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Tennessee Stat Book
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The onside-kickoff recovery to start the game was a nice touch by Alabama, but …
Another killer penalty gave the Crimson Tide a touchdown seconds before the first half ended, but …
But an SEC football game still was there for Tennessee to win in the third quarter Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“I have no idea what happened in the second half,’’ defensive tackle Demonte Bolden said after Alabama pulled away to a dominant 41-17 win over the 20th-ranked Vols before a sun-drenched crowd of 92,138.
The Tide (6-2, 4-1 SEC) outscored Tennessee 17-0 in the second half, blasting a hole below the waterline of the Vols’ campaign to rally to an SEC Eastern Division title.
Tennessee (4-3, 2-2), comes home for a four-game stretch, beginning with a visit Saturday night from South Carolina.
If anybody feels worse that UT fans today, it’s Gamecock fans, after an inexplicable 17-6 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Florida’s 45-37 win at Kentucky means Tennessee no longer controls its own destiny. Now the Vols have to win out and hope somebody pins a third SEC loss on the Gators.
“Thinking about all that just makes you sick when you lose a game like (Saturday),’’ said UT quarterback Erik Ainge.
“I’m not going to worry about what else is happening. I’m going to get over this one.’’
Among the things Ainge has to get over was an interception he threw in the third quarter, killing a potential game-tying drive.
Earlier, Ainge directed the Vols to touchdowns on back-to-back drives to wipe out a 10-0 Alabama lead. A 2-yard TD run by Arian Foster and a 3-yard Ainge pass to Luke Stocker put Tennessee up 14-10 as the second quarter began.
The Vols, however, would have only a 45-yard Daniel Lincoln field goal to show for their final eight possessions.
That kick was a momentum-saver, coming on the final snap of the first half and whittling Alabama’s lead to 24-17.
“That should have raised our energy level,’’ said UT coach Phillip Fulmer.
It apparently raised the defense’s energy level. Tennessee opened the second half by forcing the first of only two Alabama punts on the day.
“We had a chance to make a difference in the game right there,’’ said Fulmer, “but we didn’t get that done.’’
Ainge’s pass intended for Denarius Moore was picked off by freshman cornerback Kareem Jackson.
From there, Tennessee’s defense at least held Alabama to a pair of field goals that left it 30-17 after three quarters.
Still, there was no answer from the UT offense.
Finally, Alabama opened the fourth quarter with a 10-play, 82-yard drive capped by Terry Grant’s 8-yard touchdown run to make it 38-17.
Leigh Tiffin added a 44-yard field goal to close the scoring. UT’s three-game winning streak and momentum were history.
“At halftime,’’ said UT center Josh McNeil, “we were pretty confident. We weren’t behind by much and we had been moving the ball pretty well.
“The second half, we just couldn’t get nothing going.’’
Tennessee managed a modest 145 yards of offense in the second half and never penetrated the Alabama 35.
“It was something just about every time,’’ said a frustrated Ainge.
It was penalties. The Vols, one of the least penalized teams in the league prior to Saturday, had an orgy of them — 11 for 81 yards.
It was injuries that sent receivers Lucas Taylor (toe) and Josh Briscoe (concussion) to the sideline.
“That affected us,’’ said Fulmer, “but the ones who were out there need to play better.’’
Ainge was 22-of-35 passing for 243 yards in UT’s lowest scoring effort of the season. For once, he paled in comparison to the opposing quarterback.
Alabama’s John Parker Wilson was 32-of-46 for 363 yards and three touchdowns, riddling UT’s secondary.
Wilson’s scores came on a 3-yard flip to tailback Grant, a 16-yarder to DJ Hall and then a 2-yard pass to Hall, all in the first half.
“He did a great job getting rid of the ball,’’ said UT linebacker Rico McCoy.
And Hall did a great job of catching it — 13 times for 185 yards.
Grant added 104 rushing yards as Alabama outgained UT 510 yards to 362 and held the ball 37 minutes, 38 seconds to 22:22 for the Vols.
And that despite two starters in the offensive line being suspended.
