Dave Hooker audio
Tennessee Stat Book
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.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 161
Oenoboy writes:
I give everyone just one grade...a big fat W!
GO VOLS!!!!
chucker6 writes:
I felt sorry for SC. With inferior talent they clearly fought harder than the Vols but just made too many mistakes. UT was lucky enough to win, just. Once again, the Vols coaching staff gave up on the run early, Ainge was his predictable shaky self under pressure, play calling was predictable and too conservative, and the defense looks like a prevent defense no matter what Chavis calls it. Once again a mediocre quarterback has a Heisman worthy night. I've been a Vol fan for over 50 years but if it takes the team losing to get Fulmer and his buds out of there then let it happen. He is way too happy with mediocrity and is apparently clueless about what it takes to motivate and develop players. Tennessee's 2nd half collapse was yet another example of Fulmer playing not to lose and by so doing almost losing again. The saddest part is that Fulmer doesn't get it. He probably actually feels he beat Spurrier. The far superior coach almost beat UT with a lot less talent, but much more spirit and intestinal fortitude than what UT showed most of the game. Sad and frankly disgusting performance, again!
snafu14u#241639 writes:
The football gods were wearing Orange today and there was nothing Spurrier could do about it.21 point lead at halftime and we have to come from behind in OT.The Big Orange Sphincter finally relaxed at the end.Highest verticle jump in twenty years.Enjoy the win and just shake your head.bonzaivol
jimmy71#237592 writes:
I couldn't feel worse about a V. To be honest, half of me was hoping to tank the rest of the season so as to serve as a catalyst for change, but that was befor the Fla loss. Oh well, let's see if we can win the SEC with the absolute worst defense ever.
killer65forevervol writes:
This grade card was quite conservative..... To start off the 1st quarter 21-0 and go downhill from there speaks volumes to Vols team preparation. One problem with the team is lack of full pads practices during the week. They play like they practice. UT has only played one game this year worth calling Tennessee football and that was against Georgia. Defensive backs, F on grade card as Slade must GO. He does not reinforce aggressive tackling or wrapping up. They tackle like its a flag football game. Cutcliffe and his "pass only" game. Another 80/20 pass over run game. You cant win in the SEC passing only. Cutcliffe has alterior motives regarding his offensive coaching. He must have left his medication home on the Georgia came as that was a miraculous wake up for fans and players. God bless that we can win out the rest of our games. Yesterday was pure luck as it was definately not coaching that one that one.
olozbal#646632 writes:
My thoughts:
- I know I should be saying "a win is a win" but this was the worst win I've ever seen. We stopped playing coming out of the locker room after halftime. SC wanted it more but just didn't have the solid players to make it happen.
- Am I missing something with the running backs? Why does Foster keep being benched at key moments? When are we going to admit Coker is not Coker any more? Stop calling him a "speedster" because he's not any more. Hardesty is good but keeps getting injured.
- Worst game I've seen Ainge play. His hand bothering him again? He's a good QB but something was off tonight. Tons of overthrows.
- Cutcliffe was off too. Notice very few off tackle runs with guards pulling and trapping that got so many yards in previous games. He went back to the short dump pass game again. Uninspired.
We are just an uninspired team with no emotion. We deserved to lose that game because SC wanted it more. Something is just wrong with this team and I can't figure it out.
Tanker writes:
The second half letdown is typical of a Fulmer-coached team. No fire, generally bad special teams play, bad tackeling, no mental dicipline and questionable play selection (run/pass mix).
On the bright side any loss by Steve Spurrier is a good thing.
Ironcity writes:
C+ for the Linebackers? We all no our secondary is bad but it would be nice if once in a while a linebacker would actually cover some one or help cover some one. It would be nice if on a short pass we could actually come up and tackle the receiver before he runs 10 yards down field. Fun game but it reinforced the many problems we have on this team.
volfan53 writes:
We need to quit looking at this season with orange colored glasses and call it what it is or should be "Fulmer's Swan Song". The game has passed Phil by. With the talent we have we should have only lost maybe one game but look at where we are at. We have become a very predictable team that inferior teams seem to find ways to beat or give us a very hard time. I appreciate all that Phil has done for us but it is time for him to do one more thing, resign. No there isn't another coach out there that is waiting to come in and make it all better but we need to find someone willing to do what it takes to win and motivate our players. Someone who can think outside the box. I don't know who we could get but if we continue on the track we are on now 7-5 will be the normal season. All the other teams in the SEC are improving and we have been stagnent for some time now. I could be wrong but I would rather go in a different direction and reach mediocrity than stay with what we have which is already mediocre. It is time to put a new driver in the seat and give him a few years to get things to where he wants them to be. Go Vols and please Go Away Phil.
