Tennessee Stat Book
QUARTERBACKS (B)
Erik Ainge’s numbers (27 of 39, 334 yards and 4TDs) suggest a strong outing, but Ainge’s interception that was returned for a TD was unforgivable. Ainge had trouble with his accuracy throwing on the run. Ainge also had a delay of game penalty. Jonathan Crompton was not afforded much experience nor opportunity despite the margin of victory.
RUNNING BACKS (C+)
LaMarcus Coker showed flashes of brilliance, but the backs are still sputtering as a unit. Arian Foster lacks a burst and fumbled, but he shows vision and excellent hands. Lennon Creer has good speed and quickness, but he fumbled, too.
RECEIVERS (B+)
Lucas Taylor (seven catches, 104 yards) showed big-play ability with a one-handed catch and an impressive catch and run on his first TD. Josh Briscoe showed toughness with six catches for 65 yards and Chris Brown proved clutch more than once. Austin Rogers had a drop.
OFFENSIVE LINE (B)
Excellent pass protection, as Ainge was not sacked despite pressure from Arkansas State. The run blocking was better, but still not where it needs to be in short yardage. Ramon Foster made a heads-up fumble recovery. No penalties.
DEFENSIVE LINE (C+)
End Robert Ayers (two sacks, six tackles) made an impact and tackles Dan Williams and Demonte Bolden had their moments. Still, too many creases for ASU back Reggie Arnold. J.T. Mapu had a forced fumble, which he recovered.
LINEBACKERS (C-)
Still struggling as a whole to get off blocks and make plays. Arnold blew through the linebackers, and ASU had seven runs of 10 yards or more. Jerod Mayo had a QB pressure that led to an interception and had six stops.
SECONDARY (B-)
Eric Berry was beaten deep on 45-yard pass to set up the first of ASU's two offensive TDs, and Brent Vinson and Jonathan Hefney missed too many tackles. The unit, however, made key plays with Vinson making his first career interception and Marsalous Johnson picking off a pass and returning it 28 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS (D)
Despite kicker Daniel Lincoln’s perfection (2-for-2 on field goals, 7-for-7 on extra points) and Britton Colquitt’s punting (46.8-yard average), this unit is the most glaring weakness on the team. Kick coverage surrendered school-record return yardage, and Hefney had one of the worst punt return performances (four for minus-17 yards) in recent UT history.
COACHING (B-)
Phillip Fulmer and his staff handled Arkansas State’s plans from a scheme standpoint and once again made strong half-time adjustments. The coaches also got more young players valuable playing experience.
OVERALL (B-)
A win is a win, and while the Vols showed improvement in some areas, others (special teams, run defense, rush offense) continue to sputter. UT must commit its offensive and defensive plans around strengths and playmakers or risk being out-classed by future SEC opponents as they were at Cal and Florida.
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Comments » 69
rsarazen#221200 writes:
Arkansas State; Big Whoop. Fulmer can roll up some points on a Sunbelt team but cannot compete with the Florida's and Cals. Maybe he should coach in the Sunbelt.
iowavol writes:
Austin Rodgers had a drop!!! What game were you watching. Five, count them, 5 passes that hit his hands, both of them and then hit the ground. How many so far through four games - 15, 16? Get him out of the game and put in one of the young ones and let him learn. We've invested enough in Rodgers.
iowavol writes:
BTW, the first catch that Taylor made was awesome! Great job Lucas, keep it up.
bigorangesob writes:
Hey we showed some improvement I think, yeah it wasn't against a SEC team but still an improvement, some of the younger kids got in the game to gain some experience and some confidence that will help us out down the road, so please stop pissing and whining about Fulmer and support the damn team
georgiavol91#379211 writes:
Glad to see we are back on track for that .692 winning percentage in the 2000's. Go Phil!
bigorangesob writes:
Good points jcvet, what is the deal with the linebackers, as well as they played last year I thought for sure they would be the strength of the team but just like Hefney they are nowhere around
gvegasvol writes:
You guys are funny. TN loses...fire Fulmer it's his fault. TN wins...fire Fulmer it's his fault. They win by 21 points and it's only a sunbelt team...fire Fulmer it's his fault. Ainge throws an interception...fire Fulmer it's his fault. They miss tackles...fire Fulmer it's his fault.
