Audio
- Phillip Fulmer talks about Brad Cottam in his post-practice media comments
- Dave Hooker interviews TE Brad Cottam about returning to active duty this week
- Dave Hooker interviews LB Jerod Mayo
- Dave Hooker interviews WR Austin Rogers about Arkansas’ press coverage
- Dave Hooker interviews DT Dan Williams
Vol videos
- Xavier Mitchell talks about the Louisiana-Lafayette game and how it helped set their goals for the Arkansas game
- QB Erik Ainge looks to Arkansas and describes 'bloody Tuesday'
- Coach Phillip Fulmer talks about the Louisiana-Lafayette game
Blogs
Tennessee Stat Book
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Arkansas
- When: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
If you can't wait to see the final score on Saturday between Tennessee and Arkansas, just tune into the first quarter.
That should tell you all you need to know.
"The first quarter will prove a lot of where this defense's mentality is," UT junior linebacker Jerod Mayo said on Wednesday. "If we get out of the first quarter pretty well, I think we'll play the rest of the game well."
Statistics back up Mayo's template to success. Auburn proved it could be done when it beat the Razorbacks 9-7, limiting Arkansas to five yards rushing in the first 15 minutes.
Against South Carolina, the Razorbacks rushed for 196 yards in the first quarter and finished with a startling 542.
"Those are like two different teams," Mayo said, comparing Arkansas in those two games.
"Auburn shut them down early and they couldn't get the running game only. Once (tailbacks) Darren McFadden and Felix Jones got the running game going against South Carolina, it was a long game for those guys."
Receiver Marcus Monk - Arkansas' best receiving threat - did not play against Auburn because of a bum knee and McFadden was slowed with sore ribs.
Still, the fast-start theory holds true for almost all of Arkansas' games this season. In six wins, they've averaged 108.8 yards rushing in the first quarter. In its three losses, Arkansas has averaged 30.1 yards rushing in the first quarter.
"We have to shut it down early and often," Mayo said.
Never Boar-ing: Sophomore defensive tackle Dan Williams admitted he's more concerned with the "Wild Hog" package than Arkansas' traditional offensive attack. The "Wild Hog" is a shotgun formation with McFadden lined up at quarterback.
"With McFadden at quarterback, he could fake it, he could keep it and he's a good athlete so he could make cuts and make people miss," Williams said. "If you're out of your gap, he could make two or three people miss and be 80 yards down the field for a touchdown."
Williams also knows that anytime McFadden - a Heisman Trophy contender - makes a play, it's highlight material.
"You do take that kind of personal," Williams said. "I don't think any defense wants to be on another man's highlights."
Online Lennon: Taken a look at UT's tailback statistics lately? If not, check this out. Freshman Lennon Creer's 216 rushing yards is just 38 shy of sophomore Montario Hardesty.
And while most of Creer's rushing attempts have come when UT's games have been long decided, the freshman is averaging 7.0 yards per carry, compared to Hardesty's 4.8 and starter Arian Foster's 5.4.
"He really tries to finish runs, which is encouraging to see," offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "The big thing that showed up is his speed's back (from a sore knee)."
However, don't expect Creer's carries to increase soon. Cutcliffe said he's pleased with Creer's pass protection skills in most sets, but said he still has much to learn.
Young Ends: Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell isn't anywhere close to being ready to play freshmen Ben Martin or Chris Walker.
"To be honest, I'd hate to know I had to put either one of them in to play 20 or 30 snaps," Caldwell said.
A knee injury in the preseason has hampered Martin's fundamental improvements.
"He's still got a ways to go," Caldwell said. "I was hoping he would be further along than what he is."
Walker was recruited as a linebacker before being moved to end early this season.
"I think he's coming on," Caldwell said. "Chris can be a really good player."
Middle Man: Mayo has some experience against the Razorbacks at middle linebacker. He played there at Fayetteville last season in place of then senior starting middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell, who was injured.
