Virginia Tech stomps Tennessee 37-14 in Chick-fil-A Bowl
by Joel on Dec 31, 2009 11:50 PM EST
in Tennessee Volunteer Football
23 comments
The Virginia Tech Hokies dominated the Tennessee Volunteers in every facet of the game for a 37-14 win in tonight's Chick-fil-A Bowl.
There was a brief period of time when it looked like the Vols might actually make a game of it. After the Hokies put up a 14-0 lead, Tennessee strung together a series of close calls that actually went its way for one score, and capitalized on a Janzen Jackson interception for another to tie the game with 18 seconds left. The Vols would certainly regroup at the half and start the second with a clean slate.
Or so we thought.
Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor instead threw a 63-yard Hail Mary to Jarrett Boykin, who somehow got behind the entire UT secondary, which should have been in prevent mode, but let a knee hit the turf just shy of the end zone. Vol fans still pulling their hair out as a result of the play quickly substituted profanities for cries of relief when the teams headed to the locker rooms because time had run out. They quickly reverted to hair-pulling when the officials reviewed the play and determined there were two seconds left on the clock, which allowed Tech to hit a field goal and go into the locker room up 17-14 at the half.
The snapshot at the half was telling:
The Hokies may have been up only three points, but they had beaten the Vols in every way possible, including holding Tennessee to 8 yards rushing. The question then was whether the Vols had weathered the storm without digging too deep of a hole and would come out and make a game of it in the second half or whether they would just keep digging after the break.
We might have divined the answer from left tackle Chris Scott's Facebook wall (hat tip: raynoch46) as he had used halftime to update his status with a complaint about the officials' decision to add two seconds to the clock to end the half. Perhaps that wasn't the telltale sign of a lack of proper focus it appeared to be, but whatever the case, the Volunteer offense scored no more points in the second half, and the defense gave up an additional 20.
Many will point to Denarius Moore's drop of a certain touchdown with the game still in doubt (and another drop in the end zone later) as the iconic play(s) of the game, but I don't think that's quite fair. Moore had four catches for 67 yards and appeared to be the most productive player on the team. Montario Hardesty had more receiving yards, but his came from the backfield, and Gerald Jones had a handful more, but most of his came late when the game was out of reach and Tech was in a game-ending prevent. Moore certainly blew an absolutely huge opportunity, but he didn't lose this game.
This loss was a team effort, and Virginia Tech was simply better. At everything.
So Tennessee completes Lane Kiffin's first year with a 7-6 record, a mere one game better than 2008, the Season of Constant Sorrow that got Phillip Fulmer fired. Rival fans will crow that Tennessee made a mistake making a change, made the wrong change, and paid too much for that change based on the final record. Wrong. It may only be one game better, but 2009 was progress. The wins were better, and although losses are never fun, most of them were somehow better, too. Plus, with all of the attrition, we're basically playing with three classes, three-quarters of a roster, and our talent is not yet up to par. Based on last year's recruiting class and the early returns on this year's, we'll get there.
Remember, Nick Saban took Alabama to a 7-6 season his first year in 2007. In 2008, his team finished the regular season undefeated before losing both post-season games. So far in 2009, he's undefeated, the SEC Champ, and the favorite to win the National Championship.
The Vols are not on that identical path, as we've got serious roster issues that will preclude much more progress next year than this. But we do seem to be heading in the right direction, despite the narrow view taken by rival fans engaged in wishful thinking. We had much more to be happy about this season. We could have marginally more in 2010. And the signs right now point to us getting back to being ourselves in 2011.
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I think
the Saban reference is the only saving grace. Many Bama fans were upset at the first season but we all saw the next season. What was so humbling to me was when the broadcasters said how much that upcoming juinor/sophomore class went down in talent. I dont’ think I realized how much the recruiting had fallen with the previous staff.
Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!
That drop by Moore
Was pretty deflating. He did play a heckuva game to that point, but that was the “breaking” play, from what I could tell. We hit that, it’s a 6 point game. We miss it, Tech gets it, takes care of their stuff, and win by 23. Seemed to deflate everyone.
I’d like to take this time to thank the Seniors plus Eric Berry for some memorable years of college football. I think we’d all like to go back and change most of the past 3-5 years, but the fact is that it is what it is, and these guys still went out and played for the University we all love. Thanks a lot, guys. I’ll remember you all for a long time.