Do any of oyu have a clue? It's 4 games into the season and the Vols - according to you - are on the same level as UTC and not as good as Vandy and Miss State.
Keep posting though - you guys are good for a laugh!
texan writes:
Supporting the Vols and pointing out the flaws are two entirely different things. I am proud to be a Vol fan and alum. If I'm not the biggest Vol Fan in Houston then I'm close behind Fred Weary, Phil Garner and Chris Burke among the 3000 UT alumni down here. I wear orange more than just one day a week, I never take off my class ring but like many others I am frustrated. Nothing will change without using criticism as a catalyst for change.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Maybe TN should drop out of the SEC and join the Sunbelt, because that's the level of play the football program is at. Like I said earlier, TN would probably put up good numbers, and all the pathetic, Fulmer butt-kissers would praise him and the pathetic coaching staff. Had they been playing a ranked team, the Vols would have lost. They keep giving up the big plays, and this will cost them 4-5 more losses. They will not improve. It is obvious that our quarterback will give the opposing teams at least 7 points per game. In two weeks, TN will be brought back to reality.
10ACVOL writes:
Ainge should have been on the bench after the first possession in the the 3rd. Jon C has got to get some reps, geez. No reason for Ainge to be in there.
The reason Ark St got so many long runs, THEY USE A FULLBACK! Why can't we? The best rushing teams ever in the history of football, pro and college, use a full time fullback. If we're going to pound the rock in this old fashioned style week after week, we ought to use a FB.
DCVol2007 writes:
I was disappointed Crompton only got in there for one series. Surely we need to get him playing time against the lighter weight teams now because we'll be relying on him next year against the host of SEC talent teams. I just don't see much hope pulling off only two losses this season, so why rely so heavily on Ainge when he's out the door next year? I wonder if it's some sort of deal with the Coaches to help Ainge get into the NFL...or the CFL more likely.
Basketball_Jones writes:
This team sucks!
GerryOP writes:
Let me see, a B- against a Sunbelt team would equate to a "?? +/-" against UK, UGa, Ala, SoCaro, Ark, or, heaven forbid, Vandy? I hate to guess. I agree with the statement that progress was made, but, I kind of thought that was what Spring/Summer/Fall-preseason practice was for.
I say, figure out next years probable starters and turn them loose. Let's see what Crompton, et al have to offer. Or, should we wait until after the 4th game in '08 to make those judgements?
tennisvol writes:
The defense is averaging giving up about 37 pts. a game so the offense better get ready against a good Ga. defense. Not another Sunbelt team until homecoming.
dsullivan23#314199 writes:
It is ridiculous to read some of the comments on here. Vol Fans are turning into the Bama fans of late. Never Satisfied! Granted, the Florida game was a glaring embarrassment for everyone associated with the program. But how bad are we really? We lose to the number 3 team in the country, defending national champions, and a very very underrated Cal team, regardless if the are from the pac-10 or not. Wait to see what happens in this next month before you judge. Georgia just beat Saban, who, until last night, Bama fans were sure that he was the second coming. There looks to be one Elite team in the SEC right now, and that is LSU. If we can win out in October, there is a VERY good chance we are in the SEC Championship. GO VOLS
andy112382#209793 writes:
I'd have to say the report card was fair enough, a bit more critical than it used to be (other than saying Austin had A drop, missed that by a bit, it was a few) but that is what you expect after how we lost to Cal and UF.
The team took a step in the right direction, and dsullivan23, I am going to have to agree with your comments, some people are now in the 'criticize no matter what' mode, which actually makes them hypocrites because they criticize (suprise, suprise) those who pull for the team for supposidly 'drinking the orange kool-aid' when the loyal fans pull for their team no matter what.
