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As bitter contenders squared off in a much anticipated game for both teams, Neyland Stadium was electric as Tennessee and their loaded stable of running backs looked to knock off the first of many Top 25 opponents this year. Tennessee jumped out to early 14pt lead and it looked like they would coast to victory behind the speed and power of RB B.Brown. Cal's hopes were dim when QB B.Sweeney hit a wide-open redshirt Freshman RB Will Ricks, an extremely promising RB that will probably be playing WR most of the year unless RB C.DeBoskie-Johnson is injured, for a 78yd TD. Then the slugfest began as both defenses would clamp down the rest of the 1st half allowing only Tennessee to hit a FG as time expired. 2nd half would start as the 1st finished, with both defenses playing very tight. Cal would fight back though after hitting a short FG on their opening possession of the 2nd half, and behind an excellent defense would tie the game on another RB turned WR W.Ricks TD. After holding firm throughout the 3rd qrt, Cal's defense would slip and Tennessee would score a long TD as time expired in the 3rd to retake the lead. The 4th belonged to Cal behind a strong D and a lucky break with RB B.Brown going out with Shin Splints. Cal would quickly score after taking the kickoff following Tennessee's long TD pass then following a Tennessee INT would take their first lead of the game on the ensuing possession. The game was not over though as Tennessee's defense would hold strong and force an untimely Cal INT. Driving the field behind the legs of backup RB T.Williams and the excellent hands of M.Teague, Tennessee would re-tie the game with less than 30secs remaining. With time remaining, Cal had but one option to prevent OT...throw DEEP! That would however fail as all 4 throws were batted down as time expired. Going into OT, Tennessee elected to play defense first and it proved to be the deciding factor. Cal shot themselves in the foot on the first 2 plays. Sweeney would throw a beautiful pass that would've put Cal on the 10yd line, but the play was called back on a holding call. Following play, a false start would force Cal back even further. Cal would eventually chip away at the massive 1st and 25, but would ultimately fail as they would be force to kick a relatively short FG hoping their defense would hopefully hold. Bad news struck Cal though as Tennessee's possession would see the return of RB B.Brown to the backfield after the injury. Cal's defense could do nothing to stop Tennessee from driving down to the 5yd line. It took but 2 plays for Tennessee to complete the upset with Brown walking in from the 1yd line to seal the game.
Coach B was extremely down after the game, but still managed to say a few words. "I feel very disheartened after such a close loss, our boys played their butts off and fought back after getting down early. It was a great finish, but we just kinda beat ourselves there in OT. Congrats to Tennessee on a great game."
Coach B was extremely down after the game, but still managed to say a few words. "I feel very disheartened after such a close loss, our boys played their butts off and fought back after getting down early. It was a great finish, but we just kinda beat ourselves there in OT. Congrats to Tennessee on a great game."
