Gameday links
- Post-game audio slide show
- Vol Report, published Sept. 16, 2007
- Box score
- Watching with Ward: Review the game, play by play
- Stuck in the Swamp
- Special teams still not very special for Vols against Florida
- Adams: Tebow power drives Gators' show of force
- Untimely fumble opened the floodgates for Gators
- Pride takes a beating along with defense
Gameday articles
Tennessee Stat Book
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - As Florida players celebrated and the Gators' band played, Arian Foster stood near the spot where a third-quarter handoff slipped through his hands.
Hours later, the Tennessee tailback still was searching for answers after the Vols' worst loss in Phillip Fulmer's 16 seasons as a head coach and trying to come to grips with the play that sparked 31 unanswered Florida points.
"We lost," Foster said. "It's hard to swallow sometimes. Especially all the work and preparation you put into the season, the game, everything, your teammates you sweat with, cry with. Sometimes you're just stunned.
"You want to take things in and gather yourself."
That search for what went wrong in the 22nd-ranked Vols' 59-20 loss to No. 5 Florida on Saturday in The Swamp will no doubt go on for some time.
It's not exactly a new problem, either.
A year ago, the Vols rushed for minus-11 yards against the Gators in a 21-20 loss in Knoxville.
Saturday, their run game produced just 37 yards - and the momentum-sucking botched handoff for which both Foster and quarterback Erik Ainge claim responsibility.
The specifics of what happened aren't in doubt.
Ainge, who has played the Vols' first three games with a broken pinkie finger on his right hand, moved to his left and tried to hand the ball off to Foster with his left hand.
Somewhere between Ainge's left hand and Foster's arms, the ball came free, eventually bouncing off Foster's finger tips some 5 yards downfield.
"I just felt like I never got control of it," Foster said.
Said Ainge: "Whether it was his arm that came down early or me not getting the ball in there, I'm not sure. We've got to watch the film, but it's on me."
Whoever ultimately deserves the most responsibility for the play, it's the only way Tennessee is able to manage handoffs since Ainge broke his finger the Monday before UT's season opener at Cal.
"We've worked a lot at it, so we have no excuses," offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "It's got to happen. That's the only way he can do it right now. (Ainge) can't put his other hand in there. We knew that going in. We just didn't execute. That's twice it's happened.
"This one was a critical play. I was being very conservative, in my mind, at the time down eight (points), just trying to get some field position. Every now and then those things blow up in your face."
No one pointed fingers at Foster, Ainge or anyone else following Saturday's loss. They hardly needed to. There was plenty of blame to go around.
An anemic run game averaged 1.8 yards per carry, led by Foster with 26 yards on 11 carries.
Ainge cost the Vols at least three points with an interception on third down at the Gators' 9-yard line.
Tennessee's offense inside the Florida 20 shut down, producing just 13 points in four first-half trips.
But despite all its struggles, Tennessee had the ball with a chance to tie the game midway through the third quarter until the football - like UT's chances to win the ballgame - went out of control and into the hands of linebacker Dustin Doe, who took it 18 yards for a touchdown.
"We got the game to 28-20, we were rallying. Then we fumble the football," said tight end Chris Brown, who scored Tennessee's lone offensive touchdown on a 15-yard pass just before halftime. "Who knows what the game could have been. We just have to go back to the drawing board."
Oddly enough, Tennessee felt good when it looked at the drawing board earlier this week.
Cutcliffe thought the Vols could run the ball, certainly better than they did.
So did UT center Josh McNeil, which is why the 39-point loss is so hard to swallow.
"This loss is tough," McNeil said. "I thought we had a great week of practice, and we were really geared up for this game. And it just didn't turn out the way we wanted it to."
Part of that had to do with a twisting and turning Gators defensive front, and a willingness to bring players off the edge to stop the run.
Some of it was busted plays that have plagued the Vols at times during their first three games.
And a large part of it was the botched handoff that swung momentum.
