Vols' former nemesis a part of broadcast team for Tennessee vs. UTSA
Well, this could be awkward. The broadcast team has been announced for Tennessee vs. UT-San Antonio for Saturday, and Vol fans probably won't care for whose voice they're going to be hearing. Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason is scheduled to serve as the game's analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Neal. Mason led the Commodores […]
Well, this could be awkward.
The broadcast team has been announced for Tennessee vs. UT-San Antonio for Saturday, and Vol fans probably won't care for whose voice they're going to be hearing.
Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason is scheduled to serve as the game's analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Neal. Mason led the Commodores from 2014 until his firing in November 2020. He faced the Vols 6 times, going 3-3 in those matchups.
Of course, the most memorable moment came in the 2016 season, and is one that still gets under the skin of some Tennessee fans today.
With a trip to the Sugar Bowl on the line, Tennessee went to Vanderbilt for the regular season finale. Just needing to win to snap the Vols' drought of seasons without going to New Orleans (with the last trip coming in 1990), UT fell apart. Trailing 34-24 late in the third quarter, the Commodores would score 21 straight to win 45-34 and shatter Tennessee's major bowl hopes.
After the game, Mason exclaimed "this is our state!"
Now, Tennessee fans will have to hear Mason commenting on a game that they hope is not a particularly competitive one.
Regardless, the mute button is always just a click away.
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Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
