Vol Report
Audio
- Podcast: Dave Hooker talks to Tennessee's coaches and players to see how another 2005-like run can be avoided, what can be done on special teams and what positions might be up for grabs.
- Dave Hooker and Drew Edwards interview former UT DL Bill Duff, star of The Human Weapon.
WVLT video
Arkansas State
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Arkansas State
- When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
For the fourth game in a row, Tennessee's secondary will undergo a shuffle.
After starting the last two games at cornerback, true freshman Eric Berry will move back to strong safety for Saturday's home game against Arkansas State, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday.
Junior college transfer DeAngelo Willingham or true freshman Brent Vinson will start at cornerback.
Jarod Parrish had started two games (Cal and Florida) at strong safety.
"That's not any particular thing that Jarod did poorly, at all," Fulmer said. "It's just what we feel like gives us our best athletes on the field."
Jonathan Hefney will remain the starter at free safety, as will Marsalous Johnson at cornerback.
The Vols' first lineup change came after the Cal game, when Berry replaced Parrish at strong safety.
The following week against Southern Miss, starting cornerback Antonio Gaines suffered a season-ending knee injury, which forced Berry back to cornerback for Florida.
Vinson, initially recruited as a wide receiver, has been working in the secondary for several weeks and has earned the praise of Fulmer and defensive backs coach Larry Slade.
Injury Report: Sophomore tailback Montario Hardesty (ankle) will be "available," but behind starter Arian Foster, LaMarcus Coker and Lennon Creer on UT's depth chart.
Hardesty, who has struggled with injuries since arriving on campus, had his ankle X-rayed this week to make sure it wasn't something more serious.
Hardesty did not play last week.
"There was no mystery out there we were concerned about that we hadn't found," Fulmer said. "It's just an ankle sprain; he should be available."
Reserve defensive end and special teams player Andre Mathis (shoulder) is expected to be the only injury holdout for Saturday's game.
Starting left tackle Eric Young has practiced despite a slight injury to his left ankle.
"He (Young) seems to be fine," Fulmer said. "This time of year you start getting some things. We've played three really physical football games."
Been (End) Around Before: Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe expected the end around he called against Florida last week could have been a touchdown.
At least that's what happened the last two times he's called the play.
In 1994, Kendrick Jones scored against Virginia Tech and Deuce McAlister scored on the same play against South Carolina when Cutcliffe was head coach at Ole Miss.
"Sometimes they just don't work," Cutcliffe said.
Vinson, playing at receiver, was thrown for a 9-yard loss on the play by Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham.
"He (Cunningham) looked like a receiver sticking his foot in the ground and changing directions," Cutcliffe said. "He saw it at the right time."
Foster's Friend: Starting right tackle Ramon Foster will match up against Arkansas State defensive end Brian Flagg this week.
"It'll be two good players going against each other," Foster said. "I'm looking forward to it."
It will also be two old friends.
Foster has known Flagg since the two played alongside each other from third grade all the way through their days at Ripley High School.
That doesn't mean Foster plans on giving his former teammate any extra trash talk.
"He'll probably mess with me about his GPA. I heard he's a pretty smart guy," Foster said. "I won't say too much. I'll let my pads do the talking to him."
Film Splice: Tennessee only has two games of film to watch on Arkansas State because the Indians' home game against Memphis scheduled Sept. 8 was postponed due to severe lightning.
As a result, the Vols have watched a lot of the Indians' 21-13 loss to Texas on Sept. 1.
"They see Texas every day," Fulmer said. "They know (Arkansas State) played Texas off their feet. Certainly they know."
Gaines OK: Cornerback Antonio Gaines underwent successful surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL suffered against Southern Miss on Sept. 8.
Head trainer Jason McVeigh expects Gaines to make a full recovery, although the senior will miss the rest of the season.
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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Comments » 26
yeavols#228407 writes:
We start start all the freshman..it can't hurt. Oh and get this: I get an email from the UT alumni association chapter in Georgia that a bus trip is planned for the Georgia game. Bus fair, hoopla, and the ticket for just one low price of 85 dollars. WHEN was the last time you could take a road trip with ticket included for 85 dollars? Unheard of..the popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dog in a taxi to the local bar to watch the game for free would cost you more. WOW..I have never seen an offer like this one before! WHOOAAAAA NELLLYYYY..but I think I'll pass. Cost? Priceless!
volsfan327 writes:
I don't care who they start (except Kenny Chesney of course) as long as they have the desire to win! My level of concern for the team this year is HIGH and we need to get ready! How much longer can this go on before a revolt of the faithful Vols comes down? I think Fulmer was lucky this week, in that alot of folks were more upset with Kenny Chesney than him but that won't fly much longer!
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
This is the game that everyone of those boys, sans the ones we really need to redshirt, need to get into the game and get meaningful minutes.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Georgia game is in Knoxville...The bus leaves from Atlanta...85 dollars..But I just can't stomach losing to Georgia living in Georgia. A team I loathe almost as much as Florida..I just couldn't take the loss..nope..just couldn't take it..
DennisVols writes:
Change can't be bad for this defense that has yet to turely stop anyone. Finding the right combination when you have to use so many freshmen is the trick. Having Berry in the line up is a good thing. He will make his share of freshman mistakes but I truely believe he has a big future at UT. Living in Atlanta I have seen him in the headlines every week during high school football season. His raw talent is incredible.
