Where Were You?
I’ll always remember where I was on The The Third Saturday in October, 2022. Consider this to be a story about gratitude, triumph, and football, in some order. Happy Birthday, Nick Saban!
On October 15, 2022, the trio of Chase McGrath, Hendon Hooker, and Jalin Hyatt wrote their names into Tennessee and college football history books.
The Vols finally exorcized their demons and conquered one of their historic rivals in a top-10 matchup. I wasn’t there in person, nor at a watch party with fellow UT alumni and other fans.
Instead I was working, washing dishes, at the Renaissance Center in Joliet, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Located downtown, it’s an extension of Joliet Junior College, the first junior college in the nation. In addition to JJC, Joliet is the birthplace of Dairy Queen, celebrities such as Lionel Richie, and yours truly. Also known for the opening scene from The Blues Brothers, it’s not some one-horse town in the middle of nowhere. Just so happens that it isn't the giant city and cultural hub 30-something miles north of us either. To emphasize the difference between the two, locals refer to Chicago as “The City” and Joliet as “The Town”. Long story short, the six degrees of separation theory was created with this place in mind. Deep down in my soul, I knew that I had to leave in order to meet and exceed the high expectations set for me, and thus I ended up in Knoxville at UT. Joliet will always be my hometown and the place I try to make proud with my accomplishments. On the flip side, Knoxville was where a boy became a man, and Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me.
Before I go any further, allow me to enlighten those who do not quite understand the significance. The Third Saturday in October is the day of the annual Alabama-Tennessee game during the college football season. Except for World War II, the two Southeastern Conference institutions have played every year since 1928. For 780 weeks, the Crimson Tide reigned supreme over the Volunteers. In other terms, it’s been 15 years since Tennessee has beaten Alabama. Allow me to add some personal context here: I’m 24 years old as of October 9, which means that I was 8 when the Vols last won this game. Alabama hired Nick Saban in the subsequent offseason and hadn’t lost to the Big Orange before 2022. His other feats and records aside, Saban has spent two-thirds of my life dominating The Third Saturday in October. Despite the lopsided last decade and a half, the rivalry is synonymous with the SEC and college football altogether. Tennessee isn’t alone, as Alabama has run roughshod over the conference and everyone else, winning six national titles in that time. Coach Saban went to Tuscaloosa and built a dynasty out of a storied but broken program. The same cannot be said for his counterparts in Knoxville.
During those 15 years, The University of Tennessee has been a revolving door in more ways than one. After being a national power in the 1990s and 2000s, the Tennessee Volunteer and Lady Vol brands fell from grace. Futile attempts to restore their glory fell short time and time again. Chancellors, athletic directors, and head football coaches alike were chewed up and spit out. The latest regime began on January 18, 2021 when UT Chancellor Donde Plowman hired University of Central Florida athletic director Danny White. He then brought Knights coach Josh Heupel with him to Knoxville from UCF six days later.
Back to me.
As a student at UT during the 2017-2020 seasons, I had hoped to see the Vols slay the giant in person. That proved to be more of a pipe dream than a likelihood. My time on Rocky Top ran concurrent to the last year of the Butch Jones era and the entirety of Jeremy Pruitt’s time as head coach. To say that I’ve seen a lot of bad football up close would be an understatement. I remember a lot of the notable moments of that period from a variety of perspectives. In 2018, I was a game-day runner for SEC on CBS, helping the crew with anything they needed when they arrived in Knoxville. The year after, I was a student intern with the team, attending every home game and working in the recruiting office. I watched the 2017, 2019, and 2020 editions of this matchup from the convenience of my room, wherever I had been living in Knoxville at the time. Per my responsibility as the clock operator, I was in the press box and later the CBS production truck during the 2018 matchup. Last year, I was back in The Town following a two-week excursion to Knoxville and Atlanta.
