ForumsOne of the bright spots in Tennessee’s 41-10 defeat at the hands of Alabama on Saturday night was Tauren Poole. The junior running back from Toccoa, Georgia, finished with 117 yards on just 14 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter that gave the Vols an early lead. The run was the longest of his career and the longest Alabama has allowed this season.
“I just hit a crease that was wide open and you could have driven a truck through it,” Poole said. “We got in the end zone, which is the whole objective of the offense, so I was happy to get a score.”
“We were really just going to take what they (the Alabama defense) gave us and the cutback was what they gave me. It is all about using your vision and reading the line.”
Poole credited Tennessee’s staff and the rest he received during the open date for his fresh legs.
“Our strength staff did a heck of a job taking care of our bodies, taking care of our legs. That rest helped a lot. It helped a whole lot.”
Coach Dooley recognized what Poole accomplished against a stingy Alabama defense.
“Tauren did something that a back hasn’t done against this team in a long time,” Dooley said. “It’s been 41 games.”
“He made a great run on the power in that first half and he’s running hard,” Dooley said. “That’s a good positive and we need to keep building on that.”
The streak dated back to October 13th, 2007 when Mississippi’s Benjarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 131 yards against the Tide.
For the season, Poole has amassed 595 yards and six touchdowns on 109 attempts in just seven games. He’s currently on pace to reach 1000 yards this year.
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