And here’s to Lane Kiffin. The losses were much better, except for Ole Miss and this one. The Florida one was also somewhat bad, because we have to understand that the reason Florida didn’t pass deep was because they had the flu. It wasn’t because they lacked playmaking from the WR position. Never.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
I'm depressed and worried about next year
That was the most pathetic offensive line play I’ve seen out of us in a long time. And it may get even worse next year, since we graduate our best lineman and a few other regulars. Ouch. I’m already scared. That said, we still had a chance to win the game; we didn’t lose it on the line but on execution of simpler plays. VT executed. They made tough catches, they weren’t penalized much. We dropped easy passes (not just looking at Moore), made a mental mistake at the end of the first half to give them three, and had two completely unnecessary facemasks, one of which gave them four points. Honestly, we should’ve led 14-10 at half, despite being thoroughly outplayed. It seemed like the focus wasn’t there. And that concerns me more than the line play. Kiffin was billing this as a mini-BCS bowl, the fans were out in full force (the stadium was 75/25), and we looked unfocused.
I felt good about the season as a whole, but was pretty much the worst way to go out. Hardesty did have a couple good plays, and I saw good things from Poole in limited time. That’s about it on the positives. You know things are bad when Kiffin runs every time we have 3rd and 15+ because he doesn’t trust the line to pass protect.
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 1, 2010 5:18 AM EST reply actions
Out played but lotsa class
The game speaks for itself, but I would add that this was the most sportsmanlike game I have ever seen. It was obvious that the time in Atlanta gave the teams time to get to know each other. It was nice to see. Horrible game on our side, tho.
by tennesseetarheel on Jan 1, 2010 7:57 AM EST reply actions
sorry ya'll
i swear, i went NOWHERE near the Dome. i promise to leave town when our boys come back to play for an SEC Championship.
...and we shall eat only the red skittles...
by thetennesseethumper on Jan 1, 2010 8:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I will not be going back to the Dome
Until after someone breaks this curse. Ugh.
You're full of crap.
That was pretty embarrassing
I certainly hope we learn how to tackle and play against cutback runners in the spring/fall camp. Phil left the cupboard pretty bare as we are going to painfully learn next year with the main source of talent on this year’s team comprised of seniors and freshmen. Should be a step back before a step forward though. “Just wait til the year after next!” – doesn’t have a great ring to it, but is probably true.
In this game, VT had better players (by far). I haven’t thought very highly of Frank Beamer as a coach, but in this game, VT out-schemed Kiffin and the gang.
Sort of a fitting end to Crompton’s career. A couple of beautiful passes that showed potential while giving us fleeting hope and then a pick/fumble/multiple-sack-performance that was the source of another night of Crapton-esque misery. It wasn’t all him – plenty of blame to go around – just emblematic.
At least Bruce Pearl continued to be a major thorn in Memphis’ side by breaking their 23-game homecourt win streak. It’s not like beating Coach Cal (because Pastner is actually a good coach and a good kid) but Memphis fans are still a little too cocky, so it’s nice to beat them again at their place. Until Signing Day, Hoops anyone?
1 game better?
They finished with 1 less loss and 2 more wins, so I’m not sure how you get to 1 game better. I’ll stick with 2 games better than last year since that was the difference in regular season records and I’m pretty sure if last year’s team had played a top 15 bowl team they would have lost ugly.
That game was embarassing top to bottom. Hard to get excited about much of anything having to do with UT football right now.
You’re right. Bad math late at night at end of long day.
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel on Jan 1, 2010 1:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Talent gap was very apparent
Guys and gals ,
This same story is going to follow us for a couple of more years , the talent gap was VERY apparent tonight . It does not matter who is calling the plays if you do not have the players . Remember Phil built his record on better talent – not coaching – for what he had available I felt Kiffin got all he could out of this class . Now off to recruiting and reloading ….
Ugly results,
but the atmosphere was excellent. The place was rocking! That is, until the fair weather fans of old UT decided to give up before the players did. We outnumbered their fans, but they showed up….we continued to moan and complain. They got loud without the coaxing from players on the field. I know it’s easy to be loud when you’re winning, but c’mon. I felt like a fool when I was the only one standing in my section.
All in all, the wife and I had a wonderful time in the Dome. The curse remains, but I’m proud of our boys. They faced the better team…a much b Their defense was ridiculous. I think our name recognition and our conference brand gave some false sense of hope. I thought it’d be a better game, but I expected a loss.
Yeah
I was very disappointed in the majority of UT fans leaving early. But what was worse were the VT fans. I thought they generally lacked class, but it was really low to boo the losing team with less than a minute left in the game. I lost a lot of respect for that bunch.
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 1, 2010 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Better Days are coming for UT
I watched the entire CFB and came away with these thoughts:
VT was a 12-1 team (who should have easily won the ACC this year and be in the BCS), pretending to be a 9-3 team. The Hokies had major talent, but seemed to go to lose focus at inopportune times, as they did in the 2nd Quarter of the CFB.
