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Young players provide some spark
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- Vols still give up big plays on defense
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- 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.
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With the Florida game behind them, Tennessee was ready to showcase its highly touted 2007 class.
"I think it will be a big help for us," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said after a 48-27 win over Arkansas State on Saturday night. "We gain confidence in them. They gain confidence. They gain experience. It's a good thing."
UT's newcomers played a much more significant role than they have previously this season.
Freshman cornerback Brent Vinson registered the biggest play when he intercepted a tipped pass in the second quarter.
"We've pretty much known about it all along, that he has an opportunity to be a really good corner," defensive backs coach Larry Slade said of the converted receiver. "He's a long way from a finished product.
"Brent is a very confident young man. Shucks, he's just going to go out there and ball. That's his deal. I really take my hat off to him."
Tailback Lennon Creer rushed for 29 yards on nine carries while fellow freshman defensive end Ben Martin registered two tackles and a pressure.
Speedy junior college transfer Kenny O'Neal caught one pass for 10 yards and had one carry for 2 yards on an end around.
"He just needs to be relaxed, go out there and play ball," senior quarterback Erik Ainge said. "His athletic ability and talent is amazing. We have to get him consistent."
Another junior college player, DeAngelo Willingham, got his first start of 2007 in a move that allowed freshman sensation Eric Berry to move back to safety from cornerback. Willingham registered one tackle.
Junior college transfer Nevin McKenzie made five tackles after moving from safety to linebacker. Freshman linebacker Savion Frazier also got his first significant time at linebacker.
"The biggest factor is they continue to make progress and improve enough that you can put them in there and do reasonably what you expect them to do," Fulmer said.
Where There's A Will: It didn't take long for Arkansas State to go after Willingham. Little did the Indians know they'd also catch him making his most glaring mistake of the evening.
"Had we executed that call, Willingham would have sacked the quarterback," Slade said.
A sack? Instead, Arkansas State quarterback Corey Leonard completed a 45-yard pass over Willingham, who said he just chased the receiver after missing the call.
Berry was supposed to pick up the Indian receiver as Willingham blitzed.
Injury Report: Cornerback Marsalous Johnson was taken to UT Medical Center after suffering a bruised chest.
Defensive end Xavier Mitchell left the game with a bruised knee, but is expected to be fine.
For Kicks: Daniel Lincoln cemented his place in UT's record books when he converted his seventh straight field goal. That streak bested two six-for-six career starts: Carlos Reveiz in 1985 and Ricky Townsend in 1972.
Lincoln actually hit his seventh straight on a previous drive, but Arkansas State was flagged for running into the kicker, which resulted in a UT first down.
Lincoln didn't have the only strong leg Saturday. Junior punter Britton Colquitt averaged 46.8 yards on four attempts.
"Really proud of Daniel Lincoln and Britton Colquitt," Fulmer said, "That's a solid kicking combination there."
The punt return game was much less spectacular. Jonathan Hefney lost 17 yards on four attempts.
"I think I need to go forward and get yards and not worry about trying to make moves and stuff," the senior said.
Fulmer certainly agreed.
"You don't wiggle," he said. "You maybe give one wiggle. At some point you have to hit it.
"John has a bad habit of doing that. And it's bad on our part to let it continue and it won't continue. We'll look at somebody else if he continues to wiggle."
Fulmer mentioned freshman Dennis Rogan and sophomore Austin Rogers as possible replacements.
Super Subs: Offensive guards Jacques McClendon and Vladimir Richard entered Saturday’s game on UT’s third offensive drive and played nearly half of UT’s offensive snaps, according to McClendon.
“With the seven-man rotation we had going on, I really think that’s a big getup in the offense,” McClendon said. “We come in and bring a little energy boost - me and Vladimir Richard. I think it’s great for our offense to have a little spark there.”
Gimmies: UT’s defense wasn’t responsible for all the points scored against the Vols, again. UT’s offense and special teams have given up five touchdowns this season. Against Arkansas State, Erik Ainge had an interception returned 54 yards for a touchdown.
That was the third turnover UT’s offense has given up for a score this season. UT has also given up two touchdowns on punt returns.
“That’s been our biggest problem so far, is giving teams things,” Ainge said. “Other than that, we made them earn it.”
Dropsies: Austin Rogers dropped a pass against Arkansas State, after dropping two against Florida.
“It’s definitely in the back of your mind,” the sophomore said. “You’ve got to come out the next play and not think about it. (But) It’s almost impossible not to think about the last one.”
Attendance: UT’s announced crowd for the Arkansas State game was 102,368. Considering the empty pockets in Neyland Stadium, there certainly didn’t seem to be that many actually in attendance.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by fryed004 on September 23, 2007 at 2:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is it baby! We're winning the rest of the games! Our O will more than make up for the swiss cheese D and we go 10-2. Time to grab the surfboard...see you at Georgia
Posted by TommyJack on September 23, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Re fryed004's post: I'll have one of whatever he's drinking......
Posted by softball on September 23, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make that two......
Posted by VOLnATL on September 23, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Drinking? ... What is he smoking?
