It was certainly not the prettiest win the Vols have ever had, but it's still a win. It's a win that secured a trip to Atlanta in two weeks for the SEC Championship game. It's a win that secures at least a tie for the Eastern Divison crown of the SEC this year--something that very few thought was possible when the season started. It's a win that the Vols got with the third-string quarterback who was benched to start the season. It's a win that extended the winning streak over Vandy to 22 years--one of the longest current, active win streaks in college football.
As I said before, it wasn't a pretty win. In the fourth quarter--this season when Vandy has struggled--they looked like world-beaters. Tennessee kept giving Vandy hope that this might finally be the year. Thankfully, it wasn't.
Not that Vandy wasn't helped by the refs. I guess I know where all the revenue from the ticket hike went--to pay off the officials. The calls were horrible against the Vols and they clearly missed many calls against Vandy. Horrible officiating. I hope Fulmer files a protest with the league office. The calls were terrible.
Of course, the whole Vandy stadium is sub-par. This was my first time going to Vandy's stadium and what a joke. First of all, it's embarassing that you can't even get enough fans at a game to keep it from being Neyland Stadium West. Second of all, your band is puny. Worst in the SEC. The band the Vols have for basketball games is better and larger. Give it up, Vandy. You need to stop taking the hand outs from the SEC and move out of the conference--get a real team in here that might win a game occasionally and not be as huge a doormat as you are.
Now I'll admit...I was there and totally biased toward Tennessee. And that was OK until the middle of the second when a guy and his kid showed up, who were for Vandy. Apparently my cheering for Tennessee and mocking their kicker who can't make an extra point, mind you--bothered them. Now, I wasn't using profanity, I wasn't cheering for injuries, I didn't make any threats. I did clap when Vandy's player got up after an injury--because that's just good sportsmanship. I did jump up and down and cheer when we got the final interception to seal the game. I booed the refs for bad calls. But I was pretty civil and didn't say anything directly to them...but yet, they took the time to me I was rude. Look, buddy..there are huge chunks of open seats in the stadium...if you cant' take it that I paid my money to come and cheer for my team, there is plenty of room eleswhere.
When Vandy does something--such as not losing to Kentucky--then we can talk.
But in the end, the Vols silenced him. He and his son left as soon as the interception took place. Which is a shame because I was honestly going to shake his hand and tell him they had a good game and mean it. But I didn't get that chance....
posted by Michael Hickerson at 11/20/2004 04:40:00 PM |
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