading, AE, keep it coming. First time in my life I've ever rooted for UT! (big Gator fan, ya know...)
Crim
MizzouRah
01-21-2004, 11:47 PM
AE has the heisman pose. :D
Todd
Good reading, AE, keep it coming. First time in my life I've ever rooted for UT! (big Gator fan, ya know...)
Crim
Wow, that has to be rough. I'm not sure I could ever root for the Gators. That's a very big compliment; thank you. I know full well what that means.
Mizzou: I sure hope I'm not striking that pose. I don't want the Vols getting cocky. The two easy wins were against bottom feeders...and I didn't know that when I scheduled them. I schedule based on getting home games and to try and get space through the early part of the season.
Cal accepted immediately for the opener, and then Northwestern offered at week 4 to come to Neyland. Seeing as that was the week I wanted to fill, it fit perfectly.
Syracuse was a tough game, and by all accounts, we were lucky to win that one. Our defense was scored on often, and had I not had a mythical performance I doubt we would have won it. If any team can score on us, we'll be in trouble, I have a feeling.
We had great field position in the NU game. Our average start was on the UT42. ON AVERAGE. The first two drives started inside the NU40. Unbelievable.
This team is built pretty well. Especially if a walk on of my caliber can succeed.
No injuries so far has been a blessing so far as well. Not a one. Wow. With SEC games the rest of the way and little time off, I doubt that lasts very long. Still when other teams are hurting and you're at full strength...that's a good feeling.
What I found interesting was the assistants moved Schneider in ahead of Schroeder for the Northwestern game. I didn't notice it until I posted the stats. The names were so close I didn't even catch it for a while. I wonder if I'll have a fight for the #2 job through the year.
The off week passes too quickly, and before I know it, it's Saturday again. The Game of the Week is Purdue vs. Ohio State, but we'll be watching MSU at South Carolina as well.
Ohio State beats Purdue 27-17, and MSU shocks #20 South Carolina, 28-14.
We may have a game on our hands, boys.
Mississippi State is 2-1. They started the season off with a loss to Virginia, but have rebounded with wins over Memphis and South Carolina.
Teams appear to have a better time passing than running on the Bulldogs, and that appears to be how the Cavaliers defeated them. South Carolina had 39 yards rushing; Memphis had 8. Third down percentage is the key to the Bulldog success, with just 27% conversion against their defense.
Something's got to give.
MSU has three very good linebackers which may present some problems for us. They also have a terrific corner and a good defensive tackle. I think this defense may be better than Syracuse's.
On the injury front, their top reserve defensive tackle will miss the game with an elbow injury. On the offense, their starting quarterback is questionable and a starting receiver is out.
It sounds like our defense may shut them out...so we may just need one or two scores in this game.
During the practice week, the latest polls come out:
School Record Conf Rank
Ohio State 4-0 B10 1
**Tennessee 3-0 SEC 2
Nebraska 4-0 B12 3
Georgia 2-0 SEC 4
Georgia Tech 3-0 ACC 5
Oklahoma 3-1 B12 6
Stanford 3-0 PAC 7
Arkansas 4-0 SEC 8
Florida State 2-1 ACC 9
Arizona State 4-0 PAC 10
South Florida 3-0 USA 11
Colorado State 3-1 MOU 12
Washington 2-1 PAC 13
Alabama 2-1 SEC 14
UCLA 3-1 PAC 15
Virginia 3-0 ACC 16
Miami 3-1 BEA 17
Syracuse 3-1 BEA 18
North Carolina 4-0 ACC 19
Oregon 3-1 PAC 20
Florida 2-1 SEC 21
Texas 1-2 B12 22
UNLV 3-0 MOU 23
Kansas State 2-1 B12 24
Utah 2-1 MOU 25
Neil Schneider has apparently locked in the #2 job behind me. It's a bit of a surprise considering Terry Schroeder had a better game against Cal than Neil had against Northwestern.
The game plan really hasn't changed all that much for the week. We're trying to get Mason the ball a little more, but we know we'll win or lose depending on how J.B. Brewster performs.
This will be our first SEC game, and Coach Fulmer is making sure we all know it. MSU opened their SEC play with a surprise win over South Carolina...so you know they'll be gunning for us.
Tennessee received a big commitment this week from the #1 high school player in the nation, a quarterback. The kid from Ohio threw for more than 2000 and ran for over a 1000 in just nine games. I bet he starts next season.
With no injuries, our lineups remain the same for offense and defense. I only wish we could have Wheeler kick field goals because Alston is really struggling this year.
The weather forecast for the game in Starksville is good: 63 degrees and clear skies. The game is one of two SEC games of the week; the other being Georgia at LSU. The game will be shown on TV3, which basically means if you live in the south, you'll get to see the game.
Sorry, Frog, you'll have to listen on the radio again.
Beautiful weather in Starksville, and a sold out stadium to boot. It'll be a great day for football.
We lose the coin toss again and Mississippi State elects to receive. K Ray Alston sends the ball down to the 1, and it's returned to the 28. In on the tackle was my roommate, Aaron Moser. Moser is a walk on just like me, so it's great to see him playing on special teams.
MSU comes out on fire and everyone on the sideline is stunned. Runs, passes, whatever. Everything working well for the cause of the Bulldogs. Our best corner and returner Bart Serra went down with what appears to be a serious injury after one completion. That is really going to hurt.
The Bulldogs drive all the way downfield to our 1 yard line. Coach Fulmer sends out our goal line defense and the team responds. Back to back 3 yard losses on running plays makes it 3rd and 7. The MSU is hit as he throws the ball, and MLB Mitch Briggs of Stone Mountain, GA grabs the ball in the endzone. Touchback, and the Vols have somehow denied the MSU offense.
Wow, that's all I can think as I buckle up the chinstrap and head out onto the field with half the 1st quarter over (7:37 left in the first).
Once again Coach Fulmer wants us to bait the defense into thinking dive on the first play. The first play is a fake to FB Roman Prescott. I scan the defense, it's a 50. We had success against it last week, hopefully we will today as well.
Prescott plunges forward and I look deep downfield to WR Steven Everett. He's not open so I dump it off to RB J.B. Brewster for 10 yards and the first.
So far, so good.
The next play is option left. The Bulldogs over compensate for Brewster and leave me alone. I cut upfield behind TE Dominic Witt's massive block and gain 11 before being tackled. 1st down UT at the UT41.
Play action off the dive again and this time the ball goes out to Prescott in the flat. It's good for 9 yards. We send Brewster over right tackle on the next play, but he loses 2 yards.
What do we always do when a team stops a running play? Play action. We run play action from the off tackle play...looking for Prescott again. I find him in the flat and throw it out there...but it's tipped away. It sets up a 4th and 3 at the UT48 and the punt team comes onto the field.
Wheeler gets off a wicked punt. A 46 yard punt to the MSU6, and the returner dances around, only to be dropped for a yard loss.
0-0 with 5:41 left in the 1st quarter.
On the sideline I talk to the offensive coordinator about our last drive. 5 plays, 3 passes, 2 runs. Not good. Not good at all. We need to get the ball to Brewster. We did, once. Loss of 2. I'm concerned that MSU is forcing me to win this game; they went all out to stop Brewster on our option play.
I'm told to buckle up, because we're heading right back out. MSU went 3 and out. A short punt and 5 yard return by CB Marc Billmaier gives us a first down at the Mississippi State 34 yard line with 4:21 left in the first quarter. We need to score from here.
The play call is a drop back pass with Everett and Witt running slants and the backs going to the flats. I drop back but I'm flushed from the pocket and unload quickly to Prescott. I miss him completely thanks to the pressure and it's 2nd down.
We motion Brewster out of the I and send him into the slot beside Everett on 2nd down. He runs a post pattern and I hit him for a 10 yard gain before he's taken down. 1st down, good guys.
Option right is the next call and again the defense over compensates for Brewster. This time, however, I can only gain a yard as the defense was all over me. 2nd down and I hit a wide open Everett on an out pattern, but Steven drops the ball. To my knowledge, my first pass that's been dropped. 3rd down and 9, I find Witt over the middle, who rumbles forward. He barely crosses the marker with a 10 yard gain.
1st and 10 on the MSU13, and we run a trap up the middle to Brewster for no gain. On 2nd down we motion Brewster out of the backfield into the slot again. I pump fake to Brewster as he goes across the middle and the defense bites. Brewster spins around, running the post corner route, and I find him just inside the endzone for a touchdown.
Touchdown, Tennessee!
Alston adds the extra point.
7-0 UT with 2:13 left in the first quarter.
Again on the sideline the offensive coordinator and I talk strategy. MSU has completely stopped Brewster so far on the ground. We haven't really tried to get him the ball much, though. We resolve to force the ball to him on this next drive, which comes up rather quickly as well.
MSU goes 3 and out for the 2nd time in a row, but this time gets off a good punt. Billmaier makes the fair catch at the UT35 with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.
Despite our resolution, we run playaction on the first play from the scrimmage. I lob the ball over to FB Willie Jordan, but it falls short of its mark. 2nd down. Option right, and I bring the ball down the sideline. MSU is all over Brewster, but I pitch it to him anyway. He heads up the field, but is still dropped for a loss of a yard as the first quarter expires.
End of the first quarter.
7-0, UT.
3rd and 11 on the UT34, and the MSU defense substitutes in their dime package. We're content to run the ball, calling another option right. The DE is in rush mode and comes straight at me, which allows Brewster to spring free. He runs freely through the defense for 13 and a first down.
We come back with option left and Brewster gets 5 up the sideline. We pound the ball up the middle with Brewster for another 6 and a first down at the MSU48. Finally, some breaks.
Option right and the defense smothers Brewster again. I gain 3 before being dropped. 2nd down and 7, and we go with a play action pass. MSU brings the blitz and Prescott doesn't stop his defender. I'm dropped for a loss and out squirts the ball.
A big pileup ensues, but MSU has recovered the ball at the UT49.
Man, we had something going there, too.
12:36 left in the half, UT 7, MSU 0.
Fortunately, penalties force MSU back and they have to punt. Billmaier gets a nice return to the UT39, but a holding call sends us back to the UT26 with 11:27 left in the half.
The first play we call is option right and MSU is all over us. I pitch to Brewster quickly out of desperation, who nets only a yard on the play. 2nd down, and we give to Brewster over left guard for 4. 3rd and 5, I hit Witt on an out pattern for the 1st down and more...for a gain of 10.
1st and 10 at the UT41. Brewster goes up the middle on two straight plays, getting 7 and 2 yards, respectively. The ball is on the 50 with a 3rd and 1. We give it to Brewster again up the middle and he gets 2 more and the first down.
Now seems like a good time for a reverse, and we run it with WR Terry Castleberry. Terry gets 2 before the defense gets to him. Brewster goes off tackle on 2nd down for 4, setting up a 3rd and 4 at the MSU42.
Play action and my receivers are covered. I head back upfield but I'm forced to slide to the ground at the line of scrimmage.
Wheeler comes into punt and kind of shanks it. Give him 24 yards on the punt, but it is a fair catch at the MSU18. I guess technically it's a good punt since it's inside the 20.
MSU takes over with 6:09 left in the half, UT7, MSU 0.
The Bulldogs go 3 and out again, but a booming 58 yard punt goes out of bounds at the UT15 with 3:51 left in the half.
Brewster gets a carry, but is stopped for no gain. Another carry over left guard nets 8. 3rd and 2, and we call a sweep play for Brewster, which gains the 2 yards we need.
