“Checker Neyland” worked to perfection Saturday. Unfortunately, the Vols could not reward their fans with a victory over the Gators. PHOTO: Nathanael Rutherford
It was an old-school, rough-it-out SEC game where neither team had an easy time finding the endzone and defense was the be-all, end-all for both teams. Unfortunately for the Vols, they found themselves on the wrong end of yet another SEC clash.
It’s a shame that Vol fans have not been rewarded for their greatest efforts over the last two seasons. Yes, the South Carolina game last season saw a great crowd atmosphere, but it wasn’t nearly as rocking as the sold-out Georgia game. And later on that season, the resolve of Vol fans was tested yet again in a bitterly cold game against Vanderbilt. Both times Tennessee lost. And both times in heart-breaking fashion.
History repeated itself Saturday.
The Vols looked good in the beginning, scraping 9 points out of their offense and taking a 9-0 lead into the 4th quarter. The Neyland Stadium crowd was absolutely berserk, and the “checker Neyland” movement had worked to perfection. It was quite possibly the best home atmosphere in the last half decade.
But the wheels came off for Tennessee once Florida put in back-up QB Teon Harris. The Gators scored 10 unanswered points en route to a gritty 10-9 victory, extending their winning streak over the Vols to 10 games.
The crowd didn’t disappoint all game, especially on third down. Every Gator third down play in the second half led to deafening roars from the entire stadium, and every time Lil John appeared on the Jumbotron, the crowd would grow even louder.
Unfortunately, most of the sold-out crowd went home disappointed Saturday afternoon.
Game Ball:
The Vols turned in their best defensive effort of the season on Saturday, and it’s unfortunate for them that the offense couldn’t provide more support and help get the win. There were several defensive players who shined Saturday, but nobody excelled more than sophomore linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
This week’s recipient of the All For Tennessee Game Ball is linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. The sophomore linebacker has quite possibly been the biggest surprise for the Vols this season, and he’s looking more and more like one of the biggest steals Tennessee has had in recruiting so far.
Reeves-Maybin finished with 9 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception. His interception came on the very first play of the second half when he smacked Jeff Driskell’s pass high into the air and let it fall into his hands.
The Vols have to be encouraged by their young play-makers on defense so far this season. Freshman defensive end Derek Barnett finished with 6 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and a sack, and freshman safety Todd Kelly Jr. picked off a pass for the second straight game. Sophomore corner Cam Sutton intercepted his third pass of the season and has continued to be a lock down cornerback.
But it was Jalen Reeves-Maybin that impressed the most of Tennessee’s young defenders Saturday. The future, at least, looks bright on Rocky Top.