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| Tennessee | vs. | Vanderbilt |
| Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, Tenn. - Saturday, November 21, 2009 | ||
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
November 21, 2009
FINAL SCORE
Tennessee - 31
Vanderbilt - 16
At 6-5, the Vols are now bowl eligible.
Montario Hardesty's 171 yards is a new career high. He finished with one touchdown and a 5.3 average per play.
Several Tennessee seniors are still on the field, some with their families. A few seniors are over near the student section. Junior Eric Berry is also with the students, high-fiving people and waving to fans. He's followed by a host of media and cameras.
ATTENDANCE: 100,124
FOURTH QUARTER
Tennessee - 31
Vanderbilt - 16
10:25 p.m. -- Tennessee kicks off to Vanderbilt with a squib kick, and the Commodores take a knee to end the game.
TENNESSEE SCORING DRIVE: 25-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Tennessee - 31
Vanderbilt - 16
0:03 on the clock
10:23 p.m. -- TURNOVER: Adams' pass is intercepted by UT's Wes Brown, who races 25 yards to the goal line and dives in with defenders on his back for the touchdown. Adams was being tackled while throwing, and it proved costly. The PAT is good.
10:22 p.m. -- Adams throws incomplete, then keeps on a right-side rush out of bounds for a gain of 8 to the 33.
10:22 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 0:26 on the clock
10:21 p.m. -- On fourth down, Hardesty is caught for a loss of 2. Vanderbilt takes over on the 25. Hardesty has 171 yards on the night.
10:20 p.m. -- TIMEOUT VANDERBILT: 0:32 on the clock as it's fourth-and-3 for the Vols at the Vandy 23.
10:19 p.m. -- It's a career-high for Hardesty on the ground and the yardage continues top pile up. He gains 3 yards and has 173 on the night. His previous career high was 160.
10:17 p.m. -- First down Tennessee as Hardesty gains 4 more yards -- the third time in a row -- to take the Vols to the 30. He gets a couple more as the clock ticks below 1:25. Hardesty again on the rush for 2 yards.
10:16 p.m. -- TIMEOUT VANDERBILT: 2:39 p.m. on the clock as the crowd boos Vanderbilt's decision.
10:16 p.m. -- Hardesty carries behind the right tackle for 4 more yards. It's third-and-2 from the Vandy 34.
10:15 p.m. -- TIMEOUT VANDERBILT: 2:45 on the clock as Vanderbilt tires to get the ball back.
10:14 p.m. -- Hardesty goes outside of the tackles to gain 4 yards to the Vandy 38 as the clock becomes Tennessee's 12th man.
10:13 p.m. -- The timeout was worth it for the Vols. Bryce Brown is up close for the Vols and recovers the onside kick at the Vandy 42, where UT takes over.
10:12 p.m. -- TIMEOUT TENNESSEE: 2:54 on the clock as the Vols talk over strategy. Potential topic of conversation is likely preparation for a Vandy onside kick.
10:10 p.m. -- During the TV timeout, UT coach Lane Kiffin is seeking explanation from an official at the 30-yard line. The two chat for a minute and Kiffin slowly walks away with his clipboard.
VANDERBILT SCORING DRIVE: 11 plays, 55 yards, 3:00
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 16
2:54 on the clock
10:09 p.m. -- FIELD GOAL VANDERBILT: Fowler's 38-yard field goal attempt is good as the crowd boos in disapproval.
10:08 p.m. -- On third down, Adams is swarmed and UT's Wes Brown drags him down. As he's being tackled, he throws the ball away and is flagged for grounding. Brown gets credit for the sack, and it's fourth down for Vandy.
10:07 p.m. -- On first down, Adams' pass is incomplete on the goal line. Adams then completes to Norman out of the backfield, but he's hammered by UT's Raines and upended at the 5. It's third down.
10:06 p.m. -- Vanderbilt is called for a false start on first down. The ball is back to the 7 as it remains first-and-goal. The crowd is drowning the field with boos after the interference call while Tennessee tries for a goal-line stand.
