The Tennessee Vols (1-2) have lost 13 times in their past 29 games, but they hadn't lost as badly as they did Saturday in 26 years. It was Tennessee's biggest loss since 1981's 41-0 drubbing by Georgia. It was the most points the Vols have given up since 1995's 62-37 loss in Gainesville.
"We pretty much got our butts kicked by our biggest rival," Vols center Josh McNeil said.
The Vols ran for 37 yards on 21 carries. They had minus-11 rushing yards against Florida last year and 66 two years ago.
"You can't do too many things when you can't run the football," UT senior tight end Chris Brown said.
You can't do too many things when you give up 554 yards of total offense, either. Florida had 299 passing yards and 255 on the ground."We cannot continue to give people big plays," Phil Fulmer said. "We cannot help good teams that way, as we did with Cal and Florida."
The defense has to make tackles. Jonathan Hefney needs to step up and be the All-American caliber player he was hyped to be before the season. He's supposed to be the leader in the secondary and has looked awful all season.
Something needs to change damn it! Lack of running offense aside, we damn sure can't give up that much yardage.
The Vols won two of their last three contests in “The Swamp,” claiming a 34-32 win in 2001 and a 24-10 triumph in 2003.
This series recently has been dictated by the running game, as the team with the most rushing yardage has won 15 of the last 17 meetings (UF won in 2000 and 2002 despite being outgained on the ground).
Junior tailback Arian Foster has played extremely well in Tennessee’s two opening games this season, evoking memories of his breakout 2005 campaign, during which he rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his five starts. Foster leads the Vols deep corps of tailbacks this year, averaging 107.0 rushing yards per game. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry and has a pair of rushing touchdowns so far.
"The running game, as I said, is crucial," Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said.. "You go back and see that the team that has rushed the best has won the most games, We are working diligently to continue to find our balance from an offensive standpoint. I thought the second half of the Southern Miss game was more like we would like to look"
The biggest question mark for the Vols has not been the offense, however, as the defense has struggled in the season's opening two games. After giving up 471 total yards against Cal, 230 of which came on the ground, Tennessee once again came out flat against Southern Miss giving up 16 points and over 250 yards in the first half.
"We've got to tackle well," said Fulmer. "We've got to play good assignment football because of the potential for the option and the other things that we will see."
The key to the option, and the entire Florida offense, will be quarterback Tim Tebow who was a main contributor to the victory over the Vols last season in Knoxville.
"Their offense centers on their outstanding quarterback, Tebow," Fulmer said. "He is a really special football player, a big guy that can run and throw it."
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