Like I said before, the UGA, Bama, and SC games are key, not like I really had to point that out, but that will decide what route the program will and should take. Week off is at a perfect time, they get some time to rest up and they have some great film to study from last night. Still plenty of room for improvement, but some shaking up being done on the lineup and last night, Vinson getting and INT, maybe showed some good moves are being made to help turn things around. Jury is still out.
GO VOLS!!!
dsullivan23#314199 writes:
I like the way we match up against GA and Bama.
I'm Scared of USC. They played LSU tough, got that road win against UGA, PLUS, they have King Visor.
By the end of October, we'll know if we are going to have a new coach or not, and just what we should come to expect from TN teams.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
this so called defense is just brutal----gashed all nite long, linebackers almost nowhere to be found, and still after all summer and 4 games so called tackling worse than one would find in Pop Warner. These guys are not listening to coaching in practice and only way to get their attention is to make someone as example. The bad tackling is univeral but the socalled great/experienced Hefney is as bad still as anyone. If it wasnt bad enough him running backwards all nite on punt returns the opposite direction he was missing tackles as usual. These tauted guys who are not exectuting need to be sat down to be made an example of -------if you are soft and cant execute basic fundamentals you wont be playing---Hefney should have been sat for a while to be made an example of for others to see and maybe finally get the message they arent getting in practices and those remaining on the field should have been demanded to step it up to compensate---just too much tolerence for inadequacy on this team
volcop writes:
I agree with you dsullivan23, for all you "vol fans" you can't fire a coach 3 or 4 games into the season. That's why we play the games on the field, not on "fantasy football". Let's see what happens with the rest of the games, lots of football to play yet. Fulmer is more "orange" than most of you on here. As far as going to championship game though, don't look for it. Florida would have to lose to two east teams because they beat us in head to head game.
Volfan1 writes:
dsullivan is right on...."It is ridiculous to read some of the comments on here. Vol Fans are turning into the Bama fans of late. Never Satisfied!"
GET THIS - Mike West, who bought the 100 tickets, said it well, "It's absurd to me that people can't take a step back and support the university. I don't want to be or act like the University of Alabama does."
That is EXACTLY what all this whining has made us look like - or worse!
Those of you saying boycott the games - stay home and don't come back. Give your tickets away if they are so worthless. Those of you saying you hope we lose every game are asinine.
Stop global whining. While I am all for free speech, I am begging the KNS to PLEASE make this a pay site once again. All this has become is a cheap (free) avenue for whiners & the "legions of the miserable" (as Majors called them). This incessant whining is poison for recruiting and murder for the players who still have many games left.
jboyle5555#228112 writes:
Winning cures everything.. if the Vols beat the rest of their SEC opponents this year, we all will look back and say that we only lost two games and those were to Top 10 teams, Cal and Florida. Two more conference losses moving forward and the coaching staff better circle the wagons because the heat will be unbearable. Vols run the table and Fulmer gets to stay for next year while the A.D makes his shortlist for the future head coach for the post Fulmer era. Three or more conference losses this year and it is a wholesale change of the coaching staff, go get a high profile coach that is young enough to relate to the high school players and cn build a quality staff around himself. The other schools in the conference have gotten better while we have gotten worse, Tennessee should never accept this, we should be one of the top three teams in the conference every year.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Guys, here's another kind of report card. See where we rank in every major stat category after four games.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Inter...
texan writes:
Global Whining? KNS make this a paysite again? Give me a break. We never should have had to pay for information on a state institution in the first place.. Do you really think anyone didn't pay the $4.99 or whatever because of the price? It was about ethics. Now we are able to express our opinions with the freedom that we are entitled to. The Vols deserve the criticism and the support equally.
