Today On Rocky Top: Marlin Lane Wants To Leave His Mark At Tennessee

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Marlin Lane (15) rushes against South Carolina Gamecocks safety Chris Moody (6) and South Carolina linebacker Kaiwan Lewis (8) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From USA Today

"Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie said he noticed the difference in Lane as soon as last season ended. Gillespie said he spoke with Lane and pointed to the banners in Tennessee’s indoor practice facility that signify each of the Vols’ division and conference titles.Gillespie noted that Tennessee hadn’t put up a banner since its 2007 Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title. Gillespie told Lane to envision a future scenario in which he brings his children back to campus and they see those banners and ask when he played. Gillespie then asked Lane what kind of mark he wanted to leave on the program.“I think those are the conversations we’ve had that he understands, ‘Right now, my time is coming to an end. I want to be a guy when I leave here, people miss me when I come back in the building.'” Gillespie said.Read more at USA Today"

From The UT Daily Beacon

"Bobby Denton, the voice of Neyland Stadium since 1967, passed away Wednesday morning from his battle with cancer at 73.During his 47 years on the job, the longest tenure for a public address announcer in college football, Denton became known for many catchphrases, but his iconic “It’s football time in Tennessee” was easily the most recognizable.“Bobby Denton is a true treasure of Tennessee football,” UT head coach Butch Jones said in a university release. “Hearing him say, ‘It’s football time in Tennessee,’ is one of the greatest traditions in the history of college football.“His voice is as synonymous with Neyland Stadium as the checkerboard end zones, and everyone in the Tennessee family will miss him greatly.”Born and raised in Knoxville, Denton started out as a radio disc jockey for WIVK, where he would work for 36 years and reach the position of vice president and general manager, building the station into one of the most successful country music stations in the nation and helping to win four Country Music Association Awards for Radio Station of the Year.In 1967, Denton was hired by Gus Manning to replace then-PA announcer and long-time friend John Ward, who had left to become the “Voice of the Vols” on the Vol Network."

From The Times Free Press

"One player has been around since Tennessee’s last bowl practices.Another signed with the Volunteers three years ago after playing just 10 miles from campus down Interstate 40.A third volunteered to take a redshirt year after playing his first two seasons with the Vols.For the better part of three years, Tennessee center Mack Crowder and guards Kyler Kerbyson and Marcus Jackson have followed the same players through drills in practice or watched them take nearly all of the snaps in game.With the Vols having to replace their entire front five heading into 2014, the trio’s time is now.“It’s no looking back,” Crowder said earlier this spring. “I’m finally where I want to be. Now it’s time to step up and take leadership and get in there and lead the guys and show everybody that I’m ready to play. Marcus and Kyler are the same way. We’re ready to take this thing on full force."