1st and 10 and Brewster gains 9 on a toss play, but it's called back for holding; an 11 yard penalty. We throw on first down and it's tipped away from Everett. 2nd down and we run the reverse with Castleberry again. It works wonderfully. Castleberry gets 22; just past the first down marker with 1:20 left in the half.
We're on the UT36, and the call is option left. I tell the offense we'll go on the hard count this time, and MSU jumps offside. 5 free yards to the UT41. We run option left, but Brewster is smothered again and I can only gain a yard.
2nd and 4 with 1:01 left, and the call is for fade routes. Everett is double covered, but I try to force the ball in anway. It's knocked down at the line, fortunately.
3rd and 4, and Mason converts a screen pass into a 5 yard gain and a first down. I get the referee's attention and call time out quickly.
1st and 10 with 42 seconds left in the half. We discuss the next play on the sideline. We'll look for Witt over the middle. Back on the field; Witt's open on the play and I feed him the ball, but somehow he drops it.
2nd and 10; 35 seconds in the half at the UT47. It's not looking good for us. We give the ball to Brewster, hoping to surprise the defense. It works, and J.B. gets 12 before falling. As he tries to get up, he's slammed back to the ground and a flag flies in: Personal foul against MSU. With the penalty, we get the ball at the Bulldog 26 with 27 seconds left in the half.
We decide to play it safe and move the ball to midfield with two carries (followed by time outs) by Brewster for 3 yards a piece. It sets up a 34 yard FG attempt by Alston, who converts the attempt to give UT a 10-0 lead with 2 seconds left in the half.
We have to kick off, despite the time, and Alston kicks it short to the 4. The returner fumbles the ball and it's recovered by the UT coverage unit...but time has expired.
At the half, it's UT 10, MSU 0.
The locker room is a somber place. Everyone files in and it's certainly not an all smiles situation like the Northwestern game.
Offensively, we go over what we need to do better. We have to get the ball to J.B. We know that, but we have to open some holes for him as well. It's almost as if no one is blocked when we run the option.
The receivers have to focus. We can't afford to have dropped passes. Not today. Not ever.
Defensively, after the shocking first drive, we held the Bulldogs in check. We're doing well, despite news that Serra might be gone for most of the regular season.
Coach Fulmer speaks to us. He reminded us that no one picked us to win the SEC. That MSU is sitting in their locker room thinking that they can win this game in the second half. We need to show them what pride is all about.
The Afoci
01-22-2004, 01:17 PM
For halftime celebration, the Fargo Midget Llama squad. They will be performing their award winning act, hide the smelly, poop covered midget in the llamas ass! Enjoy!
The Vols take the field for the second half, and it doesn't take a scientist to tell we're fired up.
Billmaier takes the kickoff back to the UT20, and the starting offense takes the field.
Brewster dives up the middle but the Bulldog defense was all over it. Brewster is tackled almost as soon as I give hime the ball; a 3 yard loss. We send him off the left guard, this time for 4 yards. 3rd and 9, and a screen to Jordan narrowly gives us a first after a gain of 9.
1st and 10; I underthrow a wide open Everett. 2nd down; Brewster goes out of the game, and in comes Mason. Mason in motion to the split end side, and once again it opens up the defense. Mason makes the catch and gets 15 before being hauled down.
Back to Brewster, over the right guard for 3. Time to run a play we haven't called in a while, the option reverse. We head left and I pitch out to Everett heading right. The defense isn't fooled and Everett has nowhere to go and is dropped for a loss of 3 at the UT45. 3rd down and I see Witt open over the middle but in my attempt to lob it over the defender I overthrow the tight end.
In comes the punter, and he snaps off another good punt, this time to the MSU 16 yard line. The returner once again dances around, this time fooling a few defenders. He doesn't stop there and loses ground in hopes of a bigger return. He should have stopped when he was ahead. He loses 6 yards on the return...giving the Bulldogs 1st and 10 on their 10 yard line with 10:53 left in the 3rd quarter.
tucker342
01-22-2004, 06:52 PM
Looking pretty good at the moment.... hopefully you can keep the lead:)
Mississippi State comes out with a good drive that gets them into field goal position. Fortunately for Vol fans, a holding penalty and a sack by DE Doug Stanton push them back across the 50. A horrible punt is fielded by Billmaier at the UT32, who called for a fair catch with 7:01 left in the 3rd quarter.
We come out with our motion set play. Brewster motions out and I hit him across the middle for 11. First down and Brewster carries off right guard for no gain. Mason comes in and we go back to the motion play again. We went to the well once too often and a Bulldog linebacker picks the ball off. The linebacker returns the ball to the UT45 before being tackled by Mason.
My first interception. I'm finally looking like a walk on.
5:52 left in the 3rd quarter, 10-0 UT.
Fortunately, the defense stands tall and MSU doesn't gain a yard in 3 plays. The Bulldog punter tries to drop the ball in, but the punt lands in the endzone...no harm, no foul. Neither of my turnovers thus far have resulted in points for Mississippi State.
We run our first counter play on first down, and Brewster nets 3 yards. We try option right on second down. The DE collapses on me, and I pitch quickly. A LB fills quickly, though, and Brewster is dropped for a yard loss. 3rd and 8 and I hit Everett on a fade route for 19. Play is momentarily stopped as a MSU defensive lineman appears seriously injured.
First down, and Brewster rumbles off right guard for 4. 2nd down and I short arm a pass to Witt. 3rd and 6 on the UT45 and we run up the middle with Brewster. It nets 3, and we're forced to punt again.
Wheeler trots out and drops a 39 yarder to the MSU returner at the 13. A fair catch is called at the 13 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
Mississippi State finishes out the 3rd quarter with the ball, but is forced to punt again with 14:19 left in the game. A fair catch is called for at the UT 34 yard line.
Play action is the call for first down and my receivers are covered. I work hard to get upfield and get some yardage...netting 2 before the defense forces me down. On second down we run a trap up the middle; Brewster is stopped after 3. 3rd and 5 at the UT39, and I throw to Everett on stop and go. The ball is picked off at midfield and returned to the UT32 before he is spilled along the sideline. Meanwhile I was busy getting pounded by a linebacker who pretended to be blocking me.
My third turnover of the game.
With 12:52 left in the game, it's 10-0 UT.
I am probably the biggest supporter of our defense outside of our defensive coordinator. 3 plays, 7 yards, and MSU is stopped at the Tennessee 25 yard line. The Bulldog place kicker comes out, and nails the 42 yard field goal.
It could have been far worse, and my three turnovers have now yielded 3 points in the game. I may love our defense, but I doubt our defense loves me.
With 11:14 left in the game, it's 10-3 UT.
The crowd here at Scott Field is louder than it has been all game as the kickoff floats deep into the endzone. Moser downs the ball for a touchback.
The Volunteer offense heads out onto the field, hoping to protect their slim seven point lead.
I come out throwing, despite my lack of success this half. I hit Castleberry over the middle on a deep post for 14 to get things rolling.
Two carries over right guard for Brewster net us 4 and 3 yards, and makes it 3rd and 3 at the UT41 yard line. A quick slant to Castleberry gains 9 and the coveted first down.
Brewster gains 3 off a trap up the middle, but I'm more concerned that Everett has to limp off the field. We send Brewster over right guard next, but he's stopped at the line for no gain.
Third down and we go to the play action. Prescott makes a crucial catch and makes the first down by three yards. First down, Tennessee, at the MSU37.
Brewster heads off the field and in comes Mason. We run option left and the defense strings us out. The defense finally forces me to pitch and Mason cuts upfield, but there's no one there to stop him. Mason sprints down the sideline 25 yards until a safety finally pushes him out of bounds! First down, Tennessee!
Mason stays in and we go with option left again. This time the defense flies to Mason and I turn the ball upfield. I see the endzone, I smell the endzone, but I'm stopped short by 5 yards.
2nd and 3 at the 5 yard line, and Mason takes a pitch around right end for a touchdown! Alston adds the extra point, and the crowd is silenced.
With 6:01 left in the game, it's 17-3 Tennessee. The MSU hope of an upset has most likely ended.
Blade6119
01-22-2004, 10:40 PM
finally caught up, but a little dissapointed that a missouri boy is backing UT...but i see you are trying to run them into the groud so its alright ;)
Your doing great, and great dyansty so far!
Alston sends the kick to the 1 yard line, where it's returned to the 26.
MSU runs 2 plays to get some yardage, but throws the ball deep on third down, where Billmaier intercepts the pass. He's tackled immediately and it's our ball again at the MSU 47 with 5:16 left in the game.
This just about seals the game.
Brewster runs off the right side for 2, and I hit Witt over the middle for 10 yards and a first down.
Option right, and I can sense the fight is gone from the Bulldog defense, the pursuit isn't as great as it was earlier. I pitch the ball out to Brewster and he gains 18 before being hauled down at the MSU 17.
Brewster runs up the middle, but this time is stopped for a 2 yard loss. We try our motion pass play with Mason, but the ball is tipped away. The defense looks pretty familiar with that play now.
3rd and 12 on the 19, and we go option right. The end crashes down and the pitch is given to Brewster who gains 8 to the 11 yard line. The Bulldogs call a desperation time out.
Alston lines us for a 28 yard field goal and hits it.
20-3 UT with 2:27 left in the game.
finally caught up, but a little dissapointed that a missouri boy is backing UT...but i see you are trying to run them into the groud so its alright ;)
Your doing great, and great dyansty so far!
Couple of reasons for this. When I first started watching football, I lived just outside of Knoxville, in Lenoir City, TN. I then moved to Missouri where the college football atmosphere isn't half what it is there.
Second, ever try and make Missouri a national power in TCY? :)
Alston sends this kickoff deep into the endzone, but the returner brings it out. He gets to the 21 before he's taken down.
2 plays later Mark Braun, the senior cornerback who recovered the fumble before halftime, makes an interception. He's tackled at the MSU 18 yard line with 1:49 left in the game.
I'm about to head back out onto the field when I get a hand on my shoulder pad. It's Coach Fulmer.
"We're sending in Schneider. You're done for the day, son."
I take my helmet off and watch as Schneider takes the first snap and lofts a touchdown pass to Castleberry. Alston adds the extra point to make it 27-3.
MSU sends out their second team QB for the final drive and he has success, just enough to make the game final.
Final score: Tennessee 27, Mississippi State 3
But is there a quarterback controversy at Tennessee?
Blade6119
01-22-2004, 10:51 PM
Couple of reasons for this. When I first started watching football, I lived just outside of Knoxville, in Lenoir City, TN. I then moved to Missouri where the college football atmosphere isn't half what it is there.
Second, ever try and make Missouri a national power in TCY? :)
Ill give you that...the game over-does how much talent differential there is between the states...Mizzou is on the lacking side for prospects...
Out of curiosity, which state do you like better, and which team do you follow the most?
Ill give you that...the game over-does how much talent differential there is between the states...Mizzou is on the lacking side for prospects...
Out of curiosity, which state do you like better, and which team do you follow the most?
You won't like the answers here, either. :)
I love Tennessee, both the state and the team. I'd live there and coach there in a heartbeat. I'd jump to live there in a microsecond.
I know the depth chart of UT extremely well. I keep well versed on the real walk ons as well.
Mizzou, well, I like them. I know the starters, but not much more than that. I didn't see any of their games, but Mizzourah will take care of that next season. :)
Missouri? It's nice; I met my wife there and she'll make sure I spend the rest of my life there as well. But we live in the "Lead Belt". Draw your own conclusion as to whether that is a good thing or not.
I just like Tennessee better. Beautiful country out there. Cades Cove. You want to go there. Wow.