To expound on that last season, I spent plenty of Saturdays at home taking in the full slate of college football games. Going to watch parties hosted by the Chicagoland Vols wasn’t an option; being back in Illinois after graduation had still been a sore spot for me. I tuned in every week as Coach Heupel led us to a 7-6 record. Given the circumstances, he impressed me with his work. He brought with him from UCF excellent play designs and a refreshing amount of positivity. On the other hand, he also lacked clock management and offensive execution at key junctures. The vision and proof of concept were there. It was now on Heupel and his staff to produce.
Where does the Renaissance Center fit in all this? Great question! After seven months of being the smartest man in the room (literally), I quit the worst job I’ve ever had on June 14, 2022. I realized that I’d be taking a significant pay cut wherever I ended up next, but I was willing to sacrifice money over my principles and self-esteem. On June 17, a conversation in the gym with my friend and coworker Anthony Petersen led to a phone call from my now-boss, Maura “Mo” Williams. The six degrees of separation were already in play, but I later found out that we went to the same high school and that I graduated with her niece five years ago. Of course I did. The co-owner and operator of Premier Catering was in need of some extra hands at the Ren Center, washing dishes to be specific. As one can imagine, this was the last thing I envisioned when I walked across the stage and shook hands with Chancellor Plowman in Neyland a year earlier. I’d never worked in a kitchen before, but something about beggars being choosers applies here. Humbled, but appreciative, I agreed to come in that Saturday, and the rest is history.
I joke with head chef Brandy Thompson from time to time about the fact that I’ve made it this far. Neither of us knows if it’s the result of adequate performance on my end, pure desperation on theirs, or something in the middle. I guess it helps that I bring donuts if I’m asked to come in the morning now and then. Whatever it is, I’m thankful for them all and every moment I’ve spent with them. I came to Brandy, Mo, Melizaida, Kara, and the rest of the crew at a low point in my life; my time at the Ren Center kept it from being my lowest. These wonderful women listened as I thought out loud about my future and what would come of it. They believed in me more than I did at the time, assuring me that I’ll figure things out. Believe me, I’d love to spend my fall Saturdays in Knoxville or The Sedgwick Stop in Chicago among my fellow alumni. But these days, the Renaissance Center with Premier Catering is plenty for me.
Fast forward to October 15, 2022.
I woke up at 8:30, half an hour behind schedule. College GameDay and SEC Nation hadn’t been part of my Saturday ritual at any time before this year. Yet I was determined to give my all for Tennessee and contribute to the ratings if I could not be there in person. Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and the iconic Lee Corso discussed the day’s schedule in front of Ayres Hall on The Hill. They talked about Tennessee star wideout Cedric Tillman missing the game and how other guys needed to show up if the Vols were going to win. Bryce Young was Alabama’s quarterback, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and also a point of conversation. He'd missed the last two games with a shoulder injury and was considered a game-time decision. I listened to them in my car as I lingered in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s. Righteously starving and half-asleep, I was convincing myself not to double down on the hype. This was the first time I could remember positive Tennessee coverage from national networks since I was a high school senior back in 2016. I wasn’t bouncing off the walls and amped up for the game until they brought out Tennessee legend Peyton Manning as the guest picker. So many had incorrectly placed blame on his presence at big games as the reason for Tennessee’s national embarrassments rather than 15 years of ineptitude in multiple areas. Others were hopeful that things would change today since he’d beaten Alabama in his storied UT career. Kirk chose the Tide to win, with a look into the camera that suggested it was only to prevent a jinx as he did with the Florida game a few weeks before. Davis, Howard, McAfee, and The Sheriff himself decided on the Vols. But when Coach Corso reached for the Smokey head and the Pride of the Southland began to play Rocky Top, I was all in. Tennessee was finally going to beat Alabama.
With kickoff still three-and-a-half hours away, I flipped through the 11 a.m. block of games without much fanfare. There weren’t any outstanding matchups, but I doubt it would have made a difference if the opposite was true. Before I knew it, 2:30 p.m. had rolled around.
