Berry proves versatile in victory over Vandy

NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s Eric Berry remained tight-lipped about a sore left shoulder after last year’s SEC championship game against LSU, even when the pain was getting to him.

He had his reasons why.

“I just never said anything about it, just because I guess that’s how I was raised,” Berry said after Tennessee’s 20-10 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. “If it’s not killing you, just strap up and go out and play.”

In the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium, he did just that.

Berry intercepted a Chris Nickson pass and returned it 45 yards for the touchdown, in the process shattering the Southeastern Conference single-season record previously held by Florida’s Joe Brodsky, who had 244 interception return yards in 1956.

The Fairburn, Ga., resident now has 265 return yards on seven interceptions this season. In 24 games played, Berry has 12 career picks for 487 return yards.

In what has become a familiar display, a large contingent of orange-clad fans among the crowd of 38,725 roared Berry’s name following the record-breaking return.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said that reception is well-deserved.

“Eric has achieved enough here already to be at least one of the greatest at Tennessee and certainly will be one of the greatest in this conference if he stays healthy,” Fulmer said.

On the other side of the ball, Berry received significant reps at quarterback for the first time this season, rushing for 11 yards on four carries. Berry’s only offensive production had been a 3-yard reception in Tennessee’s loss to Alabama on Oct. 25.

“That was exciting, being on that side of the ball again,” said Berry, who played quarterback in high school. “Not being over there since high school just brought back a lot of memories. I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Earlier this week, Fulmer revealed that Berry had been suffering a shoulder injury, which has limited his time at quarterback this season.

“It’s pretty bad,” Berry said after Saturday’s game. “I probably should have said something last year. It was bothering me at the LSU game (in the 2007 SEC championship), after that game.”

Still, Vols wide receiver Gerald Jones said he was impressed with Berry’s play behind center.

“I loved it,” said Jones, who received significant playing time at quarterback in the “G-Gun” package. “He did a great job with it. He’s been doing a great job with it all week. I wish we would have put him back there a little more, but we don’t want to wear him out. I think he did a wonderful job.”