AlpharettaVol writes:
Ryan Succop blinked. Daniel Lincoln didn't. 'Nuff said.
VOLnATL writes:
Grades given were too generous. Lucky first half at best and even luckier the second. I good offensive drive all game and the rest...SC handed to us. Another pathetic performance and another win resulting in an extension for Fulmer! God help us!
mtnvol writes:
I usually feel good after every win, any win. Not today.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Coaching, linebackers and secondary grades are way off. We have pathetic offensive schemes and our only two respectable defensive players are Berry and McCoy. How Jerrod Mayo is allowed on the field is beyond me. He can't cover and whiff's on every tackle.
scvols writes:
My year just got easier to live down here is SC. It was ugly, but it was a win. Come on VOLS, just run the table now. We still have 3 tough games to go.
Oenoboy writes:
I'm sorry you boys aren't enjoying yourselves today. The only pain I'm feeling is in my frontal lobe. Too much vino needed to get me through the second half without destroying my friends big screen.
It was a tale of two halfs, we won the first on and they won the second. We came out with the victory and deserved it as much as they did.
You Phil flushers will eventually get your wish. Until then, can't we just talk about what the game's really about. Folks, this game is about the team, the players, and the school. They're not lucky to have us, we're lucky to have them.
VOLnATL writes:
"A wonderful team win by our football team. It wasn’t pretty all the time, but it was a darn fine effort," said Fulmer. "A lesser team with a lesser spirit and a lesser will would have lost that game tonight."
What game was he watching? Everything is just peachy now! No koolaid in my fridge!
"We control our own destiny right now – 100 percent – nobody else," said Fulmer.
MMMM...I heard that same line right before we had our arses handed to us by Bama.
DennisVols writes:
I said last week "It's not that you lose that matters but how you lose". Well flip that around to "It's not that you win that matters but how you win". The team lost it's edge at half and once again the other coach made the better adjustments.
The defense did do what they had to going down the stretch forcing the turnovers after UT had decided to prak the offense in the garage after the first 2 qtr.s.
When will we see this team play a complete game on a regular basis. Just once this year(GA game) did we see a complete effort.
gohawks1 writes:
During halftime, CPF was asked how the team would avoid a letdown in the second half. He smiled and said there wouldn't be a letdown. He really hasn't been paying attention, has he?
volsohio writes:
I am tired of the negative comments from "supposed" fans who probably never played a down of college football and never coached a down! Tn talent is down this year and the Seniors, Team Captains and Coaches deserve credit for the team playing above their talent level. Tn had a top 3 recruiting class and the talent will improve next year.
cphil writes:
tngeoff, I hadn't thought about it but you made a great point about the motion penalty we had in OT. I don't think I can ever remember a team profiting so much from a penalty on themselves. (Not counting the common delay of game penalties teams intentionally make to get extra room for a punt, etc.)
k0605#241765 writes:
How 'bout an L for lucky. Tenn didn't deserve to win this game. Thank goodness they did, but it certainly didn't give me any reason to be optimistic. The linebackers are too small, can't run like they need to and don't tackle at all in the open field. I saw them out of position over and over.