Blade6119
01-22-2004, 11:17 PM
hey...i love missouri, but i like the actual state of Arizona better...im just a mizzou sports fan...along with the st.louis teams...so dont worry about me not liking the answer
As for UT, as long as they beat UF and the other "evil south-eastern" schools im happy with them(though i have never been a clausen fan).
hey...i love missouri, but i like the actual state of Arizona better...im just a mizzou sports fan...along with the st.louis teams...so dont worry about me not liking the answer
As for UT, as long as they beat UF and the other "evil south-eastern" schools im happy with them(though i have never been a clausen fan).
I wasn't thinking along the Cardinal terms...my dad played minor league baseball for them in 1957 and 58. I'm a huge Cards fan. I was sworn in on the field of Busch Stadium. My first day of boot camp was at the game. :)
MizzouRah
01-23-2004, 02:21 PM
Second, ever try and make Missouri a national power in TCY? http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
Hey, I'm only ranked 47th this year! :)
Baseball? Do the Cardinals have a team this year? ...just kidding, I actually think they might surprise many people...
Keep up the dynasty!
Todd
The Afoci
01-23-2004, 02:58 PM
Bench Ardent. Wait until they get some real competition, they won't stand a chance.
The game ball is awarded, again, to J.B. Brewster, though I'd have given that to Mason after his 25 yard run and his touchdown. That took the wind out of MSU.
Everyone seemed excited on the trip home. A 27-3 victory looks a lot better than 10-0. Everyone has happy; everyone but me.
I had a terrible game; my first of the year. Three turnovers and I missed wide open receivers left and right. Couple that with Schneider's one play: a touchdown pass. I'm definitely looking over my shoulder.
What coach pulls their starter in a 20-3 ballgame? I'm not feeling very confident about my job security, that's for sure.
Sunday morning
I am woke up by Aaron who tells me to take a look at the paper.
Ardent or Neal?
The headline was just what I expected.
The writer wasn't one of my favorites, but most likely had no axe to grind about me.
Ardent or Neal?
UT Must Decide Quickly Who Will Start Against Kentucky
John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel
I was there. I saw the game. Maybe you didn't. Maybe you're happy with a 27-3 shelling of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The same Bulldogs that whipped a ranked South Carolina squad. Maybe you're happy enough with the victory that you won't look at the box score. Maybe you think our walk on quarterback is doing just fine. We'll cruise through the season undefeated and win that elusive national championship.
This column isn't for you. You see, QB Ardent Enthusiast wasn't very good Saturday. Three turnovers. If it wasn't for a superior UT defense, this game could have very well went the other way. Throw in his ability to miss wide open receivers, to get intentionala grounding flags, and the simplified offense that UT must run to keep the Enthusiast on the field, and we've got a recipe for disaster.
Enthusiast often looked outmatched by the MSU defense, and don't let the 27 points fool you. Most of these points came almost directly from the defense giving the offense the ball almost in the endzone, and Enthusiast still only netted 20 of the points.
Enthusiast was so bad in the game Coach Phil Fulmer sat him down near the end of the game and backup Neal Schneider went in. Schneider played superbly; netting a touchdown pass on his only throw. At least Schneider appeared confident. Enthusiast has looked lost on the field at times.
Unfortunately for UT, the Bulldog defense will not be the best defense they face all year. We face Florida at home in two weeks, and later in the season we have back to back road games against Alabama and Georgia.
Thank goodness we don't have to play the Razorbacks this year.
Why would Coach Fulmer pull Enthusiast from the game? Was he concerned the walk on senior wasn't getting the job done? Perhaps the senior has lost the confidence of his coach. Maybe the freshman surprised the coaches with his ability to grasp our relatively simple offense.
Whatever the case, Coach Fulmer isn't speaking. Neither he nor the rest of his coaching staff were available for comment following the game.
One thing is for certain: If we're to beat Florida, we'll need a better performance at quarterback. The only question is who will it be.
The news made my heart sink. I got over it quickly enough; you have to. One day you're the hero, the next day you're the goat. No sense in crying over spilled milk.
Later that afternoon the team gathered to review Saturday's game film. Coach Fulmer played my mistakes over and over again. I got the point.
Coach Fulmer didn't mention anything about the damaging article in the paper, but I'm fairly certain we had all seen it. I had to wonder if there was a small contigent in the room that thought we may need to switch quarterbacks.
In our preparations for Kentucky, Coach spoke about our offense and to me specifically like he always did. This time, however, he wanted to make sure Neal Schneider had his ears open. Kentucky (1-4, 0-2) hasn't had much success this season, and we figure to beat them easily. Perhaps Coach knows we'll both end up playing because of a lopsided score.
CB Bart Serra's injury will keep him out for some time. The final diagnosis was a pulled quadricep, and he's not even dressing out for practices right now. He's not expected to be full strength for the rest of the regular season.
Neal is a nice guy. Just an eighteen year old kid from a local high school trying to live his dream, just like me. I can't fault him for that. Still, I got to believe this is my time; this is my chance. Tennessee is just another turnover or injury from yours truly from possibly making him the starter, so we have to make sure he's prepared as well.
Grier Deserves Shot
John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel
QB or WR; Grier has talent
Keith Grier is a true sophomore on the UT football team. You may remember when we was recruited two years ago out of Pittsburgh, PA. An option quarterback with speed to burn, his projected position in college was at running back, receiver, or defensive back. At 6-2 and over 200 lbs, he’d be a force anywhere on the field.
Grier signed with UT two years ago hoping to develop as premier receiver and returner for a nationally ranked team. Unfortunately for UT and Grier, that dream has yet to be fulfilled.
Grier played in every game last season as a true freshman, learning the receiver position as the season went along. His main contribution was on special teams; the only time he touched the ball in a game all season went for a 26 yard kick return.
Many wondered what type of player they would have had if had redshirted. Many still wonder.
Then came the debacle known as the quarterback situation, and Grier was invited to return to his high school position. Grier, so focused on learning a new position, had obviously grown a little rusty at his old position. He didn’t fare well, playing below the level of walk on Ardent Enthusiast. After a two attempts to make him a quarterback failed, Grier was permanently returned to the receiver corps.
Problem is, this season he’s not playing. Why is that? Grier played anywhere and everywhere last season; is there no spot for him this year? Why not red shirt the young man if that’s the case?
Instead UT and Coach Philip Fulmer have played Grier already this season. In one game, for one play. Excuse me if I didn’t notice immediately.
Grier still has unbelievable potential, and the recently horrible game by Enthusiast makes you wonder if maybe Coach Fulmer has other plans still for Grier. Grier, given enough time, could be a fabulous receiver. He certainly wouldn’t be worse at quarterback than Enthusiast was against Mississippi State.
We need to find a way to get our playmakers on the field; Grier is a playmaker. Let's not make this into another Gerald Riggs, Jr., story.
illinifan999
01-24-2004, 08:21 PM
Let's shoot John Adams.....I mean......talk to him......err....yeah.....
Phone calls from friends and family have poured in all week to offer their support.
Nearly everyone in the state of Tennessee has an opinion about the quarterback situation. The News Sentinel continued to publish articles suggesting I would be replaced.
Practice against Kentucky went well, as the team tried to focus their attention on the Wildcats. The Wildcats have one only one game and are ranked in the bottom 100 of the country. The only team that the Cats have beat, NC State, is currently ranked lower than they are.
The Wildcat defense is horrible. Questionable scholarship offers to fringe players and the decision to redshirt nearly everyone in the incoming freshman class have left numerous walk ons in the position to start. At last count 3 start on defense and 2 on offense. The biggest threat on defense, DT Clay Van Pelt, is out for the game with an injury. Two other contributors on the defense are injured as well, but may play.
I'll be trying to avoid the starting corners, as they're the best players on the Kentucky defense; but I'm not that afraid of them.
Offensively, UK runs a run and shoot offense, which means this game could get really, really, ugly. I'm confident our defense will shut them down quickly and efficiently, but with no chance for time consuming drives out of the Wildcats, could we be looking at a 70-0 game?
Both Neal Schneider and Terry Schroeder took snaps this week with elements of the starting offense. I can tell Coach Fulmer would like to see both get in the game. He's said nothing about being concerned about my play. Nothing of the sort out of the offensive coordinator or my quarterback coach, either.
tucker342
01-25-2004, 12:43 AM
Damn that John Adams! couldn't he "accidently" fall off a building or something?:D
GoldenEagle
01-25-2004, 01:55 AM
Nearly everyone in the state of Tennessee has an opinion about the quarterback situation. The News Sentinel continued to publish articles suggesting I would be replaced.
You forget, over in West Tenn we do not care. :)
I can not under, any circumstances, root for UT. Sorry. :)
TargetPractice6
01-25-2004, 02:49 AM
KU is Kansas damnit. Get it right: UK! :P
Oh yeah... Tennessee sucks.
sterlingice
01-25-2004, 04:42 AM
KU is Kansas damnit. Get it right: UK! :P
Oh yeah... Tennessee sucks.
I was going to point this out but figured no one else cared (why again are we KU when we are the University of Kansas)
SI
My bad. I'll change it.
Really though, who cares about Kentucky? They're starting a redshirt freshman QB and two walkons at WR in the run and shoot. Not to mention the best player on the team...a stellar receiver (wish I had him) is out for the game due to injury as well.
The suckage will be blue and it will be in Lexington. :)
You forget, over in West Tenn we do not care. :)
I can not under, any circumstances, root for UT. Sorry. :)
I've lived over that way before...and I've seen a whole lot of orange. It wasn't hunting season either. :)
Come on, root for the walk on.
Wanted: A Conventional Offense
John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel
Very little number crunching, even just a casual look, will tell you that the Tennessee offense is down this year. That was expected with the quarterback fiasco that has played itself out. What’s unfortunate about the whole matter is that other Tennessee players have to pay for it.
UT’s coaching staff decided to simplify the offense. That’s fine in most regards, since you do have walk on quarterbacks taking snaps for you…but it isn’t helping everyone. Receiving and rushing numbers are down across the board for the team.
Perhaps the player hurt most of all by this is J.B. Brewster. The running back from Cumberland, Rhode Island, returned to UT for his senior year with nothing left to prove at the college level. A two time Heisman trophy winner; Brewster has to date 6,593 rushing yards, and there are still at least seven games left this season. Clearly, he would have been a top choice in the latest NFL draft, if not the first choice overall.
Brewster wanted a national championship. Tennessee has knocked on the door twice in the past three seasons, but hasn’t got in. Brewster wanted to cap his collegiate career by standing on top of the college world.
He couldn’t have seen the problems that would be coming. No one could. In fact, it may make Brewster’s attempt to make Tennessee a national champion that much sweeter if he can carry the load.
Problem is, Brewster isn’t carrying it.
Brewster is getting the ball. However, with defenses routinely stacking eight men in the box against the offense, Brewster’s yards per game is down by 50 yards a game and his carries are up. He has just three touchdowns in four games. His longest run from scrimmage this year is 21 yards.
Maybe we’re just spoiled. Maybe we shouldn’t expect over 2,000 yards out of one player in a season, but Brewster did that last season, in a conventional offense.
illinifan999
01-25-2004, 10:05 AM
Is lynching legal against journalists?
Is lynching legal against journalists?
Not legal, but generally encouraged.
The lineup remains the same with no injuries for the offense. Bart Serra's injury opens up a spot at corner and at returner, however.
Marc Billmaier will take over as the top punt and kick returner. In an effort to get J.B. Brewster the ball he becomes second choice returner.
Serra's injury would really hurt if Kentucky's run and shoot offense was formidable. Thankfully, it's not.
Rain and cool temperatures are expected Saturday in Lexington. The game will be shown locally, but heard nationally and internationally on FOFC radio.
illinifan999
01-25-2004, 10:17 AM
Not legal, but generally encouraged.
