Berry, Morley compliment receiving corps

By Joe Kennedy
Daily Times Correspondent

KNOXVILLE -- No matter where Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley turned this spring, there was a compliment awaiting them.

No matter which coach or player was posed the question, their message was clear -- the 2008 UT secondary can be special. But after Saturday's Orange and White Game inside Neyland Stadium, it was Berry and Morley who dished out the compliments.

After laying dormant for most of spring practice, several members of the Tennessee receiving corps stepped to the forefront and displayed the playmaking abilities that Vol fans hoped would surface.

"Our receivers are fast, they can catch, they can stretch the field and they can get yards after the catch," Morley said. "You don't know what to expect because they are all so good. We make each other work hard at practice. They're going to do big things this year."

And while most of the big things accomplished Saturday came against players located behind Morley and Berry on the depth chart, the statistics were encouraging nonetheless.

Sophomores Denarius Moore and Gerald Jones combined to haul in five catches for 138 yards and had a hand in three touchdowns. Josh Briscoe, the elder statesman of the group, caught four passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

Many observers questioned whether that type of production would come after witnessing the UT offense struggle through spring practice, but Berry was not one of those doubters.

"They're top notch," Berry said of the group. "We go against the best everyday. It might not show when we come out here in scrimmages. But in one-on-one drills and in seven-on-sevens, they are always pushing us. Just look at us. They are making us better everyday. We both go hand in hand."

RUNNING SCARED: While last weekend found Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer pleased with his team's performance on the ground, the same can not be said for Saturday when the Vols rushed for just 108 yards on 46 carries.

Starting tailback Arian Foster carried the ball only once because coaches want to keep him healthy for the fall. In his absence, Lennon Creer toted the rock 10 times for 59 yards, and freshman Tauren Poole carried the ball 12 times for 52 yards.

The final statistics would have looked more impressive if it hadn't been for six sacks allowed.

MARYVILLE MISSILE: Former Maryville High School star Tyler Maples hauled in three receptions for 26 yards Saturday. Maples also lined up to receive the first three kickoffs, but the kicker directed the ball away from Maples each time.

Former Alcoa star Logan Love carried the ball three times for 11 yards, and former Maryville kicker Taka Koyano connected on a 41-yard field goal for the Orange squad.

SUPER APPEARANCE: Former Vol Gibril Wilson was introduced at midfield prior to the game. Wilson was a member of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants last season. The safety has since signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders.