Vols hammer Bears
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Relief replaced misery on Rocky Top.
Nine months ago, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer was grim as he answered questions about a 5-6 finish, his first losing season and a bowl-less holiday for his Volunteers.
He may have been one of the most relieved – but least surprised – among the 106,009 people in Neyland Stadium who watched the 23rd-ranked Vols’ 35-18 win over No. 9 California on Saturday.
“We expected to win this ball game and be Tennessee,” Fulmer said.
Erik Ainge threw four passes for touchdowns, showing big improvement from a year ago. Robert Meachem caught two of the touchdowns, including an 80-yarder at the start of the third quarter that created a frenzy among the orange-clad fans.
“We’ve never seen anything like that. That’s a pretty impressive atmosphere, there’s no doubt about it,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “The environment they create gives Tennessee a real home field advantage.”
For the Golden Bears, it was a shocking blow at the beginning of a greatly anticipated season. Cal’s ranking was its highest since 1952.
Many believe this could be the Bears’ year to challenge Southern California for the Pac-10 title, and they still could with this loss outside conference play. But any run at a national championship was likely dashed.
Tedford brought in new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar from Northwestern to add the spread offense, but the Bears could do little against the speedy Tennessee defense, which had to replace six of its seven starters up front.
Marshawn Lynch, who the Bears are pushing for the Heisman Trophy, had 35 yards on five carries at halftime and finished with 74 yards on 12 carries.
Ainge finished 11 of 17 for 291 yards as his uncle, Boston Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, watched from the stands.
Chris Brown caught the Vols’ first TD pass, a 12-yarder from Ainge. The Vols even got a break that led to their second touchdown.
Meachem caught a pass and turned up field toward the first-down marker, but the official called him short. Fulmer threw down his hat, and the officials in the review booth looked at it again. They determined Meachem reached the first down. Two plays later, Meachem hauled in another pass, broke a tackle and beat the defenders down the sideline to the end zone for a 42-yard TD.
Jayson Swain added a 50-yard touchdown reception, and redshirt freshman Montario Hardesty broke a free from a slew of tacklers for a 43-yard run for another score midway through the third quarter.
“We wanted to win very very bad because we never felt like we were as bad last year as everybody said we were. We just had bad things happen to us,” Fulmer said. “Now, we’re all even.”