Vols stamp relevancy back on program

As I stood in the somewhat full Neyland Stadium in the Vols’ lackluster game against Ohio a few weeks ago, I looked at the scoreboard and pondered a scary question: are we really witnessing the fall of this program?

I read the box score and thought, it might not be too long before the word Tennessee is as relevant as Ohio in the world of college football. Lane Kiffin can only say so many things to get us mentioned on ESPN.

Ridiculous? Maybe. Nevertheless, scary.

After a 2008 season generously described as pathetic, the Vols at least brought heart into the beginning of the 2009 campaign, but that was about it.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton continued to bring the team down with embarrassing performances, even with deceiving stats that may have said otherwise. Lane Kiffin had to design every call so Crompton would not have to make a decision, nor have any pressure on his sensitive ego.

Even if you have Heisman candidate Eric Berry, the best defensive back in the country, or a defensive genius such as Monty Kiffin as your coordinator, or even the top recruit of the 2009 class like running back Bryce Brown, there isn’t much you can do if you have a quarterback who can’t run or throw. Options become limited when the last player you want to have the ball gets it on nearly every offensive play.

Then, on a gloomy, rainy day, which begged to be disappointing, the Vols emerged in a 45-19 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs.

With chances of an SEC Championship seeming slim, the game still held high stock for the Vols. Although it was early in the season, this game was somewhat of a must-win, as a loss would have surely put the Vols out of contention in conference play, and dropped them to a 2-4 record.

Although it was the team’s slogan going into the season, the phrase had not resonated in the prior five games as it had for the Oct. 10 matchup: it’s time.

Crompton got the memo, and finally played like he was supposed to when he was recruited as the second best high school QB in America (only behind New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez).

Passing for 310 yards, with four touchdowns and only one interception, Crompton hadn’t performed anywhere close to this well in the SEC since he filled in for Erik Ainge against LSU and Arkansas as a redshirt freshman in 2006. He used the play-action to his advantage, and finally began to check multiple receivers and make great decisions throughout the game.

More importantly than any numbers though, Crompton’s play spilled over to the rest of the team. There were many Vols with stellar showings.

SEC rushing leader Montario Hardesty had another 100-yard day as he broke numerous tackles and consistently had second efforts for extra yards.

Defensively, the Vols allowed only one 52-yard field goal. The other 16 points for Georgia were scored on special teams and an interception return. Numerous players stepped up to make big-time plays to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

The crowd in Neyland Stadium roared as Berry had his first exhilarating return of the season for 46 yards on a fumble recovery, even though it initially appeared to be an interception.

There are a few words to describe the game for the Vols: motivated, gutsy, inspired. But more importantly, it’s what Tennessee achieved.

Redemption.

The last time Knoxville felt like this was nearly two years ago, when the Vols won in the fourth overtime of the season finale against upstart Kentucky to clinch the SEC East crown, and a trip to the conference championship game against eventual national champs LSU.

Coincidentally, they lost to Florida earlier that year, only to return and defeat Georgia a few weeks later to renew the season.

Following a win over Wisconsin in the Outback bowl, the 2008 campaign started with an overtime loss to UCLA, and we know the rest of that story.

All of the sudden, with one big win, the Vols are relevant again. The fans can exhale, and enjoy the thrill of the first marquis win in the Kiffin era.

For all of the frustration and heartbreak in the past year, for now, this win seems to have healed all of that. The Vols have regained confidence, found their stride, and won back a swayable fan base just in time for a much stiffer match at No. 3 Alabama next week.

A win would be asking too much of the Vols, but at least now, fans can watch and have hope that maybe they can pull out another upset victory.

As we saw this weekend, the last thing to do is shut the door and give up hope. You never know when opportunity will come knocking.