Audio slide show
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- Vols still give up big plays on defense
- Vols' defense knows it still has long way to go
- Adams: One victory doesn't serve as a cure-all for UT
- Vols' young players tossed into fire, provide some spark
- Indians credit QB Ainge for his playmaking
Video
Watching with Ward
Stats
Dave Hooker audio
- QB Erik Ainge on giving up big plays
- Phillip Fulmer on Jonathan Hefney’s –17 yards in punt returns and young players contributing.
- FS/PR Jonathan Hefney on punt return struggles
- OG Jacques McClendon on UT’s seven-man offensive line rotation
- DB coach Larry Slade on CB DeAngelo Willingham.
- WR Austin Rogers
- CB DeAngelo Willingham.
Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee has never looked better in 2007.
In fact, when quarterback Erik Ainge was doing his best Peyton Manning impersonation and the Vols were piling up yardage at a 1997 pace Saturday night, the Neyland Stadium crowd might have forgotten the year, the record and the previous Saturday.
But even on this team's best night, there were just enough mishaps to leave you questioning the significance of a 48-27 victory over Arkansas State. That's what a 1-2 start and a 59-20 loss to Florida will do for you.
Never mind that Arkansas State lost to Texas by only eight points in its season opener. Or that a struggling UT defense probably produced more highlights than it did in the first three games combined.
When you have lost two games to BCS-conference schools by a combined 104-51 count, beating a Sun Belt team by three touchdowns doesn't qualify as a turning point. Moreover, most of the flaws that were so evident in the losses to Florida and Cal were still apparent.
The most glaring deficiency was again on defense. If missed tackles were included in the final statistics, perhaps I could tell you this team is failing in that rudimentary task at a school-record rate. Without hard evidence, I'll merely conclude that a lot of opposing runners will look like Florida quarterback Tim Tebow against this defense.
The latest 100-yard rusher is Arkansas State tailback Reggie Arnold, a hard-running 5-foot-9, 220-pound tailback who repeatedly got the best of UT's defense. Arnold, who entered the game averaging 112 yards rushing, had 122 yards on only 10 carries in the first three quarters against the Vols.
Perhaps my assessment of the defense was skewed by what happened earlier in the day. The Florida offense that moved the ball at will against UT a week earlier, actually sputtered at times in a 30-24 victory over Ole Miss. That's the same Ole Miss team that lost to Vanderbilt by two touchdowns and barely beat Memphis.
If you discount such comparisons and the continued missed tackles, you could see defensive improvement.The Vols sacked Arkansas State quarterback Corey Leonard four times and intercepted two passes.
Offensive improvement was obvious, too. The Vols rushed for 188 yards, including 101 by LaMarcus Coker. Not only did the offensive line improve in its run-blocking, it basically eliminated the Indians' pass rush.
With one exception, Ainge was brilliant in the first half against Arkansas State. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
But his one bad play was disastrous. He threw the ball directly to Arkansas State safety Tyrell Johnson, who returned the interception 54 yards for a touchdown.
That was another reminder of this team's early-season difficulties. Although the offense often has moved the ball effectively, it also has made colossal mistakes. Cal returned a fumble for a touchdown. So did Florida.
Despite all that has gone wrong in the first third of the season, the Vols didn't seem burdened by the baggage. There was no Florida hangover and no hint the team has been shaken by such an ominous start to the season. The offense played with confidence from the outset, and the defense at least played more aggressively.
The Vols now have two weeks to prepare for Georgia, which was bad enough to lose at home to South Carolina, but good enough to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. Based on their uneven play, the Bulldogs have problems of their own.
But UT's issues are more obvious. And beating Arkansas State by 21 points does nothing to resolve them.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 43
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Yep, the defense still looks awful. I guess "The Human Weapon" didn't get through to them in his John Chavis stroking speech. My granny could get 60-70 yards after first contact on this defense. My granny can run, don't doubt her.
VolFan_stuck_in_FL writes:
although i hate to admit it John actually made some sense with this article. wow i guess there is a 1st time for everything
inquiry writes:
Hey John.. join the Vols will ya? (or move to Florida with me.
I have to admit though, I'm always glad to hear someone not drinking orange koolaide constantly, as that's the trap we all get into (players, coaches, and fans)
watching the Georgia/Alabama and then SC/LSU games last night makes me look forward to the rest of the season in the SEC.. there will be NO undefeated teams this year in the SEC, no team is not primed for a loss..
I hope UT fans "get this".. Florida could easily get tagged with 2 losses before December is up. Folks, it ain't over until the 4th qtr.