asleep#212036 writes:
After watching the LSU/USC and Alabama/Georgia games, I think I know the problem with our running game and it's not the offensive line. We don't have a speed back. Coker and Creer could be but Foster? Come on, put him on the bench. His fumble at the Outback last year and in the Cal game this year cost us big. The one at Florida turned a possible comeback into a rout for the ages. Our guys are opening holes but good Lord, we can't expect them to hold their blocks for 5 seconds while Foster jukes and jives behind the line looking for a opening to drive a truck through. Those LSU/Alabama/Georgia backs are into the secondary before the linebackers clear their first contact. I think that's also why our D-line struggles. Who can we run in practice to simulate those other guys? And make no mistake - Arkansas State is a good win, just ask Texas. There isn't near the talent gap in Division I that there used to be as Michigan, Auburn, and Oklahome State have already found out. Lets' put in a speed guy and let him loose. Let Foster pass block but give Coker and Creer the running game and try and salvage this season.
Go Vols
FWBVol writes:
For everyone complaining that we only beat Arkansas State by 21 points, that's 14 points more than Texas beat the Indians by. Yes, this is the same team that Texas beat 20-13 in Austin. I'm not saying it was a perfect game...far from it, but I agree with some of the poster that state some of you will never be happy. I don't know what will happen the rest of the season. If I did that I'd by some Loto tickets and make a fortune, but I believe UT will be OK. Maybe the Vols won't win every game like all of us hope, but if UT takes care of business and can win the remainder of its SEC games there's still a chance to win the SEC East. Florida showed it could have some trouble last Saturday against UT and even more so yesterday against Ole Miss. I think South Carolina can beat the Gators and I think LSU will beat them too. My biggest concerns for the Vols are South Carolina and Kentucky. There's still a lot of football to be played.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
FBWvol quit trying to suggest we we arent so bad because we faired better than Texas and ignore that Ole Miss stayed within 6 of Florida and we got clocked by 30----the Ole Miss game should give some credence that we may well be bottom tier this year in the absence of a major turnaround in play---what game were you watching last week suggesting "florida showed it could have some trouble against Tenn"
ColumbusVol writes:
Is it obvious to me that after reading comments for the last two weeks that us Tennessee fans fall into one of two categories. Ones who actually can "see" that we are falling behind the elite pack and those that "think" that we should just accept mediocrity. Despite playing the high school team (no offense to ASU) last night, the flaws in Tennessee football are glaring and have been for sometime. Sure we are proud for the win (or are we?) but I hardly think criticizing and understanding that a coaching change is needed constitutes being a whiner. I will be making the commute down for one game this season (as I always do) but that doesn't mean that I likely won't complain after Spurrier pulls one on us again. I can support the team but it doesn't mean I have to support the coaching staff anymore.
k0605#241765 writes:
I'd agree with a B- for this game. In years past it would have been a C- or D+. It took a B- effort for this team to put away Ark State. Last century the score would have been 50-7 with the starters sitting for the entire 4th quarter.
Sad to say, but it's time to upgrade the coaching staff. Unfortunately I don't see the Vols beating Georgia, SC, Ala, Ark or Ky. It's amazing how these teams have improved while UT has declined.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
FWBVol get on medication as soon as possible.
Hunter writes:
The stats say that when a Cutcliffe coached team scores 30+ points we have a great chance of winning. What do they say when we can only hold a Sun Belt team to 27? How does that forebode for the SEC schedule? I think we'd fare better in punt returns if we let the ball bounce instead of fielding it and hope it rolls back to the line of scrimmage - it's better than watching Hefney "return/retreat" kicks and having an blood pressure spike hoping he doesn't muff the kick.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
If this coaching staff stays, let's leave the SEC for another (junior) conference. We could very well dominate against the SunBelt teams, for instance.
