KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee defensive stalwarts Jerod Mayo and Eric Berry have been chosen SEC players of the week for their combined efforts in Saturday’s division-clinching win at Kentucky.
Mayo earned defensive player honors after recording a career-high 19 total tackles (11 solo), with 1.5 for losses and a pass deflection in Tennessee’s 52-50, four-overtime triumph. The Hampton, Va., junior recorded his second straight double-figure tackle game and sixth of the season. His pass deflection resulted in a Vols interception, one of three Wildcat turnovers.
For the season, Mayo has moved into a tie for fourth among SEC tackle leaders with 112.
Berry notched his second freshman of the week award from the conference office in the last three weeks after eclipsing his career high for tackles with 14. The Fairburn, Ga., sensation had seven solo hits with a pass deflection in Tennessee’s four-overtime victory.
Berry leads all SEC freshmen with 76 total tackles.
Other recipients for the week were Darren McFadden of Arkansas (offense), Derek Pegues of Mississippi State (special teams), Drew Miller of Florida (offensive line) and Josh Thompson of Auburn (defensive line).
Q&A WITH ERIK AINGE
Thursdays of every game week, -- OK, so Thanksgiving altered the schedule a bit -- UTsports.com sits down with a member of the Vols team or coaching staff to preview a key element of the upcoming game. This week, sports information graduate assistant Tony Williams speaks with senior quarterback Erik Ainge about the SEC Championship Game and his legacy at Tennessee.
How would you characterize this season for the offense?
“I’d say it has been a complete team effort, one way or the other. We’ve had games where we’ve thrown for 350 yards and games where we’ve thrown for 150. Usually, games that I throw for 150 yards don’t look good for us. But this year they have been some of our best performances.”
How much do you think Saturday’s SEC Championship Game will define your time at Tennessee?
“I think it will whether we win or lose, but it’s not something I should worry about. If we win, it still doesn’t mean I’m the best quarterback ever, and if we lose, it doesn’t mean I’m terrible. I don’t want to be in that boat. But championship games require championship effort, and that will happen on Saturday.”
This senior class went to Atlanta in 2004. Does having been through this before help you guys lead this team this year?
“I think so. We knew what it took to get there and we know how fun it is to play in this game. I was able to play and the atmosphere Saturday, there is nothing like it in college football.”
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)