I put on my orange Nike shirt that read “Big Orange Country” with the Power T underneath and gold “1998” chain before I changed the channel to CBS. When Smokey barked and the Pride of the Southland Band formed the T, I felt goosebumps on my skin, butterflies in my stomach, and Volunteer pride coursing through my veins. None of these emotions or feelings were new to me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel different that day. There was something in the air that I couldn’t pinpoint, but it wasn’t the same as years before. I admittedly hadn’t watched a lot of the 2022 Crimson Tide beforehand. But I did see enough to share the same sentiments as a lot of people: this wasn’t the same Alabama team that had dominated the SEC in years prior. If senior QB Hendon Hooker and Tennessee executed throughout the game, they could pull this one off. Perhaps we would all be witnesses to a changing of the guard, a new era. Maybe today was the day that Tennessee had begun the path back to its rightful place among the elite of college football.
The T opens. Smokey barks as he runs out. Here comes Josh Heupel and the Vols, Nick Saban and the Tide. The Third Saturday in October was finally upon us.
I laid out my work clothes, fresh out of the dryer. Black t-shirt of choice, black pants. Taking all the critical factors into account, I deduced that I would have to leave after the first quarter. I’d watch the rest of the game on my phone, especially since I didn’t believe that Mo and Brandy would have a problem with it. They teased me about watching football at work a few weeks prior, claiming that I couldn’t go 20 minutes without my phone. Threats about building a time machine for the sole purpose of sending me back to 1986 were also made. You should know that I told them to make sure I ended up in Miami if they could. I would watch games during slow periods to pass the time, but I knew better than to let distractions get in the way of work. Another day at the office could turn into a shift from hell if I lost focus. We were serving dinner family style, which meant extra bowls and silverware for me. Most of our bus staff were unavailable due to their homecoming dance, adding to a potential recipe for disaster. My mind was racing as I put on my orange Tennessee hoodie and grabbed a snack and water on the way out.
In true Trevor fashion, I pulled into a spot at 3:59, grabbed my can of Liquid Death, and hustled toward the Renaissance Center. Welcomed by hellos and “Go Vols” (pronounced “voles” to my chagrin), I traded pleasantries with servers in the dining hall. I also ended up telling them that Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields couldn’t be the lone scapegoat in his team’s misgivings. Walking into the kitchen, I say hello to Brandy and Melizaida, along with everyone else as halftime commences. Per my astute observations, Tennessee made it look rather effortless to score touchdowns. Heupel, Hooker, and WR Jalin Hyatt had Saban and Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding beat in the chess match so far. We were up 28-20 at the half.
Is it happening? Can we do this? LET’S GOOOOO!!!!!!
What I’m about to say is best understood by those who’ve watched Tennessee football over the past decade and a half. Some would say you need to put your orange-colored glasses on for a better look at it. See what I did there?
Whether it be Kiffin, Dooley, Jones, or Pruitt, the Vols have been known to falter in tense, high-pressure moments. Contrary to popular belief, a national power doesn’t become the butt of everyone’s jokes overnight. Examples include the Hail Mary from the Florida game in 2017, Jarrett Guarantano’s goal-line fumble in the 2019 ’Bama game, and last year’s controversial Music City Bowl loss to Purdue. Battered Vol Syndrome is real, and I felt it as much, if not more than the crowd of 101,915 that packed Neyland Stadium.
Hendon Hooker picked a bad time to throw his first interception of the year, yet remained unshaken as Tennessee continued to throw bomb after bomb and score points. Bryce Young showed the world why he earned college football’s most prestigious award last year. He put Alabama on his back, leading them to touchdown drive after touchdown drive. It had become a true clash of the titans, a throwback to The Third Saturday in October games of old.
Already prepared to be let down by my beloved Vols, the moment I was expecting finally arrived. Tied at 42 with less than eight minutes left, Hooker fumbled the ball on an option play with Jabari Small. ‘Bama DL Dallas Turner then scoops it up and scores an 11-yard go-ahead touchdown. My heart sank into my chest, and disappointment took over.
