Tennessee vs The Maxims vs UT Martin

[The One Man Gang]

Tennessee vs The Maxims vs UT Martin

Opening Day at Neyland Stadium is always a special time.  Perhaps your humble scribe can be forgiven for being a bit wistful this year.  It was a bare few months ago during some health problems that he briefly thought he had seen his last Opening Day on The Hill.

Forty-one years ago, September 1969, was the first time I got to go to an opening game.  Uncle Bob had scored some tickets and offered one to me.  WOW! So there I was, disguised as a skinny twelve-year old making my way to Section RR to watch the Mighty Vols face the University of Chattanooga.

And what Mighty Vols they were.  The names on the field that day were a Who's Who of Volunteer legends.  There was Bobby Scott at QB, Chip Kell at guard, Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds and Jackie Walker at LB, Curt Watson at FB, and Tim Priest roaming the defensive backfield. Then there was legendary punter Herman “Ol' Thunderfoot” Weaver.  Weaver especially impressed me by hanging his punts wayyyy over my head even in my lofty perch.  The twelve-year-old me was amazed that a human being could kick a football that high.  All-in-all it was a great day. 

Two years later I was back, at that time the Vols would give blocks of tickets to entire high school and junior high teams (somewhere, a modern-day NCAA busybody's head just exploded) for “lesser” games to fill seats.  So, this time, I proudly donned my Green and Gold jersey and caught a ride to campus to watch Condredge Holloway, Haskell Stanback, Joe Thompson, Ray Nettles, and Conrad Graham subdue the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. 

Three years after that, I was there yet again, this time as a freshman at UT.  There, too, were Larry Seivers, Stanley “The Steamer” Morgan, Ron McCartney and cannon-legged Craig Colquitt.  The Maryland Terrapins were the day's opponent and my UT career got off to a positive start as the Vols once again “proved the superiority of our way of life.”  A date with a comely young coed of my acquaintance topped off the day.

Years have passed and so have many Opening Days on The Hill, each with its own story.  Now my own sons, the eldest a sophomore in Engineering at UT, are forming their own sets of memories.

After the Winter's upheaval in the coaching staff and various nefarious deeds during the offseason, we all needed to once more stand 'neath the Stately Walls and celebrate the torches kindled in that flame that have passed from hand to hand.

Yea, Opening Day does possess a certain magic.

New Head Vol Derek Dooley and his charges did not disappoint.  This time the UT Martin Skyhawks hove to on Lake Loudon and paid a price for their temerity.

So how did the team do compared to the Maxims?

1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. 
OK, sports fans, let's face facts.  UT Martin would be hard-pressed against either Catholic or Farragut based on the games I saw on Friday and Saturday.  It's not that they are a bad team, they simply don't compete at the level Tennesee does.  These are the third- and fourth-level kids who for whatever reason can't get into a major program.  That said, they did make it interesting for about a quarter and a half

2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way … SCORE! 
That 40+ shot down the field from Simms to Denarius Moore for a touchdown after Martin quarterback Derek Carr threw a pick to Austin Johnson was most satisfying. 

3. If at first the game – or the breaks – go against you, don’t let up … PUT ON MORE STEAM! 
Tennessee was never really threatened but did turn in a rather pedestrian first half managing only two touchdowns and a pair of field goals.   On the plus side, whatever Coach Dooley told them at halftime must have taken hold as the team exploded for 23 points in the 3rd quarter. 

4. Protect our kickers, our quarterback, our lead and our ballgame.
Shutout.

5. Ball! Oskie! Cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle … THIS IS THE WINNING EDGE.   
I still have deep concerns about Tennessee's young offensive line.  It's hard to quibble with 332 rush yards and 537 yards of total offense but Martin essentially gave up after halftime.  On defense, holding any opponent to three first downs and no points is an achievement.
   
6. Press the kicking game.  Here is where the breaks are made. 
Great day, Daniel Lincoln STILL kicks the ball too low.  He is going eat several this year if that doesn't change. Gerald Jones proved no great shakes as a kick returner but that observation may be moot after he suffered an injury to his left wrist.  David Oku has talent but has a tendency to make bone-headed decisions as the ball comes his way.

7. Carry the fight to UT Martin and keep it there for sixty minutes.
Really only the fifteen minutes of the third Canto, but it was more than enough.

The more I watch Coach Dooley, the more I understand how he came to be Head Vol.  I am really starting to like this guy.   Seriously, during a lull in the action I was refocusing my binoculars and zoomed in on Dooley.  I noticed him wearing Adidas shoes and then took a closer look. I had to shake my head and re-check.

Intensity?  Dooley is so intense and so into the game he wears CLEATS on the sideline.