Mayo was moved to the middle from weakside linebacker this season, replacing Mitchell.
For Kicks: UT freshman Daniel Lincoln is the only kicker from the SEC to be named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award, which goes to the nation's best kicker. Lincoln is 16-of-18 in field-goal tries and has made all of his 37 extra-point attempts.
Signing Times: Sports Illustrated is holding an autograph session featuring former UT players this weekend at Calhoun's on the River.
Former UT defensive linemen Will Overstreet and Billy Ratliff (Friday, 6-8 p.m.), linebacker Eddie Moore (Saturday, 9-11 a.m.) and safety Fred White (Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon) are scheduled to attend.
There will also be interactive fan activities at the event. Admission is free.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 52
1974Vol writes:
Win the toss , elect to receive, drive it 80 yards in 14 plays, score a TD while running 8 minutes off the clock. Let our D and their O sit this one out!
iowavol writes:
Damn Dave, you need to get a better proof reader. 4th Para, "South Carolina on the other hand proved a slow start means a fast finish...". I think you meant "a fast start means a fast finish". Nobodies posted yet, you can change it if you hurry. Hate for you to look stupid.
IPOrange writes:
Agreed, 1974Vol. I usually like to see the Vols defer to the second half rather than elect to receive the initial kickoff, but not this time. Take the opening kickoff, go the distance, burn the clock, and put 7 on the board before Run DMc even gets off the bench. Maybe his feet will fall asleep before he gets into the game.
asleep#212036 writes:
Agree. Got to score first and often. I doubt if we can win with less than 40 points but fortunately, Kentucky and Alabama proved that scoring 40 is doable for a balanced offense. Now if we can just get Coach Cut to call a balanced game... Go Vols!!!
VOLINSC writes:
1974VOL - that would be a perfect start. Take the ball and run the ball straight down the feild. We should run the 25 second clock down each play. Give me a 9 minute touchdown drive. I want the first quarter half way over before D Mac even steps on to the field.
Go VOLS!
BigUn writes:
"Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell isn't anywhere close to being ready to play freshmen Ben Martin or Chris Walker."To be honest, I'd hate to know I had to put either one of them in to play 20 or 30 snaps," Caldwell said."
Why coach? Do they not fit in with the overall Defensive scheme of no pressure and missed tackles?
Whatever you do, don't play them any meaningful snaps, like LSU, UF, and UGA do with their young lineman, because they might get experienced and become good players instead of the typical UT wastes of talent.
UT deserves everything it gets with these coaches.
bigorangesob writes:
I think he was saying a slow start by S. Carolina's defense meant a fast finsh for the damn pigs, do care for hogs much, but then again bbq ribs would be good Saturday hopefully to celebrate a victory, i feel good about this game, we need Eric to have a good game and I think he will, hopefully..GO VOLS
IPOrange writes:
BAR-B-QUE!
Go Vols!
a10acfan1 writes:
Well if so called Coach Caldwell can't get a player ready by the 10th game, maybe he needs to step down or do his job. Here's a tip. Chris Walker was a dang good linebacker at CBHS. Leave him there at LB.
RangerForSix writes:
Unbelievable!
We have to score more points in 60 minutes and "that is all! "
All other Stats are an illusion, except 'MAYBE the T.O. ratio. ' NAW...it's 'just points', nothing else boys!
'When' and 'how' don't matter and never will. It's 60 flippin' minutes in OUR HOUSE!!
Since it is 'our home' the crowd (all of us), better make it "damned tough on Arky's "O"," with 'INSANE noise' on every Arky "O" play!!!
Ainge will be exellent Saturday. It's just a feeling, after seeing him "beat Georgia three times"
He got "USC three times too"(Holtz AND Spurrier) and a bunch of other SEC wins also.
I just hope our receivers can 'get open' and 'catch everything that comes their way'! If they can 'get open' and 'hold on', we'll control the football and the game!!!