Bus trip to Knoxville with tickets =$85
Scholarship for #5 player in the country =$50K+
Turning the season around starting with ASU=Priceless
VolFan4ever writes:
I heard they were moving nevin mcKenzie to linebacker??why don't they move him to safety and keep berry at corner???i just don't understand fulmer,glad willingham is getting a chance to play,also vinson...and also moving walker to DE????maybe fulmer is getting senile....
DennisVols writes:
Did everyone hear the NEWS???? UT is #1 in the SEC. Yes I kid you not. UT has given up more TD's than anyone in the SEC.
The Vols have allowed 15 TDs from opponents, three more than Mississippi, five more than Mississippi State and six more than Kentucky.
We're #1.
Hold it a minute why isn't everybody as excited as I am that UT leads in at least one catogery?
Oh thats right, my bad, this is not a catogery we want to lead in.
VolinUtah writes:
grvol. That was (in my opinion) the one positive this year. The wide stipe on the helmet reminds me of glorious days past. I wish they would bring back the orange pants for road games as well. But please NEVER bring back the orange jersies with orange pants for home games, that was horrible!!!!
sannie82#624293 writes:
where is chris donald at and why is he not playing. I know this young man and know he has more heart than most lb's playing that position right now.
a10acfan1 writes:
Speaking of Kenny Chesney, It wasn't bad enough watching Florida score at will. We had to watch that little traitor act like a Tebow worshipper. Made me want to puke. It's hard to describe what I thought without using any cuss words. I used to like his music. But he will not grace my radio station from now on. And I really liked his Touchdown Tennessee. Anyone want some Kenny CD's??
slojim writes:
VolinUtah,
Amen brother...on the all orange uniforms in UT's past. Did any of you see the Syracus/Illinois game? I think the Syracuse uniforms (all orange) burned my retinas.
And whats up with all the funky, and I do mean FUNKY! facemasks in college football now? The player dont look like football players anymore, but something out of a post apocalyptic war zone. Its crazy, but thats just my opinion.
UTFAN1993 writes:
http://collegefootballblog.net/?p=107
imnotwithphil writes:
I'm sure the shuffle in the secondary will look brilliant this week... less so when we play Georgia. Enjoy our .500 record while it lasts Philophiles...
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
dlskaggs--good one but you forgot a few!!! How about the most idiotic coaching staff? How about most excuses from coaches/players? How about most missed tackles? How about slowest running backs? How about most denied 3rd and 1? How about the least playmakers/talent? How about players not having a clue? How about the most stupidest fans believing Fulmer/staff are good coaches and that nothing is wrong with the program?
bigbluevol writes:
volfan4ever...they didn't move mckenzie to safety because he is a step slow and struggles in coverage, much like jarod parrish. Walker played defensive end in high school and they have moved him there to try to improve their speed rush.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Earth to Phil........it's the coaching, not the talent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TNvolunteer writes:
Our starting secondary should be:
CB-Deangelo Willingham and Marsalous Johnson w/ Ricardo Kemp rotating in.
Safeties-Eric Berry and Jonathan Hefney w/ Nevin McKenzie rotating.
I hope Antonio Gaines can get a redshirt for getting hurt.
seaplane#216536 writes:
Earth to Phil, it's the coaching and the lack of talent!
ntansey7#207282 writes:
tdownTN...That was funny...like a message board should be
Dirtdobber writes:
macr_ash- do you think John Ward would come back with Bill Anderson to call a few games for old time sake?
Unlike other commentators- Bill never seemed like a jack ass. also, they didnt appear to be as big of homers as the current regime!
"john, the tight end is wide open across the middle"
Munson is good, but there will never be another John Ward! good ole golden flake commercial-as a matter of fact I may get a bag of chips in his honor this weekend!
invisiblekid writes:
sannie82, as a result of the player development strategy by the staff, Donald has been moved to baritone where he can develop into a fine player over the next four years and ready to start in 2010. Other changes include: Ainge to point guard, Bolden to the dance team, Foster to shortstop, Colquitt to left wing, and Coker to master of ceremonies. Being a smarta** of course but all the position changes are getting a little tedious. What happened to the good old days of recruiting a LB to play LB or a DT to play DT? Another question I have is where is the 3-4 defense that was reported on before the season? The staff has lamented not getting pressure on the QB, players getting too many snaps, and concerns over the secondary. It seems like using the 3-4 would help with all of those things. The LB position looks to be the deepest on the team and the 3-4 allows for more variations on blitzing and zone pass defense. Just my thoughts though.
joebomb writes:
Invisblekid- the 3-4 talk was because our D-line depth was looking so thin and our LB depth was looking great. Well, the LB's look like phooey too...so it's useless at this point. The position musical chairs is because we recruit too many of these "athletes". We didn't use to do that...at least not near as much. I think Dale Carter was a DB...not a converted WR. Al Wilson wasn't a HS fullback...etc.
invisiblekid writes:
Joebomb, point taken on the LB's looking bad but throwing another LB onto the field doesn't seem any more useless than what happened last Saturday which amounted to a thin FL offensive line completely dominating our defensive line.
Dirtdobber writes:
invisiblekid- good post! yeah that ought to right the ship! How bout bringing back David Keith and getting rid of Kenny Chesney for sideline stars!
while we are at it- our defense has been getting bad and badder since Chavis moved down to the sideline! I get tired of him and fulmer seeing who cant make the meanest face on the sideline! Hey Chief< get up in the dam booth where you belong!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Joebomb, as I recall, Al Wilson came in as a big safety, just like McKenzie.
invisiblekid writes:
Thanks 'dobber and good point on Keith, he always was a good luck charm for us it seems.
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