Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee reserves made the most of their time on Neyland Stadium's lighted stage playing the role of a junior varsity team Thursday night.
The JV Vols, featuring only 12 scholarship players, scored a 37-20 victory over Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy before a crowd of about 500.
Nick Stephens took the majority of the snaps for UT at quarterback, finishing 10-of-19 passing for 162 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
"A lot of guys don't get to play much, so this was a chance for them to show what they could do,'' Stephens said. "When you're put to the test, it shows what you can do.''
Former Fulton Falcon Dennis Rogan flew high throughout the night on defense and as a return specialist.
Rogan, a true freshman who has yet to see much action with the varsity, had three kick returns for 104 yards, including a 48-yarder, and two punt returns for 72 yards, including a 47-yarder. Rogan also had an interception he returned 15 yards.
"'In the return game he (Rogan) certainly could be a factor,'' UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "Dennis is a natural with the ball. I'm excited about the career he'll have here. He's important to the defense.''
Sophomore walk-on safety Derrick Furlow hopes to be important somewhere after his performance against Hargrave. Furlow, from Crossett, Ark., had four tackles and a 41-yard interception return to set up a TD.
"This was a big opportunity,'' said Furlow, who was recruited by Georgia and Texas before suffering a knee injury prior to his senior year. "It was a coming-out party, and hopefully this will help me get on special teams or a spot somewhere.''
The Vols didn't put much into their preparation for the game, meeting only once as a unit, at that, earlier Thursday.
It showed early on. UT stumbled out of the gate, turning the ball over on its first two offensive plays.
Hargrave was first on the board when linebacker Quillie Odom shot a gap and interrupted Stephens' handoff to Roy Olasimbo. Odom's hit knocked the ball loose in the end zone and Zach Brown recovered for a touchdown with 10:01 left in the first of four 12-minute quarters.
The Vols gave the ball back the first play of their next possession when Olasimbo fumbled at the UT 40.
Tennessee's defense held, however, and the offense reeled off the next 23 points.
Olasimbo, who had 119 yards on 22 carries, put the Vols on the scoreboard with the first of his three touchdowns when he barreled in from 9 yards to cap a 10-play, 92-yard drive with 8:37 left in the first half. Devin Mathis' extra point tied the game at 7.
UT made it 13-7 when Stephens aired out a pass down the sideline to Bram Cannon for a 49-yard TD.
The Vols added another touchdown before intermission when Furlow intercepted a pass and returned it to the Tigers' 8, setting up a 4-yard Olasimbo TD run that made it 20-7.
Mathis opened the second-half scoring with a 39-yard field goal to expand UT's lead to 23-7 with 4:57 left in the third quarter.
The Tigers — playing without high-profile tailback Enrique Davis, an Auburn signee — answered on the ensuing possession when Smith hit Kendrick Pressley for a 25-yard TD pass over UT's Brent Freeman with 3:23 left in the third quarter. Grant Cody hit the extra point to pull Hargrave to 23-14.
But then it was Rogan leading the Vols right back, returning the kickoff 48 yards to the Tigers' 36. Stephens eluded the rush and found Julian Wiggins with a 33-yard strike to the 3, and Olasimbo powered into the end zone on the next play. Mathis' extra point made it 30-14.
Rogan picked off a pass and returned it to the Hargrave 49 to set up UT's final scoring drive, which ended when Stephens hit Kevin Cooper with a 9-yard TD pass.
The Tigers closed out the scoring when Smith found Justin McCombs for a 25-yard TD pass.
UT second-string quarterback Jonathan Crompton was in uniform but didn't play.
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Comments » 64
wyomingvol writes:
Play Rogan! Play Rogan! Play Rogan! Play Rogan! etc.....
andy112382#209793 writes:
Good to hear some guys were able to shine and no one got injured. Rogan certainly sounds like someone having at least return kicks, I think they should look at Rogan and O'Neal for kickoffs, not much of a choice for teams to kick to there, both guys sound very athletic.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Oh no!! We are winning JV games also. If we beat Georgia we have to fire Fulmer before this gets out of hand and we have a good season!!
Yeah, play Rogan too. I'd like to hear about him running some stuff back to the house!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
eVOL: You believe we are better off without Coach Fulmer. I am not so sure that we are.
