Vol Report
South Carolina stat book
Tennessee Stat Book
On the surface, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier appear to be polar opposites.
Fulmer loves to run like the former offensive lineman he is.
Spurrier still calls plays like he’s lined up under center.
Fulmer would rather post his game plan online than jab an opponent in print.
Spurrier’s one-liners are the stuff of SEC legend.
But entering tonight’s 7:45 kickoff (TV: ESPN) in Neyland Stadium, Spurrier and Fulmer will be trying to do the same thing: Rally their teams from embarrassing losses a week ago and reclaim their place in a crowded SEC East race.
The 15th-ranked Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2 SEC) can’t wait to get past an ugly 17-6 defeat against Vanderbilt last week, Spurrier’s first loss in 15 games against the Commodores.
Meanwhile, the Vols (4-3, 2-2) have a chance to atone for the egg laid last week in a 41-17 loss to rival Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“A win this weekend changes everything back to close to where it was before the Alabama game,” UT quarterback Erik Ainge said.
Both Spurrier and Fulmer would love to see their offenses roll back a week as well.
South Carolina hasn’t scored a touchdown since the first half of its 21-15 victory over North Carolina two weeks ago.
Tennessee failed to score in the second half last week and struggled to maintain balance on offense.
What the Vols have done as well this season as any team in the nation is protect the quarterback.
Erik Ainge hasn’t been sacked since UT’s first offensive possession of the season, a streak of 253 passes without being sacked.
South Carolina, which boasts the nation’s top-rated pass defense, will use a variety of defensive fronts to try to end that streak.
“They’ve got some schemes and they come at you a lot of different ways,” UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. “That’s one of the fun parts of my job is to kind of piece all that together. I love pass protection systems and schemes.”
The Vols would love to find a way to stick with the run.
Last week against Alabama, the Vols ran the ball 19 times despite the fact starter Arian Foster averaged better than 7 yards a carry.
For the season, Foster is averaging 5.7 yards a carry, trailing only Kentucky’s Rafael Little (6.4 YPC) and Arkansas’ Felix Jones (9.6 YPC) among the SEC’s leaders.
But a limited number of carries and an inability to convert key third downs gave the Crimson Tide some 15 minutes and 27 more plays on offense last week.
“We didn’t have enough long drives because of the circumstances where we stopped ourselves,” Cutcliffe said. “But I really don’t think that running or throwing has anything to do with it.”
Time of possession could be critical tonight.
South Carolina hasn’t topped 300 yards of total offense the last two weeks. Part of that falls on an offensive line that allowed seven sacks against Vanderbilt and was whistled for five false start penalties.
Redshirt freshman Chris Smelley will likely start at quarterback today, but regardless Spurrier isn’t looking for an offensive explosion any time soon.
“Hopefully, we can get in a good, close, tight game and try to find a way to win it,” Spurrier said this week. “We’re not a real explosive offensive team, so if we get into a scoring match, we’re not pretty good probably in that situation.”
In its victories this season, the Vols haven’t had much trouble scoring. In their losses, however, the Vols have given up a combined 145 points to Alabama, California and Florida.
A victory for South Carolina keeps the Gamecocks in control of their own destiny in their hunt for a first-ever SEC Championship Game appearance.
The Vols need a win to avoid joining Vanderbilt in last place.
By the end of tonight, Fulmer and Spurrier will again be on divergent paths.
Ainge wants to make sure the Vols don’t travel the road they took on their way to a 5-6 finish in 2005.
“We can go two ways from here,” Ainge said. “We can keep getting better and try to win this football game this weekend, or we can be upset about the Alabama game.
“And that would be a mistake.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 38
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
Sorry:But this just won't wash!
“A win this weekend changes everything back to close to where it was before the Alabama game,” UT quarterback Erik Ainge said.
Next statement.I really can't believe this one!
“They’ve got some schemes and they come at you a lot of different ways,” UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. “That’s one of the fun parts of my job is to kind of piece all that together. I love pass protection systems and schemes.”
Wow!
He is having fun!
Give me a break!
Here Smokey.Take Ainge the charts.
Good boy!
asand211#361548 writes:
Unfortunately, I think we are on the same level as South Carolina when it comes to talent so we are in trouble. When that is the case we will lose due to coaching decisions. In years past we have had far superior athletes and won the games but when things are even we get out coached.