10:05 p.m. -- Adams throws into the end zone and the pass is deflected and picked off by Rogan on the checkerboard, but there's a flag. It's pass interference, giving Vandy an automatic first down with the ball on the 2.
10:04 p.m. -- Adams hits Wimberly for 5 yards to take the ball to the 3. It's third down.
10:03 p.m. -- Norman carries on a cutback and breaks a tackle to gain 13 yards. Vanderbilt has a first down at the 8, where Adams throws incomplete. There's 4:32 to play.
10:01 p.m. -- Big gain for the Commodores as Adams hits Barden down the Vandy sidelines for 32 yards. Adams then hits another 8-yard pass, taking the Commodores down to the UT 29. It's Adams again to Barden for 8 yards to the 21.
10 p.m. -- Still coaching up his defense, Monte Kiffin has to be told by an official on the side to get off the field. It's a funny moment as Kiffin skips to the sideline just before play resumes.
9:58 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 5:54 on the clock
9:57 p.m. -- On third-and-10, Crompton's pass is broken up. Cunningham is on to punt and booms it to Stacy, who gets only a couple of yards to the 31 for the Commodores.
9:56 p.m. -- On second down, UT is whistled for a false start. It's second-and-15 from the 29. The 94 yards in penalties is a season-high for the Vols, breaking the previous high of 68 yards against Alabama.
9:54 p.m. -- Crompton finds Stocker once again on the rollout pass, and Stocker turns and rumbles for 9 yards to the 32. Hardesty pushes up the gut to get the first down. Ball is on the 34.
9:53 p.m. -- Hardesty gains 4 on first down, then 2 on second down. It's third-and-4 for the Vols from the 16 and Crompton hits Stocker for a first down to the 23.
9:50 p.m. -- Hardesty has 141 yards on the night. His career high is 160 yards. Regarding the passing game, nine different players have caught passes.
9:50 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 9:19 on the clock
9:48 p.m. -- Two incompletions have Vandy at third-and-long again. And Adams is nearly sacked on the play by UT's Brown. The ball flies into the turf, and the Commodores punt. The ball is downed at the 10, where the Vols take over.
9:45 p.m. -- It's third down after two short runs with 4 yards to go. Adams' pass is incomplete as the Vanderbilt possession stalls quickly. Punt formation. The kick is boomed through the end zone, but there's a flag. Personal foul on UT for interference with the snapper. It's a 15-yard penalty on the Vols and gives the ball back to the Commodores with a first down. Ball is on the UT 43.
9:42 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 11:27 on the clock
9:41 p.m. -- Crompton's throw to Stocker is dropped. Vanderbilt takes over at the 36.
9:40 p.m. -- Brown carries on second down and runs out of his shoe for the second time in as many weeks. He gets the ball to the 38, where it's third-and-6. On an empty backfield, Crompton completes to Hancock but it's short of the first. New personnel, and the Vols are going for it on fourth-and-4 from the 36.
9:38 p.m. -- Big gainer for Hardesty. He takes the handoff and rumbles straight through the middle, running over one Vanderbilt linebacker for 24 yards. Tennessee has it on the Vandy 42.
9:37 p.m. -- Crompton passes to Moore on the UT sideline for 8 yards, leaving him just short of the first. On third down, Hardesty follows his blockers to move the sticks. Ball is on the UT 34.
9:35 p.m. -- The Tennessee video plays on the jumbotron with a collection of songs referencing the Volunteer State. No matter the score, it's always a nice touch leading into the final quarter of play. "That's where I come from, I'm an old Tennessean ..."
THIRD QUARTER
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 13
9:34 p.m. -- Hardesty carries for 1 yard into the pile as the clock expires to end the quarter.
9:32 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 0:16 on the clock
9:32 p.m. -- Vanderbilt's punt rolls to a stop at the UT 20, where the Vols take over.
