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Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

Post game awards: Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats

Best beginning. On the first play from scrimmage for either team, Erik Ainge faked a handoff to Arian Foster, who was running left. Ainge then rolled right with the rest of the team (and the rest of the defense), while Foster snuck out on a wheel route. Ainge then stopped and threw to a wide open Foster, who caught it and weaved through defenders 65 yards for a touchdown.

Best return to action. Brad Cottam, who, cast and all, caught a short pass from Ainge and took it 59 yards down the field to set up Tennessee's second touchdown in its first three drives of the game.

Best sight for sore eyes. A 35-yard pass from Ainge to a leaping and stretching Lucas Taylor that actually went over the top and behind the secondary for 35 yards.

Best where have you been all my life. Ricardo Kemp, who played a fantastic game, recording five tackles, two sacks for 12 yards, and one interception, which he returned for nine yards.

Best not-so-fast. Xavier Mitchell, who, immediately after Kentucky intercepted a second-quarter Ainge pass, played his lane, timed his leap, and came down with an interception of his own, which he returned for 14 yards.

Worst luck. Montario Hardesty, who twisted his ankle. Again.

Worst killer instinct, I. The Tennessee offense, which had several opportunities with time disappearing in regulation to seal the game by getting some first downs.

Worst killer instinct, II. The Tennessee defense, when Kentucky, down by a field goal in regulation but starting at their own nine yard line, went into the dreaded prevent defense in hopes that the 'Cats would get no more than a game-tying field goal. Twenty, yes twenty, plays and 86 yards later, the defense was defending from the end zone as Kentucky had a first and goal from the five yard line with almost no time left and therefore no time for Tennessee's offense to counter if Kentucky got a touchdown instead of a field goal. The Big Blue could could have ended the game right then and there.

Best survival instinct. The Tennessee defense, who, while possessing an inadequte killer instinct, has a killer survival instinct. With Kentucky at the five yard line and down by three, the defense held. Brent Vinson defended well on first down, almost intercepting an Andre Woodson pass, but committed a pass interference penalty on second down, moving Kentucky to the two yard line. Xavier Mitchell and Jerod Mayo then combined to hold Kentucky's Rafael Little to a one yard gain, and Woodson's third down pass to Kennan Burton fell incomplete. Field goal forced. Finally.

Biggest huh? The officials (and the rules) essentially pardoning Kentucky's brutal facemask on Eric Berry as he was headed for the end zone after Tennessee's blocked punt in the second overtime and then assessing a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Tennessee for the fourth overtime due to Arian Foster throwing the ball into the air in frustration after failing to convert the two-point attempt in the third overtime. Those may be the rules, but they're still a huh?

Best offensive hit. Arian Foster, who, in the first overtime, after pulling a direct snap out of the sky, headed left and sent a would-be tackler sailing just before going out of bounds.

Best defensive hit. Jerod Mayo, who absolutely snot-knockered Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme as he went up for a pass across the middle. Tamme lost control of the ball, and Ricardo Kemp was there to pick it and run the other direction.

Best catch. Gerald Jones, in the first overtime, when he both twisted and stretched out to grab a much-needed touchdown reception. He cradled it just enough to secure the call on the field and the presumption on the replay. Upon further review of the further review, he had possession with a foot down before hitting the ground and possibly bobbling the ball on contact.

Worst game-changing moment. On the second play of the second overtime, Ainge threw to a covered Lucas Taylor, and it was tipped and intercepted. No points for the first team on offense in overtime is almost always the death knell for the team.

Best game-changing moment. After denying Tennessee any points at all on their turn in the second overtime, Kentucky played over-conservative on their series, losing two on first down, gaining seven on the next, failing to convert on third down and four, and settling for a 34-yard field goal attempt. Tennessee's Dan Williams bull rushed the long-snapper, heaved his bulk into the air, and blocked the kick.

Most frightening moment, I. Tennessee intercepted Kentucky's two-point conversion attempt in the third overtime, but fumbled it trying to run it back. It bounced into the end zone and could have been picked up by Kentucky at that point. Fortunately for the Vols, it bounced out of bounds.

Best YACcer. Gerald Jones, who, with Tennessee needing a touchdown to tie in the third overtime, caught the ball on third and eight about five yards shy of the first down and facing two defenders between him and the first down line. Jones made one move, then split the defenders and drug them across the line giving Tennessee a new set of downs. On the next play, Jones was an instrumental blocker on the screen play to Austin Rogers for the tying touchdown.

Play of the game, II. With the team starting from the 40 instead of the 25 in the fourth overtime due to the huh personal foul penalty on Arian Foster, Ainge in Orange threw a beautiful ball on a perfect call to a wide open Quintin Hancock, who caught it and dove into the end zone.

Play of the game, III. Antonio Reynolds' tackle of Andre Woodson to end the game in the fourth overtime.

Most frightening thought, II. That I had not extended the recording time on my Tivo enough to capture the entire game. Shoot, that I had enough room on the Tivo to record the entire game.

What have I missed?

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Best Catch That Wasn't
TE Chris Brown's seam route that he tipped to himself about 4 times but eventually pulled in as he was falling to the ground.  Athletic, acrobatic, maybe just plain lucky catch...but the nose of the ball hit the ground so it was ruled incomplete after a review.

by Aerobab on Nov 26, 2007 9:04 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Coaching Position in Most Jeopardy
Strength and Conditioning.  Honestly, I have no idea who the guy is, but the team has consistently had problems keeping up in the second half.  They seem to lose a step during halftime.

P.S. - This, by the way, is the one thing that frightens me the most about playing LSU.  They have made a living on second-half comebacks this year.  Even if we amass a four-score lead by halftime, the game is not safe.  Gaah.

P.P.S. - By four-score, I meant 24-28 points.  If four-score turns out to be 80 points, I'll feel a little more comfortable.  ;)

P.P.S. - Go Vols!

by Hooper on Nov 26, 2007 9:36 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

VOLS KEEP ON TICKING
This team just has to win the SEC Championship game.  I have seen my share of Big Orange football, and this game will go in to the History book of Tennessee football.  Every time it looks like this team is going to lose, they just keep on ticking and find a way to win.
Kats have one second left on the clock, one #$&%$ second and kick a field goal to send it in OT, I mean give me a break. Then the Timex kids in 4 OT's come back to win. Big Orange Fans, it's just meant for this team to win. God has to be a Tennessee Fan. Ain't it great to be a Tennessee VOl !!
OLD SMOKEY

by old smokey on Nov 26, 2007 10:01 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

offensive defensive.
Rico played well as ususal (9) tackles!
FIRST time a fella LB get more tackles,now the where is Rico questions?
I'd say that some of the fellas finally looked at the film and began to play close to Rico's passion.
Mayo got the pic5ture and now he's making the tackles that a MLB should make, and more.
Ryan has plays coming at him steady regardless of the opponent, and of late he is making plays.
Rico is a stud, but remember he's not in the game during the mustang defense, but the other two LB's and extra corners are in,therefore they all have more chances for tackles than Rico,it's amazing that he has done as well as he has. also, teams scheme for Rico and seldom run at him unlike some others.
don't hate ,appreciate!
The future is ours!
Mayo is having a great season after getting acquainted w/new position,he's a monster!
 The stud Rico don't quit! it's infectious!

by slayers delight on Nov 26, 2007 3:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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