CrankE writes:
“A win this weekend changes everything back to close to where it was before the Alabama game,”
You must be kidding me. Well, then where were we before the Alabama game? Apparently in an ignorant, overconfident state of misbelief that UT could run the table. What were we thinking?
_______________________
"The Vols would love to find a way to stick with the run."
IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS ORANGE!!! IS 7 YARDS PER CARRY NOT ENOUGH!!!??? How many yards per carry must the running backs pick up before UT will hand it to them 30-40 times a game?
Sounds like we might be using the pass to set up the punt again.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
some of you guys are, well, dumb and mean. Look, roast Phll for being gutless on the 4th and short calls. That is absolutley true.
But your female dogin' about the run over the pass, when Cutcliffe could easily see he wouldn' t have time to catch up. UT's defense was a thing of pute, pure trash.
Defense is effort, and to some extent play-calling. This is one of the worst UT defenses I've ever seen. Where are the d-linemen???
The coverage is confused, the LB's are lost....and Johnny C is having a terrible year.
Still, Phil has gotta show some guts, and I don't mean his belly.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Perfect Post CrankE!! I really believe you may have reached the top of the poster pile with that last comment. I still believe Fulmer and CO. find a way to beat ole Steve.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
What if I were to GUARANTEE you that I can give all of you the name of the ONE and ONLY coach in the whole of America that can return Tennessee to ALL of its heartbreakingly long lost days of glory? Now, if I could "do" such a miraculous, seemingly impossible thing, would you immediately "sign up" and --- with all of your heart --- "get on board"? Or would you --- with the NEGATIVITY that has now engulfed the VOL NATION --- and indeed, is now threatening to DESTROY it --- INSTEAD join --- GLEEFULLY, no doubt --- in the FLOOD OF NEGATIVITY that would almost certainly follow an idea so "wild" and, no doubt, certain to be PERFECT? Perfect, that is, once all EMOTION is completely wiped away.
I have --- literally --- been sitting in that once hallowed stadium for OVER 55 YEARS!!! NO ONE'S blood runs any more orange than mine! NO ONE'S!!! Consequently, there is NO PRICE (other than my immortal soul) that I would not pay for a return to those once halcyon days of glory.
Want to return to such days of triumphant joy? Admittedly, now, only for a mere handful of remaining years? Or do all of you prefer to merely continue to endlessly, fruitlessly bicker? There is only the tiniest window of opportunity now left. But that window DOES exist. With no blasphemy whatsoever intended, there is a "savior" available to us. Incredibly, he is even a native son. Tennessee born and bred. Further, he is, regardless of one’s prejudices, the GREATEST football "genius" alive. WITHOUT QUESTION!
Now, mind you, we do not always see eye-to-eye. Collectively, or otherwise. But who cares? Particularly, for such a magnificent ultimate "prize"? I have sat around a hundred tables and heard it repeated a thousand times.
"Native son or not he would never take the job. Besides, there is no one alive who hates Tennessee any more than he does”.
I promise you, folks. Neither statement is true. Now, it IS true that out of high school, he “refused” our recruitment. But only because he was determined to remain a quarterback.(Tennessee still ran exclusively single wing and not being a Tim Tebow “type” (of that day or any other), he knew his running skills simply were not adaptable to U-T's offensive sets. And, mind you, he was more than "right".
Once he became a coach, though, he has been ready --- more than once --- to come back to Tennessee. Justifiably, though, he has never judged it "right" or "proper" to do the asking. And, indeed, why should he have?
Of whom are we speaking? Well, the one and only one man who can save the "train-wreck" that is now Tennessee football. Steve Spurrier.
By the way, time is running out. Like Lou Pinella with the Cubs, this would, guaranteed, be Spurrier’s last hurrah.
At this stage, it would probably call for one dollar more than Lou Saban. In case you have forgotten, the man who just handed us our a$$.
I don’t know about you but I will never forget that pain. Never.
I’m good for the first $100,000.00. Anybody got a dollar?
gohawks1 writes:
"Using the pass to set up the punt" - now that's funny.