“This is the first time we’ve played a complete game,’’ said first-year Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“We had fewer errors than we’ve had all year long.’’
Tennessee had plenty of errors, but few big plays.
Tennessee’s defense produced one meaningless sack — Wilson gained 28 yards on six scrambles — and no turnovers.
“There wasn’t any pass rush,’’ said Fulmer. “The underneath coverage wasn’t there when it needed to be … and on third-and-16 they hit a post route (for a touchdown). That’s not supposed to happen.’’
If penalties were an annoyance to UT’s offense, they were crippling to the defense.
Six of Alabama’s 27 first downs came via penalty. That helps explain why Tennessee allowed 40 or more points in a losing effort for the third time this year.
“Today wasn’t our day,’’ said Fulmer. “We got it handed to us, big-time handed to us.
“I said coming in we had to play really well as a team, offensively, defensively and in the kicking game.
“We didn’t do any of the three.’’
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.
Rocky Top League opening night
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Comments » 69
OldNumber7 writes:
When on 3rd and long the QB drops back 5 steps and throws to the line of scrimmage - what's that tell ya? Gawrsh - I wonder why we can't get 1st downs.
lkilgore#237303 writes:
John Gruden
5 million per year
peerlessvolfan writes:
Bring on basketball.
yeavols#228407 writes:
What about Will Muschamp of Auburn? South Florida coach? Spurrier has a few good years left, but not a enough to carry us through. I wonder if the RUTGERS coach might be interested?
west_tn_volfan writes:
Pat Hill of Fresno St. would be a good replacement.
BigUn writes:
The good news is that:
"it wasn't an effort problem"
"we're the best 4-3 team in the country"
"we're only 79 points from being undefeated"
"we're gonna work like heck to get better"
etc etc etc
TommyJack writes:
new coach, yes. Gruden, no.
ibvolman writes:
Oh...you mean that was a football game? I just thought it was a complete embarrassment. After the Vols beat UGA the Fulmer supporters were asking where the fire-Fulmer posters were. OK, where are the keep Fulmer posters now? This program has been on a decline for 8 years. It is time for someone to get the ship turned around, and if Fulmer hasn't done it in 8 years, why should we think he can do it now?
utmandy#237917 writes:
Dear John Peterson-
Please help! We know our puppet A.D. isn't going to do anything. Your a business man, CUT THE FAT!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I agree with TommyJack...time for a new coach, but not Gruden.
madcow26#524674 writes:
awful...god awful......
volfans_1#225396 writes:
I have long supported Fulmer and Chavis an really even Cutcliffe but I just can't do it any longer. They deserve the respect to finish the season without name calling and such but it's time to ride off into the sunset. UT is bigger than coaches,players,ad's and booster's. It's about the fans as well and right now we are embarrassed and ashamed of what we call UT Football. When you have a back like Foster and it's 3rd and 1 and Lennon Creer ( who looks like a good FUTURE running back )makes his only carry of the day for a loss it's ridiculous for Fulmer to come out and say we needed to play Hardesty ( who didn't have any carries) more and also for Foster not to have the ball in his hands on that play. That tells me that the coach doesn't realize whats going on during the game. I know that the refs didn't cause us to lose the game but they sure tried.I guess if you get the crappy gametime you get the crappy ref crew. Fulmer please do what is right for UT and retire.
utmandy#237917 writes:
Oh one more thing....
I want to apoligise to Randy Sanders, appearently it wasn't his fault.
Pullingguard writes:
The best thing that ever happened to Randy Sanders
was his leaving Tennessee. Seperate yourself from these dog's. Cutcliffe is no better than any of the rest, too laid back, run only between the tackles, no reverses, afraid of 4th and 1 from the opponets 40 yard. How God awful the defense plays.
chrisw2967 writes:
I think Gruden would be a huge mistake , I havent seen his name on the coaches most wanted list. of course I dont think a list exists but Im sure if it does his name isnt on it.
theres too many good oaches out here that Hamilton will surely pass on , we will end up with Johnny Long or somebody like that.