This team is not getting better in any phase.
cphil writes:
volsohio, I disagree with you 100%. Talent is NOT down this year. We've had top recruiting classes year in and year out for the past decade. Utilizing that talent with good coaching is what's down, and has been for several years. We won because of inherent talent in our players in spite of the poor preparation from the coaching staff.
volsohio writes:
cphil, what are your coaching credentials...Also, our team speed speed is down for our key playmakers. Early defection to the NFL and losing the top three cornerbacks has hurt this team. Again, are you really a fan?
blhvols#210231 writes:
I agree with one poster. Ainge is not very good under pressure. I think he is fearful of getting hit and injured at the same time. No scrambling or throwing accurately while being pressured.
utvols1 writes:
those grades stink. LB getting a C+? Coaching C? Easily one of Cuts worst called games. LB's were out of position almost the entire 2nd half. TYPICAL fulmer 2nd half melt down. How could any head coach say he doesn't know what happend out there? Why does he even wear a headset? He never says a word in the damn thing. He's totally not engaged in the game that's why he doesn't know whats happening.
callen825#321558 writes:
scvols...we have 4 tough regular season games to go. I'd be nervous with Slippery Rock (no offense to those alums) on this schedule, with this group of coaches.
sgtvols writes:
typical offense & defense second half. look at all 3 loses, slaughtered in 2nd half. even the wins were terrible second halfs. how bad do you have to be to get fired at UT?
DooleyNoted writes:
We won because SC played horrible and made more mistakes than us. It has to be killing Spurrier to see all those mistakes. The defense gave up 501 yards. I have never seen a UT defense this bad. I'll take the W but, we can't play that way the rest of the season or it'll be "hello Memphis" for the bowl season
frbologna#210373 writes:
Give South Carolina some credit. That was the best Defense we've seen all season.
Their defense allowed them to get back into the game. Everytime we completed a pass they were there to make the tackle. Ainge had a difficult time finding anyone open. I do think we should run the ball more on First Down.
This is a wild and crazy season. Alot of Football remains. Lets get better next week and be ready to beat Arkansas!!
vol4good#206163 writes:
I concur with most of you, however, I would like to add that Ryan Karl had some really good tackles behind the line. Eric Berry should be returning Punts, and Rico McCoy is possibly the only true bulldog TN has on this Team. 14 tackles, WOW--Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
cphil writes:
volsohio, no, I've never been a head coach of a college or pro football team, but I can read. Year after year, we've been ranked in the top ten on or recruiting classes. Sure, we've lost good player to graduation, the NFL and injuries. But, the lack of fundamental play, preparation and enthusiasm is so obvious Ray Charles could see it. It's the coaching staff's job to have players ready to step in to fill those gaps when one exists. It's because my blood runs orange that I'm so concerned about the state of affairs in the football program.
govols96 writes:
Fulmer and Cutcliffe should be embarrassed that a kicker had to save their butts. Horrible offensive gameplan in the second half. Do they know how to call anything other than a screen pass. THROW THE BALL DOWN FIELD!!!!!
Thank You Daniel Lincoln.
TommyJack writes:
Volsohio: are YOU Knute Rockne?
B_A_VOL writes:
Defensivw Backs (B-). What game were you watching? Those receivers were wide open. Bless his heart, but #13 was in LaLa land. Poor tackling. I know we had decent play from Willingham and Berry. But my gosh, we gave up over 500 yards on defence. How could that be anything but an F.
Volalumnus writes:
Out scored 24 -6 in overtime and second half.
The team in second half in my opinion looked worse in this game than in either the Fl or AL games.
Thankfully they had 21 point lead.
I wonder when some say they are a vol fan though do they mean the program or the one person because if you are for the program, it is hard (impossible) to be for the one person and vice-versa.
When you give the wheel to someone and they show they are about to wreck, it time to take the keys.
And after all it was never their car to start with, they were just trusted with the keys with the expectation they would at least keep it on the road.
Pullingguard writes:
Where is the magic of Cutcliffe in the offense. This offense really sucks. Nothing in the Ala and SC game which resulted in a loss and a lucky win. The Ref's tonight were dressed in Orange. Vols got all the marginal calls and some that were not so marginal but questionable at best. Defense gave up over 500 yards for the second straight game and Chavis was on the sideline looking lost and OLD in his job. It was a win, lucky win, undeserved win, but none the less a win.. Take it and hope Vols get by homecoming this coming week.
Volalumnus writes:
Who cares if are talent is still down this year or not.
It isn't anywhere close to the poor level of play that has been displayed or the fact that we were destroyed by a team with less talent and outscored 24-6 by another in the second half and only won by fumbling the ball forward. If they recovered that fumble, what would have been the excuses given for the total 2nd half debacle?
