Vols Football: Crowd Report and Game Ball for Week 1 vs. Utah State
Fans showed why Neyland Stadium is one of the best venues in college football Sunday against Utah State. The Vols rode the energy of the sold out crowd to a 38-7 victory. PHOTO: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
After every home game, I will provide a “crowd report” from the depths of the student section (seeing as how that’s where I usually am). We here at All For Tennessee feel we can use my experience to provide unique content to our viewers to give a more personalized experience to Vol fans, allowing them to engage with us and the team more effectively.
Additionally, every week I will provide a “game ball” to the most deserving player for the Vols, much like coaches do after every game.
Crowd Report:
As noted, the opening game against Utah State was sold out, and the 102,455 fans in attendance definitely made their presence felt. The whole stadium was rocking during every Utah State third down attempt, and students especially showed enthusiasm during the new “Third Down For What” song that cued the crowd to cheer before every third down attempt.
Every time a new player was mentioned over the PA system, a large roar would sound from the crowd. Freshman running back Jalen Hurd and freshman linebacker Dillon Bates drew sizable reactions whenever their names were called, and Jalen Hurd’s touchdown run and Von Pearson’s touchdown reception elicited some of the largest reactions from the crowd.
Generally, the crowd was extremely enthusiastic and showed very little negativity throughout the game. Of course, booing of the officials happened and the usual amount of vitriol was spewed against the Vols’ opponent, but nothing crossed the line.
Except for one fan who began to chant “We want Bama!” after a Vols’ score in the second half. Fans surrounding him had to remind him that the Vols, in fact, do not want Alabama, given the recent history of dominance by the Crimson Tide.
Game Ball:
The very first All For Tennessee game ball doesn’t go to just one player. In a bit of a cop out move, the game ball for the first game of 2014 goes to two players, one on offense and one on defense.
The first game ball goes to senior linebacker A.J. Johnson. On one of the most youthful defenses in UT history, the senior provided leadership in both motivation and in his play.
Johnson finished the game with 9 tackles, a forced fumble, and his first career interception. Johnson played on special teams for a good chunk of the game, and his forced fumble came on a Utah State kick return after Tennessee went up 7-0 in the first. The play set up another UT score, and it was an early punch in the gut to the Aggies.
Johnson’s first career interception came early in the 4th quarter, and it once again set up a Vols touchdown. Johnson proved why he was named a preseason 1st-Team All-SEC selection, and he will likely be the anchor on defense for the Vols all season.
The other game ball goes to senior QB Justin Worley for his outstanding performance, one of the best of his career.
The embattled senior completed a career-high 27 of 38 passes for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 14 yards on the ground, including some key rushes when plays fell apart.
While Worley’s statline is definitely impressive, it’s what you won’t see in the box score that earned him the game ball. Worley showed a command of the offense that never appeared last season, and he never made a mistake while leading the Vols. He threw no picks and never fumbled the ball, and all his decisions were sound ones.
Worley and Johnson deserve game ball honors because without their services, yesterday’s game could’ve gone in a whole different direction.