OneManGang
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Tennessee vs The Maxims vs Austin Peay
A learned colleague of mine is fond of saying that he loves the kickoff on opening day as it is generally the only time in a given year when the Vols are undefeated, untied and unscored upon.
The most positive result of Saturday's tilt with the Austin Peay Governors is that the above still holds. The Guvs had several opportunities to score, but came a cropper each time. That said, I believe Austin Peay would have a hard time putting points up against Knoxville Catholic or Fulton.
I got in some trouble last season for suggesting that the only way opponents such as Georgia State should find themselves in Neyland Stadium is if they bought a block of tickets. Georgia State scored thirteen points on the Vols last year. Austin Peay couldn't match that.
Draw your own conclusions.
I was reminded of a tale told in a book that was assigned in Western Civ my freshman year named The White Nile which described the British exploration of the headwaters of that great river during the late 19th Century. (Rumors the book was carved on stone tablets are exaggerated.)
Some king in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) was a bit off as the Brits would say. His life's desire was to see a modern (again, late 1800s) army looked like in action. Therefore he declared war on the British Empire. The British fulfilled his desire in a battle that lasted a couple of hours and resulted in a massacre of the king's soldiers as they charged into the massed fire of .455 Martini-Henry rifles waving spears and leather shields. The king stood on the ramparts of his palace with a smile on his face.
The king's soldiers stood a better chance that the Guvs.
This is in no way a criticism of Austin Peay State University which has, over the years, churned out more than its share of political and economic leaders for Our Fair State. I still have a problem with the AD's of these smaller schools pimping out their players for cash.
And, yes, I DO know that on any given day yada ... yada ...
So, how did the team do compared to the Maxims?
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
At some point in the early third quarter, with the Vols up 42-0, the Guvs strung together a couple of running plays and were closing in on the 50 yard line. Some nitwit about five rows in front of me felt the urge to encourage the Lads In Orange, Step it up, boys! This game ain't over yet!
I turned to my elder Son & Heir and muttered, This game was over when Austin Peay got on the bus in Clarksville.
My son, who takes after his Momma in the brains department, corrected me, Dad, this thing was over when they signed the contract.
2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way SCORE!
The plain vanilla nature of UT's offense led to speculation that Scottie Mayfield was doing a stint as Offensive Co-ordinator.
3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up ... PUT ON MORE STEAM!
I heard one of the Vol cheerleaders broke a nail during pre-game, unsure which gender.
4. Protect our kickers, our quaterback, our lead and our ballgame.
The Vols' vaunted offensive line still needs to eat some Wheaties on pass plays. The second-team line more so.
5. Ball! Oskie! Cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle ... THIS IS THE WINNING EDGE.
Elder Son & Heir's former team mate Daniel Hood had a Fat Man's dream when he batted a Governor pass in the air and then caught the carom for an interception. The defense shows promise but there were several plays by the Guvs that an SEC opponent would have turned into long gains or points.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
Michael Palardy had a great outing. My issue is that he was the ONLY kicker to see action Saturday as punter or placekicker. To me that puts an awful lot of eggs in one basket considering that twice on kickoffs during the game, Palardy was called on in his safety role as the last layer of defense to stop a Governor returner from breaking a long run. What happens if he gets injured, as he has (I believe) in every season thus far? I also shudder to think that if UT's kickoff coverage team struggled against Austin Peay just what an Oregon or Alabama might do.
7. Carry the fight to Austin Peay and keep it there for sixty minutes.
More like 2:17 in the first Canto, but it was more than enough.
So, fellow devotees of All That Is Orange, the question remains: What do we know now that we didn't know at 5:59 PM Saturday?
Answer: Very little.
We knew at 5:59 that despite Coach Jones' best efforts, this is still very much last year's team. We knew that UT would struggle to put 24 players out there of true SEC-caliber. We knew that Coach Jones would bring quite a bit more intensity and spirit to the team.
Beyond that, well, Tennessee IS 1-0, undefeated, untied and unscored upon.
On a personal note I would like to give a shout out to former Vol Tim Rumsey who played center from 1979-82 and backed up Vol legends Glenn Streno and Lee North. Tim and his lovely bride sat behind me for the 1st half and much of the third quarter before leaving for a reception for the 1982 team featuring Vol legend Jonathan Jones of MUMford Tennessee. He is one of those guys who never made headlines but is intensely proud of his status as a Tennessee Letterman. A true VFL!
