Report card: UT vs. Alabama

QUARTERBACKS C

Erik Ainge’s interception came at a terrible time. Had the pass been on target the play could have resulted in a touchdown and needed momentum. Otherwise, Ainge was mostly efficient, but too conservative. Jonathan Crompton threw an interception when the game was out of hand.

RUNNING BACKS B-

Arian Foster continues his strong play with 165 total yards from scrimmage. Will LaMarcus Coker ever give UT the spark the Vols once expected from him? It sure doesn’t look like it. Montario Hardesty is too good to sit the bench for an entire game.

RECEIVERS C

UT’s coaches would have benefited against Alabama had they had young receivers ready, especially when Josh Briscoe (head) and Lucas Taylor (toe) were sidelined by injury. Gerald Jones looked impressive on first two career catches.

OFFENSIVE LINE C+

Showed glimpses of greatness with a pair of long drives in the first half. Then they slipped. Still, no sacks allowed and 103 yards rushing for a 5.4-yard average. Center Josh McNeil’s holding penalty and bad snap were drive killers.

DEFENSIVE LINE D-

No pressure. Two personal fouls, one by Dan Williams, that helped Alabama to a touchdown instead of a field- goal try. Jumping offsides gave the Tide a first down on fourth-and-short. The Vols’ front registered only one tackle for a loss. With two Alabama starting offensive linemen suspended, UT should have made more plays.

LINEBACKERS D+

Rico McCoy had a sack. Linebackers have to take some responsibility for breakdowns in zone coverage. Could they have been more effective had they been asked to blitz more?

SECONDARY F

Brent Vinson gave up a 42-yard reception and fellow cornerback Marsalous Johnson was called for holding on the same play. That pretty much symbolized the day for UT’s defensive backs. Made John Parker Wilson look like Joe Willie Namath.

SPECIAL TEAMS D

The Vols got beat in the kicking game from beginning to end. An opening onside kick set the tone. The Vols also gave up a 61-yard kickoff return. Good thing the Vols have punter Britton Colquitt and placekicker Daniel Lincoln. Otherwise, there would be no bright spots.

COACHING F

Poor game plan allowed Wilson too much time to throw. Vols weren’t prepared for opening onside kick. Reverse to Kenny O’Neal couldn’t have been more obvious. And Lennon Creer on a key third-and-one with a hot, power back (Arian Foster) on the bench? Not good.

OVERALL F

As bad as Georgia is proving to be, UT’s keynote win may be over Mississippi State. That — and a third lopsided loss by October — shows just how far the Vols have fallen. Don’t just blame the Alabama loss on mistakes and penalties, it was bigger than that.

— Dave Hooker

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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