Excellent. http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/aktion073.gif http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/twak.gif http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/whistling.gif
I forgot to post stats from the MSU game. It'll be up in a minute. Then we'll move on to the Kentucky game.
Way to be, Illinifan!
Game stats:
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD
48 Brewster 35 121 3.4 18 0
15 AE 8 19 2.3 11 0
8 Castleberry 2 24 12.0 22 0
49 Mason 2 30 15.0 25 1
82 Everett 1 -3 -3.0 -3 0
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
15 AE 28 15 164 5.8 19 1 2
6 Schneider 1 1 18 18.0 18 1 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
48 Brewster 4 44 11.0 9 13 1
95 Witt 3 30 10.0 10 10 0
8 Castleberry 3 41 13.6 34 18 1
43 Prescott 2 19 9.5 13 10 0
49 Mason 2 20 10.0 18 15 0
32 Jordan 1 9 9.0 4 9 0
82 Everett 1 19 19.0 7 19 0
Punting Punts Yards Avg Long In20
2 Wheeler 4 148 37.0 46 4
illinifan999
01-25-2004, 10:29 AM
What the hell is that 5.8 yds attempt? Shoop your offensive coordinator? :P
What the hell is that 5.8 yds attempt? Shoop your offensive coordinator? :P
Quite possibly. I haven't given him a name yet.
Season stats through four games:
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Cmp Pct Yards Avg Lg TD Int Sck Yards Rating
AE QB TENN 4 4 77 53 68.8 608 7.89 29 8 2 2 11 164.1
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 10 6 60.0 83 8.30 24 1 0 2 10 162.7
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 2 0 14 7 50.0 84 6.00 20 1 0 0 0 123.9
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 4 4 128 552 4.3 21 3
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 4 0 41 215 5.2 25 2
AE QB TENN 4 4 18 46 2.5 11 0
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 5 9 1.8 19 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 4 0 2 24 12.0 22 0
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 2 0 3 9 3.0 8 1
Everett, Steven WR TENN 4 4 3 6 2.0 6 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 4 0 2 6 3.0 6 0
Player Pos Team GP GS Targ Ctch Yards Avg YAC Lg TD
Witt, Dominic TE TENN 4 4 22 13 170 13.0 111 28 3
Prescott, Roman FB TENN 4 4 15 10 104 10.4 82 18 0
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 4 4 10 9 100 11.1 34 15 2
Everett, Steven WR TENN 4 4 15 9 116 12.8 70 28 3
Jordan, Willie FB TENN 4 4 10 8 62 7.7 36 14 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 4 0 14 7 113 16.1 51 29 1
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 4 0 11 7 67 9.5 53 17 0
Witt, Monty TE TENN 2 0 1 1 16 16.0 7 16 0
Kolodzik, Thomas TE TENN 4 0 1 1 16 16.0 26 16 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 4 0 2 1 11 11.0 1 11 0
Player Pos Team Punt Yards Avg Lg In20
Wheeler, Daniel P TENN 12 469 39.0 51 9
fantastic flying froggies
01-25-2004, 01:13 PM
Rain and cool temperatures are expected Saturday in Lexington. The game will be shown locally, but heard nationally and internationally on FOFC radio.
And the numerous (well, 1 at least...) French UT fans will thus be able to follow their favourite QB AE and thank you for that...
BK: Welcome, college football fans to FOFC sports radio, featuring the University of Tennessee Volunteers. I’m Bob Kesling, and along with my partner Tim Priest, we’ll be bringing you today’s game.
We’re here in Lexington, Kentucky, at Commonwealth Stadium, where a sold out Kentucky crowd is braving the pouring rain and cool temperature to see this game.
It’s SEC football time for all of you fans and we’re about ready to get things rolling. Tim, what are your thoughts on Tennessee?
TP: Well, they struggled last week offensively against the Bulldogs, but their defense is playing phenomenal football right now. They’ll miss corner Bart Serra, especially in today’s game where you figure Kentucky might throw 50 times. Stepping into Serra’s role is sophomore Michael Dudgeon, and Kentucky will most likely try and pick on him early and often.
Offensively, they’ve got to do a little more. Two time Heisman winner J.B. Brewster is being slowed by defenses not worried about the pass. Tennessee really needs to find ways to get Brewster the ball into the open field and let him make plays like he’s done in the past, or try to throw more to alleviate the pressure on the running game.
BK: What about Kentucky?
TP: Kentucky comes into today’s game limping and they’re hurting both on offense and defense. Their best player on either side of the ball won’t dress today from injuries. That’s not good when you’re a young team depending on a few veterans. Kentucky will most likely be outmatched for most of this game and I don’t see them in this one for long in this game.
BK: OK, well it's time for a quick look at what else is happening in SEC football today.
South Carolina (2-1, 1-1) visits the swamp and the Gators (2-1, 2-0).
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2) plays Georgia (2-1, 1-1).
Arkansas (5-0, 2-0) at Ole Miss (2-3, 0-2).
LSU (3-1, 1-0) at Auburn (2-2, 1-0).
Mississippi State (2-2, 1-1) at Alabama (3-1, 1-1).
BK: We've had some controversy over the quarterback situation at UT. Tim, do you have anything on that?
TP: Sure do, Bob. Last night I spoke with head coach Philip Fulmer who told me he has the utmost confidence in quarterback Ardent Enthusiast. He expects Enthusiast to have a great game. He doesn't believe there is a quarterback controversy. Enthusiast is his quarterback. Naturally in big wins you try and get your backups in a game, and given the unique situation UT is in at quarterback, he really wants to try and have a serviceable backup.
BK: I see. And if Enthusiast has three turnovers today?
TP: You never know. Coach Fulmer may change his mind if that happens.
BK: We’re about ready for the kickoff now. Kentucky won the toss and elected to receive. Vols will get the ball first in the second half.
Kicker Ray Alston, a junior out of Stuart, VA, will kick off. Corner Edgar Brennan is deep for the Wildcats.
Alston readies the kickoff team, drops the arm and away we go. The kick is short for Alston’s standard and is fielded at the goal line. Brennan heads up the left sideline, tackled at the Kentucky 24 by freshman safety Richie England.
Kentucky comes out in the run and shoot offense…
Later in the game...
BK: First and 10, Wildcats, at the UT 34 yard line; 12:21 left in the first quarter. Kentucky with three receivers left, one receiver right. Karle drops bock, pumps left, throw across the middle….intercepted by the middle linebacker at the 20!
Melvin Briggs rumbles down the right sideline, finally taken down at the Kentucky 41 yard line. Give him a return of 40 yards on the play!
TP: Melvin Briggs, out of Stone Mountain, GA, a true junior, has started every game since he’s been here in the middle for the Vols. He had seven interceptions last year, and that gives him three so far this year.
BK: The teams are switching sides, and we’ll be right back.
BK: Tim, who’s starting today for the Vols on offense?
TP: In the backfield, it all boils down to J.B. Brewster at tailback, and lead blocking for him at the fullback positions will be Roman Prescott and Willie Jordan. Ardent Enthusiast is the quarterback under fire.
Only one receiver and one tight end in this offense; receiver Steven Everett and end Dominic Witt.
On the line from left to right: Lochner, Raymond, Peters, Washington, and Spangler.
BK: Vols line up power I; Everett split left. Kentucky lines up in an eight man front. Enthusiast barks out the signals, and there’s the snap. Handoff to Brewster, who takes the ball up the middle through a nice hole created by Peters; give him 6 yards on the play.
TP: Look for the Vols to really try and bang it up the middle against this weak Kentucky defense. I think UT wants to quickly establish their running game here.
BK: Vols line up in the same formation. Brewster again up the middle, Prescott with a great block this time, and he’s down after a gain of 11 at the Kentucky 24 yard line.
TP: The offensive line really looks fired up out there. They’re knocking the Wildcats 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. It’s not hard to be successful when you’re offensive line is playing like that.
BK: Power I; Jordan goes in short motion, toss to Brewster who gains 7 yards on the play, but there’s a flag. Looks like a holding call against UT.
TP: Bubba Spangler, the Vols right tackle grabbed the end and just wouldn’t let go. It’ll push Tennessee back 10 yards.
BK: Vols line up, and Enthusiast takes the snap. Handoff Brewster…no, it’s a play fake. Enthusiast fires downfield to Witt; Witt rumbles downfield finally tackled at the Kentucky 14. Give him a gain of 20 yards on the play.
TP: Tennessee likes to come out throwing off of play action. This time the defense reacted well to the run, but UT ends up throwing the ball over their head for the first down.
BK: First down, Volunteers! Enthusiast breaks the huddle and the Vols again lineup in the Power I. He takes the snap and this time does give the ball to Brewster, who gains 5 yards up the middle before being tackled.
TP: Back to the power football for Tennessee. They look like a team with something to prove today.
BK: You can say that again. Tennessee lines up quickly. Brewster again gets the ball. 3 yards, and he’s dropped at the 6. 3rd down and 2 for the Vols.
TP: Wildcats making a number of personnel changes, looks like they’re bringing in a goal line defense now.
BK: Vols line up again. Power I. Fullback offset left. Brewster gets the ball on a toss left. He gets the first down and is tackled at the 3-yard line.
UT gets up quickly and heads right back to the line of scrimmage. Kentucky scrambles to get back into position. Enthusiast takes the snap. Option right. Wildcats string the play out; Enthusiast finally pitches off to Brewster. Brewster breaks a tackle and scores along the right sideline!
Touchdown Tennessee!
TP: Excellent play call by the Vols. They strung the defense out on a toss left, and come right back with an option right, designed to get Brewster the ball along the goal line.
BK: Alston adds the extra point, and it’s 7-0 Tennessee.
We’ll be right back.
Edit: I'm going to break from this style; it doesn't feel like it's flowing well.
sterlingice
01-25-2004, 03:02 PM
Excellent. http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/aktion073.gif http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/twak.gif http://badkarmasquad.org/forum/html/emoticons/whistling.gif
Awesome :D
SI
In my dynasty, you not only get sports, but entertainment as well.
Kentucky goes 3 and out, but the starting running back suffers an unfortunate injury on the first play of the series. A senior, the young man is done for the season with a broken arm.
Kentucky's punter shanks a 22 yard punt; Billmaier returns it for 2 yards before getting shut down.
1st and 10 Tennessee, at the Kentucky 43, with 7:29 left in the first quarter.
We continue our diet of Brewster up the middle, and he gains 6 yards on the first play, and 9 on the next.
We finally go to our motion offense, and send Brewster out to the slot. It works well as Brewster 18 yards on the reception.
First and goal at the 10. We run option right, and I finally pitch to Brewster who goes up the sideline for 4 yards.
Brewster motions out of the backfield again, but this time I'm hit by the right defensive end. T Spangler got confused as to who to block and I paid the price for a loss of 5.
3rd and goal at the 11, and again we motion Brewster out of the backfield. This time I pump to Brewster and throw a pass to Witt, who was crossing underneath. It works, and Witt rumbles into the endzone untouched!
Touchdown, Tennessee! Alston adds the extra point, and we're rolling.
4:19 left in the 1st quarter, Tennessee 14, Kentucky 0.
Kentucky goes 3 and out again, with a familiar 22 yard punt. This time Brewster is back to return; but he only nets 4 yards.
1st and 10, UT, at the UT48. 2:14 left in the 1st quarter.
While on the sideline, we decided we should try and throw the ball a little bit more and see what kind of success we have. I'm all for it.