Not like this. We were so close. We can get them next year. Damn.
Lucky for Tennessee, I have no control over what happens on the field. Hendo Cinco found Jalin Hyatt for their fifth touchdown of the game to make it 49-all with 3:30 left in the game. A Heisman moment in the eyes of many. We still needed a stop in order to win, but my doubts turned into confidence. My frequent outbursts must have been loud enough to get Brandy’s attention, as she asked me, “Are you yelling at your phone again?” Yes, I am. This wasn’t the first time she posed the question, and it won’t be the last. Depending on my work schedule for the next few weeks, that is.
Alabama once again marched down the field as the time ran off the clock. I won’t lie, it felt like they were going to escape with yet another victory. This would be one hell of a data point for voters and another notch in Nick Saban’s belt. But all that glitters isn’t gold, especially when you have Bill O’Brien as your offensive coordinator. The former Penn State and Houston Texans head coach called three pass plays for no yards gained. Byron Young, Tyler Baron, and the Tennessee pass rush made Young’s life a living hell all night. But they turned it up another notch in clutch time, forcing 4th-and-10. Settling for a 50-yard field goal, Crimson Tide kicker Will Reichard missed it wide right. With 16 seconds remaining, the safe play would be for Heupel and Tennessee to go to overtime.
I learned something about our head coach that day. If at all possible, he will play to win instead of not playing to lose. After watching Jones and Pruitt do the complete and total opposite, I could live with the results either way. I thought Josh Heupel was capable of this before, but he truly made me a believer that night.
Hendon Hooker tosses two dots to Ramel Keyton and Bru McCoy, propelling the Big Orange into field goal range. As someone who takes these games a bit too personally, my stomach was in knots. It was the kind of thing that hurt to watch, but I wouldn’t dare take my eyes off the screen if I could help it. Dinner service was underway, so it wasn’t busy yet. I watched with Joe, one of the servers, as Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath stepped onto the field for a 40-yard field goal attempt. It was during the ’Bama timeout that anxiety had settled in. I frankly couldn’t believe that it would come to this. I don’t know if I could deal with overtime if I was anxious at this point. With my phone placed up against drying dishes, Joe and I both were attentive to Brad Nessler on the call.
“HE GOT IT!”
McGrath’s knuckleball kick sailed through the uprights and I dropped to a crouch, hand wrapping my mouth. If I were around any other Vols, I might have shed a tear or two. Brandy saw me and asked, “Are you okay?” I honestly didn’t know yet, but I rose and nodded my head. The sea of orange that filled one of college football’s cathedrals began to encompass its hallowed ground. “Dixieland Delight” by Alabama began to play through the speakers of the stadium. I silently beamed with excitement and chills flowing down my spine. Though I was in the last place I expected to be when this moment came, I’m glad that I was able to see it with my own eyes. It was hard to keep a smile off of my face, even as plates and bowls came at a rapid-fire pace. Whenever it got hectic, I replayed the sounds and sights in my head. Pat McAfee in orange and white checkerboard overalls, plunging into the cold Tennessee River. Josh Heupel grinning from ear to ear as he’s handed a box of cigars. The goalposts from Shield-Watkins Field being uprooted and carried out of Neyland Stadium. As beautiful chaos ensued and Knoxville turned into Knoxvegas, I scrubbed and cleaned whatever came my way. I tried to watch more football afterwards, but it was hopeless. Nothing would get better than watching Nick Saban and Alabama running off the field after losing to Tennessee for the first time in 15 years.
“Did your boys win?” served as the impetus for Brandy and I’s chat about the day and a crash course on college football’s current events. She would know something about it, originally hailing from Ohio and living in the Memphis area for a few years before moving here. The executive chef of Premier Catering listened while I rambled on about the history of The Third Saturday in October, significance of the game and what it meant to Tennesseans and Vol fans across the nation. In our final conversation before she leaves, I chose to express the same gratitude I told you about a few paragraphs ago. Given the last few weeks, it’s the least I could do.