What I find comical is everyone's jumping off of the Tennessee bandwagon like they just found out it was being driven by Steve Spurrier (who many want to hire). We have two losses to two very good teams. No one is happy about it. Calling for the coach's head after starting 1-2 seems a bit premature to me. Of course you beg to differ and on it goes.
As for last year. Most were quite happy with last year as far as I remember as TN rebounded nicely. TN lost to the National Champs, LSU who was just as good as FL, and a loaded ARK team. I don't see the shame in that after a terrible year in 2005.
Now, you would naturally like to see us on Old Rocky Top again as the next natural progression. It hasn't happened... yet. This year looks like last year to me. Losses to top 10 caliber teams with wins against solid teams. Is that what I am looking for? No. We ALL want championships.
I just think that you're pulling the trigger a season too soon. You will say it is a season too late and that is your prerogative. When Fulmer is coaching next year, we will see if we have taken that next step. I hope for all of our sakes... I am right.
Regardless, we will return to the top sooner or later and we will all be in Orange bliss again. Let's hope it is sooner regardless of the coach.
orange_glory writes:
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT A MAN NAMED PHIL A RICH VOLUNTEER BARELY KEEPS HIS TEAM IN GAMES. THEN ONE DAY THE FANS GOT FEED UP AND SAID PHIL RETIREMENT IS THE PLACE YOU OUGHT TO BE SO HE LOADED UP THE UHAUL TRUCK AND MOVED TO ANYWHERE BUT HERE. NOT HERE THAT IS, WE WANT TO BE A TOP 5 TEAM AGAIN, WIN BOWL GAMES, HAVE RESPECT, BEAT OUR BIGGEST RIVALS, WIN AN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP. (WITH APOLOGIES TO THE BEVERYLY HILLBILLIES)
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
orange_glory: Friend, the content of your poetry shows that it was indeed written at 4:35 a.m.
vol98 writes:
Anyoe know why football can't have or won't have spring scrimmages with other teams, even DII, to get some answers before the season. Like the reason we could run the ball is we couldn't tackle. Aside from injuries, is there a rule against this?
ColumbusVol writes:
I find it strangely ironic that "not much preparation was put into this game" and they seemingly start out a game just like the "varsity" team (i.e. spotting the other team some points).
And to make a point, Tennessee should never have to "rebound" from ANY year. There should have never been a 5-6 year to rebound from, ESPECIALLY when you are considered a preseason NC candidate and ranked in the top 5.
Hypothetically I don't feel that Tennessee, under current management, is going to bounce back into the elite in the next few years. I just don't see the creativity and ability to adapt. All i see is fumbled snaps and stops at the line of scrimmage.
orangebloodgmc writes:
jwraymond1, i like your attitude of taking it one game at a time like that. Go Vols!
orangebloodgmc writes:
And for all the Spurrier groupies, realize that this is what you would be getting:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/ls...
Singaporehillbilly writes:
Good post and sound reasoning nicksjuzunk.
orangebloodgmc writes:
OK, why did it cut off the url that I posted a few minutes ago? I'll try again because you folks should hear this vintage high-pitched whine from your deity, Spurrier.
after the www, put:
2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10065811.html
hueypilot writes:
We don't want Steve Spurrier. We want someone like a young coach who can lead us to glory. Someone like a Ray Goff or a Bill Battle. Oops., okay we want someone who has had great success at a lower level than big time SEC football, someone from a school outside the conference that could come in here and apply the same principles he used at a lesser football power, somebody like Jim Donnan or Dennis Franchione, no wait, I know, we need to bring in someone who is a proven guru of offensive football to install a fearsome attack, somebody like Jimbo Fisher or Charlie Weis, mmm, no we need somebody who has established head coaching bonafides, like Nick Saban who will stay with the program and not just use it as a stepping stone, uh, I mean, we need somebody who is on the rise even if he's not a Tennessee guy who would come in here an not run straight off to his alma mater, somebody like Doug Dickey or Les Miles. Gosh, this is harder than I thought it was gonna be.
vol4jesus writes:
Yes, the poster children are struggling this morning. Take the JV article and pick up the same old tiring drivel. Just push the playback button and we will listen to the recording some of you have done since preseason on Coach Fulmer etc.