We line up in the Power I, and I lob a fade out to Everett. He makes a great catch at the Kentucky 29 and is forced out at the 28. On the next play I hit Witt over the middle for 10 for another first down. Problem is, a little pushing and shoving went on, and Witt received a personal foul. Dang it.
Mark it 1st and 25 at the UK 33.
Out onto the field trots true freshman running back Terrell Bedford. We give him the ball on a toss and he gains 2. 2nd and 23, and I find Witt again, this time for 11 yards.
3rd down and 12 from the 20, and we run our motion play. Brewster makes the catch, good for 10 yards and the end of the first quarter.
At the end of the first quarter, it's Tennessee 14, Kentucky 0.
4th and 2, from the 10, Alston adds a FG to make it 17-0 UT to start off the second quarter of play.
Kentucky goes 3 and out, but penalties and a sack force them from their 20 to their own 6. A good punt couple with a 5 yard Billmaier return gives UT the ball at the Kentucky 44 yard line with 13:21 left in the half.
We return to running the ball, and Brewster is our ball carrier. Brewster gets 2 up the middle, Mason gets 10 on a sweep, and Brewster gets a yard over left guard.
2nd and 9, and we run our motion/pass play, good for 10 yards to Brewster.
1st and 10 at the UK 21, Brewster goes off left tackle for 3, up the middle for 3, and is stuffed for no gain at the UK 15, forcing a fourth down.
Alston trots out and hits another field goal, this one from 32 yards out.
With 9:12 left in the half, it's 20-0 Tennessee.
Kentucky gets downfield quickly with a deep completion against Dudgeon, but turn the ball over on downs rather than attempt a FG.
1st and 10 UT at the UT 27. 6:21 left in the half.
Brewster breaks a run up the middle open on the first play from scrimmage, with a gain of 19 yards. It's followed by a dump off pass to Mason for 17, with Mason getting 9 yards after the catch. Just like that, it's 1st and 10 at the Kentucky 37.
Brewster gets two more carries; off right guard for 5, and up the middle for 4 more. 3rd and short. Run? Nah, we throw and catch the defense off balance. I find Brewster in the flat and he scampers upfield for 9 more yards.
1st and 10 at the UK19. We give the Wildcats another dose of Brewster and he gains 3. We try a sweep to the left, but he's dropped for a yard loss. 3rd and 8, and it's an obvious passing down.
I look to Witt, but he's double covered. I start to feel pressure off the left side and begin to scramble. I see Brewster open to the right but miss him because I threw on the run.
4th down now, and the field goal team comes out again. Fortunately, Alston is hitting everything nowadays and converts the 34 yard FG.
23-0 UT; 1:19 left in the half.
Fortunately, Kentucky runs the clock out to end the half. 23-0 UT.
In the locker room, we talk about what went right and wrong during the first half. A whole lot of rights and not a whole lot of wrongs.
I'd have liked to convert a FG or two into touchdowns, though.
Coach Fulmer tells us this game isn't over. We've got Kentucky down, and now is the time to take it to them. He doesn't want to see anyone take it easy.
What I'd really like to see is Brewster break one open for 25 yards or more. I'd like to see some explosion in our offense.
We get the ball to start off the second half, and Billmaier takes the kick at the 2 yard line.
He's stopped at the 22, and the offense takes the field.
We go for the kill on first down and look deep. No one is opened and I'm flushed from the pocket. Wildcats to the left of me, Wildcats to the right of me. Wildcats in front of me. I lob the ball away.
Not a wise move. Intentional grounding. Offense. Ardent Enthusiast. Hey, at least I didn't get hit.
Loss of seven on the play. Make it 2nd and 17 on the 15 yard line.
Brewster picks up for my slack and gets 12 on a run up the middle, providing us with a decent 3rd and 5. A screen to Mason gives us 15 more and a first down.
Brewster gets 3 on a toss and I hit Everett for a nice 16 yard completion. 1st and 10 on the UK39. Unfortunately, Witt is injured blocking downfield, and is clutching at his back. He's replaced by TE Thomas Kolodzik.
We try the option reverse with Everett, but defenses have really caught on to that play. Everett ends up dancing around and losing 3 yards in the process. Sure wish we had a halfback pass or receiver pass play. That may have been wide open there.
The coaching staff took a while getting the play in, and we're whistled for delay of game. Back us up a little more, and it's 2nd and 18 now at the UK47.
Now we've got to be in a passing mode and I try my first attempt to hit Kolodzik. It's tipped away by an eager safety. A screen to Willie Jordan nets 10, making 4th and 8 at the UK37.
I figure the punt team will be coming on the field, but as I look to the sideline, I see that's not the case: We're going for it.
In from the sideline comes Castleberry; out goes Jordan.
The call? Pro right doubles left H3 motion, X rub slant.
Basically calling for Everett to rub his defender off by running underneath the fly patterns of Castleberry and the motioning Brewster.
We break the huddle; Everett and Castleberry head left, Kolodzik tigh right. Brewster lines up to the left of me, Prescott to the right. With a lift of my heel, Brewster heads over toward the receivers. The defense, already out of postion in an 8 man front, sends a ILB to cover Brewster.
I take the snap and drop back. Both Kolodzik and Prescott stay in to help block. Everett runs underneath his teammates and catches the ball in stride. It's 20 yards before he's finally taken down.
1st and 10 at the 17. Option left, but the defense stuffs Brewster for no gain. A screen to Mason on the next play nets 13 and gives us a 1st and goal at the 4.
We call option right and the end crashes down on me. Mason is the pitch man, but he's smothered by a blitzing linebacker for a loss of 2. Ball on the 6, and Brewster gets 2 up the middle. Back on the 4, this time 3rd down. We run a rare counterplay, but it gets the touchdown; thanks to the great blocking of Prescott. Alston adds the XP and we've got 30 points.
Looks like I'll have a short day after all.
8:07 left in the 3rd; 30-0 UT
Kentucky gets a nice return to the UK28, and the QB promptly nets a 1st down on a 10 yard scramble. The defense vows revenge, and sacks the quarterback on three straight plays. A 37 yard punt and 7 yard return give us the ball at the UT47 with 5:53 left in the 3rd.
Remarkably, I'm not told to sit, and head back out onto the field.
A toss to Brewster gains five around right end, followed by an option play that only nets a yard. 3rd and 4, and we run our reliable motion/pass play. Mason converts the first down, and the ball is placed at the UK35.
I'm really starting to like Mason as a receiver.
Brewster gains 7 up the middle, but we're called for holding, pushing us back to the 45 and making it 1st and 20. Another go up the middle gives Brewster 3. We line up for an option left but the new TE Kolodzik jumps early and we're whistled for false start. Back us up another 5 yards. 2nd and 22. I hit Mason on a screen for 9 yards and the Kolodzik over the middle for huge 20 yard gain on 3rd and 13. He didn't have the first initially, but bulled his way through Wildcat defenders before finally going down.
The coaching staff liked the result of that and call something similar, but the defense reacts well this time. I'm hurried off the right edge and the pass sails over the receiver. 2nd down and we toss it out to Brewster who gets 2 yards before getting tackled.
3rd and 8 and we run a screen to Brewster, but the defense reacts well again, holding us to a 2 yard gain. 4th and 6 and we'll kick the FG. An offensive lineman flinches before the kick, and we're sent back 5 yards.
Alston converts anyway; a 36 yard FG which gives us a 33-0 lead with 43 seconds left in the half.
Blade6119
01-25-2004, 10:12 PM
would have been nice to see their WR in there
Kentucky manages yet another good return, this time to the UK35, but once again the offense goes 3 and out. A nice 45 yard punt forces Billmaier to make a fair catch at the UT21.
The drive consumed what was left of the 3rd quarter and gives UT the ball with 14:41 left in the game.
Once again I'm sent onto the field. Ask me no more questions and I'll tell you no more lies. I have no clue why I'm in the game at this point. Reserves have began to filter in at other positions on offense and defense already but for some reason I continue to play quarterback.
Unfortunately, the inexperience has resulted in a number of penalties this half and we start this drive with an anxious offensive tackle jumping. 1st and 15 at the 16, and we run play action. Kolodzik is wide open and I get him the ball. He's hauled down at the UT39 for a 23 yard gain.
Mason goes off left tackle for 6, but Brewster is dropped for a yard loss off right tackle. 3rd and 5 at the UT44, and a receiver screen to Castleberry nets 9 and another UT first down.
We plunge Mason up the middle; no gain. We plunge Brewster up the middle, no gain. 3rd and 10 at the UK 47, and we call for a screen to Mason. I'm rushed in my throw and end up missing Mason, who hadn't turned around for the pass yet.
This 4th down results in our punter seeing his first action of the game, and Wheeler doesn't disappoint. He drops a 34 yard punt down to the UK13. The returner dances around and ends up losing 4; dropped at the 9 with 10:23 left in the game.
would have been nice to see their WR in there
You mean UK's hurt stud?
Yeah, it would have made the game a little more interesting.
What sucked for UK today is that the Wr was out, another starting Wr was injured, the starting HB breaks his arm, and the redshirt freshman is forced to make plays on his own against our stellar defense. So far, he's completed two deep balls and made some nice scrambles...but they've been all for nothing.
Blade6119
01-25-2004, 10:27 PM
Sounds to me like you have assembled a "nice" defense...hell, the other team cant move the ball and its players are faking injuries...
Thats the way to win ballgames! :)
Kentucky goes 3 and out again, and nets 30 yards on their punt after a 6 yard return by Brewster.
Tennessee's ball with 9:07 left in the game at the UK42.
Again I'm sent onto the field and I wonder if Coach Fulmer is sending a message to those who were calling for me to be replaced.
Brewster goes off left tackle for 3, and Mason heads up the middle for 8 and the 1st down at the UK31.
Mason is dropped for a 2 yard loss up the middle, but gains 2 on a toss sweep on the next play. 3rd and 10 at the 31 yard line, and we run option right with Brewster. It breaks wide open as two defenders crash down on me and Brewster gains 18 down to the UK13 before being stopped.
A counter by Brewster nets 2 but he fumbles the ball. Fortunately, the center Peters is at the bottom of the pile with the ball. We send Brewster up the middle again for a yard and now it's 3rd and 9 at the 12 yard line.
We call for a TE throwback, where the TE fakes the block, and Kolodzik runs it perfectly. It results in a 12 yard TD pass.
Touchdown, Tennessee!
Alston adds the XP and we're up, 40-0 now, with 5:47 left in the game.
Sounds to me like you have assembled a "nice" defense...hell, the other team cant move the ball and its players are faking injuries...
Thats the way to win ballgames! :)
Yeah, but the only team we seem to have faced with an offense was Syracuse, and they took it to us.
I fear the Florida, Georgia, and Alabama games.
The Wildcats manage a short drive this series, but are forced to punt yet again. The punter shanks the punt, and the ball travels 25 yards. Brewster gains 6 yards on the return. Ball on the UT48 with 2:53 left in the game.
Once again, I'm sent on the field, and I'm told we're not taking prisoners.
Mason goes up the middle for 4.
A screen to Jordan gains 10. A screen to Prescott gains 7 (Coach Fulmer must really, really hate Kentucky to be doing this to them).
Option left, and Mason breaks free for 28 and makes it first and goal at the 3 with 28 seconds left in the game.
Certainly we'll kneel down here.
Nope.
The call comes in to give the ball to Mason on a dive, and we do.
Mason leaps over the pile but doesn't break the goalline, and the Kentucky defense holds us out as the clock expires.
Final score:
UT 40, UK 0
mtaystl03
01-25-2004, 11:03 PM
Did you actually change the name to Ardent Enthusiast or are you just using a random guy and making him into yourself? Is there anyway to change names and information in TCY?
