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Tennessee Stat Book
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Remember Cal?
Or how about that 39-point loss to Florida in the Swamp five weeks ago?
Tennessee hadn’t exactly forgotten, and it appeared to have moved on.
But on Saturday, the Vols didn’t exactly expect to be reminded quite so vividly as they were in front of 92,138 in Bryant-Denny Stadium, either.
As much as Alabama did to remind the Vols in a 41-17 loss Saturday, Tennessee did just as much.
Penalties, poor execution and the absence of UT’s leading receiver all played a role in another loss that was just as bad as the score looked.
Tailback Arian Foster, who was the brightest spot on a dim day for the offense with 91 yards rushing, said there were two major culprits.
“Us and penalties,” he said.
That’s it, in an Alabama boiled peanut shell.
Four of Tennessee’s season-high 11 penalties belonged to the offense.
Oddly enough, the Vols overcame an illegal block on tight end Jeff Cottam that nullified a Foster touchdown reception to score three plays later.
The Vols overcame a holding call on Ramone Johnson with a 27-yard completion to Austin Rogers on the next play.
Jacques McClendon was whistled for a false start on first down that same drive, but the Vols were able to come within a yard of the first down.
On third-and-1, Lennon Creer pointed to another problem that proved costly for the first time since those two early losses — an inability to convert on third down and extend drives.
In the second half, the Vols were 3-of-7 on third downs and failed to convert on their only fourth-down try.
“It felt just like the Florida and Cal loss,” tight end Chris Brown said. “We didn’t do a lot of good things. We didn’t do enough things to win the football game.”
Tennessee even gave Alabama a momentum-swinging turnover, too.
With Tennessee trailing by a touchdown on its first offensive possession of the second half, quarterback Erik Ainge threw just his fourth interception of the season when looking downfield for Denarius Moore.
“He probably should have put some more air on the ball,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said of the interception. “He didn’t see the guy, he said.
“Erik, like anybody else, he’s not perfect. That was a tough break. There was a chance right there to make the game back to even.”
Following that interception, though, the Vols weren’t even a break-even venture on offense.
They reached Alabama territory just once — for an incomplete pass on fourth-and-2 — and ran just 22 plays following the interception.
For all the penalties and third-down struggles, the Vols could have just as easily pointed to themselves.
And afterward, they did.
“That’s what it all comes down to is our execution,” said center Josh McNeil, who was whistled for a second-half holding penalty. “The coaches had us prepared. This is all the players fault. (Alabama) didn’t show us anything new that we didn’t think they were going to do.
“This is all about player execution. It comes down to us taking responsibility for what happened today.”
Having to rely on three receivers who entered Saturday’s game with nine catches between them didn’t help, either.
With Lucas Taylor rendered ineffective because of a toe injury suffered last week and Josh Briscoe gone after a first-half concussion, Ainge was working with an unfamiliar group of receivers.
Ainge praised Moore, Quintin Hancock and Gerald Jones, but it was clear the senior didn’t have the timing with those three that he’s developed with Austin Rogers, Taylor and Briscoe.
“It’s obviously harder when you’re not on the same page with somebody like that,” Ainge said. “There’s a big upside for them. I think we just need to go out to practice and I need to work with them more.”
More work awaits the Vols, as do four more conference games in what already has been a wild SEC season.
“I think we’re a good offensive football team that didn’t execute as well as we needed to,” offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. “That’s my responsibility. We plan on getting back to work and making that happen. Fast.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 24
COVolsFan writes:
Games like these seem to bring out the best of us. I haven't posted in two years. Anyhow, I'm not one of the fire Fulmer people but Bobby Petrino might be a real upgrade.
creepykev#228270 writes:
With inexperienced receivers and a running back that was red hot I can really understand the throw throw throw mentality of the offense. Why stick with something that's working when you can work out the kinks with your young receivers. Phil buddy, it's time. Oh yeah and the decision to punt on fourth and one and a fourth and two around midfield was just brilliant as well.
olozbal#646632 writes:
Why did they pull Foster? He was on fire, averaging over 7 a carry. They treated him like a prized vase who they didn't want to break. Coker is not good any more. Where the hell is Hardesty?
Terrible. Bama wanted it more and was coached a lot better.
oldbasshead writes:
I am watching the LSU-Auburn game and UT is not in the same league with either of them. It is not far fetched that UT could lose to every SEC conference team left on their schedule. I don't think UT can beat USC, Ark, Ky or Vandy. What would that be 5-7 and not bowl eligible? That may be the only way Hamilton will make a move.
lkilgore#237303 writes:
John Gruden
5 million per year
vol52 writes:
Special teams were special again. If one coach does not want to take responsibility the clean house. On second thought the offense and defense was terrible also. Lets clean house cause stying the course is is really painful.
Ironcity writes:
Someone please tell me we didn't burn Jones redshrirt on this game.
madcow26#524674 writes:
I think they gave up halfway through the 3rd qtr.. a poor excuse for a team that used to be one of the best in the sec...we havent been close to that in over 5 years...
ETownVol writes:
The Calabama Crimson Bears. Looked like the season opener all over again. Pathetic.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Ironcity, I'm not absolutely certain, but I have a hunch we burned Gerald Jones' redshirt on this game...I had the same thought when I saw him.
I have a lot going through my mind right now, but I will only say 2 of them:
1. Part of a coach's job is to put players in position to win each game. That means a play-by-play mentality. Our coaching staff has consistently failed--yes, failed--in this area since 2002, atleast.