My children say dad we've heard that joke you need some new material. Ditto for some poster children on GVX. Rogan watch in effect....
jopad#212858 writes:
Why is it the anti Fullmer faction feels they must seize every opportunity to "spit" their venom? Why not let the young players this article is about enjoy the article and read encouraging blogs about their chance to play and suceed. GIVE IT A REST GUYS. If you want to write about Coach Fullmer do it after appropriate stories, not one about these players who get very few chanches to receive recognition for their play. I personally get tired of some of you constantly writing negative comments on EVERY story in the KNS sports coverage. GET A LIFE!!!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
hueypilot: Good call.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Singaporehillbilly: This may be a dumb question... but are you in Singapore?
Pullingguard writes:
After Vols beat Georgia come Oct 6th a lot of these doomsday head benders will get back on the Vols bandwagon. These fair weather fans, whom know little or nothing about football will be OK once UT wins a couple of games. So to all the good Vol fans out there, take all these kookies with a grain of salt.. Wonder what they would be saying if they were an Auburn fan, at least Vols were beaten by couple of teams in the top 10. So stay cool all you level brained Vol fans, things will be OK.
TommyJack writes:
You know what would be nice? If the SAME OLD hacks would stop trying to dominate this site with multiple posts....You guys must enjoy seeing your name in print. You know who you are. We're all impressed with your brilliant posts....Please give us a giant break..
TommyJack writes:
I rest my case
BigOrange1 writes:
I heard there were going to be open tryouts for "head coach".
FYI...whistles will not be provided!!
Pullingguard writes:
CR there is one thing to remember and accept, and I have been a Vol fan for sumteen years, and the thing to remember is this... Vols will probably not beat Florida in the foreseeable future, sad to say but true, too many plus factors surrounding Gainsville. Vol fans should learn to be happy with seasons of 8/9 and sometimes 10 win seasons depending on the schedule. There is no halo around Knoxville (halo = talent) as there are in other places within the SEC. Fulmer has been good for UT and probably is too protective of his staff, however, you will not find a better person who can still attrace some of the good talent from far away places.. Vol fans better be appreciative of what they have. There are few Bruce Pearl accompolishments to be had in any sport, especially Football within the SEC unless you are in Gainesville or Baton Rouge.
vol4jesus writes:
CR___ you are continuing to appear as a case yourself. Help is available to the humble who can recognize their need. Speaking of not giving yourself too much credit...physician heal thyself of same affliction.
A kinder/gentler attempt at posting as opposed to some of the caustic posting appearing from others
Volunatic writes:
This game should have been held on Saturday instead of last night, since Saturday is an open date. There would have been more than 500 fans in attendance if they had done that. Better attendance would have helped in recruiting some of the Hargrave players.
As for firing Phil, in many people's opinion, he has a "10-year pass" (expires 1/4/09) unless we have another losing season between now and then. The danger in firing him before that is getting the football equivalent of Buzz Peterson as a replacement. While I agree that the program has been lackluster at best since the '01 SEC Championship, I don't want to have Gerry DiNardo (or Gerry Faust) as our coach, either.
TommyJack writes:
CR...WOW...how very glib you are. Do you have mirrors surrounding your PC?
Sheepscape writes:
We are statistically ranked over 100 in several catagories this year. We've been recruiting according to Rivals an average of 8.5 rankings of classes in the country.
We've got talent, we aren't getting it on the field or prepared nearly fast enough.
utnoeler writes:
nicksjuzunk,
are you crazy? have you watched the vols for the past ten years. we have gotten progressivley worse. phil needs 1 more season???? come on man, the fans deserve a real season next year, this one is done. I am still hoping we can string toether some wins and make it semi-interesting, but fulmer's firing is way past due. lets not donate another long season and 2 million dollars to phil. i have a question for you. why is he making more then meyer, spurrier, richt, etc. why does he make more then coaches he cant beat??????????? time to go buddy. lets get more bang for our buck.
CoverOrange writes:
Any body know where BJ Coleman was? Why he didn't play?
Sheepscape writes:
You could make the argument for firing Fulmer based on special teams alone. He's promised fixes for years and instead- nothing.
bigbluevol writes:
Coleman didn't play because they are redshirting him. NCAA rules say that had he played, he would have wasted the redshirt.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
I can't believe all the people that are still drinking the orange kool-aid. Get off that stuff, it is causing brain damage.
texan writes:
Hey guys check this out. How many of you drinking all the orange kool-aid are paying $122 a year for it?
http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headl...