Did you actually change the name to Ardent Enthusiast or are you just using a random guy and making him into yourself? Is there anyway to change names and information in TCY?
Welcome to my walk on dynasty, Mtaystl03.
There's no way to change names that I'm aware of. What I did was take UT and recruit everywhere but QB. This eventually led to UT having only walk ons at the position.
I don't know if you've had walk ons at a position, but they're typically very, very horrible, and AE is no different. His scout rating is 4, poor. He's ahead of Schroeder and Schneider but 1 point.
Walk on quarterbacks also have a tendency of being a little freaked under pressure and have a high scramble ability, AE is no different.
I basically took the QB that was to start for UT and renamed him, "AE". Works for me.
fantastic flying froggies
01-26-2004, 04:39 AM
Eat that, Mr John Adams ! QB controversy my ass !!!
SEC games this week:
South Carolina (2-1, 1-1) visits the swamp and the Gators (2-1, 2-0).
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2) plays Georgia (2-1, 1-1).
Arkansas (5-0, 2-0) at Ole Miss (2-3, 0-2).
LSU (3-1, 1-0) at Auburn (2-2, 1-0).
Mississippi State (2-2, 1-1) at Alabama (3-1, 1-1).
Results:
South Carolina 21, Florida 24
Vanderbilt 7, Georgia 38
Arkansas 56, Ole Miss 13
LSU 10, Auburn 17
Mississippi State 14, Alabama 49
In the locker room, I'm given my second game ball. It's a bit surprising; I thought J.B. Brewster would get it.
Turns out I threw for more than 300 yards today. Wow. I hadn't realized that.
Everyone congratulates me on a great game, and it feels good to be me again. The ride home will be sweet.
Hope John Adams watched this game.
The Afoci
01-26-2004, 11:29 AM
40-0 vs. UK. Pull the QB. They should score 70!
SEC players of the week:
DT C.J. Jarvis, Florida. 7 tackles, 3 assists, 3.5 sacks. This sucks.
QB Blake Kinney, Arkansas. 30 of 40, 516 yards, 8 TDs.
Tennessee players mentioned:
AE, J.B. Brewster, Brandon Mason, and Ray Alston.
On the bus ride home, we're shocked to hear on the radio that Northwestern has just beat #1 Ohio State, 35-10.
Could we be the next #1 team?
Northwestern?!?!?!?!
The news on Dominic Witt is not good. He's out with a sprained back. He might make it back near the end of the regular season. Thomas Kolodzik, a sophomore, will start at tight end.
Game stats vs. Kentucky. I decided to include our not so great returners.
Enjoy.
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
15 AE 28 24 318 11.3 24 2 0
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD
48 Brewster 34 142 4.1 19 2
49 Mason 10 56 5.6 28 0
82 Everett 1 -3 -3.0 -3 0
15 AE 1 -5 -5.0 0 0
37 Bedford 1 2 2.0 2 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
48 Brewster 5 49 9.8 29 18 0
49 Mason 5 66 13.2 39 17 0
95 Witt 4 52 13.0 29 20 1
82 Everett 3 60 20.0 8 24 0
91 Kolodzik 3 55 18.3 28 23 1
32 Jordan 2 20 10.0 10 10 0
43 Prescott 1 7 7.0 5 7 0
8 Castleberry 1 9 9.0 0 9 0
Punt Returns Att Yards Avg TD
48 Brewster 3 16 5.3 0
42 Billmaier 3 14 4.6 0
Kick Returns Att Yards Avg TD
42 Billmaier 1 20 20.0 0
Punting Punts Yards Avg Long In20
2 Wheeler 1 34 34.0 34 1
Season stats through 5 games:
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Cmp Pct Yards Avg Lg TD Int Sck Yards Rating
AE QB TENN 5 5 105 77 73.3 926 8.81 29 10 2 3 16 174.9
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 10 6 60.0 83 8.30 24 1 0 2 10 162.7
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 2 0 14 7 50.0 84 6.00 20 1 0 0 0 123.9
Player Pos Team GP GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 5 5 162 694 4.2 21 5
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 5 5 51 271 5.3 28 2
Schroeder, Terry QB TENN 1 0 5 9 1.8 19 0
AE QB TENN 5 5 19 41 2.1 11 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 5 0 2 24 12.0 22 0
Schneider, Neal QB TENN 2 0 3 9 3.0 8 1
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 5 0 3 8 2.6 6 0
Everett, Steven WR TENN 5 5 4 3 0.7 6 1
Player Pos Team GP GS Targ Ctch Yards Avg YAC Lg TD
Witt, Dominic TE TENN 5 5 26 17 222 13.0 140 28 4
Brewster, J.B. RB TENN 5 5 16 14 149 10.6 63 18 2
Everett, Steven WR TENN 5 5 18 12 176 14.6 78 28 3
Mason, Brandon RB TENN 5 5 17 12 133 11.0 92 17 0
Prescott, Roman FB TENN 5 5 16 11 111 10.0 87 18 0
Jordan, Willie FB TENN 5 5 12 10 82 8.2 46 14 0
Castleberry, Terry WR TENN 5 0 15 8 122 15.2 51 29 1
Kolodzik, Thomas TE TENN 5 0 6 4 71 17.7 54 23 2
Witt, Monty TE TENN 3 0 1 1 16 16.0 7 16 0
Bedford, Terrell RB TENN 5 0 2 1 11 11.0 1 11 0
DataKing
01-26-2004, 01:06 PM
Ardent Enthusiast for Heisman!
:D
Ardent Enthusiast for Heisman!
:D
Forgive me if I'm wrong, DK. Didn't you mean, J.B. Brewster for Heisman?
:)
tucker342
01-26-2004, 11:36 PM
[quote]15 AE 28 24 318 11.3 24 2 0
Wow, 24-28 with 318 yds and 2 touchdowns?
That's umm a pretty good game...
[quote]
Wow, 24-28 with 318 yds and 2 touchdowns?
That's umm a pretty good game...
I knew I started off very well, but I didn't think I had that great of a finish. Guess I was wrong. When I got the intentional grounding and started missing some receivers, I figured I was in for an average day.
I'm very happy the staff didn't pull me in favor of Schneider. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have half the numbers I did.
Sunday's review of game film was a whole lot easier than last week's. Just about everything seemed to go our way in the Kentucky rain. We had very few real mistakes, but a lot of mental mistakes by our inexperienced underclassmen.
A few grass drills are in order.
Reviewing Florida, on the other hand, was quite interesting.
They're 3-1, having lost to a good UCLA team by 3. The defense seems to be top notch, with an All American outside linebacker and numerous all conference type players throughout. They have 13 sacks and 7 interceptions in their four games.
Offensively, though, they look really weak. They're putting up points, but it looks like they rely on the offense to get them the ball a lot. They've allowed 15 sacks and 7 interceptions.
We'll have to stay very conservative and hold onto the ball if we hope to win this game.
Gator Defense Not Likely To Fold
John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel
Quarterback Ardent Enthusiast enjoyed his game of the century on Saturday against a weakened Wildcat defense, and good for him. The walk on, fifth year senior deserves it for all the work he's put in over the past couple of months. Enthusiast threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Quite a day for anyone, really.
I don't see a repeat performance in front of the home crowd, though. Florida is coming to town. Not that I had to tell you. I'm sure the Florida game has been circled on your calander for most of the year. If you don't have tickets, I'm sure you've tried to get them by now.
Write this down: Florida won't allow 200 yards in the air against Tennessee. I'm almost certain Tennessee won't even muster 100 yards in the air Saturday. We won't win unless we run the ball.
Florida's defense is built around speed, the blitz, and deception. Three things I'm almost certain our offense can't handle. They're certain to rattle our walk on quarterback; and the last thing you want on offense is a rattled quarterback.
That's what we'll have though if we try to throw too often. Florida's defense has 13 sacks on the season, and 21 unofficial "hurries". The secondary is averaging almost 2 interceptions per game as well.
Actually, Florida's whole team is built around this defense. I'm not overly impressed by the run and shoot offense Coach Ron Zook uses there. I believe we can hold this Florida team to 20 points.
I just don't believe we can score 21.
UT is #1!!
School Record Conf Coach
**Tennessee 5-0 SEC 1
Ohio State 5-1 B10 2
Oklahoma 5-1 B12 3
Stanford 5-0 PAC 4
Arkansas 6-0 SEC 5
Nebraska 5-1 B12 6
Arizona State 5-0 PAC 7
Colorado State 5-1 MOU 8
South Florida 5-0 USA 9
Alabama 4-1 SEC 10
Georgia Tech 4-1 ACC 11
Georgia 3-1 SEC 12
Miami 5-1 BEA 13
Syracuse 5-1 BEA 14
North Carolina 5-0 ACC 15
Florida State 3-2 ACC 16
Florida 3-1 SEC 17
Utah 3-1 MOU 18
Washington 3-2 PAC 19
Pittsburgh 5-1 BEA 20
UCLA 4-2 PAC 21
Maryland 5-1 ACC 22
Texas 2-3 B12 23
Michigan 4-2 B10 24
Minnesota 4-2 B10 25
ESPN announced today that the ESPN GameDay crew will travel to Knoxville to showcase the Florida/Tennessee game.
The game pits #17 Florida against the top ranked Vols of Tennessee. The game will be televised nationally, and internationally, on TV1.
UT opens as a 6.5 point favorite over the Gators.
The practice week has been really tense. Coach Fulmer and the rest of the staff have really tightened down on us this week. They're preaching no mistakes on offense, and I hope we can do that.
We certainly haven't tried to add anything new for this game, but we did work on a bunch offense some. That's our "come back" offense, in case we're losing.
Lord, I hope it doesn't come down to that.
Game day temperature and weather: 75 degrees and sunny.
A great day for Tennessee football!
Other games in the SEC today:
Kentucky (1-5, 0-3) at Georgia (3-1, 2-1).
South Carolina (2-2, 1-2) at Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3).
Ole Miss (2-4, 0-3) at Auburn (3-2, 2-0).
Alabama (4-1, 2-1) at LSU (3-2, 1-1). TV4
Arkansas (6-0, 3-0) at Mississippi State (2-3, 1-2).
The Vol Walk left me just a little more nervous than usual. Felt like a record crowd out there cheering us as we went to the stadium today.
In the locker room, J.B. asks to talk to the team; no coaches allowed.
J.B. says he wants to go out on top, and to do that we have to take care of business today on the field. We have to give it our all.
GO VOLS!!
Heading out the tunnel, and running through the T, I hear the deafening roar of the sold out Tennessee faithful. If I want to keep them cheering, I know what I and the rest of the team have to do.
I realize that this will be the game that everyone measures me by. Lose today, no matter what, and the blame will go on me.
I'm told we won the toss and elected to receive. My date with destiny has finally arrived.
illinifan999
01-27-2004, 04:29 PM
NOOOOOOO, You can't stop there!
k0ruptr
01-27-2004, 06:21 PM
SOB we want ardent, we want ardent, we want ardent...
GO GATORS!!!
:D :D :D
Crim
The band is playing "Rocky Top" and fans are going wild.
Television crews have just cut back to the stadium, and Florida's kicker sends the ball of to Marc Billmaier and J.B. Brewster. It lands 7 yards into the endzone, and Billmaier takes a knee in the endzone.
"Power I right, split left, 21 dive on 3, on 3 everyone, don't jump" I tell the team and we head to the field.
Florida shows us an 8 man front; and the shifting has begun. Florida's defense moves everyone in hopes of confusing our blocking assignments.
"Down, set, hut, hike!..."
