Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. South Carolina
- When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, 7:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
University of Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty missed practice Sunday night because of an apparent 102-degree fever, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said in a statement released Monday.
The sophomore left a message with running backs coach Kurt Roper saying he would not be at practice, however Roper did not check his voicemail until after the Vols' workout ended around 8:30 p.m., Fulmer said.
According to Fulmer, Hardesty "took medication and slept through the evening and night."
After Sunday's practice, Fulmer said he did not know why Hardesty had missed practice and that Hardesty's roommate did not know either.
Fulmer also acknowledged Sunday the sophomore's frustrations with being kept on the bench in a 41-17 loss at Alabama on Saturday.
Defensive end Xavier Mitchell also missed Sunday's practice with a fever and flu-like symptoms. Mitchell said he felt better Monday.
Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge isn't worried that Hardesty's absence is a sign of a more serious problem.
"It's not like Montario to miss, to just not come to something," Ainge said. "He's a good football player. He's done a lot of good things for us, and he'll do a lot of good things for us."
Linebacker Jerod Mayo agreed with Ainge, calling Hardesty's absence a "miscommunication."
Hardesty is UT's second-leading rusher this season with 184 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries.
Nearly 150 of those yards came against Mississippi State and Georgia, the Vols' two opponents leading up to a 41-17 loss at Alabama.
"I talked to Montario this morning," Fulmer said Monday. "He was sorry for any concerns this may have caused. He has been to the training room today and is feeling better."
At least physically.
Hardesty expressed frustration following the loss Saturday, in which he did not carry the ball despite being fully healthy.
Hardesty's father, Kevin, told the News Sentinel on Monday that his son was upset over playing time, but that it was not the cause of his son's absence from practice.
"He was somewhat upset," Kevin Hardesty said. "He worked hard to come back (from injuries) and this year he's finally healthy. He felt like he was playing well. He couldn't understand why he wasn't in the game."
Ainge, who split playing time with Rick Clausen as a sophomore in 2005, understands the frustration that comes from watching from the bench.
"Everybody goes through something like that at some point in time," Ainge said. "It's not like we have some scrubs running the ball.
"Sure he's disappointed, he's a good football player. Of course he wants to be in the game, he's competitive. But he needs to understand there's reasons for things. And as long as he comes out and has a good week, I would expect him to do some good things for us this weekend (against South Carolina)."
Confidence Game:<B> </B>After giving up 510 yards of total offense and 41 points to Alabama, Mayo isn't concerned with Tennessee's confidence on defense.
"Not at all," Mayo said. "(Defensive coordinator John) Chavis has been doing this for a long time, and he knows how to bring the defense back together after a tough loss like this. We'll be all right."
Mayo said the Vols' biggest problems against the Crimson Tide were technical mistakes that kept them on the field for 84 plays.
"I saw the effort there," Mayo said. "I just saw technique problems, a lot of technique things. I'm not going to point fingers or anything like that. We just have to get better as a whole."
Sunday Sound Off:<B> </B>Ainge and Mitchell liked Tennessee's Sunday night practice.
The Vols usually take Sunday off before returning to work Monday, but Fulmer opted to take Monday off and practice Sunday instead.
"You see about eight plays and then you go out to practice that night and you fix them mentally, you fix them physically and you get just a little head start on South Carolina," Ainge said. "And you give us this day to have to ourselves to catch up for school, to watch extra tape, to get more time in the treatment center. We kind of put that Alabama game behind us."
Lott-a Hefney: Despite his struggles this season, safety Jonathan Hefney is one of 17 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, given to the outstanding college defensive player who also excels off the field.
The award takes into account integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Hefney has 36 tackles, four passes defensed and one interception.
Vols Hire Nutritionist: Allison Maurer has been hired as sports nutritionist for the men's and women's athletic departments.
Maurer comes to UT from Colorado, where she was the school's sports nutritionist and an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Dave Hooker contributed to this report.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 68
SmokeDog72 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
and the dog ate his homework...
jdcvols#230433 writes:
See, there was a good reason.
