When my family gathers to watch college football in my man cave, it's never the same as it was the week before. I've decided to list a few of the comments I overheard this past
Saturday as Tennessee faced Florida. Keep in mind, this game more than any other draws out all the possible emotions known to mankind for a four hour period.
Also keep in mind that a few of the comments overheard this past weekend shall remain private for obvious reasons.
"Did you hashtag the brownie?"
This was in reference to a beautiful brownie that my daughter-in-law Alison had baked for Saturday's gathering. It was covered in a creamy, bright orange icing, with #WGWTFA on it. Don't ask what that stands for.
"Is it time for the game yet GrandRandy?"
This was asked on more than one occasion by my grandsons. who were decked out in matching #16 Tennessee jerseys. In fact, it was asked about once every 2-3 minutes.
"We're gonna beat 'em. I can just feel it."
This was a comment heard from my son Davey as he paced nervously around the room as if he were going to suit up and play.
"I can't believe how stupid that was. He just gave Florida at least a field goal."
That was in reference to the personal foul penalty on the opening kickoff by Tennessee's Justin Martin; a penalty that set up the Gators at the 50 instead of the 35. It resulted in a touchdown and gave Florida a 7-0 lead. (Note: That wouldn't be the last time Martin's name was taken in vain during the first half.)
"Catch the ball you idiot...."
In reference to one of five passes dropped by Tennessee receivers in the first half.
"Put in Quinton Dormady before it's too late."
This was regarding the poor play of Vols' quarterback Josh Dobbs in the first half.
With Florida leading 21-3 at the half, a few members of the group went outside to cast their frustrations towards the heavens. My wife Shelia grabbed little one week old Mattingly and sat in the swing. Because she didn't come in before the second half started, she was banished to the outside for the remainder of the game. I took a shower and changed clothes for the second half. I also changed seats for half number two.
Things were much better in the second half, though it got very loud when the Vols scored their first touchdown in the game on a pass from Dobbs to Jalen Hurd.
"Atta baby Jalen..........WHOO HOO."
"LOOK AT THAT.......MAN....HE CAUGHT THE BALL"
That was in reference to TD pass #2 from Dobbs, this one to Ethan Wolfe to cut the Gator's lead to 21-17.
To show you how the Vols' offense was clicking in the second half, they took the lead 24-21 on a 67 yard pass from Dobbs to Jujuan Jennings. Davey missed it because he went to the bathroom.
"GET YA SOME OF THAT JALEN TABOR"
A quote from Vol Network announcer Tim Priest as Jennings approached the end zone. Tabor was one of a couple of Florida players who did a lot of trash talking during the week.
"I need to go too, but I'm not leaving this couch till the game's over."
I said that as Davey ran back into the room with his pants halfway to his ankles.
"GO BABY.....GO BABY.......WHOO HOO............."
That was heard as Josh Malone drove the final nail in the Gators' coffin hauling in a 42 yard pass from Dobbs putting Tennessee up 31-21 with 11:45 remaining.
Dobbs added another score to give the Vols a 38-21 lead; 38 straight unanswered points on their way to a 38-28 win
"Quack.....Quack......Quack. That duck just pulled the truck and dumped it in the Tennessee river."
That was in reference to the Gators' Quincy Wilson's comment about "You've never seen a duck pull a truck" I should have known the Vols were going to win because if that idiotic comment was the best trash talking Florida can do, the Vols were a shoo in for victory.
"Can I come in now?"
That's what Shelia said as the game ended. We had kinda forgotten her being banned from the room for the second half.
Next up: Georgia this week in Athens. I'll end things with a quote from Facebook. (Caption under a picture of Butch Jones) "Tell Georgia I'm comin'.....and I'm bringing the duck with me."
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Randy Smith has been covering sports on radio, television and print for the past 45 years. After leaving WRCB-TV in 2009, he has written two books, and has continued to free-lance as a play-by-play announcer.
His career has included a 17-year stretch as host of the Kickoff Call In Show on the University of Tennessee’s prestigious Vol Network. He has been a member of the Vol Network staff for thirty years.
He has done play-by-play on ESPN, ESPN II, CSS, and Fox SportSouth, totaling more than 500 games, and served as a well-known sports anchor on Chattanooga Television for more than a quarter-century.
In 2003, he became the first television broadcaster to be inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame. Randy and his wife Shelia reside in Hixson. They have two married children, (Christi and Chris Perry; Davey and Alison Smith.) They have five grandchildren, Coleman, Boone, Mattingly, DellaMae, and CoraLee.