MAXOMG
A learned colleague of mine is fond of saying that he loves the kickoff on opening day as it is generally the only time in a given year when the Vols are undefeated, untied and unscored upon.
The most positive result of Saturday's tilt with the Austin Peay Governors is that the above still holds. The Guvs had several opportunities to score, but came a cropper each time. That said, I believe Austin Peay would have a hard time putting points up against Knoxville Catholic or Fulton.
I got in some trouble last season for suggesting that the only way opponents such as Georgia State should find themselves in Neyland Stadium is if they bought a block of tickets. Georgia State scored thirteen points on the Vols last year. Austin Peay couldn't match that.
Draw your own conclusions.
I was reminded of a tale told in a book that was assigned in Western Civ my freshman year named The White Nile which described the British exploration of the headwaters of that great river during the late 19th Century. (Rumors the book was carved on stone tablets are exaggerated.)
Some king in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) was a bit off as the Brits would say. His life's desire was to see a modern (again, late 1800s) army looked like in action. Therefore he declared war on the British Empire. The British fulfilled his desire in a battle that lasted a couple of hours and resulted in a massacre of the king's soldiers as they charged into the massed fire of .455 Martini-Henry rifles waving spears and leather shields. The king stood on the ramparts of his palace with a smile on his face.
The king's soldiers stood a better chance that the Guvs.
This is in no way a criticism of Austin Peay State University which has, over the years, churned out more than its share of political and economic leaders for Our Fair State. I still have a problem with the AD's of these smaller schools pimping out their players for cash.
And, yes, I DO know that on any given day yada ... yada ...
So, how did the team do compared to the Maxims?
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
I turned to my elder Son & Heir and muttered, This game was over when Austin Peay got on the bus in Clarksville.
My son, who takes after his Momma in the brains department, corrected me, Dad, this thing was over when they signed the contract.
2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way SCORE!
The plain vanilla nature of UT's offense led to speculation that Scottie Mayfield was doing a stint as Offensive Co-ordinator.
3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up ... PUT ON MORE STEAM!
I heard one of the Vol cheerleaders broke a nail during pre-game, unsure which gender.
4. Protect our kickers, our quaterback, our lead and our ballgame.
The Vols' vaunted offensive line still needs to eat some Wheaties on pass plays. The second-team line more so.
5. Ball! Oskie! Cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle ... THIS IS THE WINNING EDGE.
Elder Son & Heir's former team mate Daniel Hood had a Fat Man's dream when he batted a Governor pass in the air and then caught the carom for an interception. The defense shows promise but there were several plays by the Guvs that an SEC opponent would have turned into long gains or points.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
Michael Palardy had a great outing. My issue is that he was the ONLY kicker to see action Saturday as punter or placekicker. To me that puts an awful lot of eggs in one basket considering that twice on kickoffs during the game, Palardy was called on in his safety role as the last layer of defense to stop a Governor returner from breaking a long run. What happens if he gets injured, as he has (I believe) in every season thus far? I also shudder to think that if UT's kickoff coverage team struggled against Austin Peay just what an Oregon or Alabama might do.
7. Carry the fight to Austin Peay and keep it there for sixty minutes.
More like 2:17 in the first Canto, but it was more than enough.
So, fellow devotees of All That Is Orange, the question remains: What do we know now that we didn't know at 5:59 PM Saturday?
Answer: Very little.
We knew at 5:59 that despite Coach Jones' best efforts, this is still very much last year's team. We knew that UT would struggle to put 24 players out there of true SEC-caliber. We knew that Coach Jones would bring quite a bit more intensity and spirit to the team.
Beyond that, well, Tennessee IS 1-0, undefeated, untied and unscored upon.
On a personal note I would like to give a shout out to former Vol Tim Rumsey who played center from 1979-82 and backed up Vol legends Glenn Streno and Lee North. Tim and his lovely bride sat behind me for the 1st half and much of the third quarter before leaving for a reception for the 1982 team featuring Vol legend Jonathan Jones of MUMford Tennessee. He is one of those guys who never made headlines but is intensely proud of his status as a Tennessee Letterman. A true VFL!
MAXOMG