Volchaz writes:
Montario, text message your position coach, thats all we expect. Get better quick.
secten#238516 writes:
yep, the game and the coaching also made me sick, they give up on the run almost every game.....and the run was working! go figure.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
he probably told the coaches that he was sick, but since he had his "CLOAK OF INVISIBILITY" turn on, they did see him at the game Saturday, and couldn't hear him Sunday.
memphisvolman writes:
So was he punished for missing practice? Why all the secrets about the players? Why couldn't Fulmer just say that he was sick? " I'm surprised he did not get to play"- What's up with all the secrets?
volsfan327 writes:
I am still stick after that performance or lack thereof on Saturday so I know how Hardesty feels. To think that Fulmer admits to forgetting to play him, shows there in only one cure for this illness............its time for the byebyeFulmer Flu shot!
agentorange writes:
we need to beat the gamecocks or i may chuck my tv
StallionVol writes:
His father talked some sense into him, and this is cover. I'm happy to let it go. We need every good player we can get.
norrisr#264341 writes:
I've never been one of the boo birds about Coach Fulmer, although he has always been somewhat unimaginative and less than willing to gamble to win, preferring the "safe" play (no guts no glory). Now, however, it appears that the new offenses and defenses have passed these guys by and they can't seem to figure it out. Too bad. Nice guys. Poor performance. We need a change, not for a losing, but for getting left at the starting gate. PS--I don't know Jack about football but I know when it is third and one and a half and your running back is getting eight yards a carry, you might want to try and fool them with one into the end zone and go for it on fourth down if you have to, but to throw that dinky pass and then punt? Unbeleivable.
thevol writes:
The sky is falling.It's anarchy, the whole team will quit. Oh, there was an explanation, must be a conspiracy.
BigOrange1 writes:
I can understand his dissappointment, but I'm not buying that excuse.
SmokeDog72 writes:
Hey Johnny,
How do you know what kind of a rope Majors is swinging? Sound like some inside info.
Txvol57 writes:
Yeah,
He is sick he's not playing, sick of losing, I'm sick of watching it
Voldemort writes:
Site Host,
Please block J_ _ _M from posting or force a name change.
wyomingvol writes:
I don't think any players gave up against Bama' BC.
The coaches had their heads up their collective sun don't shines.
Nice name, johnny-BC-Majors, do You know that to be true personally and is it something that You keep track of within the college coaching ranks.
How do other coaches measure up and how did You come to this infatuation?
cjraney writes:
"Voldemort" is a much more offensive username due to its, shall we say "I live in my mom's basement-ness?"
mdvol writes:
If he was sick then why wasn't he in bed? It was originally reported his roommate didn't know where he was.
OldNumber7 writes:
I've got a fever (too)...and the only prescription is More Cowbell. (I won't say Fire Fulmer because if you do the good-ol-boys come out and try to call you a non-fan). So I'm using More Cowbell from now on.
Hey Hamilton....More Cowbell!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
RocketVol that is funny!
Voldemort writes:
cjraney,
Yes, you may say you live in your mommy's basement.
TriCityVol writes:
I don't blame for you being HOT Montero. Maybe we can get the Vols a real coaching staff for 2008.
Volunatic writes:
Amen to norrisr's comment about 3rd and 2 post pass and 4th and 2 punt at the end of the 3rd quarter, especially considering that Foster was moving the ball so well at that point.
It looked like Phil was saying "having a chance at being in the SEC Championship is overrated".
LAME.
Nonetheless, GO VOLS!!! Beat South Carolina!
wyomingvol writes:
Beat SC, Win out, just get rid of the coaches, all of them, at the end of the season.
This staff is never going to get the Vols past mediocracy and an occasionaly glimpse of what We should be.
illstaygold writes:
This coaching staff is laughable. Always has been, always will be.
