I thought I would put a story I wrote about gameday in the Gameday thread:
"It's Time"
Its finally here, said Knox as he gathered around some of his teammates at the Torch Bearer. Gameday is finally here. He realized that he had gone through the motions of the Vol Walk one week earlier, but this was different; people clad in Tennessee orange were everywhere and the actual game was a mere 1 hour, 45 minutes away. Coach Kiffin walked up to the team with the swagger that the University of Tennessee had so desperately needed. He was wearing his tan suit with the bright orange tie, man was he sharp. He looked at the players through the sunglasses that adorned his face, gave them a nod and began walking towards Neyland Stadium. Words werent needed, for the players would follow their fearless General anywhere. Knox could feel his heart start to pound as he made his way down Peyton Manning Pass. He welcomed the grasps of the fans as he walked by; it was evident that the Big Orange fans were energized as the air was electric. As the players made it to the end of the Vol Walk, Knox could hear the cadence of the drums as the Pride of the Southland Band began its descent on The Hill.
Football time baby, Football time, bellowed Coach O as all the players finished suiting up for battle. As Knox tied the last knot in his laces, he wondered just how many Red Bulls coach had consumed that morning; Knox would have wagered on at least half a dozen. Gather around men, shouted Coach O, Ive got something to say before Coach Kiffin comes in here. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of all you boys and that there is no place I would rather be than right here, right now. Yall ready to get out there and whoop some Hilltopper ass? As the team affirmed Coach Os question with a resounding Yes, Coach O looked in the direction of The General, nodded and said Kiff.
Time has come for one of General Neylands maxims, stated Coach Kiffin. I really like this one, quiet down now and Listen. Knox fixed his eyes, and attention, on Coach Kiffin as he read off the maxim Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the WINNING EDGE. Coach Kiffin looked into each of the players eyes and said this maxim is a real testament to the way we have tried to coach you. We have hinged your entire development on the details. Every push of the weights, every climb of the steps, every 40 yard sprint, every drill, every meeting was planned to get you to this point. Now, it is through that tunnel where you will receive your reward. If you go out there and take care of the details, victory will enter your grasp. After one last piercing look, Coach Kiffin calmly declared Lets go get em!
In perfect unison, the team gathered at the front of the tunnel as the Pride of the Southland Band began their march toward the north endzone in the famed Power T formation. Knox thought about how he had longed for this moment. He, as a kid, had dreamed of one day running through the T. That one day was today and the band members dressed from head to toe in orange, black and white advanced toward him; with them was reality. As Knox looked up to see 107,000 screaming fans, the formation of the manmade T opened and the entire team charged to the sideline.
Tennessee has won the toss, and has elected to defer, roared the stadium announcer. Simultaneously, the crowd yelled and Eric Berry ran toward the team and began jumping up and down. Knox had noticed that EB had been nothing but calm up to this point, but Knox now realized that nothing but ferocity adorned EBs face. As the crowd looked at the starters names being displayed on the new scoreboard, the kickoff team took their place on the battlefield. The head referee stepped forward, blew his whistle and wound his arm. As the kicker readied the players, Coach Kiffin yelled to the top of his lungs, Its Football Time In Tennessee!
10 uh C VOL (9/2/09)