UKChamps writes:
SEC Standings
EAST CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Florida 2-0 4-0
Kentucky 1-0 4-0
Georgia 1-1 3-1
South Carolina 1-1 3-1
Vanderbilt 1-1 2-1
Tennessee 0-1 2-2
Here Kitty Kitty
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Georgia game with Bama indicates they will be tougher opponent than Bama..unless our defense improves greatly the odds are against us the remainder of the season looks dim. The glaring weak spot for this volunteer team is on defense and they appear to bit slower than usual. There is not much one can do to make a slow defense ouick.
savageorange57 writes:
This is to all of the folks who stll choose to defend Ole'Phil & The Gang. If you cannot see this program is in a steady decline, you must have your head buried in the sand. I've been going to games for several years, and I can definitely see the problems happening right before my eyes. There is no excitement or motivation in these players, and most of all the coaches don't even show any motivation in front of the players.Example; When Foster fumbled at Florida & it was run back for a TD, Fulmer came over to address Ainge & Foster, who were both visibly upset.Insted of chewing butt, and trying to motivate, all he did was pat Foster on the shoulder pads, and I read his lips; "it's OK, It's OK." Phil, buddy It's NOT OK ANYMORE !! You need to show a little life on the sideline and maybe your players might follow your lead and get a little more motivated. You say you want to go about your business in a "Business-Like Manner", well obviously that's not working-You've GOT to Have some emotion & motivation mixed in with yor so Called "Business Like Manner". You've gotten complacent & stagnant and your time has come and gone. In the past I have defended you and your staff, because I felt like you were sincerely trying to get things headed back in the right direction, but after the past 5 years and the up & down (Mostly DOWN) direction of this program, I have been forced to admit that IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE AT TENNESSEE !!
You're too stubborn, too arrogant, and too resistant to change. Everyone we play knows that, and knows our tendencies, our plays and most of all our glaring weaknesses, that are becoming more & more eveident each time we take the field. We're all tired of you cliche's, your same old explanations, and so forth. Please do yourself and The Vol Nation a favor & resign, retire, quit,whatever. It's Time to Move On.
If you love Tennesse Football like you say you do, and not just that $2.5 mil. you're making,
do the right thing and GO !!!
UKChamps writes:
Im not trash talkin the past...Its the present. Thats why I didn't put up last years standings...And we aren't even thinking about basketball. We are thinking about an SEC Championship. Thanks again for Coach Sanders.
Here Kitty
..and you have beat us 22 years in a row
Ralph_Crampton writes:
I see little chance of us beating the ole ball coach this year...He's too crafty. The Gamecocks could be the big spoiler this year in the SEC.
AllVolFan writes:
I have always heard and firmly believe a WIN IS A WIN..doesnt matter who you are playing. Look at Florida's first two games, who did they play? Small schools like ASU(actually teams who are worse). I listened to the call in shows on the way to the game, and they made great points. Whether you still like the coaching staff or not, you should SUPPORT THE TEAM. These kids are giving it their all out there(some more than others), they are college students that have more to do than just play football every saturday. Give the complaining a rest and SUPPORT THE TEAM!!! They dont need everyone on their back for beating up on a ASU team. I agree with several others that if we win out the SEC games we have a chance, because Florida will lose to LSU and Spurrier has their number too. GA might even take a bite out of the Gators. GO VOLS!!!
dfreeman writes:
hey marc_ash I think Kentyucky has lost to us twenty something in a row! You know UKChamps the sun shines on a dogs a$$ every now and then! You actually have to beat us in order to run your mouth!
AllVolFan writes:
Good luck little Kitty! Even if you make it to the SEC Championship, the Tigers are going to rip apart your little wildcats. LSU would destroy you all and you know it.
savageorange57 writes:
I am not Trashing any players, simply saying that they don't show any visible emotion or motivation. And yes I do, and will continue to support the student athletes at UT. It's not their fault that we have a an arrogant, stubborn head coach & staff that is not getting the job done. It's actually sad for them because those caliber kids deserve better coaching and instruction and motivation than they're getting now. Supporting the TEAM,... YES- COACHING STAFF,....ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
Oh, and by the way Kentucky fans... you're talking an awful lot of smack considering you've only won 4 games in a row, and seen the National Polls for the first time since Moby Dick was a Minnow. I have 1 word for you guys... Consisitency- when you do it for several years in a row... then you can crow... otherwise, stick to basketball.
murrayvol writes:
Check your history marc_ash. UK last beat Tennessee in 1984 when I was 38 years old. I was hoping death would come calling before it happened again. Alas, I don't think I'm going to be that lucky.
