After last week’s match against Kentucky it reminded me that one of the fascinations of American Football was that the margin between success and failure is wafer thin. For instance the aftermath reports could have been so different pending on the result and that result depended on a number of moments where literally inches decided the match.
Josh Palmers incredible top taping for the touchdown
Nigel Warriors step out of bounds on the interception (whilst he may of stepped out of bounds, I didn’t see any irrefutable evidence, but anyway)
3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 at the end.
Middleton’s fingers touching the extra point in the 1st quarter.
Here’s what those match reports may have said:
WIN: Tennessee went on the road and extended their turnaround on the season with a from behind win at Kentucky.
LOSS: After showing signs of a recovery Tennessee slipped back into their old ways by claiming defeat from the jaws of victory
WIN: The team continues to show resolve to fight through adversity with some game winning moments such as, another interception from Warrior, A tipped extra point from Middleton (that point turned out to be vital on Kentucky’s last drive) an amazing toe tapping touchdown from Josh Palmer and finally after what seemed a crucial fumble from Chandler, a heroic goal line stand to save the day.
LOSS: Tennessee returned to being ill disciplined, Two false starts on the first drive, the punter dropped the ball, roughing the passer (whose zip on a throw reminded me of a shot putter) on a 3rd and 14. Even a coach got flagged AFTER the end of the first half and the coup de grace was after seemly winning the game Chandler dropped a hand off.
WIN: A great quarterback switch at half time changed the game on its head. Guarantano continues to go from Zero to Hero with possibly his best ever performance for the Vols
LOSS: Still the quarterback situation is up for grabs, after waiting two weeks for Maurer to return we were only to find out why he is a 3-star Freshman and has a long way to go before the keys are his for this offence.
WIN: Although this was as awful a start to a game I’ve seen from the Vols, the fact the coaching staff made the right adjustments augers well for the future. None better demonstrated on the very last drive, I couldn’t understand why a quarterback with a broken hand was handing off to a running back, surely it was better to use a quarterback with two hands. How wrong I was, as the quarterback end around sealed the win and I like Kentucky never saw it coming. Raise a glass to Chaney.
LOSS: Why ever would you leave a quarterback in a game to hand off to a running back when he has a cast on this left hand.
WIN: There is no doubt there has been a big turnaround for the Vols. This team now looks like it has learnt how to win even when things aren’t going to plan and it looks more like 7-5 instead of 5-7. If that is the case it may be off to the Gator Bowl against Michigan. Hands up who predicted that after the BYU game.
LOSS: After wasting such an opportunity to win at Kentucky the Vols have to pick themselves up again and win the last two games to go bowling and as Missouri have a winning record and the last three years had our number, this will be a mighty steep hill to climb after this stinging loss.
In Pruitt I am now a believer, but the margin of success and failure has been inches.
Go Vols