texan writes:
$1200
vol4jesus writes:
jdcvol do you want to tell us your flavor of choice? Bama red. Kentucky blue, Mississippi Mud brown, Georgia Bulldog black, Arkansas Hog Rayed ? We must drink the 'Orange' kool-aid ...we must drink the 'Orange' kool-aid....we must...If I remember correctly ewe played for UT. Yes?
bigbluevol writes:
I'll probably get skewered for this, but here goes. Whether or not UT needs a new coach, I think the main problem that a lot of people are having is the outright disrespect being shown towards Fulmer. You don't have to like him and you don't have to think he's a good coach, but I (and probably many others) do believe he has earned the right to be respected.
vol4jesus writes:
From my post that is deteriorating as we speak, I agree our society knows little about respecting an individual. Especially if they don't like you or agree with you. BTW Thanks CR___ for the compliment. At least,according to the pontiff of posters< I have a position to deteriorate from..so thanks. Your immense respect for me is appreciated very much. Do us a favor and post the poster grade scale so we can see how we do each post according to loftiness's opinion...oh self-exalted speak that we may hear and revere. OK, back from fantasy land to reality poster children. CR___ I'll try to move my fall down to tortoise(SP) speed. GO VOLS!!!
bigbluevol writes:
I agree that "This will make good film study for us" and "I don't know Bob, I'll have to look at the film" and "They're a heck of a football team" and so on get old. I know a lot of the stuff he says is designed to be optimistic and does come off as though he's in denial, but I still believe that we can disagree with him respectfully and without calling him names. There are several issues to work on and I don't think we've been the same since that loss to LSU in 2001, but it's not our call to make so while we argue let's at least treat him with a modicum of decency and respect, that's all.
vol4jesus writes:
Todays $25 word is 'modicum' brought to us by bigbluevol. That upgraded the site by about 50% on a fair scale. Thank you for defending the respect and not the lack there of position.
webbofconfusion writes:
I am throwing my name out there for head coach... I am going to put the money where everyones mouth is.... If you don't like the coaching, tough. You are not on the staff that makes those decisions. If Doug wants to give me a call it is 555 9355946.
scvols writes:
Use Olasimbo on short yardage.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
jopad, you must be happy with mediocrity.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
Has anybody heard about Jon Gruden flying into town on Monday to meet with some of the big donners? It's a fact.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
vol4jesus, your posts are strange. I'm not suggesting that anybody go away from Tenn and cheer for someone else. The issue is that some of you do not see the problems with our FB team. Whether it is lack of talent, coaching, perfect storms. etc...the responsibility is with CPF. He is not performing and believing that he will turn this around is foolish. The bowl game last year was a indication that we had not turned the corner. Spring practice was wasted time and all of the BS about the workouts got us what?? SO it has to be the kool-aid that is causing your brainwaves to misfire. It is far stronger than alcohol.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
by the way, I personally do not care about CPF size. I'm only concerned about his ability to win FB games......that is what he is paid to do. We should be attacking his lack of game management, game preparation, player development, coach development and academic development. How would you grade him in the 1990's vs the 2000's? Isn't this the real issue with all of this?
Volunatic writes:
houtxvol wrote: "Hey guys check this out. How many of you drinking all the orange kool-aid are paying $122 [revised to $1200] a year for it?"
I pay about that much. $500 annual donation to the UT Alumni Association (granted, I would donate even without the ticket-buying privilege), about $625 for two season tickets, plus parking and concessions.
I don't know if I'm drinking the Orange kool-aid, but I definitely don't want Mike Hamilton to fire Phil if the team has a decent season (ie-- 8 wins or more) because that would almost certainly doom us to getting an inferior coach.
What hot-shot mid-major coach would want to go to a place that fired a coach with a National Championship in the past decade who consistently puts in winning seasons?
texan writes:
Spam247buster is right about the $ spent, I too do the same. However, I was referring to the extra $1200 spent by the secret donors quoted in the article. Are they here too? If so when will one of them blow the whistle and embarrass UT the way they did at A&M?
texan writes:
jcvet, Are you sure that a JV game ruins a redshirt year? Been a long time since we had to address that issue. I think not.
bigbluevol writes:
The JV game does burn the redshirt year. The coaches hadn't planned to redshirt Rogan, anyway. Hopefully they will get him more involved and soon. At least put him back on kickoffs.
Volunatic writes:
houtxvol,
I couldn't get the link to work-- it gave me a "no such article found" error page. What was the gist of the article?
texan writes:
Try this spambuster although it's probably all over ESPN
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/st...
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