CoverOrange writes:
Pulling, we ran a reverse and fumbled! Thank god the refs called it a shovel pass. But I really thought the 4th and 1 early in the second quarter was where we lost it, had the momentum, had the lead, had to match Bama score for score. Instead we choke. And why yank Foster? After two drives he had 51 yards then we don't see him again until the third qtr. Is the real reason Ainge hasn't thrown downfield all season is because he only can throw it on a rope and can't lay it in over the defenders heads? Think about it, has he ever thrown the fade? Every one in the world has got Chavis's defense figured out.
CoverOrange writes:
How about Major Applewhite? Get him before he turns 30 and the price goes up. Sure as heck had another mediocre bama QB outplay our stellar guy. OK, our defense is making alot of QBs look good.
CoverOrange writes:
I can take the losing to good teams like Cal and Florida though the beat downs were hard. But losing to a mediocre team, especially a mediocre Bama team. Will Chavis fall on his sword ala Sanders in 2005?
Titan writes:
WD40 - lots of problems for sure but ease off of Ainge. Have you already forgotten the beautiful 51-yard TD pass to Lucas Taylor last week at MS State? I think the DB would consider that one laid in over his head.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Wow......I was at work during the game, turned out to be a good thing!
andy112382#209793 writes:
And stop with the Gruden talk, why would he be a good choice? Anyone?
CoverOrange writes:
No, Titan, I didn't watch the Miss St game so you have me there. Still, the interception was a carbon copy of the one he threw in the Cal game. I'm not a QB sage to judge, but right now I wouldn't be surprised if Ainge isn't drafted in the first 3 rounds.
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???
snafu14u#241639 writes:
I've had all that I can standz and I can standz no more. After watching us lose to Cal/Gators/Bama I can no longer in good faith support this coaching staff. And it hurts to say that. They all bleed orange, but they are no longer learning. We're losing to teams with two losses, and there is more ahead.I was going to wait till after the USC game or the end of the season, but this forces a change. Our talent is on par with Cal/Bama and to get beat that bad reflects on the coaching staff. Get a rope.And I mentioned Pat Hill two years ago.Although I'd like to see a younger man.Let's treat Fulmer and company with class, but the damage is done.bonzaivol
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Jim Leavitt, Chris Peterson, or Mike leach are my top three.
I seriously don't think the people of the State of Tennnessee would tolerate Steve Spurrier as UT's football coach. I know I wouldn't.
The day Spurrier becomes football coach at the University of Tennessee is the day I become an ex-Vol fan.
Every time that lowlife steps foot in the State of Tennessee, the stench of his presence lingers for weeks. Flowers wilt, milk sours faster, babies cry longer and the skies seem battleship grey all day long. (East TN folks, you'll notice this beginning next Sunday.)
Spurrier? Never.
And you Gruden gnomes out there -- how about doing some research on this guy and learning that he barely has a winning record (.540)? Puhlease...
Being married to a former Vol cheerleader is not a key qualification for our next head football coach.
Gruden? No, thank you. We can do better -- even with the staff we have!
GET LEAVITT BEFORE LSU DOES. LES MILES IS PACKING HIS BAGS FOR MICHIGAN.
mike_stud88#667296 writes:
Im not making excuses but what about the refs.We had a interception when they scored on there last first half td but they called pass interference on us.But then they pushed off and no call.Im sick and tired of refs getting in the way of games.Im not saying that would have changed anything,we still would have gotten beat with are defense.If i was a coach i would be getting thrown out of games all the time.I would not stand for bad game changing calls.Bit it continues and nothing is said of it.FIRE CHAVIS!!!!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
How is it that the only people that didn't know that DJ Hall was their best player were Chavis and UT"s "defense"? How can he be open every play? Why can we not cover him up and make someone else beat us? Remember the Fiesta Bowl in 1998? Peter Warrick had I think one catch for about 14 yards. Without him, FSU struggled and we got a crystal trophy. Has strategy changed? I'm getting sick.
TommyJack writes:
nbumburu: Exactly. No Spurrier. Never.