Also, knowing 'the war is in our house' should be good for our "D". 'IF' the Fans 'show up to win,' not an Opera or a play!
Come on UT fans; get your "Insanity On" and your LOUD VOICES going this Saturday to stuff these pigs coming to Rocky Top!!
We're in "First place in the SEC East", Flippin' act like it! 'Show up' and 'go crazy you nasty VOL FANatics'!!!
Go VOLS
mmeletiou#399430 writes:
So... what this article is saying is that we only have to play 15 minutes of run defense?? come on! why would you write phooey like this? how about our second half defense this year? its hard for me to read "reporting" like this..
Gimme a break..
GO VOLS!!! please!
mmeletiou#399430 writes:
by the way, anybody know if this game is on national tv? i live on the west coast (no my house didn't burn down).
WaltGoVols writes:
The game is the Lincoln Financial game so the kick off is 12:30 EDT
why36knot#656113 writes:
mmeletiou... Hooker is always writing uninteresting, uninformed and uninteligible phooey like this. Why does this one piece surprise you?
He doesn,t have any thing to say except for quoting statistics.
But in his defense I don't think the News Paper pays him for what he writes. Surely they don't.....do they?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Hmmmm, how will our defense come out of the gate! SLOOOOOOOWLY! HOW WILL MacF & Jones run, very, very FAST!!! Results, who knows. We're an underdog AT HOME to a sub-500 SEC team and still Fulmerites are happy just to go to the game. Winning the game seems to be a foreign concept or a chance to win the game seems "oh well"! There was a time when our defense gave us a chance against ANYONE! Those days are long gone people. We're losing tons of TV $$$$ (no tv Vandy). Always will support them, can't take the same old flat effort almost every game (lst half against Ga- great)! Go Vols!
GreerVol22 writes:
How will they come out of the gate? Thru the gate, out thru the "T" and spend the rest of the night looking at the back of McFadden's jersey running down the sideline. McFadden is in their head and has been running wind sprints all week...I think the D does as they always do against marquee players..they spazz, stand flat footed and just hope he wiffs and runs the other direction so that it doesn't look like their fault.
webbofconfusion writes:
This game (like every game) is big. That is waht makes you a fan. Everygame. Not just some of the games. You are a fan year round. The off season is big too. Our season is defined by what the players and coaches do on and off the field.
Keeping their heads on the game, avoiding distractions, and not getting psyched.
I want to see fundamental football for 60 plus minutes. I want our defense to believe they are stronger, faster, and bigger than Ark. I want gaps filled, arms wrapped, shoulders square.
I want to see a Barbeque!
nmvolfan writes:
If you watch Ark highlights, McFadden very rarely hands off in when in the "Wild Hog". Everyone should go after him until you force him to hand off. Hit him every time, knock him down every time, and he will start handing off and we can beat these guys. GO VOLS!!!
westennvol writes:
mmeletiou,
The game will only be broadcast nationally on ESPN gameplan PPV. Sorry dude. You gotta pay for it if u wanna watch it. It sucks man. Too many UT games on PPV this year.
asleep#212036 writes:
Actually pdhuff,
I'm not sure pay-per-view costs you that much money, if any vs. Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial (through the SEC) can force you to appear twice, you have the option for the third game each season. Every upper level school skips the 3rd optional game and opts for pay-per-view, I'm guessing because they can make more money on PPV. Of course, lower teams take the guaranteed money from LF. I would love to see the numbers because I could be dead wrong - this is all just a guess. I'm more concerned about why we are not getting the CBS/ESPN deals. I think most of that has to do with resurgent Kentucky and national persons of interest like Tebow, Woodson, and Saban. I hope it's not because we have lost our appeal but i wouldn't rule that out. Go Vols!!!
DennisVols writes:
If we see the same swarming defense that shut down GA's running game we win. If we see the out of position, out of balance defense we saw against Cal & UF then AK runs all day on us.