"It hurts," Ainge said. "The score of the game could be a lot different if those (red-zone possessions) are touchdowns. There's a lot of things that happened. They played great, and we gave them a lot, too."
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Comments » 26
Regulator writes:
The reason the offense struggled to score in the "Orange Zone" is very simple. Once you get inside the 20, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE BALL! In that area of the field, when the D can control the line of scrimmage with only 3 or 4 linemen, putting 7 or eight in coverage, you have nowhere to go with the ball, not even little 4 or 5 yard curls. If you can't run the ball, you better be able to make some big plays in the passing game where you are scoring from 30+ yards out. Didn't happen. UF had recievers running all over the field, and you could just about take any 2 of their runs together netted more yardage that UT's effort for the game. Why must we continue this. This horse has been dead for a couple of years now.
Ironcity writes:
Maybe we should huddle!!! Another reason why we can't run the ball when we need to is because we practice against our sorry defense and they always make it so easy. Its hard to get better working against such an unphysical group. Best bet right now is 7-5 more likely 6-6. I think that might be enough to send Fulmer and Chavis home. PS On the bright side we might be able to win a bowl game in Shreveport if we can make it!
invisiblekid writes:
I believe this headline could have been inserted into several games the past few years. "Untimely fumble(once again)opened the floodgate for fill-in-the-blank. Fumbles aside, it is quite apparent that the offensive line cannot get a hat on hat and beat anyone off the line of scrimmage consistently. Too many times, you see these guys finishing plays standing with their hands on their hips instead of finishing blocks. It appears that all of the aggresivenesss has been coached out of these players as a matter of technique with this slow-blocking or whatever they are calling it. We had a dinstinct size advantage over their front 4 and should have had some success running straight ahead. Instead, we were stone-walled every time we tried and counteracted by running wide which played right into the strength of their defense, which was team speed. It really has become an indictment of how bad the offensive line is when you see the coaches are hesitant to even call running plays on 3rd and short.
invisiblekid writes:
As for the fumble, it's commendable that Ainge is taking responsibility but it looked to me like he got it right into Foster's breadbasket, no reason he shouldn't have been able to secure it.
utbaby#215635 writes:
I think Eric Berry is a good athlete and will be a good player, but he lacks the fundamentals in pass defense. Two of UF's touchdowns were because he was backpeddling the last 5 yards instead of turning and running with the receiver. The loss of Gaines hurt more than people know.
nholme31#209815 writes:
If Fulmer doesn't get us to the SEC title game it's time for a change. We see the same problems year in and year out, crappy offensive and defensive lines along with horrible speacial teams. How can this continue to be a problem for consecutive seasons? If Fulmer can't get it done anymore we should respectfully let him go.
Swampster writes:
Good ole rocky chomp. Pwn sweet pwn to me! Go Gators!
chrisw2967 writes:
Posted by nholme31 on September 16, 2007 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Fulmer doesn't get us to the SEC title game it's time for a change. We see the same problems year in and year out, crappy offensive and defensive lines along with horrible speacial teams. How can this continue to be a problem for consecutive seasons? If Fulmer can't get it done anymore we should respectfully let him go.
well I dont think you need to worry about getting to the title game, we will be lucky to beat Arkansas St. and after that its down hill from there. like I say dont get your hopes up on making it to the SEC championship game cause that is not going to happen ..believe that..as a matter of fact I dont know how you even came up with the ideal we could possibly even make it there anyways. but the chances are really good that we are a pathetic team.
ncvol17 writes:
Foster, Hardesty, & Coker are not even shadows of Hayden, Stewart, & Garner....they won't be remembered 10 yrs from now except as part of the 'bad old days'......Hey high schoolers there is an immediate opening at tailback at UT... Not much support from the offensive line but an opening nevertheless......
O yeah, lets hope theres an opening for a special teams coach as well..