And by the way, mparker, if we had been running the ball more with Foster, who was averaging better than 7 yards per carry, Bama's time of possession would have been much less and would not have had the opportunity to score so many points. Thus, playing catch up wouldn't have been a factor.
gohawks1 writes:
Hey gmc, who is Lou Saban? Is he related to Nick Saban?
invisiblekid writes:
"The Vols need a win to avoid joining Vanderbilt in last place." Now that's just being a glass-half-empty type, I say they need a win to be sort of, maybe, kinda in control of their own destiny if FL loses another and we can run the table. Seriously, give up all this BS about being in control of your own destiny and start worrying about winning one play at a time, then one quarter at a time, then one game at a time.
One other suggestion, take the microphone away from Cut and keep all reporters away from him. Some of the recent commments are bordering on the absurd. BTW, anyone want to venture a guess on where tommorow's game will rate on the FUN CHART?
newtonrail writes:
Lou is or was Nick's father.
gohawks1 writes:
Headline - "UT, South Carolina in almost same fix".
Except they have Spurrier and we... well, we don't.
"Fulmer loves to run like the former offensive lineman he is."
So Foster, averaging 7 yards per carry, only carries the ball 13 times in the game. I don't get it, Big Dan.
The Vols have a chance to "atone for the egg laid last week in a 41-17 loss to rival Alabama..."
That wasn't an egg we laid. It was a stool sample.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Go Vols! Beat the cocks!! UT 24 SC 13
Go Georgia too!
Foster did need the ball more though. I thought he was going to roll for 225!
OldNumber7 writes:
This has been a sad season - as bad as 2005 and 1988 already in my opinion. The way UT has lost the 3 big games is as at least as bad as 4 close call losses.
Hamilton, More Cowbell
gohawks1 writes:
I missed it. Will they possibly do a late night rerun or something?
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
Knowing Heath personally,I can tell you he is a man of honor and class.
He is about family and faith.
I woke up remembering how great Saturdays used to be,looking forward to the Vols game.
Pre-game,post-game,Vol walk,etc.
Made me sad to think of what this football program has fallen to.
Then it hit me!
Somewhere a child woke up hungry.A homeless man woke under "his" bridge.
A mother woke wondering if her husband would be drunk and beat her again today.
An awful war is stil in progress and our brave men and women in uniform would be in Heaven to be home and see a Vols game.
So.Thank you Lord for another day.
I want be able to stand the suspense of the game tonight due to health problems.
Will tape it.Then go back and watch it and listen to the replay on yahoo.
You folks have a nice Saturday and remember.
Life goes on!
Git-r-dunnnnnnn Smokey!
abrown#232236 writes:
Gameday said that UT is 3-4 yrs into a trend of not being metally prepared. Herbstreet said that we are recruiting great athletes, and turniong them into lazy ball players. He said that the issue goes "beyond x's and o's" and is a "complacency in the program." So now the national pundits have officially labeled the problem as indemic/cultural. Not good.
ROLLTIDEROLL writes:
I see Vol fans are upset and feel pretty low right now. I'm sorry you have to feel the way I've felt since Fat Phil brought the NCAA down on Alabama. His actions destroyed our program; it will take a minimum of two more years to bring it back.
For 38 years I looked forward to the Bama/Vol game and enjoyed it regardless of the outcome. Then came Fulmer and his vendetta. I stopped pulling for the Vols after that.
Bama fans don't have a problem with Tennessee or their fans, they have a problem with Fulmer. After you fire his fat butt, I know I will enjoy watching you win games again.
abrown#232236 writes:
Shuler is a cheese-ball. His high school chums in Bryson City thought he was an arrogant a$$. The little drama of going up on the mountain, and walking out into the woods to make his "stay or go" decision was really a cornball move. Totally for the cameras. He got star-itis early, and it led to his skipping rookie camp, the resentment of his teammates and ultimately his failure at the next level. Heath got the "big Head" and I imagine he still has it. Looks like he is professionally right where he belongs.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
some good posts. If you rerun the bama game (I think you can form yahoo broadcasts), you will see the 'game-changing' moments.
Aside from the penalties, it really comes down to the two 4th and short calls. We neteed, what, 25-30 yards on the punt?? Bama then ate the clock with long, long drives.
Seriously, what could Phil have been thinking? His defense was getting smoked, and he puts the ball right back in bama's hands??? His logic was 'I didn't want to give them a short field'. Hell, 99 yards was a short field to bama that day.
I keep saying this: Phil is a good man, he just isn't hungry enough for the wins. Pure and simple. Until Phil is hungry (no fat jokes, please), the program suffers.