Forcing AK to have to play catch up, revert to passing will lead to a UT win.
Our offense is as much a key to this as our defense. Ball control, limiting mistakes. No mental breakdowns like we saw against Bama which lead to pentalties that kept their offense on the field and ours off.
Sounds like a tall order we can only hope UT can fill it.
Ironcity writes:
Has anyone else notice that you never hear a peep from Chavis anymore? Not that I miss what he says its just interesting. As for Martin and Walker, I echo those who say how can they do worse. If Walker can't get on the field as an End, then switch him back to linebacker. Apparently he was pretty good there once upon a time.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Steve Caldwell actually said someting I like, which is something flat out true. I appreciate that he doesn't candy coat things. He said Martin and some others weren't ready and they aren't...plain and simple. I like to hear what is really going on with no mumbo jumbo.
If the D can step up stong in the 1st Q, UT should be ok? Hope so. Interesting stat, but I'm sure if you look at stats in most every football game any team that rushes for 108 yards in the fist quarter is generally probably going to win the game. Just a guess though, call me crazy.
givim6 writes:
I don't like Mayo's mentality.
"UT junior linebacker Jerod Mayo said on Wednesday. "If we get out of the first quarter pretty well, I think we'll play the rest of the game well."
Jack Reynolds, Al Wilson, Dale Jones, and most other UT Linebackers would be foaming at the mouth at such a namby-pamby statement. The old guys would start kicking some pig butt on the first play and put them on the B-B-Q pit on the last play. Come on Mayo, GET MEAN AND SLOBBERING MAD!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
sjt, I think UT will have to do much more than Auburn had to do to win the game and here's why:
* Auburns 5th ranked defense gives up 293.8 total yards per game and 114 total yards rushing per game while only giving up an average of 14 ppg.
* Tennessee's 72nd ranked D gives up 412 total yards per game while allowing 168 on the ground. They also give up almost 29 ppg.
* Healthy McFadden
* Healthy Monk
Auburn does score 10 less points a game than UT and I agree their offense is not as good as UT's' . However, Arkansas 8th ranked offense played a dynamic defense in Auburns and was held to under 10 pts.
UT may be able to score points on Arkansas, but they will be facing a D that is nowhere near the calibar of Auburn and will not be able to stop the Hogs O.
"UT won't have to do it nearly as well as Aub did to win"
You are right in this statement...they won't have to do it nearly as well as Aub, they will have to do it perfectly.
missrvrvol writes:
Defense will come out of the gate chasing MCFadden and Jones. Richard will have a career game much like Wilson of Alabama. Our tackling is horrible, and our schemes are pathetic. Sorry if this offends some folks, but it is what it is.
Arky huge in this one. MCfadden gets another 300yards and does not play in the 4th qtr.
utwick writes:
tngeoof
Our coaching staff has already been defined.
givim6
The coaching staff has not/will not take the necessary steps to build confidence in the players on either side of the ball. That is a good part of the reason for comments such as these.
Dirtdobber writes:
Mustang = Mcfadden 700 yards
VolsorCat writes:
Full force Matador defense! 60 minutes of mistackles
99gator writes:
the key for most of the sec season has not been shutting the other team down, but merely getting a few stops in a game.
case(s) in point. south carolina put up 36 and lost to arkansas. florida put up 30 and lost to georgia. kentucky put up 37 and lost to florida.
so, tenn should be ok if jones and mcfadden do some damage.... just as long as they don't move the ball at will.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
sjt18, the same can be said about UT's O. Racking up stats against S. Miss, Ark State and Layup Layfayette tend to make the field about even if you are comparing Ark's O. So, even though Ark racked up some #'s against weaker comp, so did UT.