I LOVE it!

MAXOMG

© 2010 Sports Parlor South

[Rocky Top]

Thanks for continuing to write about the Maxims, I have always enjoyed your POV. However, I would like to point out one thing...UT DID NOT protect the QB. Simms got blasted time and time again and I understand he is a bit slow at making his reads but he will never survive the whole season.

Also, whatever you do, dont let Rudedog hear you say that Lincoln struggles. He seems to think he is just fine... I am here to say that unless some dramatic changes are made in the kicking game, it will cost UT at least one game this year just like it has for the last decade.

Anyway, thanks for your report. Its not football season without reading these...

[The One Man Gang]

Simms has a bad case of tunnel vision.  He locks in on his primary receiver and follows his entire route. SEC d-backs will either cure him of that or relegate him to the sidelines.

[rudedog]

Also, whatever you do, dont let Rudedog hear you say that Lincoln struggles.

You are too easy. That was sarcasm. He barely made 2 chipshots. I get it. 

Good report OMG!

[Rocky Top]

You are too easy. That was sarcasm. He barely made 2 chipshots. I get it. 

Good report OMG!

Hard to tell sarcasm from a sheep. You are just way to sheepy to be throwing around sarcasm. Reality will set in for you after the Oregon game or it may take the yearlu beat down from the gators before you realize just how bad this UT team is.

[GRAY]

I was there.  Started in 0, went to ZZ and ended between R an S about 6 rows from the field on the 20.

Overall one had to be pleased as a Vol fan, however, OMG and RT bring up serious and accurate issues.

But here's the thing: we know they are down already. They will win between 4 and 6 games and lose between 6 and 8.  In an absolute miracle scenario they only lose to Florida, Oregon, Bama and LSU.  But that's still 8-4.

6-6 seems the most likely.  Losses to the above 4 plus 2 out of the 3 in SC, Miss and Georgia. Winning over Martin, UAB, one of the above 3, Memphis, UK and Vandy. 

Simms showed good touch but was pressured quite a bit. Oku and Poole looked good.  As did Moore.  To me Dooley's challenge is to get his playmakers the ball whilethey are already running.  UT will hae to use misdirection, screens, etc to ceatively give their offense a chance against the tougher D's they will face.

LaMarcus Thompson seemed to be all over the field.

Amazing weather.  Knoxville looked serene.  Fans were nice and my son saw his first game.   

[KNOWLEDGE]

Overall one had to be pleased as a Vol fan, 

  

I thought you wanted the Vols to go 0-12!!

Both lines are still below SEC standards and even though UTM loaded up the box to stop the run, the receivers still had problems getting separation from D-backs and getting open.   

However, UT stayed very vanilla on both sides of the ball and can do much better.     6 wins is still a good season for this group.

I stand by my earlier prediction that UT Martin is the worst team to be in Neyland Stadium in the last 30 years.

[rudedog]

Hard to tell sarcasm from a sheep. You are just way to sheepy to be throwing around sarcasm. Reality will set in for you after the Oregon game or it may take the yearlu beat down from the gators before you realize just how bad this UT team is.

Whatever.
You don't know me that well other that statements on here.
Just try to be optimistic.
I never said they were great.

Good points, Gray.

[plumbervol]

Upon further review the OL created holes, Poole missed many of them and I blame it on being timid. Oku is the better runner as far as hitting the hole when it is present. Neal is going to be a dandy. He has to grow up but he found the open hole and got into it. Watching Poole I thought of my favorite assistant of all time rb coach McCorvey putting his foot up the of UT's RB.  These kids need some discipline.

I was disappointed in the mistakes that this team made. DD has been on that to play mistake free ball. To many penalties

[GRAY]

Knowledge- I am allowed to vent and get pissed.  I am a graduate of the school. If this team and this school haven't made you lose it a few times, then your heart ain't in it. 

UT ran vanilla offensive sets because they have vanilla personnel, with Oku and 1-2 other exceptions. I still think they have a chance in 8 of their games. 

[KNOWLEDGE]

Knowledge- I am allowed to vent and get pissed.  I am a graduate of the school. If this team and this school haven't made you lose it a few times, then your heart ain't in it.  

 .  

Big difference between venting and 5 year old stomp fits where you hope "your team" goes 0-12.

"Heart ain't in it?"   Are you kidding me   UT sports are recreation and entertainment for me.   If you aren't a coach, a player or have a kid playing, your heart should really be in something else.  

Sheesh.   Grow up already.

[GRAY]

Knowledge you are trying to pick a fight and being very melodramatic.  I'm not biting.  Sorry. Cheers.