That's all it took. The right end jumps across and comes after me. He taps my shoulder as he slows down. He knows we just got him. We didn't go on three the whole game against Kentucky. We knew someone would jump today.
1st and 5 at the 25. Same play call. Brewster take the handoff but gains only a yard. The Gator defense celebrates the stop.
I look to the sideline for the play and in comes Castleberry. Play action off the dive.
"Power I left, Split left, 521 Oscar on two, on two, ready, break!"
The team lines up and I scan the defense. The shifting and moving by the defense is so confusing; it would be better if I just shut my eyes until the ball was snapped.
I take the snap, and shove an empty hand into Brewster's belly. Here comes Castleberry on the "Oscar" reverse call, and I fake the ball into his belly as well.
"Reverse! Reverse!" Despite the noise of the crowd, you can still hear the defense crying for help.
Only it wasn't a reverse. TE Thomas Kolodzik did a wonderful job faking a stalk block and had slipped past everyone. As I turn around, ball in hand, screams of "Pass!!!!" come to my ears. All I can think of is trying to actually complete this wide open pass.
It wasn't the prettiest pass I'd thrown this year. In fact, I kind of short armed it. Kolodzik had to slow down and wait for the ball...but it got there. He made the catch at the UT47 and rumbled ahead to the Florida 40 before getting caught from behind.
The crowd erupts! A short bit of "Rocky Top" comes from the band.
Everett returns to the huddle with the call for a counter play.
"Power I right, split right, 24 counter on 1, on 1, ready, break!" Brewster takes the handoff going right and cuts back left. I continue on a bootleg over the left side and snap my head around as if to pass. Brewster gains a yard, but a Florida player drops a hit on Brewster when he was already clearly down. A yellow flag is dropped and we're awarded 15 more free yards.
Boos erupt from the Volunteer faithful. With the penalty marked off, it's 1st and 10 on the Florida 29 yard line.
"Power I left, split left, 23 on 1, on 1, ready, break!" Brewster gets another carry, this time off right guard. We get a seal here, and a seal there, and Brewster breaks it open. He's finally dragged down by a fleet footed safety at the 3 yard line!
Cheers erupt again, and this is the most explosive this offense has felt in weeks.
TE Monty Witt replaces Castleberry in the lineup, and comes in with the play.
"Power I right, Z quick, 28 toss, on two, on two, ready, break!" I take a look at the defense. They were celebrating not too long ago when they stopped us for a yard gain. Now look at them. They look, well, nervous.
Just before I take the snap, FB Willie Jordan takes off in motion. I spin around and pitch the ball off to Brewster, who's heading for the left pylon. He gets in!
TOUCHDOWN, TENNESSEE!!
Alston adds the extra point and life is good in Knoxville.
12:55 left in the 1st quarter; Tennessee 7, Florida 0.
On the sideline during the TV timeout and while Florida has the ball, we discuss what went on during that drive. Florida appeared to lose concentration after stopping us at the line of scrimmage. Both times Florida held us at the line we had big gains. Two penalties; one a huge 15 yard automatic first down. All told we ran five plays. Not a bad drive for 80 yards.
I'm called to the sideline as Florida gets set to punt. The punt is a low line drive and Billmaier watches the ball roll out of bounds at the UT44 with 10:46 left in the first quarter.
Figuring the Florida defense expects a run on first down, we go for another play action pass. Again off the dive fake, this time without the reverse action. Florida is again caught flat footed, and I hit Kolodzik over the middle. He's finally tackled at the Florida 29.
"Where's this guy been all season?" I wonder as we head up to the huddle. Wow.
Option left is the call from the sideline, but Florida strings us out and Brewster eventually is stopped at the line of scrimmage.
Out goes Brewster, and in comes Mason. Play call? Quick slant to the SE Everett. He makes the catch and gains 8 more yards; tackled at the 18. Unfortunately, Mason limps off the field.
Another option left, and this time I'm forced to keep. I tuck my head down and get 2 yards before getting whacked by an outside linebacker.
That's two plays without getting Brewster the ball. Time to give it to him again. I don't like carrying the ball, anyway. Brewster finds a hole off the right side and gains 12 down to the 4 yard line. We call the same play, this time with two tight ends instead of one, and Brewster plunges in for his second touchdown of the day!
TOUCHDOWN, TENNESSEE!!
Alston adds the extra point! Rocky Top is home sweet home for me.
7:15 left in the 1st quarter; Tennessee 14, Florida 0.
SirFozzie
01-28-2004, 05:12 AM
ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE!!!!
(MORE MORE MORE)
Things went well for us again on that drive. Thankfully, a shorter field than the opening kickoff.
Three plays for over 10 yards, and we're eating these guys up. Team confidence is high on the sideline.
The defense enters the field fired up about the points scored, and shuts Florida down again. Florida is forced to punt again after 3 plays, this time from their own 13. The weak punt went 34 yards and Billmaier returned it 4 yards to the Florida 43. 6:09 left in the 1st.
Florida: 6 offensive plays; 2 punts. Good job, defense!
Brewster goes off right guard for a yard, and I decide to go with a long count. For the first time, our guy jumps instead of theirs, and we're pushed back 5 yards. A screen to Brewster only nets 2 yards, and Florida's defense finally looks like it came to play.
3rd and 12 on the Florida 45, and we're trying to get punter Daniel Wheeler a little closer to the 20 for a punt. We call off tackle and Brewster breaks a tackle at the line of scrimmage and spins past another defender! He darts into the open field, finally brought down by a corner at the 18 yard line
First down, Tennessee!
Mason starts to jog in to give Brewster a breather, but Mason waves him off. Coach sends in a play with the receiver instead. In the huddle, Brewster demands the ball.
"This is our time. I won't let us lose this game. Give me the ball."
Absolutely. You won't hear me argue. I just hope the coaches will agree.
They do. Brewster goes up the middle for 6. Option right, and a pitch to Brewster nets 6 more. First down at the 6 yard line.
Option right again. Brewster is lagging a bit, taking the pitch and heads upfield for no gain.
Mason does come in this time, and Brewster isn't as defiant.
Another option to the right, and Mason takes us to the 2.
In comes Brewster again, and he dives into the endzone off right tackle for another touchdown!
TOUCHDOWN, TENNESSEE!!
Alston adds the XP.
Take that, John Adams.
2:00 left in the 1st; Tennessee 21, Florida 0.
Florida's receivers aren't just dangerous receivers. They're dangerous returners as well.
One of them returns the kickoff to the Florida 35, and two plays later he's running down the sideline with a 39 yard completion. We succeed in stopping them there; even pushing them back two yards.
In the process, the 1st quarter ends.
End of the 1st, Tennessee 21, Florida 0.
4th and 12; what will they do? Certainly they won't try a 51 yard FG. But out comes the FG team. And the guy absolutely freaking nails it.
Son of a gun.
14:10 left in the 2nd, Tennessee 21, Florida 3.
Other scores around the SEC:
End of the first quarter:
Ole Miss 14, Auburn 14
Arkansas 14, Mississippi State 13
Alabama 0, LSU 7
South Carolina 14, Vanderbilt 7
Kentucky 0, Georgia 7
Brewster takes the short kickoff at the 6 and races upfield to the 29. He comes off the field for a play, as per design.
It's time to see if we can do any drop back throws; since we have an 18 point lead to toy with.
"Power I right, split right, H7, 259. On two, on two", and we head onto the field. H7 sends Mason in motion to the right side, into a slot position and the number call are the routes we're running. Mason motions out, and runs a nice pattern, but I underthrow the ball.
"My bad" I call out, and pat myself on the chest, indicating I'm to blame. Mason waves me off and heads to the sideline, and in comes Brewster with the next play.
It's of similar design, but Brewster will run a curl route instead. I hit Brewster, and he spins around for 6 yards and the first down.
Three straight carries by Brewster, however, only net us 6 yards. We're stopped 4 yards short of the 1st. A quick look to the sideline, and yep, we're done.
Wheeler and the punt team come onto the field. Wheeler drops another punt inside the 20, this one rolling out of bounds at the Florida 17.
We didn't score, but at least we took 3 minutes off the clock.
11:01 left in the 2nd; Tennessee 21, Florida 3.
Florida is forced into another 3 and out series, and a horrid 30 yard punt would have gave us the ball at midfield. Billmaier instead tries to make something out of nothing on the return and loses 6 yards in the process.
First and 10 at the UT43; 9:53 left in the 1st half.
"Power I right, double split, H8, 9's. on two, on two." We're going deep. Time to put the women and children in bed and go looking for dinner. Always wanted to say that. Too bad I didn't.
I take the snap and drop back seven steps. I'm plowed. I don't really remember hitting the ground. A loss of 7 and I'm told the guy came around the right tackle to do it.
That hurt. Option left is our next call, and I'm a little groggy. Normally when it comes to option football I pitch first and ask questions later. The option play is strung out, and for some reason instead of pitching I turn upfield. Florida couldn't believe it either, and I somehow get 7 yards up the sideline.
That's enough punishment for me. Time to throw the ball; it's third and long. Mason's in the ball game, and I send him in motion. A lob over the middle causes a collision in the air, but Mason comes up with the ball. It's close enough for a measurement, but we're just short of the first at the Florida 48.
I'm confident we can get it, but Coach Fulmer is not. In comes Wheeler, and he drops a punt out of bounds at the 8. That guy can kick.
8:06 left in the 1st half; Tennessee 21, Florida 3.
The Afoci
01-28-2004, 01:44 PM
Florida must have bet big against themselves...
DataKing
01-28-2004, 02:45 PM
Pete Rose works for the Gators now? :D
k0ruptr
01-28-2004, 08:33 PM
more more more!
Florida's lackluster offense is again dominated by our defense. 3 and out; the 37 yard punt downed by a Gator at the Florida 48. 6:31 left in the half.
Brewster gets nothing up the middle; and an 8 yard option by Mason is negated by a holding call. Brewster gets the call up the middle again, this time gaining 2. 3rd and 18 and I look to Kolodzik on a deep post, but I get rid of the ball early due to the Florida rush. Result? Incomplete. Wheeler and the punt team head onto the field again.
Wheeler drops a 44 yarder to the Florida 12. The returner loses 5 on the return.
1st and 10 Gators at the 7.
5:11 left in the 1st half; Tennessee 21, Florida 3.
Florida begins to solve our defense and moves upfield, gaining 20 yards. The quarterback makes a mistake, however, and CB Michael Dudgeon capitalizes. His interception give the Vols good field position.
1st and 10, Vols, at the Florida 30 yard line. 2:20 left in the half.
Play action dive is called on first down, and it works. Kolodzik shakes the linebacker and nets 14 yards after the catch. First and 10 at the 6 yard line.
Brewster goes off left guard for 4, but loses a yard on 2nd down. 3rd and goal at the 3. 1:00 left in the half.
We go back to the toss; it worked earlier near the goal line. It works here. Brewster scores again.
Touchdown, Tennessee!
Alston adds the extra point, and Florida is in shock.
:50 left in the 1st half; Tennessee 28, Florida 3.
The kick off results in a touchback. Florida runs three plays and heads to the locker room.
The locker room was full of smiles; until the coaches came in. Coach Fulmer has a healthy hate for the Gators, and he's not pleased that we had to punt 3 times in the first half. He's not pleased with the return team. He's not even pleased with the defense after the long pass completion resulted in 3 points.
In other words, we better get our butts in gear.
Message received.
Other scores around the SEC:
Half time:
Ole Miss 17, Auburn 21
Arkansas 24, Mississippi State 13
Alabama 13, LSU 21
South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 21
Kentucky 0, Georgia 21
Florida takes the 2nd half kickoff, but it results in a touchback. More over, it results in another 3 and out. A nice punt, this time, of 42 yards, but it's negated by a 12 yard Billmaier return.
