Tennessee Volunteers

2030

Season Report Posted: June 15, 2012 00:52  

A 4-4 start in 2029 gave way to 10-4, an SEC title and a Sugar Bowl win over Ohio State. Whether that momentum carries into 2030 depends in each parts on new quarterback Justin Brooks and a defense that is a year older but not necessarily better.

Brooks replaces Brian Coley, who threw for more than 8500 yards and 70 touchdowns the past two seasons before leaving early for the NFL. Brooks' accuracy is comparable to Coley's, but the soph has a much stronger arm. Coach Slacker is drooling over the prospect of more long passes stretching defenses.

On defense, it's anybody's guess how things will go. Overall the unit has talent to match the rest of the SEC, but it was shelled several times last season and nearly always left the Vols coming from behind.

All-America DT Ike Fitch, DE Steve Stephens and SS Terrance Carter are the best hopes for difference makers. There were no blue-chip recruits, so any improvement will have to come from the group's experience.

On to the season:

Vols 41, Tulane 9: New QB Justin Brooks hits freshman receiver Durand Taylor six times for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Vols 41, Virginia 14: UT's depth wears down scrappy Virginia in Charlottesville, scoring three TDs in the fourth quarter.

Vols 31, No. 13 Florida 10: Brooks hits 23 of 29 for 310 yards and a TD -- a jump ball to Wes Atkins to close the first half.

Vols 34, Army 21: Lee Bush and Lee Matthews each rush for more than 90 yards. Brooks throws three INTs to keep it closer than it should be.

Vols 31, No. 24 Georgia 10: Brooks passes for 300 yards, and Lee Bush and Lee Matthews each run for more than 70 yards.

Vols 62, Middle Tenn. State 7: OK, we're done scheduling these guys.

Vols 31, Alabama 7 : Simmed it.

Vols 38, S. Carolina 3: Brooks hits 27 of 32 for 388 yards and four TDs. Backup TE Tim Jones has breakout day with nine catches, including two scores.

Vols 31, No. 10 Miss. State 21: Brooks hits 22 of 32 for more than 300 and three TDs. Tim Jones has another fine game with six receptions -- he's third team now, but that's about to change. Bulldogs (5-2) score two TDs in the fourth quarter, but the win is never in doubt for the Vols, who pass Utah in the polls for No. 1, a first under Coach Slacker.

LSU 23, Vols 20: There goes the title. Tigers' Dennis Cole kicks a 40-yard field goal as time expires to foul up the Vols' title dreams.

Vols 52, Vandy 7: Four touchdown passes by Brooks.

Vols 38, No. 10 Kentucky 28: Wes Atkins makes TD receptions of 52 and 8 yards in the second half to break it open. Vols clinch the SEC East.

SEC title game
Vols 31, No. 5 Arkansas 24: Lee Bush cuts inside a block by FB Sam Harrison and races up the left hash for a 69-yard TD that clinches the SEC title. Backup DT Curtis Stephens gets a sack for the third straight game, since he became part of a rotation that rests All-American Sylvester Brigham.

Sugar Bowl
Vols 16, No. 5 Michigan State 10: CB Tanner Gilmore picks off two passes, and OLB Ryan Gordon has an INT and a fumble recovery as the defense saves the sluggish Vols offense. Vols finish 13-1 and ranked No. 3.

Brooks completes 62 percent for 3,660 with 30 TDs and 15 INTs.

Lee Bush rushes for 1,110 yards with 16 TDs. Jamil Golden and Lee Matthews each go over 650 yards.

Six receivers have 30 or more catches, led by TE John Moss with 47.

DE Jeremy Johnson, DT Sylvester Brigham, MLB Billy Payne, safeties Terrance Carter and Brandon Cowan, and kicker Adrian Gonzalez all make All-American.

Brigham wins the Lombardi, Gonzalez (24 of 25 FG) is the top kicker and Nibble is coach of the year.