9:30 p.m. -- Sack: UT's Dan Williams breaks through to take down Adams for a loss of 10 yards. It's second-and-19 from the 26 for Vanderbilt. Stacy carries up the middle and gets the sack yardage back. It's third-and-9 and Adams' pass hits the dirt, plus Vandy is called for holding. It's declined and the punt team trots on.
9:27 p.m. -- Adams completes to Cole on his own sideline. He breaks free, but he's caught by UT's King, who is shaken up on the play. It's a gain of 20 yards, taking the Commodores out to the 36.
9:24 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 3:16 on the clock
9:22 p.m. -- Crompton's pass to a wide-open Jones down the Vandy sideline is just off his fingertips. The stadium lets out a collective sigh. Cunningham is on to punt, booming it inside the 10. Stacy returns it to the 25, but Vandy is flagged for holding. The 'Dores take over on the 15.
9:20 p.m. -- The wave has hit Neyland Stadium during the timeout. It's quite impressive as fans all the way from bottom to the upper deck are in unison. It even continues while Hardesty rushes up the middle for the Vols. Flag: personal foul on UT, pushing the Vols back to the UT 46. The wave ... has stopped.
9:18 p.m. -- From the 42, Crompton passes to Brown near the UT sideline as he races out of the backfield for 11 yards, taking the Vols to the Vandy 47. Brown then carries the ball for a bruising 4 yards behind the tackles. Vanderbilt's Richardson is shaken up on the play.
9:17 p.m. -- Hardesty carries the ball left for 9 yards to the 40. The run puts the UT tailback over 100 yards for the night. It's the fourth 100-yard game of the season for Hardesty.
9:15 p.m. -- Vanderbilt's kickoff is caught by Oku, who races out from the 2 for 29 yards. Tennessee begins the drive at the 31.
VANDERBILT SCORING DRIVE: 9 plays, 34 yards, 3:58
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 13
6:37 on the clock
9:13 p.m. -- FIELD GOAL VANDERBILT: Fowler's 27-yarder sails through.
9:13 p.m. -- It's fourth down after Adams' pass flies through the back of the end zone. The field goal unit is on for a 27-yard attempt.
9:08 p.m. -- Norman keeps up the drive with a couple of carries, one for 7 yards to take the Commodores down to the UT 13. He runs again straight ahead for 3 more yards to the 10 but he's stopped for no gain on second down. UT's Dan Williams is shaken up on the play.
9:06 p.m. -- Vanderbilt is on the move with a 9-yard completion followed by a 6-yard rush by Norman to take the 'Dores to the 29. Adams keeps on first down for 3 yards.
9:04 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 10:25 on the clock
9:04 p.m. -- The interception snapped Crompton's streak of 142 consecutive passing attempts without an interception. It was one short of the UT record, held by Casey Clausen in 2003.
9:03 p.m. -- TURNOVER: On third down from the 48, Crompton's pass is picked off by Vanderbilt's Graham, who runs it back to the UT 44.
9:01 p.m. -- Crompton hits Jones for 9 yards on the Vandy sideline, and Hardesty cuts outside to gain the first down at the UT 48. Hardesty has 95 yards on the night.
9:01 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 11:52 on the clock
9 p.m. -- Rogan fields the Vanderbilt punt and returns it 5 yards to the UT 31.
8:59 p.m. -- Adams completes to Norman out of the backfield on third down for no gain. Ball is on the 27, where it's fourth down and Vandy is punting.
8:57 p.m. -- A second effort by Norman on third down allows him to stretch on the dive to get the first down. Vanderbilt is on the 24 with a fresh set of downs.
8:54 P.M. -- Tennessee kicks off to Vanderbilt. Norman runs it out to the 25 but there's a flag: personal foul on Vanderbilt. The penalty moves the ball back to the 13, where the 'Dores begin.
HALFTIME
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 10
8:53 p.m. -- Just before the half begins, UT huddles up at midfield for a pep talk.