2. There's absolutely no excuse for lack of effort. If you're going to lose, leave it all on the field. We take too many plays and energy home with us.
westennvol writes:
GET A ROPE....NOW!
westennvol writes:
at this point, if i knew for sure we could get rid of fulmer, i would say let us go 5 and 7 and not get a bowl. i am sick of his cowardice and not going for 4th and 1, when we are at midfield and down by 7. we were ripping the tide for 6.5 yards a carry w/ foster and WE PUNT????? What the hell! New blood, some guys FROM TENNESSEE who really want to play for our state university instead of being from the west coast and not caring as long as they get their draft status bumped up! GOD I MISS PEYTON MANNING!
wyomingvol writes:
Foster is from California and Peyton is from Louisana.
I don't think it is the players and heart, no matter where they are from, but the coaches, all of them, not putting the kids in a spot to win the game, (punting on 4th and 1 @ mid field, not benching Hefney who is playing worse than a freshmen, going away from the run, power sets, etc. aka, what worked against GA and Miss St. A coach who lets his 'assistant head coaches' call all the plays, Cute Cutcliff and Cowardly Chavis along with Phlubbering Phil,
It is almost like Dumb and Dumber.
utmdm writes:
Someone get to Westenn and get that rope away from em!!
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Something has got to change. The way we are losing is chicken s____. I am now thankful that it was not on TV in the western United States.I can't think of a coach who is worth changing to, our backs are to the wall.bonzaivol
TDTNVOLS writes:
JUST RUN THE BALL!!!
TDTNVOLS writes:
JUST RUN THE BALL!!! Cutcliffe made Chavis, the defense and Fulmer look incompetent. All you had to do was run the ball. Everyone already knew our defense was weak; so run the ball and keep our defense off the field. Foster was getting 7 or 8 yards per carry. Alabama had 8 in the box and they COULD NOT stop the run. I almost always favor a balanced attack, but clearly today was an exception. ALL WE NEEDED TO DO WAS RUN THE BALL. THEY COULD NOT STOP US. This was how be beat Georgia. But Cutcliffe has Ainge, and he just can't stand not throwing the ball. I love Ainge too, but Cutcliff and Fulmer let Ainge hand the game over to Alabama today, and we could not stop them. WHAT A SHAME. WHO IS IN CHARGE ANYWAY???
Volnut writes:
This will not be a popular post but needs to be said.
David Cutcliffe, was not the answer to our prayers, John Chavis is not the D Cord he once was. What has taken a once proud program to the point of mediocrity is CPF wanting his Coordinators on the sidelines. David refused, said I work in the box. Chavis allowed CPF to bring him to the sidelines and away from his perch. (THis isn't the cure all, but a major problem with the staff.)
This is a debate in itself but, being on the sidelines lets you see the players as they come off the field. Tail chewing's go over better indeed, but adjustments are missed and since CJC has been out of the box his adjustments come entirely to late if at all.
If I'm HC I want, no I demand I have my coordinators in the box. The view let's you see the entire scope, defensively or on offense. Bottom line is, CPF wants to run the show, this was evident with Sanders. Randy took a ton of heat for our offensive woes that wasn't his doing. CPF was constantly in his ear, pushing his game plan and not letting the man do the job he was hired to do. If Randy falls flat on his face doing it his way, then take care of the problem. Don't pretend it's a man's fault for doing what he's told to do. Randy was never given an open door to run his offense. Cutcliffe on the other hand has and it's not doing much better. Point in case, if you are rotating backs why not use your best backs instead of leaving one completely out of the mix? Why pass on short yardage if your running game is getting the job done?
All these are questions that deserve answers. CJC defense's have fallen off since his coming to the sidelines. His adjustments are slow coming if at all. As was said, clean house and get new blood on defense and offense. But as long as the HC remains with his same ideas, the problem will only continue as the ones doing the replacing will be in no better position than the ones replaced.
copan07#220906 writes:
I got so mad at our performance that I turned the TV off. Later, I noticed in the box score that Eric Bery played QB. Can someone give me some details? I am all about Eric Berry..but QB? Is this a pipe dream or are we wasting precious practice time knowing that we need to improve? I would love to see a new David Palmer player on offense but I just don't see this coaching staff developing it where it would work.
OldNumber7 writes:
Sorry Josh McNeil, you can't take the blame for your coaches.....22 guys did not simulaneously have a bad day - your coaches did not have you prepared and they didn't adjust accordingly.
OldNumber7 writes:
oldba$$head - I was right there with you. UT couldn't hold their jocks.
Teams that are better than UT in the SEC:
Florida
Kentucky
South Carolina
Vandy (a maybe)
LSU
Alabama
Auburn
Arkansas
Yep, that puts as an official Cellar Dweller in the SEC. Let's keep Fulmer - he can only improve!
RemembertheAlamo writes:
And I quote Josh McNeil: "(Alabama) didn’t show us anything new that we didn’t think they were going to do." What was the first Play of the game????? DUH!!!!!!
vol4good#206163 writes:
We are in the 3rd qrt of the season and Ainge has suddenly come to the conclusion that he needs to work with the younger recievers! Wow--I figured you might have done that in the SPRING FREAKIN GAME--Or how bout one to he FREAKING NON CONF games. or I know--How bout that off week, you could have worked a few passes in then right. Oh, I forgot--Fulmer sent everyone home so they could get in fights and get arrested. If you want to win--ACT LIKE A WINNER! idiot
creepykev#228270 writes:
I went to the spring game and honestly it was very boring. I thought after that game that this would be Fulmers farewell tour. Hope I was right. We couldn't get worse. And about Ainge, he's all about stats not wins. Throwing the ball out of bounds on fourth down to avoid a sack instead of throwing one up and hoping for the best is retarded. If we don't make the first down we lose for sure. Why not take a chance? I guess he was afraid his stats would suffer if he threw another interception. And what about putting Creer in the game on a crucial third and one? What a great plan when Foster looked like a man among boys.
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