re: The impact of the opening fumble is understated

quote:

---

I remember Gene Stallings saying the opening kickoff can be the most impactful play of the game if there is a return call. He spoke about the impact of a hard tackle behind the 20 on a return and a crushing tackle that would dictate the game.

---

Josh Reed said as much about the 2001 Auburn game.

After they stomped on the eye during pregame and got the 15 yard penalty, the onside kick call and recovery got Auburn completely out of their rhythm from the opening kickoff and they never recovered.


Tennessee is a better football team and we played, and coached, like absolute shite. But no question that set the game on a downward spiral that we were never able to stop trying to overcome.