Posted by writer on September 23, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry fryed004. I've been watching and everyone else in the SEC, except Kentucky, has solid defenses go to with workmanlike or better offenses. After what Ole Miss almost managed to do to Florida and Mississippi State has been doing to some respectable teams, I can't see an SEC team Tennessee can beat this year. It is, after all, the toughest conference. It's going to be interesting when the irresistable force of Forida's offense, meets the immovable object of LSU's defense. My money is on LSU. Arkansas State is not an SEC-level team and they shredded our defense. We have one more solid shot at a win--Louisiana-Lafayette. It's going to be a long, long season. Georgia is going to disassemble that faux-defense of ours and leave lots of pieces scattered around the field. Kentucky seems to have a bit more defense than us and their offense is much better. Our defense can't stop a determined snail, they would keep missing the tackle. Offence is for show, defense wins games. We don't have one = long season. Go Vols--figure out a way to prove me wrong. I would be delighted, but I'm not going to hold my breath!
Posted by gtown_vol on September 23, 2007 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like it. Get those young guys in there. Thats how you find the combination that works. It'll also drive some good competition.
Posted by yeavols on September 23, 2007 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make that 3 and whatever he is smoking too
Posted by bigorange000 on September 23, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I need to go forward and get yards and not worry about trying to make moves and stuff duh, ya think?
Posted by IPOrange on September 23, 2007 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree - I think fryed has been burning one. This is still a big win, though. Don't forget that this Ark. St. team took Texas to the wire before losing to them. Special teams is still dreary, but Lucas Taylor is looking like a star. How about that first catch of his!
Posted by 10ACVOL on September 23, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to see Kenny O get more PT, tired of hearing of his blazing speed and at the same time watching Austin drop balls every week. We need a leader on D, Hef is playing horrible, anybody notice his 5 missed tackles last night? Gotta get Hef off of punt returns, I've never understood him being back there.
Punt return yards:
Hefney: -17
Me: 0
I'm glad coaches are getting Creer in there, he's gonna be a great player.
Posted by ncvol17 on September 23, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Creer - 2 games - 2 fumbles
O'Neal - super potential - what is he 7th string? A JUCO player 7th string? Not on a par with other SEC recruits is he? This guy was supposed to be the Meachem replacement wasn't he?
Posted by bricker865 on September 23, 2007 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Austin Rogers returning kicks? No offense, but that one baffles me. He is a nice possession receiver though. I like the idea of one of our most dynamic athletes getting the chance (like Rogan or one of guys who is a great athlete but not quite getting the chance yet on our starting lineup). Someone who is not one of our most vital players(i.e. Foster, Hefney, etc.)should be returning kicks I think. I would hate to see an injury to anyone but especially one of our starting players.
Posted by GoVol on September 23, 2007 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coker should be returning punts. Our biggest problem is still at the top - Fulmer. Our coaching staff doesn't have the ability to really figure out the most talented players to put onto the field at any one time and adjust to the game situations. With Fulmer leading (or lack of) this team it will always be the same song....just a different verse each week. The game has passed him by. I've been a VOL fan for 46 years and I've seen enough to know when a change is needed. Fulmer is the problem, not the solution!!!
Posted by invisiblekid on September 23, 2007 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"John has a bad habit of doing that. And it's bad on our part to let it continue and it won't continue. We'll look at somebody else if he continues to wiggle." Gotta give Fulmer some credit, he always gives his critics plenty of ammunition with some of his quotes. Hefney is having a very rough year, seems like it is a matter of trying to do to much. I am not a coach, but instead of worrying about the "wiggle", how about telling him to simply get up the ******* field as soon as he gets the ball. And like it or not fellas, the history is there to prove CRVol's point.
Posted by 55Vol on September 23, 2007 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again CRVol....nothing positive so say about any of the plays the PLAYERS made....just an offhanded comment directed at coaches. And you wonder why people call you negative? You are arrogant, I'll give that you.
Posted by rickj on September 23, 2007 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire Fat Fulmer. How long must we endure his incompetency?
Posted by smith7206 on September 24, 2007 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is Fulmer worried about the freshmen gaining confidence? We all know that anybody he hasn't had time to pollute will play better than any of the upperclassmen ever could. Shoot, bench everybody that isn't a freshman and get ready for next year! Maybe UT could become known as "freshman u" because we only play freshmen while winning national championships. We sure don't want to do anything stupid like teaching freshmen their assignments BEFORE we hurl them against Florida next year, do we?
And would sombody PLEASE remind Fulmer that he is supposed to take the arrogant road and lay the blame for everything on one of the players. Instead of saying "our fault" say "he insist on doing it that way" or something! He is never EVER to take any responsibility for anything. And, while I'm at it, what's with this "really proud" of some player crap? If he ever even talks to, or about, a player it should be to ream him a new one. We've got the cheerleaders to tell everybody how great they are, we don't need him saying anything positive because neither him nor his staff had anything to do with anything good that may have happened (it was ONLY against Ark St!).
What idiot dreamed this "seven man rotation" up? Can't we just take the best linemen and stick with them?
Ainge has given up so many points now that he must never take another snap. 2 interceptions is one more than it should have taken to bench his sorry a** and any decent coach would have known that! Just look how much better Ainge was BEFORE Cutcliff got the chance to ruin him! He was AWESOME as a sophmore and then Cutcliff had to show up
Posted by fryed004 on September 24, 2007 at 1:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gents...thanks for the re: however, I'm not smoking anything, maybe a couple of drinks. I'm in Hawaii, thus the surfboard ref. Now, after seeing UGA and Bama, I say we win both those games with our superior super freshman finally getting PT! Boooyowwwwww
Posted by nicksjuzunk on September 25, 2007 at 2:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there anybody out there that thinks it may be possible for Florida to lose to LSU, drop another one (possibly GA), and for TN to run the table and have the tie breaker to win the East?
I am not nearly optimistic enough to talk about taking on LSU in the Chmpnshp but do you think we can take the east?
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