GO VOLS
Vol_Chaps writes:
Last night as I listened to the Vols on the radio I had the tele in split-screen with UGA v 'Bama on the left and UK v Ark. on the right. As I listened to our defense continue to struggle, it occurred to me that I was simultaneously seeing four potential losses on the screen. UGA and 'Bama seem to be able to play some semblance of defense and UK and Ark. seem to be able to move the ball at will. A scary prospect. I don't know, though, which scares me more, being in a shoot-out or being unable to move the ball...
londonvol writes:
The SEC is a vicious conference, it is not even debatable. Florida and California will finish in the top ten. Kentucky looks ready to play in the SEC. I think the pressure is getting to Fulmer, too bad, but a great leader will figure it out. The above comment about offensive football is here to stay is so true, just look at the scores.
eefor10c writes:
Thanks for skewering the Vols again John. It's your favorite pastime. Nobody else has played two of the top six teams in the country in their first three games and both of them on the road. You forgot to mention that little fact. Florida was bad but like all Vol haters you take one bad game, lump it with something else and make your case. Always have and always will. We can see the game John. We understand that we have a long way to go, but at least we support the Vols and hope for the best while you only hope for the worst because that allows you to continue with everything negative.
softball writes:
If we can't stop you how can we win!!! I'm sorry I can't see us beating anyone in the sec (maybe Vandy).......... Defense wins ballgames we don't have one.
texan writes:
Check out this blog from Houston Chron journalist Richard Justice. Just change a few things around for Knoxville and you sill get the point.
http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/...
dgarland1#214014 writes:
If FLA can be tagged with two SEC losses, then the Vols can be tagged with 5. I think they have a chance against all the rest on the SEC slate, but it would not suprise me to see them lose 4 more SEC games. They are a poorly coached team on defense and special teams. That will get you beat by nost competent opponents.
rootin4volz writes:
As long as a person doesn't admit he is defeated, he is not defeated -- he's just a little behind and isn't through fighting.
- -- Darrell Royal, Texas football coach
99gator writes:
do the SEC a favor. Rest up for two weeks and go kick the phooey out of Georgia.
Colliervol writes:
On the bright side, I'm pretty convinced we could compete for the Sunbelt Conference title.
bigorangebolt writes:
Congrats on the win last night over Ark.State!
We definitely needed a win, even though our defense showed no improvement. I did not see many
changes, except for one defensive back. John Chavis just does not get it! If we are going to stay in the game with the likes of Georgia and Alabama, we are going to have to play DEFENSE!
Some TN fan told me last night,that John Chavis and Trooper Taylor got in a fist fight, before the Southern Miss. game? Does anyone know any specifics on this matter? If this is true, Coach Fulmer must resign! The program is out of control with NO discipline! Go Vols! Beat the Dawgs!
leedsvol2007 writes:
I didn't get to see the game but in listening it appears we got more athletic on defense with Vinson and McKenzie names being called often.
The defensive line also sounded like they were getting some pressure and disrupting the flow enough that our linebackers names were being called on plays.
After the first 3 games we know what we have a young defensive team and a offensive team that is pretty good. Especially when Coker and Foster are both available. Chris Brown's versatility has been a big help. Eric Ainge is all we hoped he would become.
The questions now are can the secondary improve week to week and the young defensive linemen get a better push? Will the guys missing tackles start making them with better techniques?
On offense can we find a deep threat and can our line improve and get us more of a run game?
The good news is both of them made some strides last night. On defense it appears we have the personnel to make those strides.
And and a side note Britton Colquitt's return to health and the continuing good kicking of Lincoln have brought the kicking part of our kicking game to the level we expect.
After 4 games we know this is not a Championship caliber football but just like 88 and 94 if they have the will to improve and get better as the season goes along this team has the potential to bring us back to that level.
GoVols!
john#208876 writes:
The Fla - UM game showed several things; anything can happen any week in the SEC. There is more talent to go around so almost all schools have some great players. There will be more Mich - App St. games. Going undefeated in the SEC will be a rairity...sorry maniacal fans! Back to Ole Miss; where have all the 'Brett Schafer is the second coming' posters gone? Did he even play yesterday?
JAJUAN writes:
A few years ago everyone wanted Sanders' head. Now everyone is after Chavis, etc. IT ALL COMES FROM THE TOP.
bigorangesob writes:
Hey a win is a win, we showed some improvement, now let's take a week off improve some more and kick some Dawg butt, GO VOLS
TriCityVol writes:
Fulmer can't beat Urban Meyer. It's time we get a coach that can. Don't let anyone forget, keep writing these articles.
dfreeman writes:
Comment board full of National Championship caliber coaches!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Guys, here's another kind of report card. See where we rank in every major stat category after four games. Draw your own conclusions.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Inter....
ncvol17 writes:
Sun Belt - Ark State - Pine Bluff, Ark - 27 points - yep that was a real positive game ... if we were in the Sun Belt and not the SEC...
Cokers yards came late in the 4th after the Sun Belt athletes got tired.. He had 49 yds going into that drive..Creer playing ahead of Foster in the 2nd half.. what's that say?
flstf writes:
Thanks John, tell us something we don't know!