TommyJack writes:
mbumburu: Mike Leach has a great offensive mind, but his teams never play any D.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Let's face it guys...Bama wanted the game more than we did..in addition the Crimson Tide were a tad quicker than we were. Mentally, the Tide were really fired-up for this game. The new Bama coach needed this game badly...also..don't think this game was fairly referred...easy to point fingers at visitng team with ( 90,ooo Bama fans yelling...Overall, The Vols did not match Bama in Intensity.
john#208876 writes:
I get it; we stunk it up today, we've been inconsistent for several years, everybody is screaming for a coaching change, but Jim Leavitt??? mbumburu, in Leavitt's 8th year of building the USF program, he was 4-6. He followed that up with 6-6, bet that would go over big in K-town! No, this is going to be a tough one. There are no sure things out there (see ND and Charlie Weiss). Go Vols, BEAT So Car and the head ball Cock.
ncvol17 writes:
Don't worry, just one more year out of your life, a mere 11 months or so and we can all drink the Kool Aid again b4 we hear how it will take time for Crompton to be the QB needed to win SEC games, etc. I'm starting to get old, I'm not sure how many '1 more years' I have in me...
Better pull out the Peyton tapes and live in the past
EglinVOL writes:
No pass rush! J.P. Wilson running down the middle of the field for first downs more than once!? Are you flippin kidding me!? Hall killed us. Fulmer has been running his mouth for 3 weeks about beating ourselves by giving up the big plays and then we do it by 11 penalties for 81 yards and we still gave up some big ones. I'm not sure you show Fulmer the door yet. When you lose to BAMA and Florida it's easy to say that. The only thing I’m sure of right now is that Chavis has got to go!! Some questionable calls on offense for sure. Not sure what the deal was with Foster on the side line. Defense is to blame in my opinion….
yeavols#228407 writes:
I thought the GRUDEN name would die down. Let's get some young blood in here who apparently knows what's going on in college football. NO PREVIOUS NFL coaches. There are a lot of up and coming coaches accross the land that would probably KILL to be able to coach at Tennessee. We need a STOOPS, LEAVITT, PETERSEN, MUSCHAMP, TYPE of coach. The Bowdens, Fulmers, JoePas, have been great coaches and served well, but it's just simply time to move on. Please coaches across the land, recognize that you can't coach forever and show some dignity and don't let what talent you have go down the drain.
BuckFama writes:
mbumburu - we don't always see eye-to-eye but those spurrier comments in your last post were hilarious.This week I'll be sniffing the milk before serving it to my kidss!
DSaVol writes:
Do your homework fellas....Leavitt ain't leaving USF! He's turned down 2 previous offers from bigger programs, is signed through 2012, and perhaps most importantly is a native of the Tampa area. Now ask yourself - why would he leave a program he's built from scratch, a recruiting base second to none and on which he has finally reached a level to compete with FL, FSU and MIAMI, and so much political capital that even George Bush wouldn't be able to blow all of it? To come to a program with irrational fans, a declining talent base, and a killer conference???? Leavitt may be alot of things but he ain't THAT stupid!
yeavols#228407 writes:
DSaVOl..you are right. But we need that type of coach and let's start the interview process behind closed doors. Once the word gets in an open door, they will come. Vince Dooley became Athletic Director at Georgia. Fulmer can be promoted to something I am sure.
atxvols writes:
It's time...
yeavols#228407 writes:
Touchdown..not bad..I am just saying we can keep Phil to show that we arn't that much of a tyrant. He has been devoted and brought us better years than before. It's time to take it to the next level. Let's get some coaching staff that can turn it around and compete with Auburn, Florida, and LSU and now what appears to be Kentucky. Nebraska is making a change, Notre Dame will in time, Florida already did, and Alabama may have finally gotten it right. Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, and now Fulmer have been great coaches. Atxvols put it simply: It's time.
BY_HIS_WOUNDS_WE_ARE_HEALED writes:
WAIT TO THE END OF THE SEASON AND MAKE FULMER HEAD RECRUITER OR GET RID OF HIM! AS FOR THE NEXT COACH I THINK IT SHOULD BE CHRIS PETERSEN FROM BOISE STATE. HE IS LIKE AN URBAN MEYER. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!