Luckily, Bama, Vandy, and KY coaching staffs also are not up to par..oh wait they seem to be...
tenecc#214163 writes:
I am 74 years old and would like to see before I exit this mortal life, Tenessee football as it was in the 1950's. I feel like the powers that be in Tennessee football are at a much younger age and there is no urgency to fix the problem.
I have been retired for nine years the same as Tennessee football!!!
volfaninchattanooga writes:
How many empty seats will there be this weekend in Knoxville. I have a feeling you will see more than there has ever been. I know one person that won't blow money on it. My kids and I will find something else to do.
yeavols#228407 writes:
We used to be able to play on the road, but now we have joined the ranks of Vandy and Kentucky and even they seem to be getting better. Also, Neyland stadium has become a place to frolic and have a great time by the visiting team. Neyland is passive, quiet at times, not feared like LSU or Florida field. Dropped passes, fumbles, missed tackles, play calling, and the Vols looking like they gave up at the end of the 3rd quarter tells me the passion for ball has gone away. Now, I have supported Fulmer for a long time, but I can no longer do so. We hate totally tanked (maybe like FSU or Notre Dame). For all you who still have it in your mind that Tennessee will win out and Florida will fall at LSU, SC, KY and Vols go to the SEC, YOU HAVE MARBLES FOR BRAINS! 2 Words...PIPE DREAM. We need to get out of denial. Look, there is nothing wrong with Fulmer leaving the NCAA ranks to the NFL or to pursue something else. People of all occupations don't stay at a job long. People become complacent or stay in their safety zone and become stale with really nothing else to offer. Fulmer should realize he has served the University well and we had some good years with him. Unfortunately, it has run its course as it does with other coaches in the business. I believe a total change is in order. Please Fulmer, see that its time for a change and lead by example and don't wait around until you get embarressed or the University dumps you out on your head. Don't let this be another MAJORS situation.
OldNumber7 writes:
Can someone remind me the last convincing marquis win Tennessee had? Michigan at the beginning of this decade doesn't count - over Lloyd Carr - Appy state could've done that. The last one I remember was Florida 45-3 and that was under Majors for heaven's sake nearly 2 decades ago. Does anyone count a 22-3 win over Georgia in the last millenia (98 season)? Texas A&M Cotton bowl doesn't count - they were a dud in disguise.
tndrob#206162 writes:
CBS's Danielson calls our offense "nip and tuck" regarding our 3 to 5 yd pass routes. So easy to guard if you are a DB!!! Unlike the more down the field routes like the Gators or a Spurrier type offense. The ONLY reason we scored as much as we did last year was because of the abiltiy to break tackles! We are going down hill quickly. Someone please stop the bleeding!!! We are a very mediocre program right now. Sort of like Buzz's 17 wins a year in basketball. Maybe a winning season but nothing that anyone talks about!!
invisiblekid writes:
RocketVol, I'm guessing the 42-17 win over UNLV to begin the '04 season doesn't meeet your criteria of a marquee win. Seriously, if you are talking about a no-doubt-about-it whipping(like we received yesterday) over a top 10 caliber program, I am guessing the win over Bama in 1995. Someone will probably bring up the Georgia game from last year based on the final score but we were down 17 in that game at one point.
imnotwithphil writes:
Well... at least our coaches have gotten good over the years at answering post-game interview questions after a manhood robbing loss... maybe Foolmore can get a job as Tulane's director of sports communications after he retires at Tennessee... speaking of retirement, that will only happen if we as Big Orange fans take action by (1) not going to the games (2) not buying TN merchandise (3) canceling your donation to the University and (4) writing Hamilton a letter/email requesting a head coaching change.
jlange#632002 writes:
Just hate how they roll over and quit when faced with adversity like that fumble. This quitting has become normal for them.
