Weird night

Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at 4:22 PM

Ex-wrestler Diamond Dallas Page a UT fan? Too weird. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker)

LOS ANGELES -- Most people enjoy their Labor Day holiday by a grill with friends or on a golf course with a neighbor. I spent mine covering a college football game that left me scratching the blood out of my scalp.

How does a Tennessee team with the most they've had since the '01 team lose to a mediocre Pac-10 squad depleted by injuries? Mind boggling. Obviously the fingers point to coaches, a shanked 34-yard field goal and a goal-line fumble. No one play or one person wins or loses a football game.

It was all weird though. Just plain weird. No one who knows anything about this team expected this from the Vols. Most predicted a double-digit blowout, especially the way the SEC as a whole was dominating the field in non-conference matchups.

Between seeing former wrestling star Diamond Dallas Page (friend of UT strength coach Johnny Long) on the sideline, C. Thomas Howell during a midnight run to Denny's and this particular loss, I've got to admit that I feel like I'm in some sort of Twilight Zone.

Calgon take me away.

Comments
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y'all should realize the Vols will break your heart almost every year. you have an alternative. root for mtsu. instead of being shocked that your team got upset (again), you can be surprised your underdog team actually won.

-- Posted by itaintright on Wed, Sep 3, 2008, at 9:54 AM

After this game Coach Fulmer can take a line from DDP: "They Love Me... They Hate Me.. They'll never forget me!

Self High Five! Keep the faith Vol nation... Phil on the Hill is the real deal. He ain't going anywhere till he wants to!

-- Posted by mtsufan on Tue, Sep 2, 2008, at 10:59 PM

When I started watching the game, I noticed a ton of people in street clothes on the sidelines. I noticed a few celebs. But even so, I thought it was unprofessional. Of course, who's going to move DDP off the field?

-- Posted by Eric Atkins on Tue, Sep 2, 2008, at 9:18 PM

Yeah, this is a total failure by the coaches. I just dont understand Fulmer's reasoning in games the past few years. Unfortunately he has already started the fire again in his coaching seat.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Sep 2, 2008, at 8:05 PM

Where was the West Coast offense that the new OC was supposed to bring in? The offense on the field last night had Fulmers fingerprints all over it. As Obama would say, MORE OF THE SAME !! UT was not prepared for the game and the coaches were simply outcoached during the game.

-- Posted by Nick Saban on Tue, Sep 2, 2008, at 8:04 PM

Danny Parker

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Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette.

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