Tennessee Volunteers

2031

Game Report Posted: June 22, 2012 22:22  

A Vols team that didn't appear special in 2030 had a special season, going 13-1 with a Sugar Bowl win over Michigan State. This season, the Vols do appear to be well-stocked, so anything short of an SEC title will be a disappointment.

Qb Justin Brooks returns for his junior season after a 3,600-yard, 30-TD campaign. He'll have most of his key receivers back, including Michael Young and Wes Atkins. He also gains transfer tight end John Lester, who has good hands and size for over-the-middle catches.

The defense was the big surprise last season when it led the nation against scoring (12 points per game). OLB Ryan Gordon, a freshman All-American, leads a deep linebacking corps and CB Tanner Gilmore returns for his season season rated among the nation's best.

The schedule isn't too tough outside of a Week 3 home game against defending national champ South Florida, so the Vols could make a run at an undefeated season if they can get past the Bulls.

Vols 41, Hawaii 21: Nice trip to the islands; Don Porter rushes for 91 yards and two TDs.

Vols 52, No. 2 USF 24: These guys were the defending champs? Justin Brooks throws for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

Vols 45, Florida 24: It's close for a while, but Brooks cleans up a so-so outing by hitting TE John Lester and WR Durand Taylor for long scoring passes in the fourth quarter.

Fast forwarding to the end:
SEC championship
Vols 34, Ole Miss 21: Michael Young returns the opening kickoff 92 yards for a score, and UT is off and running to the SEC title and a spot in the national championship game against Texas.

Title game:
Vols 51, Texas 22: Texas gets caught in blitzes twice in the fourth quarter, resulting in Brooks hitting Michael Lee for a 48-yard score and Jamil Golden rumbling 90 yards up the middle for another TD to blow it open. Brooks hits 25 of 31 for 390 yards and three scores. Golden rushes 17 times for 177 and 3 TDs.

Brooks sets school records with 46 TD passes and exactly 4,500 yards.

Young is the leading receiver with 60 catches, including 16 TDs, and Golden rushes for 801 and 10 scores. Injury prone Don Porter gets 707 rushing yards.

CB Warren Fisher is the nation's top DB, John Lester (58 catches) the top TE.

Vols will lose Young and Brooks from the offense and eight starters on D, including Fisher and four-year starting SS Terrance Jones.