Alabama came into the Tennessee game with one of the most acclaimed defensive fronts in college football, headlined by a Heisman Trophy candidate. The Crimson Tide left Neyland Stadium with only one sack and a 52-49 loss.
Moreover, Bama registered only two tackles for a loss and, as for that Heisman candidate, defensive end/linebacker Will Anderson Jr.? He registered just three tackles. Once again, Tennessee’s offensive line proved they were probably a bit underrated before the season began.
“I call them my security guards,” Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker said. “We’ve got front door and we’ve got back door security guards and they make sure that the perimeter is secure.
“They push through a lot. They push through me getting on them, them being hard on themselves and they come to work everyday no matter how they feel and I can’t thank them enough.”
Tennessee’s offensive line also pushed through the Crimson Tide for 182 rushing yards. Still, Hooker said the Vols have work to do.
“We’ve got some things to clean up on Monday,” the always tunnel-visioned senior said. “We’re going to come back and prepare for UT-Martin.”
Well, that can wait for a bit. Things have changed drastically after the Vols beat Alabama for the first time since 2006, at least as far as the media is concerned. Now, the Vols look like a championship contender after topping the No. 3 team in the nation.
Hooker said the goal has always been to get to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. Nothing has changed – except for the fact that the Vols just pulled off one of the most memorable wins in school history.
“We came here to do a job and we work our tails off everyday to the best of our ability,” Hooker said. “We expect to win.”
Hooker’s reference to UT-Martin may sound like a player trying to mimic coach speak. It’s either that or Hooker actually believes what he is saying. Given the consistency of the message, it’s tough to doubt him.
“We approach every game the same, just another day at the office,” Hooker said. “That’s how we approached it today, determined and just go out there and execute plays and play 100-percent for our brothers on our left and our right and that’s what we did tonight.”
The Vols played for much more than just themselves on Saturday night. The tens of thousands of fans that stormed the field and ripped down the goal posts can attest to that.