Hunter writes:
Ironic moment of the day - watching Randy Sanders get lauded on College Gameday while Tennessee didn't get a mention (other than highlight clips for Tim Tebow and Desean Jackson). Did anyone get a count on the now famous Phil Fulmer winces, gum chews, and hand claps yesterday? I could hear them over the radio on the INT return for TD.....
CoverOrange writes:
A few meaningless observations: When Ga comes to town, it will have been six weeks since Ainge stubbed his pinky, thus it should be pert near to healed, may see some deeper throws then.
That pass from Stafford to win against Bama in OT was beautiful.
How did Major Applewhite become such a brilliant OC at Ky? Has he even had his 30th birthday yet?
Did anyone notice if a FG/EP defender was missing last night, if not just for the first half? Want to know if UT player was punished for quiting against Florida.
dfreeman writes:
Hey gatornation life suck so bad for you guys that you have to spend time on our board swimming in our misery?? Try getting a girlfriend!!
cnalumni writes:
The only good thing about this season is the fact that LSU was replaced by Miss State. Otherwise, that would have been a brutal SEC season.
rockytoptilidie#236348 writes:
First time for this: Great article, John Adams. Yeah, I'd like to see you leave with Fulmer, but thanks for at least writing one decent article during your KNS tenure.
Now you can resign with pride.
rsarazen#221200 writes:
Bama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, S.C. by all logic will be losses. Wouldn't count Mississippi St. or Vandy out of that list either. Coaching is absolutely pathetic. As long as these guys are running the show, all incoming talent will be dummied down for our non-explosive boring offense and our Larry Slade (worse secondary coach in the nation) inept secondary. Only hope we get a coach that will allow the likes of Eric Berry and others thrive.
footballfan writes:
I'm not exactly sure why alot of people seem to be down on Crompton. I have a very strong feeling that Vols fans will be pleasantly surprised with what he brings to the games next season and hopefully the year after that. This is a young man with real talent(high-school all american) who has been a UT fan his entire life. That should tell you two things. One, he does have the skillset to succeed. Two, a lifetime fan whose dream of playing for the Vols comes true will never, I repeat, never give up on any play and will always bust his butt until there is nothing left for his team. I can't wait to see more of him scrambling out of the pocket (only when necessary) and running over some of the defenders that get in his way (i.e. Laron Landry). That kind of play should help to inspire heart and determination in his teammates which will hopefully translate into alot of wins for the Big Orange. I wouldn't count him out just yet. All of that being said, I hope TN can recover from pathetisad (yes you can make up words) play and salvage the rest of the year.
Go Vols.
ibvolman writes:
Footballfan, I don't think anyone is down on Crompton. All I have seen is people expressing a desire to see him get more playing time so he can have game experience for next year's season. No one doubts Crompton's talent, perhaps because we really haven't seen much from him yet.
The win over ASU was a good win. Any win is a good win. The team still has a great distance to go, especially if there is any chance at winning out. It is one thing to beat a sunbelt team. It is another to play against SEC talent and win.
I see several people saying UF could lose enough for UT to win the SEC East. I do not have a crystal ball, and cannot predict the future, but I just wouldn't bet on it. Hoping another team loses just so you can get in is bunk. I say, strive for excellence, take care of your own games, and you won't have to worry about if another team will drop a game here or there so you can get in through the back door.
I support the Vol players 100%. I cannot say that about the current coaching staff considering the past 8 years of decline. Statistically, UT doesn't rank anywhere near the top in any category nationally. And for all the Fulmer fans out there, don't try to tell me that doesn't come as a result of poor coaching. Yes, UT showed improvement this past week, but the opponent was not a top notch team, and every one of these "improvements" should have been taken care of before the season began, not 4 games in.
Considering the quality of teams UT has played thus far, I can honestly say 2 losses wouldn't bother me a great deal. That is, until you take a close look and see that the score was 104 - 51. Perhaps if the losses were just a bit closer, I could concur that the coaching staff was doing a decent job. But, I really can't make that argument with any integrity considering the facts and stats so far this year. The team needs to be ready when the season starts, not wait until half way through to make needed improvements and get things on track.
footballfan writes:
I hope you are right about Crompton, dtaylor0730. I hope alot of people are looking forward to seeing what he is got. I have seen more of the other idea that he is a bust because he hasn't made it onto the field yet. Time will tell.