budd#207344 writes:
the practice of zone blocking has not ever produced a successful rushing attack. Case in point, ATL Falcons. They used it and the only rushing star they had was Vick. His scrambles made them look like a rushing team but the rest of the backs did nothing. This has been a major part of the problem since Jimmy Ray was line coach. If you cannot run you cannot win. We outweighted their D line by an average of 40 lbs per man. Bad Coaching
tnorthern#228599 writes:
Same old story. UT will never beat FL as long as Fulmer is coach. Meyer, Spurrier, Richt, Miles, Tuberville, Saban, Johnson, Brooks, and maybe others are all better coaches in the SEC.
yeavols#228407 writes:
One last thing: Someone better be doing something fast. The longer we wait, the longer it will take to get recruiting up and the players we do have will only be wasted. I have a plan. DO YOU? I will support our players, but I can no longer support our coaches. For years I have watched and waited and wondered. I am not doing it anymore. It's time for a change. Let's get some new younger blood in our program. I will no longer support this administration until they dump their conservative ways and GET WITH THE PROGRAM! Don't bother calling me and asking for a donation. I won't be purchasing anymore Orange products and I won't be attending any games. The last bowl games I have attended, Peach against CLEMSON and MARYLAND was a total disaster. I AM SICK OF IT!
Medalist writes:
volfaninchattanooga and imnotwithphil, you have my vote. my seats for Ark St and yes, GA will be vacant. Lose to GA and I'll cheer for the Ole Ball Coach from my house. Maybe that will expedite Hamilton's decision.
fryed004#518992 writes:
What will all you negative posters say when UT runs off 9 straight and finishes 10-2? That's what I see. This game was closer than the score--the fumbled jacked everything up. Quit the B*&^%ing and let Ainge heal the hand for Georgia. Bama is nothing--we will win that game!
doctorvol#211700 writes:
"It's time, time for a change- 'cause I'm tired of the same old same". Sad to think that listening to Jerry Jeff today made me think of the Vols.
Ironcity writes:
frye let me spell out what everyone saw, Our defense is giving up almost 500 yards a game and thats with our offense controlling the clock. Teams are AVERAGING 41 points a game. Both Cal and Florida scored more on us then any other team they have played. Teams are averaging around 35 yard a punt return on us and I would think that teams average starting position on kickoffs is around the 40 yard line (I think I am giving us to much credit here). Our offense consist of a series of 1-10 yard passes to what I believe is an underrated group of receivers however once inside the 20 the short passes fail.
Our QB is hurt and you cannot discount that and therefore is about 70% which quite frankly will not win us 7 games. Our punter is hurt and will probably stink the entire season.
On the plus side our kicker looks good from inside the 40 yard line and we have lots of speed getting splinters on the sideline.
frye I am sorry but I think your expectation of 10 wins is laughable. Right now a successful season would be 7 wins with a bowl win. My guess is 6 wins and a bowl win if we make a bowl.
volgrog#210164 writes:
I'm not ready to get the moving bus for Coach Fulmer, as I know some people are. One thing I admire about Fulmer is the ability to see a problem and address it. He saw in 2005 that the program was out of control and he made a concerted effort to improve discipline. It worked. He saw in years past that he had to have a certain kind of team to beat FL and he put that together. Spurrier was 2-2 against Fulmer in his last 4 years.
One area where he has not gotten better, however, is in special teams. Teams are changing traditional approaches to special teams and Fulmer has not kept up. Look at how FL lines up for punts and kick-offs. They move people around and make it difficult to block the linemen going down field when they punt or kick-off. Whereas, we have the same old alignments and we seem to be getting out of position partially because I believe it is easy to scheme against our punt unit. You just keep the blockers bunched together trying to defend the punt, then you have numbers down the field in punt blocking on the return.
Whatever the reason, we have to get better on special teams in a hurry, or it will be another long year. I don't think they can change punt or kick philosophy during the season, but Fulmer better take a long look at what we are doing in the offseason, or we will continue to lose. It seems other teams have stolen one of our Maxims, "Press the kicking game."
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
sorry guys, I'm sticking with my 4 win guess. This team is just not built to win ballgames.
Phil better start with the basics, special teams, if he wants to win even the 4.
We just don't have the players this year.
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