For all those not wanting a change, I wonder how many "f"s would you allow you children to bring home before you demanded a change.
Volalumnus writes:
Who cares if are talent is still down this year or not.
It isn't anywhere close to the poor level of play that has been displayed or the fact that we were destroyed by a team with less talent and outscored 24-6 by another in the second half and only won by fumbling the ball forward. If they recovered that fumble, what would have been the excuses given for the total 2nd half debacle?
For all those not wanting a change, I wonder how many "f"s would you allow your children to bring home before you demanded a change.
arkyvol writes:
man, i wish that the writer of this column had been passing out grades when i was a student at UT. talk about an easy grader! giving the team and the coaches passing grades for going up 21 points in the first half is like giving the weatherman credit for a sunny day. they just happened to be on the other side of the scrimmage line when carolina was committing hara-kiri. as for the second half, when SC decided to quit doing the vols favors--well, it damned sure won't make any UT highlight films.
10ACVOL writes:
This win is a trap in disguise for Fulmer..watch and see. Now the expectations are rising, which means the letdown, if there is one, will be even that much bigger.
Players of the game: Jacques McClendon and Chris Scott
volnmdtn writes:
I have loved the University of Tennessee all my life and I only want what is best for this university. Is it in the best interest for the university to keep Coach Fulmer, or is it in the best interest to find a new coach at the end of the season? My loyality is to the university and not to a single coach regardless of who he is. Do you remember Randy Sanders? Was he the probelm at that time or just a scapegoat! Regardless of what you believe, keep Fulmer or release him, let your opinion be known to all that are concerned, this is the democratic way! Go Vols! Hopefully the right move will be made.
objk1#231846 writes:
I am not sure if any of you caught the hints that Spurrier was sending out on the ESPN broadcast. More than one segment was dedicated to Spurrier being from East Tennessee.
Sideline reporter quoted him as "I can still remember as a kid my father saving enough money to drive down to Neyland for a home game, I can still remember how it felt when the P.A announcer would say It's Football Time In Tennessee", not exact but close.
It sounded an awfull like a request for a job interview to me.
I hope he gets it.
DadwasaVol writes:
It wasn't pretty but Fulmer worked like heck more than Spurrier and Meyer did this week.
TommyJack writes:
objk1: He's the arch enemy...no way do I welcome him...no way. ever.
movol77 writes:
AlpharettaVol,,
"Ryan Succop blinked. Daniel Lincoln didn't. 'Nuff said."
tngeoff,
Thank God for the penalty or that statement would be reversed! How amny times can a team be thankful for an offensive line penalty at a crucial moment? We can!
Ryan Succop blinked. Daniel Lincoln didn't. Nuff said again.
nextyear writes:
Arian Foster almost lost us another SC game with an untimely fumble. Erik Ainge is a 'deer in the headlights' under any pressure he feels. LB's and DE's are very weak. 33 should not be returning punts. Many times whenn 99 comes into the game, the QB changes the play and runs right at him and we are 'gashed'. BUT, the real root cause problem is COACHING.
I was at the game and glad we won, but Phil should resign now!!!
objk1#231846 writes:
TommyJack: I also agree that he is the enemy, I remember the can't spell Citrus without UT comment.
Fact: The guy can recruit, coach, motivate, inspire and most of all take inferior talent and make it relevant (i.e. Duke).
Believe me, I have been one of the most ardent Spurrier haters but he is the best candidate for the job.
TommyJack writes:
OBJ: we agree to disagree...we need someone with stay power and energy..Steve is well north of 60 (despite the hair dye)...plus, I just don't see hiring a hated rival...there are other candidates out there.
shopsports#273141 writes:
Is Cutcliff coaching Ainge into the NFL or for the Univ of TN offense and team? The same goes for Ainge. He seems self centered, distant from the team on the sidelines, and is doing worse each game. Yet, the media still talks about him in the NFL....WHO CARES?? Finally, a good day in the SEC; we deserve to lose and don't and Gators suck!!!
objk1#231846 writes:
TJ- Am I correct that you think we need a change?
If so who is your choice, and who stays off this staff if any.
Troop must stay.
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