UT Report Card

QUARTERBACKS (C+)

Erik Ainge gets credit for rallying in the fourth quarter (12-of-15, 107 yards, 2 TDs over the final 15 minutes), but he must also take blame for UT falling behind. Ainge was inaccurate on third-down throws and gave Vanderbilt a field goal with a poorly thrown pass that was incomplete and ruled a lateral.

RUNNING BACKS (B)

Arian Foster most often got the yards he was supposed to get, and on a couple of occasions more, finishing with 106 yards on 19 carries. Foster also had 34 yards on three catches. Montario Hardesty wasn't a factor, getting two carries for zero yards.

RECEIVERS (B-)

Lucas Taylor proved clutch with four catches for 34 yards in the fourth quarter. Josh Briscoe made a nice route adjustment on his TD catch that pulled UT within 24-16. Austin Rogers missed a block on a Chris Brown catch and was whistled for a false start in the fourth quarter.

OFFENSIVE LINE (B-)

Ainge wasn't sacked, but Vanderbilt knocked him down a few times and caused hurried throws that fell incomplete. The line's run blocking was not as dominant as it has been, and there wasn't much of a push on Ainge's fourth-and-1 QB sneak conversion.

DEFENSIVE LINE (C+)

No quarterback sacks, and only two tackles-for-loss, one by Dan Williams while Robert Ayers and J.T. Mapu were credited with 1/2 of a TFL apiece. Williams led the way with six tackles while Mapu had five.

LINEBACKERS (A-)

Aside from a facemask penalty (Jerod Mayo) and a pass-interference penalty (Ryan Karl), this unit enjoyed its best performance of the season. Mayo, who had 15 tackles and 2.5 TFLs, played on an all-star level in the fourth quarter, snuffing out numerous run plays. Rico McCoy had 11 stops.

SECONDARY (B-)

Tremendous stand by the secondary at the end of the first half to hold Vanderbilt to a field goal after three straight passing plays. DeAngelo Willingham was whistled for pass interference on the 'Dores final drive, and Eric Berry had a facemask penalty. Hefney had eight tackles and Berry delivered a clean hit that knocked Earl Bennett out of the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS (B)

Dennis Rogan brings the grade up for this unit with his tremendous return performance (three punts, 75 yards, three kickoff returns, 74 yards). Rogan also made a TD-saving tackle on Vanderbilt's final kickoff return to the UT 42. Daniel Lincoln made a 33-yard field goal but had a very low extra-point kick blocked and missed a 41-yard field goal. Britton Colqutt averaged 41.3 yards per punt.

COACHING (B)

The Vols had a nice opening drive charted, but went away from their success with a five-wide package that produced mixed results. UT's defense appeared flat-footed when Vanderbilt opened the second half with a TD drive, but the right schemes were in place in the fourth quarter. Special teams has become a winning edge.

OVERALL (B)

The Vols had their backs to the wall once more, trailing 24-9 with time running down on their SEC East Division championship hopes. The fourth-quarter rally was a credit to the team, the coaches, and the fans, who all had an impact in this emotional come-from-behind victory.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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