The focus (as I stated earlier) are the differences in the defenses. Auburn has played a brutal schedule with no lay up teams. Their D has held every opponent under 20 ppg accept 2 (South Fl and LSU who scored 23 and 24 respectively). Tennessee has not held a single opponent below 20 points accept for GA, S. Miss and Layup Layfayette.
UT will not be able to do anything even close to stopping Ark unless they play a game like they did against GA. However, I think taking risks like they did against GA can hurt you a lot more with an option type package that Ark runs.
west_tn_volfan writes:
This article points out what I've been complaining about. Every time we get a big linebacker capable of stopping the run, we move him to D line. Maybe if Chris Walker wasn't having to learn a new position, he would be ready to contribute.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
sjt and 99gator,
I'll definitely give you both that arguement....inconsistency is what makes this matchup so perplexing. Getting spanked by FL, coming back and stomping GA with a hob nailed boot and then getting abused by Bama. Should be an interesting game no doubt.
99gator writes:
sjt18
florida-usc
south carolina has played florida better than any opponent since meyer became coach at florida. that causes immediate trepidation. south carolina has real problems on defense due to injury, but they can't be worse than they were against arkansas can they?
offensively (for carolina), what blake mitchell shows up and at what critical moments is he the good blake or the bad blake. and are they going to be anti-spurrier for this game. will carolina run, run, run with boyd and davis to protect their defense.
i honestly don't know what to expect and would not care to wage on this game.... other than.... i'll take the over (whatever # that is). lots of points in this game.
99gator writes:
sjt18
as for ark-tenn
for me, this is the same kind of deal as florida-usc.... in terms of...
i like to look at what has been consistent, either in the last few weeks or all season long. what has been consistent is that arkansas and tennessee do not play good defense. hard to make any prediction when you don't know who will make a few stops and who will get some turnovers.
generally (and this also applies to fl-usc), when teams seem even or have similar problems... i take the home team. it also seems that whenever you are about to stick a fork in tennessee... they win. and when you are ready to get excited about tenn.... they lose.
you all would know better than me... can being at home turn against tenn if they have a bad start. can the home crowd be made to give the team a big downer or only lift them up?
SavDawg writes:
If UT's D plays anything like they did against GA. then you shouldn't worry but as we all know, that was one of many strange events which has taken place this year. I hope you guys enjoyed the brief stay atop the east. McFad gets crazy Sat. and breaks UT's heart, on the other hand, GA. hands AU their hats and sends them back to A-town. It's been a wild one this year but Dawgs win the east. I would say good luck but I don't want y'all to win so I'll say I hope no one gets injured. Go Dawgs!
cnalumni writes:
USC will beat fl. Fl has had a problem stopping a good back look at what Moreno did. Boyd is definitely a good back. He is the second best behind McFadden in the SEC. Plus USC secondary is talented enough to contain that explosive receiving core. I look for USC to control the ball by mixing up pass and run and keeping Fl offense off the field. Fl really doesnt have a rushing offense other that Tebow.
99gator writes:
sjt18
no question you make arkansas throw to win. that's not even debatable in an insane asylum. but, every team has that in mind playing arkansas and arkansas seems to still do some damage. as for the passing game... is marcus monk healthy? that could be important.
in my opinion, tenn has the better team. but, mcfadden and jones are capable of beating anybody on a given saturday.
kentucky is the same way. i think most of the teams in the league are still better than kentucky.... but andre woodson is one heck of a quarterback.
99gator writes:
cnalumni
i do not know who will win the florida-usc game and i will be a nervous wreck watching it but... south carolina has two starters in their secondary who will be out. captain muddelyn and emanuel cook.
99gator writes:
i would not bet against florida, georgia, and tennessee all losing another conference game before the year is over.
99gator writes:
cook-sprained ankle
munnerlyn- sprained foot.
report is now they might play. i doubt if they will be healthy if they do play and you don't want to chase percy harvin around on a bad wheel.