He will say he is, and say all the right things (like most of us p-whipped hubbies do when we are cornered by the house queen), but the actions aren't there. Special teams are still poor. The D needs Phil's help. And, he needs to take risks.
Sorry for the long post; I'll be a UT fan until I croak, good or bad.
volmot writes:
gmccown007: people like you make me lol. To be the Hat at Tennessee means you must live, eat breathe recuiting 365 days a year. Thats why coaches consider this job only the 4-5 best job in the sec in spite of facilities, fan base tradition. Its about Jimmy and Joes not x and o. Therefore Spurrier would'n t come here no matter how much $ we offered. It would cut into his golf game and time spent at his beach house. He's 62 do you think he's the recuiter he was 15 years ago? He was in Florida then. Ray Charles could recuit in Florida. If we make this change based purely on emotion we could wind up like Nebraska. Or Oklahoma or USC or Notre Dame or Ohio State or Georgia or Texas or LSU etc etc. These are schools who it took several tries to get the right coach after a change. Oh forgot about Bama same problem.
gohawks1 writes:
ROLLTIDE, Fulmer's actions didn't destroy your program, your NCAA rule-breaking boosters did. Don't get me wrong - I'm not a Fulmer supporter, but hey, when you break the rules that can have a negative impact on other teams that are playing fair, then you should expect to be held accountable. Quit your whining.
londonvol writes:
GameDay guys just told the truth, now how will the powers to be react to a national dressing down.
I predict that phone conversations are going on as I type. Sad but true, the last ten year stats say all that needs to said.
LostinNCVol writes:
I'm trying to ask about Butch coming here instead of Ark. like some have suggested. Please lets hear some new names and stop the fighting long enough to have a real discussion.
tdvol1989 writes:
I could go for Mike Bellotti. What about Jimmy Johnson? Chris Peterson - Boise State? Jim Leavitt - He is the Bill Cowher of College Football. Or Bill Cowher for that matter. I just want a coach that loves to win.
Just keeping an open mind.
utvols1 writes:
Thanks to the game day crew for stating the obvious. It's been this way for 5 yrs so thanks for playing. Any decent recruit is done with the Vols.
By the way if you want to read about how a good program works look at Fortune magazine Oct 29th article on the Gators. They just spent $3.25M on Meyer, $3.5M on Donovan. Heck even Foley (their AD)gets $1.2M. Ben Hill Griffin III just donated $2.0M to TRIPLE the size of their weight room. Face it, we are an avg team, with avg facilities, avg boosters and a below avg coaching staff. Our atletic dept budget is below FL and GA. We aren't even in the top 10
You get what you pay for.
utmdm writes:
Any place to catch a replay or stream of the gameday comments?
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
abrown:You must be a disgruntled republican!
Get a life.LMAO at your stupid comments!
Thanks for the laugh!
AF_CE_VOL writes:
Y'all watching the UGA/Gators game? You'd think PPhil can get the VOLS fired up if the gators lose...for both SC and UT will once again be in the driver seat for SEC East....and you know that Spurrier will have his guys ready to go.
govols96 writes:
Does anyone want to win the SEC East?
AF_CE_VOL writes:
vandy maybe
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
As bad as you guys make it sound... we are still about 5 minutes away from controlling our destiny again.
It may not be pretty, but let's take what we can get. GO DAWGS!!
TnVolFaninSmyrna writes:
After all that, we beat SC and we STILL control our own destiny. Absolutely amazing...
rockytopjeff writes:
If we can pull this off tonight, we are in 1st in the east, utterly amazing year in the SEC
yeavols#228407 writes:
Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and see what happens..This is NUTS! Ga beats Gators. Who would have known?
AlpharettaVol writes:
If today's games (ga-fla and missst-ky) aren't enough motivation, then I don't know what is. They are laying the SEC East lead right in our lap. All we have to do is take it.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
All pistons rollin' baby! Get it done boys!!!!!
utmdm writes:
This team is Jekyl and Hyde. I give up. I cannot figure them out. We should just enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Either Erik completely lost his touch, or the USC defencse just locked us down. Thank goodness for no more overtimes, we were huting.
Good for you Phil, that was a tough, tough game, the kids fought hard. USC is damn tough now that Steve's in charge. Give him another year or so and people are going to be avoiding the gamecocks.
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