UT report card

QUARTERBACKS (D)

Erik Ainge had his worst performance of the season despite hitting 26 of 44 passes for 216 yards. Ainge made numerous errant throws and tightened in the clutch, throwing three straight incompletions after South Carolina tied the score and then an interception on the next possession. Ainge also fumbled on the final possession in regulation.

RUNNING BACKS (D+)

LaMarcus Coker appeared sluggish and shaky early, but provided a key play with a 12-yard burst in OT. Montario Hardesty provided a much-needed spark before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Arian Foster grew stronger as the game wore on but nearly gave it away with a fumble on the final possession in regulation.

RECEIVERS (D)

Aside from Lucas Taylor’s 37-yard catch and a 20-yard Gerald Jones grab, this group was sporadic. UT’s lack of speed on the perimeter enabled South Carolina to crowd the line and forced Ainge to throw some passes away. Austin Rogers had an illegal block penalty.

OFFENSIVE LINE (C+)

Not the same push UT fans have seen in the run game, but the pass protection was solid throughout as Ainge was sacked just once. Alert fumble recoveries by Jacques McClendon (on Foster fumble) and Chris Scott (on Ainge’s fumble) saved the day.

DEFENSIVE LINE (B-)

Provided steady pressure and moved the pocket throughout despite recording just one sack. Dan Williams and Robert Ayers knifed through for key tackles behind the line and Demonte Bolden had a QB pressure to force an interception and then another pressure to force an incomplete third down pass with 1:30 left.

LINEBACKERS (C+)

Steve Spurrier picked on this group with perimeter runs and quick passes to receivers covered by linebackers, but this corps also made plays. Ryan Karl had an interception, a pass break-up and two tackles for loss, Jerod Mayo recorded a sack and Rico McCoy had a team-high 14 tackles.

SECONDARY (B-)

Forced three turnovers, and despite being run ragged, came up big in the clutch with a fourth quarter interception at the UT 17. DeAngelo Willingham had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in addition to a TD-saving pass break-up. Eric Berry had an interception he returned for 13 yards and a fumble recovery he brought back 52 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS (B)

Coker’s 37-yard kick return led to the Vols’ game-tying field goal in regulation, which was a career-long 48-yard make by Daniel Lincoln. Dennis Rogan had a 29-yard return earlier in the game, and LaMarcus Thompson had a solid open-field stop in punt coverage. Jonathan Hefney continues to struggle on punt returns.

COACHING (C)

The Vols had the better plan entering the game as evidenced by their 21-0 halftime lead, but Spurrier made better adjustments in the second half. David Cutcliffe’s passing game sputtered and appeared predictable. UT’s defense appeared to soften in the second half until the final stages of the game and overtime.

OVERALL (C+)

A win is a win, especially over Spurrier, especially with the SEC East and coaching futures potentially on the line. The Vols clearly must find an offensive identity, and the defense, while improving, must continue to grow quickly.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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