8:33 p.m. -- The Pride of the Southland Marching Band is heading onto the field to honor our nation with a patriotic performance. A huge American flag is being held by 10 people on the sidelines awaiting to be unveiled. All branches of the military are being recognized for their service to our country as each branch's flag is marched down the 50-yard line while their respective songs are being played.
SECOND QUARTER
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 10
8:32 p.m. -- Tennessee kicks off to Vanderbilt. The squib kick is picked up by Johnson just past midfield to end the half.
8:31 p.m. -- TIMEOUT TENNESSEE: 0:05 on the clock as the Vols take a break before the kickoff.
TENNESSEE SCORING DRIVE: 4 plays, 61 yards, 0:30
Tennessee - 24
Vanderbilt - 10
0:05 on the clock
8:29 p.m. -- TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE: The old favorite. Crompton drops back and looks downfield to find who? Luke Stocker out of his tight end position gets a step on his defender and jumps to catch the ball on the checkerboard. The PAT is good.
8:28 p.m. -- TIMEOUT TENNESSEE: 0:10 on the clock. Looks like the Vols will make one attempt before going for a field goal.
8:28 p.m. -- Crompton hits Stocker across the middle for 6 yards to the 16.
8:27 p.m. -- TIMEOUT TENNESSEE: 0:16 on the clock
8:26 p.m. -- Crompton backs that up with another completion on the right side to Hardesty out of the backfield. He races out to the 22-yard line, where it's first down as the clock ticks.
8:25 p.m. -- Crompton completes to Hancock after nearly getting sacked. He gets turned around on the near-tackle and the defender yanks the QB's helmet. Vandy is flagged for a personal foul for roughing, and it's tacked on to the completion to take the Vols to the VU 35.
8:25 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 0:35 on the clock
8:23 p.m. -- On third down, Adams hits Barden but he catches the ball running toward the offense. He's short of the first down and Vandy is going for it. The attempt is incomplete as it pops out and UT takes over at the 39.
8:21 p.m. -- TIMEOUT VANDERBILT: 0:51 on the clock as Vanderbilt is facing second-and-5 from the UT 41.
8:18 p.m. -- Adams hits Barden for 18 yards to the 44 as the Commodores are in hurry-up mode with less than 2:30 on the clock. Vandy moves across midfield with a pass to Cole to make it third down at the UT 48 with 2 yards to go. Stacy rumbles for the 2 yards for a first down with 1:18 to play in the half.
8:16 p.m. -- Tennessee's kickoff is taken by Vanderbilt, but the return is reversed and handed to Wilson. It's run out to the 26 for Vandy, where they begin the drive.
8:15 p.m. -- The TD was Crompton's 24th of the season. He came into the game tied for the SEC lead in touchdown passes.
TENNESSEE SCORING DRIVE: 11 plays, 72 yards, 5:08
Tennessee - 17
Vanderbilt - 10
3:16 on the clock
8:12 p.m. -- TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE: Crompton searches and starts to run on third down, but he throws at the last second to a sliding Moore on the goal line. A Vanderbilt defender is right there. The play is ruled a touchdown, but officials are reviewing. Confirmed. Touchdown. PAT by Mathis is good.
8:09 p.m. -- TIMEOUT VANDERBILT: 3:25 on the clock as the Vols face third-and-6 from the 11.
8:08 p.m. -- Crompton looks right and goes to Hancock, who catches it and splits two Vandy defenders. He outruns one of them before being brought down at the 15. The momentum is halted temporarily with a batted down pass.
8:06 p.m. -- On third-and-6, Crompton nails Moore in the numbers and on the run for a 10-yard gain and a first down. Tennessee moves to the Vandy 42, then Hardesty pushes forward for 7 more yards.
8:04 p.m. -- First down Tennessee as Hardesty scampers through the middle with a big hole allowing him to gain 9 yards. Tennessee has it on the UT 44.
8:03 p.m. -- Looking, looking, looking, Crompton tucks the ball and rushes with his head down, then dives to the first down. He's just short with a gain of 9. Hardesty tries to get it, but he loses 2 yards to make it third down.