Go Vols.
tenken writes:
You guys are really clueless if you think that the team thinks this is a turning point. I mean good grief people. This was Arkansas State. They know that its not the defining game. Its a win. Last year we started off strong and finished awful. Maybe we will do the opposite this year. As long as all of you have this awful attitude you will be miserable people. Heck ya it was upsetting to get spanked by the Florida reptiles but time to get over and move on. This are kids not paid professional athletes. They give their body and soul to this state. They have made some mistakes but this is a very very young defense. Give them time and quit relying on them for your happiness. Get a life.
volfan39#234125 writes:
I have had my "Fill of Phil". I am so "Full of Fullmer"!!! Pick your slogan and mail it to "Hamhock" (Pig headed) Hamilton. Love the players --sick of the coaching staff (inept -ineffective-uninspired) A.D.( Unconcercerned-aloof- unresponsive to fan base) That about says it all. Oh yeah, dont wait until Ainge goes down before playing J. Crompton--Guy could be Tebo- Mcfadden type QB. Look at South Fla. QB for example. Believe his name is Grothe --Also they(S. Fla.) are ranked in top 20 . As we know, Tenn. not even on horizon. Sure is hard to living here in La. with Tigers sailing and Tenn.failing.
smith7206 writes:
I'm just glad that insults are now being hurled as Hamilton..that will really prompt him to pay attention to what folks are saying here.
If you want to make a case that Fulmer, et al, should be fired make it but I don't believe "Reveal your lack of class" was included in "How to win friends and influence people".
castlerock33#489773 writes:
Ditto, John.
Colliervol writes:
I heard somebody say one time that all A.D.'s worth anything always keep a list of coaches they would like to talk to in case a coach leaves. And they update it all the time. I'm sure Hamilton has a list and he's checking it twice.
phi0129 writes:
Yes we have played terrible at times and can't tackle. And yes we very well could lose 4-5 more games this year. BUT I'm sick of all this. We lost to the #3 and #6 teams in the nation.
Cal - That BS call on the fumble at the beginning hurt alot as well as Jackson's run back. And our defense sucked, but we were still in the game. We get a couple of terrible calls (one 3rd down pass interference call eventually leading to a Cal TD) and didn't score a TD on the 1 yard line. We didn't get beat that bad
FL - I predicted what would happen when it was 21-6...anyway. We cut it to 28-20 with all the momentum in the world and then bloop there's a fumble. Tell me it wouldn't have been a different game if we score on that drive.
What I'm saying is that we have gotten outscored 104-51 but I really think it could've and should've been closer...too bad that doesn't mean anything whatsoever. TN is creating a rep of getting blown out, coming back and looking like they might win, and then getting blown out again. It's so miserable! Being a TN fan currently has to be the hardest in college football the way they play great and then terrible. And the teams that don't get it done in the big games are victims of being OUTCOACHED. I've been calling for Fulmer's head since 2003 when I saw the decline coming and the rest of the SEC improving. It's really aggravating when a historically phooey team like LSU is on top all of a sudden. Steps must be taken to get TN back to the level where we can give ESPN the middle finger like I love to do...
tony3612#235512 writes:
Well up to this point,I would have been interested in seeing Lovie Smith or Gruden replace Fulmer....but hold on and open your minds the this Jim Harbaugh at Stanford...before you say nay,look at his winning percentage and his willingness to look the status qou in the face and say what is in his mind....like when he scolded Michigan,his alma mater,for subpar academic standards for athletes.I think his current pay is 1 mil.and a .750 winning percentage.
tony3612#235512 writes:
P.S. Jim Harbaugh recruited in Florida,Indiana and Illinois for his pop at Western Kentucky and was involved with 17 student athletes that played on the I-AA National Championship Western Kentucky team.Lets not forget he was Capt. Comeback and that alone would make a person wonder if he would sit idlely by while his team layed down like Tennessee did in the 4th quarter of the Florida game.
debaser11 writes:
By the numbers - after 4 games, ranking against the 116 Div I-A teams:
Rush defense 89 (of 116)
Pass defense (eff.) 82
Total defense 91
Scoring defense 107
Rush offense 77
Pass offense (eff.) 25
Total offense 48
Scoring offense 33
Punt returns (offense) 112
Punt returns (defense) N/A
Kick-off returns 21
Kick-off returns (defense) N/A
Turnovers 47
(From NCAA Statistics)
AP Ranking No. 38 (we got ONE vote)
Yes we've played two top 10 teams, but we've also had two HOME games against unranked opponents.
takebkknox writes:
Les Miles, Nick Saban, Jimmy Hyams and John Adams are all cousins.
tony3612#235512 writes:
I like John Adams because he is not a Big Orange Homer!Is not the country big enough for different view points and ideas or would it be better if we censor the opinions we do not like...like a communist regime might do.Its bad enough that as followers of UT athletics we have to depend on other means of getting the scoop on whats going on with our favorite program...because it sometimes appears the university has a standing gag order that must be adhered to in order for the media to stay in good graces with the powers that be.
takebkknox writes:
This country is indeed big enough for different view points. Plenty of room in Weesiana. Objective writing is fine. Writing with hidden agendas isn't. Wake up and come back to reality. You're brainwashed.
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