BainxGriffith writes:
"TN loses...fire Fulmer it's his fault. TN wins...fire Fulmer it's his fault. They win by 21 points and it's only a sunbelt team...fire Fulmer it's his fault. Ainge throws an interception...fire Fulmer it's his fault. They miss tackles...fire Fulmer it's his fault."
By jove, I think he's got it!
BainxGriffith writes:
"If we can win out in October, there is a VERY good chance we are in the SEC Championship. GO VOLS"
You sir, are quite completely insane
rockytopjeff writes:
LSU goes to Kentucky this weekend, Poor little kitty kitty
rockytopjeff writes:
LSU goes to Kentucky in 3 weeks, sorry for the error, Poor little kitty kitty
Volfan1 writes:
Yeah, houtxvol, make it a paysite again.... unless you are too cheap to pay for a SERVICE by a newspaper. The KNS is hardly a branch of the UT system and they can do whatever they please.
There was NEVER as much drivel then as there is now with inept, unlearned whiners. I know Bama & Gator fans reading this are loving the constant crying by some of these "fans".
And free speech about a state institution? Ethics? Freedom? That's as laughable as some of these complaints from whiners who will never be satisfied. You had the freedom to pay the subscription price - just like you do to get the printed newspaper! Is the printed KNS FREE because of "ethics" to write the editor about a State Institution? What a joke.
Now am I 100% satisfied with the play of the Vols so far? No, but I'm not whining about boycotts, losing all our games, & other garbage. This is doing wonders for recruiting and support for the players. Let the season play out. Stop global whining. There is still a lot of football left.
CharlotteVol writes:
Its depressing that we are relegated to looking for signs of progress against a Sun Belt school. And what's up with those guys on the Vol Network pay-per-view???? I paid good money to listen to that nonsense?? With all the money in the UT program, you'd think they could find some decent announcers who know what is going on. They probably still don't know the Alabama-Georgia game is over since they were so far behind reporting that score!
vol4jesus writes:
Just out of curiosity...which hand was Erik Ainge using for handoffs to running backs? Left hand correct. He said earlier in the week that they practiced with right hand and would employ it against ASU. Did anyone watch early handoffs? Were they with right or left? Just curious. Thankfully fumbles were not due to hanoff issues with pinky. Wonder how close it is to being healed. Week off could help that healing big time. Personally based on current level of play I've told other UT fans that we are going to have to be like old Oklahoma teams that could score , but defense was thin. That being the case last team with ball scoring wins. Kentucky can score defense thin. Georgia is Alot like us on both sides of the ball. Miss St could be interesting. Alabama good ,but not worls beaters. Arkansas will Have Monk back buy us probably and will help stong run game.Vandy will b challenging especially if Nixon is back healthy. Homecoming with LLaf should be W. Gamecocks probably an L. My two strong contenders to beat us are both at home: Arky and Gamecocks. Other games other than homecoming are possible,but giving td's to opponents has to stop now to have an opportunity to be in all those games. WE will give up alot of points....we just need to be offensively poised to put up more.
jimbo37918 writes:
I say fire everybody as much as I like Cutcliffe and Chavis they have been here so long the other teams know what we are going to do on offrnce and defence.Oh and another thing they need to fire Bob Kessling and his crew they were more excited when the other team scored than when Tennessee scored get real fat Bob needs to listen to Mike Keith of the Titans that's the man the Vols need to hire
instigator writes:
UT needs to worry about everyone on their schedule, but especially UGA, Bama, UK, USC and Ark.
We don't have a cake walk either with Auburn, LSU, UGA, UK and USC.
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