Pullingguard writes:
Running back coach cannot even read his e.mails, creating a negative, putting Fulmer on spot, this guy (Roper) should be dismissed along with a slew of others. Fulmers trouble is that he has failed to surround himself with outstanding talented coaching staff, and that relects on none of them getting job offers during the offseason. Taylor is probably the only coach who cold go to numerous schools as coach.. Rest would be probably on un-employment benefits.
qball77 writes:
If they put Lennon Creer in on that CRITICAL 3RD AND SHORT over me, I would probably be sick also.
phi0129 writes:
Yeah forget the 4th down in the 3rd quarter. The crucial one was in the middle of the 2nd quarter. 3rd and 1 Creer gets his first carry of the game (as matt mentioned). Which was ridiculous considering Foster was running all over them. Then instead of pounding it in on 4th and 1 (which was the obvious choice as our O line is the only beast on our team), we punted and gained 20 yards of field position. This allowed AL to get the last drive of the half and essentially run out the clock (I'm not going to count our lucky A$% field goal before half). So because Fulmer has no cajonas, we ended up down 10 kicking off the 2nd half instead of maybe up 4 and not giving AL enough time to score before half. At that point of the game our offense was firing on all cylinders. That drive was looking great until Fulmer stalled it. How can you do something like that? Essentially saying you have no faith in the brightest spot on your team. What a moron.
STAY THE CURSE...hey I like that!
memphisvolman writes:
This is really worse than is appears- See this Quote from USA TODAY-
Fashion a dominant, drama-free victory like Saturday's 41-17 win over rival Tennessee. In fact, it was the first time No. 22 'Bama had managed such an impressive win over a Southeastern Conference power since a 31-3 upset of Florida in 2005
Ironcity writes:
I guess that means the whole Freshman class isn't tranferring and the world of Tennessee Football isn't coming to an end. I got to say I had a chuckle reading some of the e-mails last night. That said, I think its clear that Fulmer has lost his ability to truely satisfy the fans. Even if he gets next year, the chances of us suddenly having a great year and going 10-1 or 9-2 and getting to Atlanta are slim. Short of that Fulmer, would not be retained then. If he is willing to give it a go then at the very least most of the coaches on the defensive side of the ball must go. If Fulmer wants to reassign one or two, (because of there recruiting abilites) that fine but Chavis absolutly has to go.
utvols1 writes:
Phill said that "maybe we should have played him" what an understatement. Did anyone see how he was mumbling coming back out after the half time break at Bama? How embarrasing. Phills Sunday show stunk too. Didn't once blame himself or the coaches just blamed everthing on penalties and the players.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
CR would love to read the ones that they remove....I often wonder what is said for them to remove one....
CoverOrange writes:
Food for thought: on the one and only Creer carry on third and short, you be the coach. Put Foster in, Bama thinks run up the middle, put Coker in, Bama thinks run around end, put Hardesty in, Bama thinks run off tackle, put Creer in, Bama thinks swing pass? Okay, it didn't work mostly because the right side of the line caved in, but that is execution not play calling.
Montario, my apologies for thinking you gave up.
west_tn_volfan writes:
I have no doubt that coach Fulmer can recruit as well as anyone in the country. That being said, I have never understood why he doesn't hire the best assistant coaches in the country and tell them I'll get you the players and you get them ready to play. He could be the face of the program and let the assistants coach. I guess he is just too arrogant.
pabashia#208095 writes:
Oh what irony with Spurrier able to drive the final nail in Phil's coffin with a victory this weekend.
Amazing how things come full circle.
Coach_Joe writes:
Everyone needs to wake up! It's not the coaches fault we have pretty much sucked the past few years. It's Bob Kessling's fault! Think about it! Since he started calling the games we haven't done squat.
We won in the Swamp a couple of times. BIG DEAL! I can't stand listening to the games on the radio anymore. Half the time he either calls the wrong name or says a player is a sophomore when he's actually a senior.
When John Ward called the games we could actually win the SEC. Now that Bob's calling it we can only come close. It's not Phil's fault you see. It's Bob's
BOOT BOB! BOOT BOB! BOOT BOB!
OldNumber7 writes:
marc..stay the curse is excellent!