This year’s version of the Vols were plucky, but out-matched by the powerhouse teams like UF and Bama. Yet they played both of the big teams tough.
UT will win the SEC East in 2010 and win at least 10 games. Kiffin is the new Spurrier. UT’s team is young, with lots of upside in the talent department. And Monte is not too far away from putting together an NFL-caliber defense for the Vols.
Meanwhile, I hate to say that my Gators might be looking at an 7-5 or 8-4 in 2010.
Enjoy!
Misterspanky?....you really need to share a little of that stuff you're smokin' with someone else
you have heard that crack kills………haven’t you?
I'm not as optimistic about 2010 at this point for UT.
When we lost McNeil and Richard in the interior of the offensive line, we suffered big time against the better defensive tackles we faced. And with 4 of yesterday’s starters graduating, we will have about half a season’s worth of starting experience on the O-line (Aaron Douglas) next year. We’ll also have a new QB and be giving up quite a bit of experience on defense.
It’s possible for UT to win the East, sure, but I’ll have to wait until spring camp shows me what the replacements look like.
With Georgia undergoing transition, Florida’s newfound coaching questions, UT’s massive turnover, and Kentucky’s imminent loss of Brooks and Vandy being Vandy, 2010 may very well be South Carolina’s year. This time, it may actually be true, too.
Oh, and don’t worry about G8RB8; he likes to tweak, but he’s harmless. Cute in his own way. ;-)
South Carolina's Year
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I don’t believe I’ll ever see it.
...just apologize for not thanking me.
Is this coaching situation going to throw Florida through that big a loop?
Don’t y’all return 16 starters from a team that went undefeated in the regular season this year?
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 1, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
We lose a lot to graduation but we stand to lose a lot more Jr's to the NFL
We will know when our boys get their draft status letters back from the NFL or as soon as they reveal what their status is.
Wait and see......
pLANEoiGBRB8 – No crack, just sipping some G&T’s, waiting to see if Fox blacks out the Sugar Bowl in my market area (Central FL). I’d like to see TT play for the Gators one more time before he ends up with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Hooper – The Ole Ball Coach has pretty much been a bust in Cockyland. Dan Snyder neutered his swagger during HBC’s ill-fated time up in DC. Meanwhile, Georgia is still a year or two away, while KY and Vandy are – KY and Vandy. If either KY or Vandy wins the SEC East in 2010, then the end may well by nigh in 2012!
Thanks for the reply Spanky.......ok.......Misterspanky, geeze....;^)
I’ll bed down tonight knowing that TT set a couple more QB records in his last game as one of the greatest college players in the history of the game.
Regarding the OBC, I saw that gleam come back in his eye at the end of the 09 season and I look for USC east to be very competitive in 2010. Some food for thought, USC east sent more players to the NFL last year than any other SEC school and they are loaded with skill position players(maybe the best in the conference).
I agree with Hooper. UT has too many positions to fill next year, namely QB and almost an entire O-line so they will surely go thru some growing pains at the least.
Don’t be surprised, when UF and USC East play in November 2010, if that game decides the winner of the SEC Eastern Division.
Why are we downplaying Stephens?
Just like to know, because its not like he didnt compete well against Crompton last offseason, and hasnt had playing time from the ‘08 season. Not to mention, I feel like our staff has already show that they can coach medicore players up/play to their strengths despite what we actually would like to do offensive wise. And while our O-line is definitely going to need work, and we’re going to have some very unproven players playing those positions, these points alone at least give me some hope for next year.
Just to point out, this question is not being asked to gatorbait, only replied here for convenience of the topic. Gatorbait has already shown his class around here tonight, so Id like it if he took his UF gloating rear out of here.
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
by Pride of the Southland on Jan 2, 2010 3:19 AM EST up reply actions
At least the Vol Nation showed up
Being at the game I would swear the crowd was at least 75% UT fans and 25% Hokie fans, maybe even 80/20. It really was like a home game, unfortunately it played out like the UCLA and Auburn home games rather than the UGA and USCe ones…..
Next season will be tough with the players we lose and the schedule we face. Still I can’t wait, no one said rebuilding would be easy, and if we don’t endure the lows that come along with the ride, we won’t be able to truthfully savor the highs when they eventually come. (Disclaimer: My family is from Cleveland, OH and thus I am a Browns, Indians, Cavs fan. So I have been programed to think this way. “There is always next year” is the title of the Cleveland sports fan’s dictionary so take my statement about the future with a grain of salt. :)
Neyland Stadium-It goes to eleven.
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