8:02 p.m. -- Vanderbilt kicks off to the Vols. Brown returns the ball from the 9 out to the 28 where UT takes over.
VANDERBILT SCORING DRIVE: 11 plays, 92 yards, 6:04
Tennessee - 10
Vanderbilt - 10
8:30 on the clock
7:58 p.m. -- TOUCHDOWN VANDERBILT: Adams hits van Rensburg at the goal line and the officials signal touchdown as the tight end's foot cross the line. Officials review to make sure the ball crossed the plane. Ruling is confirmed and the PAT is good.
7:56 p.m. -- Norman carries twice, taking the Commodores down to the 4-yard line. It's third down with 1 yard to go for a first and Reeves takes it to the 2 for a first down at the 2. Adams keeps but falls on a cutback for no gain.
7:54 p.m. -- Incomplete for Vanderbilt, but UT is called for pass interference. The ball is placed at the spot, putting Vandy on the UT 13 as the Commodores threaten to potentially tie.
7:51 p.m. -- Adams hits Cole for 7 yards to move the chains for a first down. The Commodores have the ball at the UT 44, where Adams passes to Norman out of the backfield and he runs 16 yards. Ball is on the 27 as UT's Evans is down with medical attention. Evans is OK.
7:48 p.m. -- UT's Chris Walker breaks through the line and and nails the tailback for a loss, taking the ball inside the 5. But just as the Vol fans get Neyland rocking, Norman breaks through on a quick snap and rushes for 20 yards and a first down. A play later, UT's Berry is flagged for a personal foul and 15 yards. Vandy has a first down at the 43.
7:47 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 14:34 on the clock
7:46 p.m. -- Tennessee's punt is fielded at the goal line, and Stacy runs it out to the 16. But Vandy is called for holding and it's half the distance. Vandy begins at the 8.
7:45 p.m. -- It's a fake. In the punt formation, the snap goes to Cooper at fullback, and he runs for a first down. But, there's holding on the Vols. The penalty pushes the ball back to the UT 48 after the rush. The Vols punt this time.
FIRST QUARTER
Tennessee - 10
Vanderbilt - 3
7:42 p.m. -- It's fourth down for the Vols at the VU 45 after Brown gets tripped up short of the sticks to end the quarter.
7:40 p.m. -- Hardesty gets the ball and runs it for 11 yards, where he's met by a gang of Commodores. They stop him, but they can't bring him down so the whistle blows. Crompton follows with a pass to Jones for 22 yards down the Vandy sideline. Ball's on the UT 47.
7:37 p.m. -- Vanderbilt kicks off to UT. Oku takes the the ball at the 1 and runs it out to the 24, but the Vols are called for holding. They will begin the drive from the 14.
VANDERBILT SCORING DRIVE: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:16
Tennessee - 10
Vanderbilt - 3
2:18 on the clock
7:36 p.m. -- FIELD GOAL VANDERBILT: Fowler's 31-yard field goal attempt is good, putting the Commodores on the board.
7:35 p.m. -- On third-and-9, Adams' pass sails high and incomplete due to being broken up by UT's Anderson. The field goal unit is on.
7:33 p.m. -- Adams keeps the ball and runs for 6 yards on the designed play. Ball is on the 21, where Norman takes the carry left and gains the first down. Vanderbilt is down to the UT 15 and threatening.
7:31 p.m. -- Adams hits Ashley for 13 yards along the Commodore sideline for a first down. Ball is at midfield, where Stacy rips off 21 yards on the carry to take the ball to the UT 28 as Vanderbilt's nice drive continues.
7:29 p.m. -- Tennessee kicks off to Vanderbilt. Norman gets the ball at the 15 and runs it out to the 38 for Vanderbilt.
TENNESSEE SCORING DRIVE: 12 plays, 53 yards, 4:34
Tennessee - 10
Vanderbilt - 0
5:41 on the clock
7:27 p.m. -- FIELD GOAL TENNESSEE: Mathis' 25-yard field goal attempt is good.