More Cowbell.
asleep#212036 writes:
More cowbell - I love it! Has anyone else noticed that our closest win was an easy 12 pointer over MSU and that our closest loss was a "not-as-close-as-the-score" 14 pointer to Cal? It appears to me that when things go well, they go really well and when they don't, well, you know.... There doesn't appear to be any bite or backbone in this version of the Vols. We were in the game in all 3 losses well into the 3rd quarter and then just flat laid down and died. That isn't about talent and that isn't about coaching - it's about pride and until they get it back, we've got darker days ahead. Go Vols!!!
LeonVol writes:
I think it is ridiculous that people are complaining when we just need Florida to drop one game and we are again favorites to win the East. We will win out. November is Fulmer's month of dominance. His November record is on par with that of John Woodens run because it is so impressive.
All of the folks on here complaining should know that there are a lot more folks out there than want to give this staff as much time as it takes. Thats what a true fan wants. Real fans do not think the grass is always greener and after just a few bad calls here and there you jump ship. Right now we are 7 horrific calls from being undefeated. If that right there doesnt convince you that we are moving in the right direction nothing will.
Coach_Joe writes:
That's Right LeonVol! It's not Phil's fault! It's Bob's!
BOOT BOB! BOOT BOB! BOOT BOB!
asleep#212036 writes:
LeonVol,
I'm not sure what "7 horrific calls" you are talking about. Are you talking about the refs? The coaches? During the 5-6 year I could go with you on that one (for a while anyway) but this year? We've lost those 3 games by 77 points. Unless each of those horrific calls was worth 11 points, I'm not getting it. I do agree though that Phil has been loyal and if he just seemed to have a plan to fix things, I'd be OK with it. Unfortunately, right now I'm not hearing anything plausible from him. Go Vols!!!
jhenson#377512 writes:
LeonVol...LMAO...I travel the country with my work and have to listen to all the mindless stereotypical hillbilly/redneck jokes about Tennessee. After reading your post, I'm convinced you're the poster child (assuming you were being serious) for most of them. Please tell me that post was satire....because if you're serious...WOW! Unreal!
west_tn_volfan writes:
Come on guys, all we need to do is work like heck, watch the film and correct our mistakes, have a great week of practice and we'll be ready to get run right out of the stadium against the ole ball coach.
Stay the course.
SmokeDog72 writes:
I'm tired of our course.
invisiblekid writes:
RocketVol, you really need to explore the studio space here at GoVols with that cowbell man. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't perform the hell out of that cowbell. You speak for all of us when you ask for more cowbell(or at least anyone that has actually watched any of our losses this year). You get my nomination for "POST OF THE YEAR" with that one.
http://thetravisty.com/Saturday_Night...(More_Cowbell).htm
invisiblekid writes:
BTW, we are ONLY 77 points from an undefeated season, what's wrong with you guys? Believe in the magic dust.
invisiblekid writes:
Just a reminder if Coach Fulmer happens by, Hardesty wears #2 and is a running back for the Vols. Here is a link with all pertinent info:
http://www.utsports.com/football/play...
invisiblekid writes:
One last post then I'll give it a rest. Pullingguard, I get the distinct impression that you aren't enamored with The Ole Miss All-Stars that Fulmer brought in a couple of years ago. Just a thought.
Dirtdobber writes:
Why is it...
1. Foster didnt run the ball more- he was dominating running the ball, almost 8 yards a carry- he was getting hit in backfield and still getting positive yards?
2. Why hasnt Jones #4 been in wide receiver? he looked like Hershel Walker running the ball after catch?????
3. Why did Creer a 4th team running back get the carry on 3rd down and 1?
4. Why cant we go for it on 4th down when we are on the other teams 40 yard line?
5. Why did we punt, down by 3 scores with 5 minutes to go in the ball game?
6. Is absolutely necessary to have a word of prayer every time a player runs off the field in a huddle on the sideline? I believe one in the locker room prior, one after the game at midfield and any time a player is laid out on the field due to a serious injury is enough! They need to get in different frame of mind!
It looks like Fulmer has mananged to get this team back to Tenn. Football- that is losing to Alabama every year and believing it is an accomplishment to make it to the Peach Bowl(chikefilet)!
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