Vols Impressive in Season Opener

I never really noticed how a new coach could make such a difference in a program until I saw the first team that Bruce Pearl put on the court at Tennessee. Now, you can add Lane Kiffin’s name to the list of coaches who have made an immediate impact on their team.  The difference in this year’s team and last year’s team is astounding to me.

I realize that the opponent was Western Kentucky, but the Vols didn’t exactly humiliate Northern Illinois and UAB last season. I have been watching college football for many years now and I know that one game does not a season make, but if today’s game is any indication of what is to come, I think we are going to like what we see on Rocky Top for years to come. Other than the slow start and back to back turnovers in the 1^st quarter there isn’t much to complain about today.

I like the fact that the coaching staff kept coaching until the final whistle, and they didn’t let the team celebrate. According to Kiffin after the game, he said that there will be no time to celebrate this victory; it’s time to go back to work and get better.

Jonathon Crompton did not look like the same quarterback that we saw last year. Maybe it was his confidence in his abilities and in the coaching staff.  Maybe he truly had a great grasp of the offensive game plan and he knew that he could execute. Whatever the reason, Jonathon Crompton showed that he is not the inept inadequate quarterback that we saw last season on the hill. You have to admire this guy for sticking with it, working hard and coming back despite the intense criticism he has received during his career. Crompton through five touchdown passes today, that is one more than he threw all of last season.

Crompton finished the day 21-28 through the air and it seemed that Crompton benefited from better play at the wide receiver position. He had a legitimate option every time he dropped back to pass. He did throw 2 interceptions, but both were tips at the line of scrimmage.

Running backs Monterio Hardesty and Bryce Brown did not disappoint and they certainly benefited from vastly improved line play. Both surpassed the 100 yard mark today and Hardesty finished with 160. Both backs ran hard and with great second effort, but in my opinion, it was the offensive line that is to be praised for the running game’s success. They established their dominance in the 2^nd quarter and never looked back.

It is hard not to get excited about the defensive unit. The Vols finished the season in the top five nationally on defense last season and it looks like they have picked up right where they left off. The Vol D only allowed 83 yards of total offense and most of that came on one drive in the 3^rd quarter. Although I believe we will know more about this unit after the next two weeks have come and gone. You never got the sense that Western Kentucky had the personnel to make any sort of run at the Vols today.

Nick Reviez and Savion Frasier were all over the field defensively and both finished with six total tackles Not bad for Reveiz who has been undersized since day one but continually comes up with big plays.

The Good:

The attitude of the team, coaches and fans. This program has certainly been rejuvenated by the new coaching staff. What a difference they have made in their short time in Knoxville.

Tennessee outgained Western Kentucky 657-83 in total yards. You can’t be much more dominant than that regardless of the competition. The Vols averaged 8.7 yards per play and did not punt one time all afternoon.

Tennessee was 7-9 on third down conversions; conversely Western Kentucky only converted on 1 of 11 third down attempts.

Jonathan Crompton threw for 233 yards and threw five touchdown passes.

Bryce Brown rushed for 104 yards while fellow back Monterio Hardesty rushed for 160 yards on 18 carries. Brown and Hardesty both averaged more than 8.9 yards per rush.

The Vols amassed 34 first downs to the Hilltoppers 6.

The Bad:

Attendance: The crowd of 98,761 was extremely disappointing to me. I was very surprised to look up and see all the empty seats in the south end zone upper deck. With the excitement generated by Lane Kiffin and his staff since their arrival I was sure that we would see a packed house today. I guess many are waiting for UCLA to arrive.