“Brandy, thank you. For everything. I’m thankful for you and everyone here”, I said with conviction.
“Thank you. I don’t know how we would’ve survived without you these last few months”, she replied with a puzzled but appreciative look on her face. I doubt she was anticipating that from me. Then again, it’s not everyday someone thanks you for a job washing other people’s dishes.
“You guys kept a low point from being my lowest. I appreciate it, really I do.” A sense of relief came to me, as it felt good to get that off my chest.
“No problem”, she said back to me with a smile, starting to understand the deeper meaning here. Brandy walked away for the last time that night, leaving me to my responsibilities as the closer.
After scrolling through social media and partaking in the buzz, I focused on finishing the night. I was locked in, sending the last few plates and glass racks through the dishwasher. 1980s and ‘90’s R&B played from the portable speaker next to me as midnight approached. An indecisive Libra through and through, I normally had issues settling on the last few songs of the night as I mopped the floor. Safe to say this hadn’t been a normal night, nor would it be in any sense.
Filling the mop bucket, I laughed to myself as I became the only Black person I know to play and sing along to “Dixieland Delight” of my own free will and merit. Attending an SEC school and winning a rivalry game does things to people. My dad’s phone call somehow got through, requesting a favor he could’ve done three times over in the time it would take me to do it once. Channeling my inner Hendon Hooker, I kept mopping, as a hot shower, food, and SportsCenter called my name. A fitting final selection, the sound of “Rocky Top” by the Osborne Brothers started to fill the kitchen.
I vocalized the familiar lyrics as I completed my final task and drained the mop bucket. While my phone was still in Do Not Disturb, I missed a call from Mo. Looking back on it, it was probably her telling me it was time to leave. She caught me off-guard as I sang to my heart’s content.
“Trevor, let’s go. I gotta be at Syl’s (Chophouse) at 8 tomorrow morning”, she said curtly but politely. The timing wasn’t terrible, but I understand her frustration in hindsight. Dealing with an unspeakable tragedy the week before, I couldn’t imagine the stress she and her daughters were feeling. Little did she know that I learned from her lessons about mental fortitude and serving as a beacon of hope. I’d already been so grateful for Mo, but it was the weekend before this one that confirmed my belief in her. In the midst of her most difficult and painful challenge, she saved me cake and joined the crew in celebrating my birthday. I loathe being the center of attention, especially on the date of my solar return. That said, I wasn’t going to say no to her or her family in their time of mourning. So regardless of when this chapter of my life ends and I embark on my next journey, I won’t ever forget Maura Williams or anything she’s done for me since that phone call on June 17, 2022. Life has dealt me some tough cards since my return to The Town, but it blessed me with a royal flush when I walked into the Renaissance Center four months ago.
I quickly came downstairs, with Mo and a security officer waiting for me. She mentioned to him the fact that I attended UT, and a smile crept across my face yet again. I told them about the dedicated fans, traditional victory cigars and those goalposts floating in the Tennessee River. We then exchanged our goodbyes and went our respective ways. Sitting in my car after 8 hours on my feet, I reflected on what The Third Saturday in October meant to me. Yes, my gap year turned into two and I was still stuck in my hometown, a million miles away from those goals and expectations of mine. Still, I was thankful for today. A day filled with not only joy and elation, but also hard work and sacrifice. One that I was grateful to spend with extraordinary people. More than anything, it was a great day to be a Tennessee Volunteer.
When asked, I’ll tell the truth about October 15, 2022. I worked as a dishwasher in a junior college kitchen when the Big Orange rolled the Tide for the first time since 2006. I was 550 miles away when I celebrated the moment Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt, and Chase McGrath became Volunteer legends on that Tennessee Saturday night. In a way that’ll only make sense years from now, this was destiny. Only time can tell us what the future holds, but the memories last forever.