1st and 10 at the UT48, with 13:59 left in the 3rd quarter.
Brewster is stopped off left tackle for no gain on 1st down. The long count gets a Florida player to jump, though, before the next play starts. 2nd and 5, and I hit Kolodzik in the flat for 7 yards and he turns upfield for 5 more.
1st down, Tennessee. Two successive dives by Brewster net 3 yards. A false start by the left guard results in a 3rd and 12 at the Florida 37 yard line.
Brewster gains 7 after breaking a tackle off right guard and we all look to the sideline. Wheeler and company stay put and in comes the play.
4th and 5 at the Florida 30. Crunch time. Option right. Strung out. Pitch to Brewster; turns upfield gains 3 and taken down.
Ball turned over on downs.
First down, Florida at the 27.
10:35 left in the 3rd quarter; Tennessee 28, Florida 3.
The defense responds. 2 sacks; 3 plays. 45 yard punt; Billmaier returns it 13 yards. Holding on the return team sends the ball back to the UT 44. 9:08 left in the 3rd quarter.
Play action to FB Prescott is tipped away by a linebacker. Play action on 2nd down is ineffective: I end up scrambling upfield for 3 yards. Another false start for the home team sets up a 3rd and 12 at the UT42.
A pass to Mason in the flat works well; he gains 10 before getting tackled. Unfortunately, he's short of the first down. Wheeler and company return for action.
Wheeler drops a 44 yard punt to the Florida 4. The returner makes the catch, but doesn't net yardage on the return.
7:29 left in the 3rd quarter; Tennessee 28; Florida 3.
Florida drives upfield again, but a sack by DE Doug Stanton causes a fumble. Andrew Harding, at the other end, falls on the ball at the Florida 14.
First and 10, Tennessee! 6:40 left in the 3rd quarter.
Option right. The end crashes and I pitch off. Brewster heads upfield and gains 10, to the 4. The crowd erupts!
Brewster follows a trap block on second down up the middle for his 5th touchdown of the game.
TOUCHDOWN, TENNESSEE!!
Alston adds the extra point, and the band plays on.
5:51 left in the 3rd quarter; Tennessee 35, Florida 3.
Florida's returner takes the ball to the Florida 27, but an ineffective offense is forced to punt after 3 plays again. The 37 yard punt is fielded by Billmaier, who makes the most of a missed lane and wall of blockers. He gains 42 on the return and is dropped at the Florida 26.
1st and 10, UT. 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter.
Brewster takes a toss left and heads out of bounds after a gain of 3. He bursts off left tackle for 15 for another 1st down to the Florida 8.
Option left and the end crashes. Immediate pitch read. Brewster cuts upfield where the end once was...open field, and that's not good for Florida.
TOUCHDOWN, TENNESSEE!!!
Brewster's 6th of the game. Alston adds the extra point. The band plays "Rocky Top" and "Brewster" is chanted by the crowd.
3:16 left in the 3rd; Tennessee 42; Florida 3.
A great kick return sets Florida at their own 39; Alston is injured as he tried to assist on the tackle; but it doesn't appear serious. He is, after all, a kicker. How serious could it be?
The backup is in at QB for the Gators. It's his first action of the season. He sets off on the right foot and drives the Gators downfield, but an errant throw is picked of by Billmaier. The short return gives UT the ball at the UT37. :44 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately, DE Harding rolls on the ground holding his left ankle. It appears serious.
Terrell Bedford sees his first action of the game; a carry off right tackle for 5. Brewster gains 12 up the middle, hurdling a defensive tackle that a backup offensive lineman pancaked. The play ends the 3rd quarter.
End of the 3rd quarter; Tennessee 42, Florida 3.
Other scores around the SEC:
End of the 3rd quarter:
Ole Miss 28, Auburn 28
Arkansas 30, Mississippi State 20
Alabama 14, LSU 35 (error in half time report; Alabama indeed hit the extra point)
South Carolina 35, Vanderbilt 42
Kentucky 8, Georgia 38
Start of the 4th quarter, and the ball is at the Florida 46 yard line.
I'm still in the game, and it appears certain I'll complete the game.
Option left, and Mason takes the pitch and finds a seam up the sideline; good for 20 yards!
A play action pass results in a scramble by me. I gain 2, but the tackler hits me from behind and I lose the ball. Fortunately, Willie Jordan falls on the ball nearby.
2nd and 8, and we run play action again. It's open this time; I find third string TE Monty Witt and he scores from 24 yards out!
TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE!
Alston adds the extra point.
13:26 left in the game; Tennessee 49, Florida 3.
Craptacular
01-28-2004, 10:52 PM
My time away on vacation really screwed up my FOFC viewing ... is there a Cliffs Notes version of this dynasty available? :)
Another nice return by the Florida special teams; but at this point it's almost pointless. Florida can't move the ball offensively. 3 and out. The punter hits a 38 yard punt; Billmaier with a 19 yard return to the UT41. 11:35 left in the game.
We come out throwing; I hit Castleberry for 11 yards. Play action; and it works. I hit Witt across the middle; but there's a flag. Witt pushed a defender out of the way before he caught the ball; a clear case of offensive pass interference. Make it 1st and 25 at the UT37.
Brewster tries the right side twice; gaining 8 the first time, but nothing on the second. 3rd and 17, and a screen to Mason nets 3 more, setting up a 4th and 14 at the UT48.
Lots of room for Wheeler to work, but he gets off his first shank of the game. The 28 yard duck is downed by the coverage team at the Florida 24.
9:09 left in the game; Tennessee 49, Florida 3.
Florida goes over the top, looking for a homerun ball to get them in double digits. The pass is intercepted by Billmaier, who falls down as he makes the catch at the UT35.
First down, Tennessee. 9:00 left in the game.
Mason goes up the middle but loses the ball after a gain of 3. G Washington is there, and we've avoided another possible turnover. Brewster comes in and goes up the middle for a gain of 3, setting up 3rd and 4 at the UT41.
Play action works well and I find TE Monty Witt in over the middle. He's dropped savagely by the safety. A flag flies in; spearing on the defense. Good news is that Witt gets up on his own somewhat decently. He even finds the huddle. The penalty gives UT the ball at the Florida 34.
A pass to Brewster in the flat is turned into an 11 yard gain; but a pass to Mason is incomplete; blame the rush of the defensive line on that one. Option left; the defense ignores me. I fake a pitch and cut upfield, gaining 4.
3rd and 6 at the 19, and we call a rollout pass to the right. Unfortunately, my backfield blocker, Willie Jordan, fails on his assignment. I'm crushed from behind for a loss of 8.
Alston comes in to clean up the mess; he connects on a 44 yard field goal.
5:24 left in the game; Tennessee 52, Florida 3.
My time away on vacation really screwed up my FOFC viewing ... is there a Cliffs Notes version of this dynasty available? :)
I'll PM you the general info in a few minutes or so. :) Cliff notes, if you will.
sterlingice
01-28-2004, 11:24 PM
Ooh. A Steve Spurier-esque score. If only someone had hung a number like that on him when he was there.
SI
It is the Ron Zook era. Coach Fulmer has no mercy. He'll give beatings to Florida anytime. Sorry Crim. :)
After a touchback, Florida goes 3 and out for what would be the final time of the game. The 38 yard punt is returned by Brewster for 14 yards to the Florida 46.
Coach Fulmer apparently isn't done just yet. 3:11 still on the clock.
Mason takes a counter over the left side for a yard. Play action results in an incomplete, as I was rushed into throwing early.
3rd and 9, and we go to the motion offense. Brewster goes in motion and catches the ball on an out route. He turns upfield, gaining the 1st and 2 more yards as well.
1st and 10, ball on the 34, time is ticking. Brewster goes out, in comes Mason. Mason goes in motion. The snap, Everett pulls up on a curl route. Mason streaks underneath him and up the field. I hit him in stride with a duck that he holds on to for a gain of 23 yards.
Cheers erupt from the crowd as Coach Fulmer sends in Neal Schneider. I'm fairly certain they're for the great game I've played, and not for the fact Neal is getting some PT.
That's what I'm going to believe, anyway.
1st and 10 at the 11. Mason takes a pitch left for 1 yard. He then goes up the middle for 2. 3rd and 7. Schneider takes the snap and lobs the ball into the endzone for Castleberry, but it falls short of the target.
Alston comes in and hits the FG, a 25 yarder.
You never know, in a game like this, you may need that later on. Beware of those 52 point comebacks in 52 seconds.
After another touchback, the Florida offense comes out and runs the ball for one play and that kills the rest of the clock.
Final score: Tennessee 55, Florida 3.
And I'm living the dream.
SirFozzie
01-29-2004, 01:09 AM
Final score: Tennessee 55, Florida 3.
And I'm living the dream.
ROLL ON ROCKY TOP!
Vols just made themselves some Gator Gumbo!
k0ruptr
01-29-2004, 01:51 AM
ass beating. beautiful.
fantastic flying froggies
01-29-2004, 04:07 AM
Gator Defense Not Likely To Fold
John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel
Quarterback Ardent Enthusiast enjoyed his game of the century on Saturday against a weakened Wildcat defense, and good for him. The walk on, fifth year senior deserves it for all the work he's put in over the past couple of months. Enthusiast threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Quite a day for anyone, really.
I don't see a repeat performance in front of the home crowd, though. Florida is coming to town. Not that I had to tell you. I'm sure the Florida game has been circled on your calander for most of the year. If you don't have tickets, I'm sure you've tried to get them by now.
Write this down: Florida won't allow 200 yards in the air against Tennessee. I'm almost certain Tennessee won't even muster 100 yards in the air Saturday. We won't win unless we run the ball.
Florida's defense is built around speed, the blitz, and deception. Three things I'm almost certain our offense can't handle. They're certain to rattle our walk on quarterback; and the last thing you want on offense is a rattled quarterback.
That's what we'll have though if we try to throw too often. Florida's defense has 13 sacks on the season, and 21 unofficial "hurries". The secondary is averaging almost 2 interceptions per game as well.
Actually, Florida's whole team is built around this defense. I'm not overly impressed by the run and shoot offense Coach Ron Zook uses there. I believe we can hold this Florida team to 20 points.
I just don't believe we can score 21.
Another great prediction by our "friend" John Adams. He really is a great journalist, isn't he ? Including typos and spelling mistakes and all... ;)
Oops. That's my bad. You see, when I "found" his article, I just re typed it here. :) All spelling errors are mine. Obviously. :)
Fine AE. Good job. But did Arkansas hold off Mississippi State or not dammit!
Fine AE. Good job. But did Arkansas hold off Mississippi State or not dammit!
lol...around the SEC...
FINALS
Ole Miss 35, Auburn 42
Arkansas 51, Mississippi State 27
Alabama 14, LSU 42
South Carolina 46, Vanderbilt 49
Kentucky 8, Georgia 59.
Amidst the celebration in the locker room, Coach Fulmer gives J.B. Brewster his fourth game ball of the season. Six touchdowns in a game will get that for you.
No rest for the weary. We have to forget about this victory and start off fresh against Ole Miss.
I've got a feeling Coach has got some extra work for the kick coverage team this week after a poor showing today.
SEC Players of the Week:
WR Sean Zeppelin; Arkansas. 12 receptions, 383 yards, 4 TDs.
DE Nolan Hefner; Georgia. 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended.
I'm named a player of the week for Tennessee. Also named were J.B. Brewster, RB Brandon Mason, and DE Andrew Harding.
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