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Lane Kiffin’s Mouth of the South

universityoftennesseeLane Kiffin, University of Tennessee Head CoachLane Kiffin is famous for his mouth. Not only does he have a tendency to run it, the edges are always turned down into a perma-smirk, if not downright scowl. No matter how close the expected loss or how great the win, the world will be treated to the frown that says, “We’ve got work to do.”

That changed one Saturday in November. It appeared the Vols would sneak by hapless Vandy with a 24-16 win. Not only had the defense played poorly, the refs had called two huge penalties so blatantly not supported by video evidence even the commentators expressed puzzlement; Kiffin’s feelings regard poor officiating are all ready on record. The game would go down in the victory column, but no one in Neyland Stadium was feeling victorious, least of all dour Coach Kiffin.

In the final few moments of the game, the defense was holding its own and fans were preparing for a Vandy punt so the Vols could run out the clock.

Suddenly, Wes Brown intercepted the Commodore quarterback’s third down pass and ran it in 25 yards for a touchdown, ultimately vaulting Tennessee to a 31-16 victory.

Kiffin smiled. He also bounced down the sideline, pumping his fist in the air, knocking over his own quarterback, Johnathan Crompton, in the process. Blame it on his youth if you will, but the Tennessee sideline has never seen so jubilant a celebration from a coach.

It was over quickly, and by the time the extra point was declared good, his deadpan expression had snuck back on.

But Vol fans got an early Christmas present. Not only did this game clinch their bowl bid, they witnessed a rare glimpse of happiness from their young coach.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1qFD_G5YIA[/youtube]

Vicki Davis
Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis recently moved to Clarksville from Knoxville, TN where she covered the Entertainment Beat for the Daily Beacon.

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