99gator writes:
i read that a scenario is still mathematically possible where all 6 teams in the sec east finish in a tie at 4-4
99gator writes:
reading the carolina paper.... they are more concerned with munnerlyn than cook. but the optimism for cook is letting him warm up and see if he can go.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
sjt, lets stop talking about the OOC schedule and look at the teams that aren't layups. Points Ark put up against ranked or quality teams (ranking at the time):
Troy (21)- 46 pts
Alabama (16)- 38 pts
Kentucky - 29 pts
Auburn (22)- 7 pts
Miss- 44 pts
S. Carolina (23)- 48 pts
If my math skills serve me correctly Ark has averaged 35.3 points a game against the above 6 opponents (including the Auburn game). Every team listed was ranked with the exception of Kentucky and Ole Miss (and we all know what UK's done this season).
Your argument for Ark running up their stats against weaker comp. and comparing their OOC schedule with UT's is a moot point. Ark has clearly shown they can score against cup cakes AND ranked teams.
At the same time, Tennessee's defense is as consistent in laying an egg on D. The Vols D has given up the following against "quality" opponents:
Cal-45 points
Florida-59 points
Georgia-14 points
Miss State- 21 points
Alabama-41 points
S. Carolina- 24 points
Tennessee has given up an average of 34 points to the 6 "quality" teams they have played. The only team on this list UT would have beaten had they given up 34 points would have been Georgia.
Better hope the Georgia D shows up on Sat. History doesn't refelct that it will though. I hope I'm dead wrong.
Dirtdobber writes:
marc_ash- dont forget that McFadden got hurt late in the Alabama game and has not been 100% until the last game.
I agree with you that Arkansas is not as bad as their record!
Mustang + Mcfadden = 750 yards
VolFanInAtl writes:
The defense needs to play with confidence. There is no reason; not talent, recruiting, coaching, tradition, speed, maturity or whatever that a Razorback offense should be able to run all over a Tennessee defence. The only thing that gets this team in trouble is emotional collaps and lack of confidence. The sad part is it's unwarrented. The players must believe they are as good as anybody else because they are. They need to know that we fans know it and the coachs know it and the country (including those left coast mouthpieces on TV) will soon know it. There's is no team in collage football that a Univertisy of Tennessee football team cannot beat on a given Saturday. That's got to make you pretty darn prowd.
thesavageorange writes:
We need Al Wilson to stand on the sidelines( waiting for our defense everytime they come of the field)make them look him in the eye ,and say I DID MY ALL FOR TENNESSE TODAY.If they could say that we can win.If not its another Saturday hugging the toilet.
IPOrange writes:
Having Al on the sidelines would be great, but I'd much rather see him on the field again. That guy was a charging bull.
I've said it before, and I'll repeat it now: we have a great deal of talent on this team. I can't explain the inconsistency shown so far this year, but I want to believe that it will come together again for us Saturday.
Slow down Mc and Jones (you can't stop them), wrap and tackle, and make Casey Richard have to beat us. If we do those 3 things, we win.
GO VOLS!
thesavageorange writes:
The inconsistency:Al wilson is exactly why.We don't have a born leader on that side of the ball as of right now.They (players) say Eric Berry is a motivator who has leadership qualities. The problem is right now he is young , and the vets will blow him off.Just ask Peyton was told in the huddle the first time he took a game snap. Remember the scene from blue chips?you gotta have heart.How do upsets happen? HEART!!!!And I do believe if we win it will be an upset, I don't care what the line is. THE SAVAGE ORANGE RETURNS
pdhuff#552644 writes:
SavDawg, you got any more of that stuff you're smoking! Dawgs beat Auburn- really. If you were stymied against Phil's defense, boy have I got news for you against the Tigers! Vols vs Ark - slight chance for Orange, but Ark hasn't won half their SEC games! They shouldn't rush for over, say, 400yds against us! (note shouldn't)! Gotta go, must pick up cans to pay for Vandy ppv game, thanks Phil!
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