Most defining play of the Tennessee Volunteer 2006 regular season

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 29, 2006 7:16 AM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Noticed this over at Burnt Orange Nation yesterday and thought it was a great idea.

What play best defines this season for the Volunteers? It can be either positive or negative. I'll post my ideas once y'all get it rolling.

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Defining Play

In all fairness, I think there must be 2 plays in order to define the microcosm of the 2006 season.

Play #1) Vs. Cal - Early in the 3rd quarter, Ainge in Orange connects with Meacham on a 5yd hitch to the left. Meach litterally throws the defender off of him and springs an 80yd TD. (Following drive was a 5yd hitch to Swain, sprung for a 50yd TD). Significance = the Vols' dangerous air attack had returned.

Play #2) Vs. every single opponent, multiple times per game - Power I formation, hand-off to Foster/Hardesty, dance around in the backfield, smacked for no gain at best. (In all fairness, Coker was able to get the job done when he was healthy.) Significance = Traditional UT-smashmouth-football was nonexistant. Made Tennessee 1-dimensional, thus very predictable.

by Aerobab on Nov 29, 2006 8:32 AM EST reply actions

A significant play.

I'd probably have to say stopping Air Force's 2 point conversion try. While the overall game was a bit disappointing, we still got the 'W' and came through when we had to. Like the game, this season ended with a bit of a disappointment considering the way we started, but the Vols righted the ship when they could have easily fallen off into College Football irrelevancy. Overall, what more could we have asked for?

To live, to strive, and not to yield.

by mike2ray on Nov 29, 2006 8:42 AM EST reply actions

Hmmm...

4th and 8 vs. LSU

The Running Back Dancing with the Stars mentioned above is a good one.

X. Mitchell's game saving 2 point conversion try is also a good one

But the one I liked the most and it really has no bearing or represent a microcosim of the season was when Crompton took off and ran over a DB from LSU, I think Landry was his name. In the grad scheme it didn't matter much but I just love when QB's don't slide and get physical. It makes me want to hit something.

by The8thMaxim on Nov 29, 2006 9:55 AM EST reply actions

AFA Stand

I thought about X's HUGE stop on the 2-pt try...I think that may be the leading candidate for the Play of the Year, but it certainly isn't representative of how our season went. Perhaps it could have been if our D wouldn't have allowed UF and LSU (and nearly UK) to march down our throats to score game winning TDs.

by Aerobab on Nov 29, 2006 10:15 AM EST reply actions

Good point

How about the first play of the season, when we served notice that we were back by knocking out that Cal player on the kickoff?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 29, 2006 10:36 AM EST reply actions

The Good,Bad & Ugly

The Good !
Having David Cutcliffe back to head the offense.Fulmer growing a backbone and having a tuff-#@%# policy,and raising hell about the SEC officiating !(I heard he got fined for that,how much?).Best play,every 30,40 or 50 yard pass to Meachem,Swain or Smith.Haven't seen that in a long time at TN..
The Bad !
Have to agree with Aerobab,no running attack to mention.We came out how many times on 2nd and 10.
The Ugly !
Driving down from Richmond to go to the TN & KY game to see us play like the whole team had pulled a all nighter. At least I don't have to hear the jokes like last year. i.e. (What's the VOLS new fight song? I'll be home for Christmas!!) Not this year baby,headed to FLA.

Phil,GO VOLS !!!

by bulldurham on Nov 29, 2006 11:31 AM EST reply actions

Plays that defined the year...

Positive: Any scoring play in the Cal game. (Long TD plays to Meachem and Swain, a nice rollout and throw by Ainge to Brown, and of course, Hardesty's beast of a run.) From that point, everyone knew Tennessee was back!

Negative: 4th and 2 converted by Tebow run vs. FLA. 4th and 8 to LSU converted by a Russell pass. Enough Said.

Tennessee was so close to being a one loss team and in the national title picture. Both losses to LSU and FLA were late in the game and we were up at least 10 in the fourth. Arkansas just kicked our ass.

***Rockytop Tennessee***

by Volorado on Nov 29, 2006 12:36 PM EST reply actions

How about . . .

. . . what was his name, the Gator linebacker that forced Ainge into an intentional grounding penalty taking them out of close-to-field goal range in the waning minutes? Inexperienced center whiffed on the block, I think. Up until that point, we were looking at another last minute FG for Wilhoit.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 29, 2006 1:22 PM EST reply actions

yes sir......

I got one, this one sums up the offensive line play:

In the Arkansas game the Right Tackle (I'll leave his name out) false started real hard like he was going to block the daylights out of someone and totally missed him and about fell on his face.

Our run blocking summed up in one "dead ball" play.

by The8thMaxim on Nov 29, 2006 1:50 PM EST reply actions

How did I miss that?

Do you remember about when it was? Sounds entertaining.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 29, 2006 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Plays of the year

Offense

Good- Ainge to Meacham in the third quarter on a five yard hitch.

Bad- The running game agains Florida

Defense

Good- The X-Man's stop agains Air Force

Bad- 4th and 8 against LSU. Ended our season.

by Smitty @ Rocky Top Talk on Nov 29, 2006 3:08 PM EST reply actions

To edit Smitty

"Bad- 4th and 8 against LSU. Ended our season."

Didn't end our season, per se. But it did end our dream season that coulda-shoulda been.

by Aerobab on Nov 29, 2006 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

True

The big wiff block against Arkansas happened in the 1st half I remember that and we were inside our 20 maybe???

I have that game recorded but I really dont want to go watch it.

by The8thMaxim on Nov 29, 2006 8:09 PM EST reply actions

never say die

i gotta say...

my favorite play was a turnover that went against us.

ainge throws interception, alabama cornerback hurtles off down the sideline for the free-and-clear touchdown, ainge covers half the football field in pursuit, knocks the cornerback out of bounds himself...and saves the touchdown and probably the game.

that's keeping your head and your heart in the game, despite disappointment.

by mtnvol on Nov 30, 2006 1:40 PM EST reply actions