[I][SIZE=1] Image courtesy of [URL=”http://twitter.com/#!/UK_IMG_Sports”]@UK_IMG_Sports[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
First off, let me say this: [B]congratulations to Joker Phillips, his staff, this team, and a savvy gameplan that allowed Kentucky to FINALLY beat Tennessee in football.[/B] This was as well deserved a win as any this program has had, and it puts a wonderfully positive ending on a skidmark of a season. The seniors get to go out unlike any senior class in the last 26 years, and for today at least, talk of Joker’s future will be put on the backburner, even in this space. ([B]UPDATE[/B]: As I was writing this, Mitch Barnhart came out with [URL=”http://www.ukathletics.com/blog/2011/11/mitch-barnhart-statement-on-joker-phillips.html”]this[/URL], so take it as you will.)
It was a low scoring affair, only 3-0 UK at the half, but Kentucky managed a CoShik Williams touchdown early in the 4th, and Tennessee answered with a Tyler Bray bomb to Rajion Neal to set the final score at 10-7.
The coaching staff decided that no quarterback was the best quarterback, using Matt Roark, of all people, under center, and he netted a whopping 15 yards passing on six attempts. But, he also gained 124 yards on the ground, and ran the option pretty much to perfection all day, as the team as a whole rushed for over 200 yards.
However, it was the defense that really stood out today, as they forced 3 second half turnovers and held Tennessee to 276 yards on the day, 97 of which came on two plays. The Vols only got 61 yards on the ground, and the defense played bend-but-don’t-break all day long, coming up with a key fumble on a Tennessee drive in the 3rd quarter, as well as the game-clinching interception. Hats off to Rick Minter, Danny Trevathan, and all the rest for a wonderful season on that side of the ball.
In fairness, some of the defensive play came from Tyler Bray, who was making his first start in 6 games after a thumb injury. Combine rust and wind to the mixture, and you have a 15-38 performance, which included missing some receivers at key times. Still, the defense played great, and managed to contain the back-breaking big play, aside from the 2 previously mentioned (although they weren’t back-breaking by any means. Any other year, they would have been). One of those was the 53-yard touchdown bomb from Bray to Rajion Neal; the other was the 44-yard bomb to Neal to set up a first-and-goal for Tennessee in the third quarter. The D showed some resilience, though, forcing a fumble on the next play. Neal finished with a 4-125-1, for a whopping 31.3 yards per catch.
I’ll admit, after that Tennessee score to make it 10-7, I thought the Cats would crumble, as they usually have in this situation the last few years. Today just wasn’t the day. Even on the last drive, when Tennessee had a 4th and 17, I thought they would convert. Taiedo Smith had different plans, however, as he snagged the 4th down pass, giving Kentucky the ball and the game, since UT had no timeouts at that point.
Again, let me just give a big shout out to Joker & Company. As negative as I’ve been this year, I’ll give credit where credit is due. The staff put together a wonderful gameplan, and deciding to use Matt Roark in the option offense was either a stroke of genius or pure idiocy. Since UK win, we can’t really call it idiocy. Well done, guys.
Matt Roark, he of the severe case of dropsy earlier in the year, and a failure to show up for the first several games, ran the offense, gained 124 yards rushing, completed 4 passes, and [I]beat Tennessee for the first time in 26 years[/I]. Let that sink in, as Tim Tebow nods approvingly at Roark’s line for the day. Now think about this: earlier in the week, Roark guaranteed a victory. Someone tell me where I can buy his jersey. Dude has some stones on him, that’s for sure.
Remember this day, and remember Matt Roark. For that matter, remember all the other seniors such as Trevathan, Guy, Sneed, Burden, Tydlacka, and Smith, among others. This is their day.
Here’s some more food for thought: as maligned as Joker Phillips has been, his tenure has seen both the South Carolina/Steve Spurrier streak come to an end, and now has seen the Tennessee streak come to an end. Enjoy this win, Joker.
You deserve it.