7:27 p.m. -- On third-and-long, Hardesty gets a chunk of it back, gaining 10 yards. It's fourth down from the 8 and Mathis is attempting a field goal.
7:25 p.m. -- Holding on the Vols during the second down play. UT is pushed back to the 21.
7:22 p.m. -- On third-and-10, Crompton complete to Moore over the middle for 6 yards, but it's short of the first. UT is going for it ... First down. Crompton nails Poole in the chest for 9 yards on the crossing route. It's first down on the 11.
7:21 p.m. -- Montario Hardesty's previous carry for 9 yards pushes him over 1,000 yards for the season.
7:19 p.m. -- On second down, Crompton finds Jones on the Vandy sideline just before he falls out of bounds. It's a gain of 17, moving the Vols into Vanderbilt territory to the 44. Hardesty follows it up with a 9-yard scamper to the 35. Hardesty goes again to move the chains. He already has 47 yards.
7:16 p.m. -- CHANGE OF POSSESSION: 10:15 on the clock
7:15 p.m. -- After two quick plays, Vanderbilt faces third-and-9 and completes for 7 yards, but it's short of the sticks. In less than two minutes, Vandy punts it back to the Vols. Vandy's punt goes 34 yards, and Tennessee takes over at its own 39.
7:13 p.m. -- Tennessee kicks off to Vanderbilt. Norman returns for Vandy, but he's tripped up at the 19, where the 'Dores begin their drive.
TENNESSEE SCORING DRIVE: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:58
Tennessee - 7
Vanderbilt - 0
12:02 on the clock
7:10 p.m. -- TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE: Hardesty breaks through the gap and rumbles into the checkerboard end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. Mathis kicks the PAT.
7:09 p.m. -- Crompton finds Cooper on the Vols sideline for 22 yards, taking UT down to the 5-yard line. It's first-and-goal.
7:07 p.m. -- The Vols quickly move the chains with a completion to Stocker and a rush by Hardesty to take them to the VU 45. Two plays later, Hardesty breaks through for another first down as the Vols go down to the Vandy 27.
7:05 p.m. -- Vanderbilt kicks off to the Vols. Oku takes the kick at the 8 and races out to the 40 to start the game.
PREGAME
7:03 p.m. -- Vanderbilt wins the toss. Tennessee will receive the ball to start the game. Crompton starts warming up after a nice ovation during his introduction. It's football time in Tennessee.
6:56 p.m. -- The Power T opens up and the cheerleaders run through and stop while the band plays. It's time to honor Tennessee's seniors as they run through the T for the last time. Each senior is introduced individually as they trot to the sidelines, where they meet their family members for a photo.
6:46 p.m. -- The Pride of the Southland Marching Band is on the field for the invocation and national anthem. As the anthem ends, the bald eagle Challenger flies in from the rooftop and lands near the 10-yard line.
6:44 p.m. -- Scouts from the Chick-fil-a, Outback, Liberty and Independence bowls are at the game. The Vols bowl projection is a bit complicated, but could get clearer as the night unfolds.
6:42 p.m. -- Tennessee's Legends of the Game are two-sport star Alan Cockrell (1981-83) and All-SEC offensive lineman Eric Still (1986-89). They are being honored at midfield.
6:40 p.m. -- The sidelines are packed with family members for Senior Day on The Hill. The Vols and the Commodores both head off the field to their respective locker rooms.
5:52 p.m. -- Vols are in orange shirts and white pants during warmups. The question of what uniform combination has kind of added some excitement to pregame each weekend.
5:22 p.m. -- The Vol Walk just wrapped up, and the team is forming a circle at midfield where chaplain Roger Wood shares a word with the team. It's always an impact to see the team circled up dressed in their black jumpsuits.
5:02 p.m. -- Two hours until kickoff for the last game at Neyland this year. It's beautiful outside. The music is blaring around the stadium as tailgaters take in the atmosphere one last time. The smell of greasy food floats in the air. Hard to believe it's November and Senior Day. But alas, it's football time in Tennessee.
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