Sportsdoc writes:
I'll say it again. How long is UT going to ride the 98 pony? This was a pathetic display. For years I've heard how great John Chavis is, but my question remains, if he is so great, why is he not a head coach somewhere or in the NFL? Because the people with knowledge know better. And Randy Sanders was the ultimate fall guy for Fulmer's failures; has anyone watched Kentucky recently? Hamilton needs to clean house; I just doubt he has the guts to do it.
AF_CE_VOL writes:
How many of you believe in divine intervention? Or just good luck? Well...over the past 14 years of serving our country I've listened/watched the VOLS on 4 continents/8 countries...and yesterday I was all keyed up to buy the game on pay-per-vue here in DC. Even had spousal approval! Anyway, for whatever reason, Direct TV kept giving me error messages...so I was HOT! But as I watched the game on ESPN 360 online, I realized that this was just a Higher Power saving me $20.99! I'll still yell "GO VOLS" with the best of them...but I won't write any more alumnus checks..
rootin4volz writes:
Once Fulmer is gone, for goodness sake DON'T hire a "Tennessee Guy" for the sake of hiring a Tennessee guy...That is the slippery slope that Alabama was on for the last 10 years or so, and the one that has Nebraska reeling over in the Little 12. Go out and find a freakin' innovator, and steal him away from another team on the rise!
TommyJack writes:
CPF= 1 trick pony
doofus writes:
Phat Phil needs to put as much time and effort into building Tennessee football as he did in trying to get Alabama on probation. He new the only way to keep the upper hand on Alabama was through the NCAA. He couldn't and can't on the football field. Phat Phil's nightmare has come to pass. Alabama is on the way back and Tenn. is on the way down.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I heard Alabama hates Phil..and it showed. I thought about it..i just don't see PHIL leaving. He's a good ole boy. I think we are just dreaming.
spencer1989#206886 writes:
I am old enough to remember when the head coach stood up and took all the responsibility for poor development, not having a team ready to play, and a poor game plan. In those days, he did not point the fingers at his staff and did not get rid of them only to have a half successful turn-around season the next year. Basically said, with all the coaching changes we have had, our program is still the same. It need a new direction and that must start with the head coach. If the AD cannot make that decision, then maybe someone needs to make that decision for him. Everyone is replaceable. If we do not believe that, then go tell your boss that on Monday morning and see what happens.
asleep#212036 writes:
Sportsdoc,
About Sanders: being a position coach vs. a coordinator is a big difference. Back in the good old days, Sanders was good position coach under Cutcliffe as well but as coordinator, his offense became what our defense is becoming - predicable and out of touch with the game. I doubt if Kentucky would be where they are now if Sanders, and not Joker Philips, were calling the plays. You're spot on about Chavis. Fifteen years with a nationally recognized program and not even a sniff at a head coach or NFL job? Something is up with that. I just wish his buddy Phil could see it too. Go VOls!!!
UTVol39 writes:
Bobby Petrino from the Falcons. It's time for him to come back to college.
BamafaNga writes:
Heres what I dont get....Why did TN abandon the run when Foster was doing so well? Dont get me wrong, Im glad they did because our D-front is our biggest weakness right now. I was worried that Foster was just one step away from breaking it big on several runs. TN should've taken note to other SEC backs running all over us...i.e. Knowshon Mareno (Georgia), Darren McFadden (ARK).
To be honest, I dont think Fulmer is the sole source of the problem. I think right now TN is feeling the effects of poor recruiting in the absence of Cutcliff. He was the reason TN did so well back in the 90's. Peyton Manning, Tee Martin, John Henderson, Jamal Lewis etc...This is the kind of talent you got from a great recruiter like Cutcliff. Give em a couple of years for him to get recruits of this caliper again, and TN will be right back in the mix of things....BELIEVE ME!! ALL BAMA FANS KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW. But if we never fell, we'd never appreciate the ability to stand up...Roll Tide!!
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