Kentucky Denouement v. See Arian Run: Best Plays of 2007

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 22, 2008 1:01 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Next up in the Best Plays of 2007 Brackety-ish Thingy is No. 3 seed The Kentucky Denouement versus No. 2 seed See Arian Run, See Ref Fall.

The contestants:

The Kentucky Denouement

At stake: Despite Tennessee's own catastrophes, we found ourselves playing for the opportunity to represent the East in the SEC Championship due in part to our own efforts (great wins over Georgia and Arkansas) and in part to the disasters suffered by others in the hunt. Win this one, and we were off to Atlanta.

In-game context: The Tennessee-Kentucky games boils down easy in a way, yet words can't really convey the right mood. Suffice it to say for these purposes that the first half belonged to the Vols, the second half belonged to the Wildcats, and the first, second, third, and fourth overtimes belonged to both, right up until the time one of two deserving teams finally put an end to the madness:

Impact: Tennessee went to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta the next week and, with apologies to Ohio State, gave eventual national champion LSU its last true test of the season.

See Arian Run. See Ref Fall.

At stake: Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were coming off a 487 yard performance against Steve Spurrier the prior week, and the only real highlight of the Vols' season so far -- a win against Georgia -- appeared to be an anomaly. The question of the week seemed to center on just how badly McFadden and Jones were going to outshine Tennessee's running backs.

In-game context: But Tennessee's defense and its three-headed running back monster, Lenarianario Crardester, stole the show. The score was 20-3 at the half, and with its first drive of the second half, Arian Foster put the thing away. It was wildly entertaining, and the ref who created a face-shaped divot on the sideline while trying to keep up with Foster was just icing.

Impact: The Hogs would never get close, and this victory for the Vols probably gave them the confidence they needed to win out on their way to the SEC Championship Game.

Which of these two will advance? That's up to you. Vote below.

Poll

Which play advances? You decide.

The Kentucky Denouement

42 votes

See Arian Run. See Ref Fall.

13 votes

55 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

KY

Going with KY. It’s emblematic of the entire game, which catapulted us to the SECCG.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 22, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

KY for me too

It wasn’t as big of a play in its own context, but it was enormous in the context of the game and of the season. And to have that one last adrenaline surge after about half a day’s worth of emotion…

by David Hooper on May 22, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Gotta go with Foster.

I’m going with Foster’s run for a couple reasons.

1. I LOVED seeing us out-run the nation’s best back duo.

2. I was at that game and I have to tell you, when Foster broke that run, I was celebrating so hard that I almost took out half the row. And they didn’t care. They were going about as hard as I was. It was friggin’ fantastic. That was one of the best games I’ve been to in a long time.

I wish I could vote for both of them as the UK play really was a season saver but the other one just has more personal significance to me.

BTW Joel, NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER aplogize to Ohio State for ANYTHING. Seriously. You NEVER have to. Trust me.

I've got something for you young man. Ooohh, it's...Thaa Claawww! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw!!

by XRayVol on May 22, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

You're right

My bad. It was a weak moment.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 22, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Well,

let’s just don’t let it happen again, huh? ;-)

BTW, I am LOVING these. This is fantabulous. Thanks Joel.

I've got something for you young man. Ooohh, it's...Thaa Claawww! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw!!

by XRayVol on May 22, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

UK

That whole game was jacked full of spectacular/improbable plays. Like none other.

by Aerobab on May 22, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

UK game

started in mid afternoon and seemed like it lasted for a fortnight. It was hard to remember anything from the beginning save the opening TD. I had friends who were fans of MIzzou-Kansas (BTW, another great game on that day that started about 90 minutes after this one) saying they wouldn’t go to the game or parties because they were stuck on this game and wanted to see the end. point goes to Kentucky Denouement

At least he's better than Esteban Yan.

by jacksonian on May 22, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions