Impatience was a virtue for defensive tackle Donald Langley.
Too much patience proved a little troublesome for quarterback Jonathan Crompton.
In Tennessee's first major scrimmage of fall camp, the defense got a much-needed boost from reserve defensive tackles, while UT's offense bogged down near the end zone and struggled again with turnovers.
"I thought at times we operated extremely well," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said of the offense. "We managed the clock, we got the ball out fairly quick most of the time.
"You've got to not turn it over and not let people get their hands on the ball and live to play another down, so to speak. Get the ball in the end zone. We'll grow from that."
Langley, who missed UT's first two days of fall camp to be with his seriously ill mother, made four tackles, including two for a loss, in his first practice in full pads.
Fellow defensive tackle Victor Thomas had two tackles for loss, including a sack against Crompton and the first-team offense.
With Chase Nelson out for the season with a ruptured tendon in his knee, Langley said he felt a sense of urgency heading into Saturday's scrimmage.
"There's no time to wait your turn," Langley said. "You've got to step up and contribute. I think I brought that sense of urgency to go all out and show the coaches I was SEC-ready.
"Me and Vic had the mindset to come and dominate today and so we did our best. Our best was probably clogging up the run game, as you can see."
Tennessee's running game (without Arian Foster, who rested a sore knee) wasn't overly impressive.
And although the Vols had success moving the ball, Saturday's scrimmage wasn't without a few setbacks.
Crompton completed 12 of his 16 passes for 114 yards, but he also had one pass intercepted after a defensive lineman tipped the ball and safety Demetrice Morley came down with it.
Morley picked off another pass, although it was thrown just after coaches blew the play dead on a sack.
"We made some plays here and there. I've just got to watch the film and grade it from there," Crompton said. "I felt a whole lot more comfortable playing on the field, just running the offense, running the show and everything like that."
Fulmer questioned whether Crompton, off limits for full contact, might have been a little too at ease in the pocket.
"I think Jon's a little too comfortable, actually," Fulmer said. "I think he understands what he's doing. That green (non-contact) shirt can ruin you. I want the ball out quicker sometimes and like he did at the end. I thought he had a really good scrimmage, numbers-wise, but you can't turn it over."
Montario Hardesty's fumble on UT's first series was the only other turnover.
UT's offense left coordinator Dave Clawson a little miffed with its performance inside the 20-yard line after a good week in practice.
"We had some really good red zone practices and felt like we were in really good shape there, and come out today in the scrimmage and didn't look as good," Clawson said.
UT's first-team offense failed to produce a score against the first-team defense, and its only passing touchdown came from Nick Stephens to Maryville native Tyler Maples, working with the third team.
Tailback Tauren Poole scored on a 2-yard run, and tailback Lennon Creer scored twice on a pair of 1-yard runs.
Receiver Gerald Jones, who started alongside Lucas Taylor, caught five passes for 64 yards and made a few yards after the catch.
Josh Briscoe made two tough catches for 50 yards, while Austin Rogers finished with two receptions for 21 yards.
Those turnovers and red-zone miscues overshadowed a solid offensive effort.
"I thought overall it was a cleaner scrimmage than we had at any point last spring, except the spring game," Clawson said. "I thought assignment-wise, our guys looked like they were on the same page. They handled a lot of looks."
Ultimately, though, the true measure of UT's first scrimmage will come after coaches dissect film before returning to practice early Monday.
At first blush, defensive coordinator John Chavis wasn't too excited about his group's performance despite the fact that the first-team defense did not allow a score and forced turnovers.
"I'm not going to be satisfied," he said. "I've got high expectations and will continue to have high expectations at Tennessee. It was not as sharp as I wanted it to be. Now I may look at the film and see something totally different."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Saturday's scrimmage statistics.
SCRIMMAGE STATS
Rushing Leaders (Att.-Yds.-TD) -- Ja’Kouri Williams 7-37-0; Montario Hardesty 8-21-0; Tauren Poole 9-11-1; Gerald Jones 2-8-0; C.J. Jackson 8-6-0; Lennon Creer 9-5-2.
Passing Leaders (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD) -- Jonathan Crompton 16-12-1-114-0; Nick Stephens 11-8-0-108-1; B.J. Coleman 12-7-0-66-0.
Receiving Leaders (No.-Yds.-TD) -- Gerald Jones 5-64-0; Josh Briscoe 2-50-0; Tyler Maples 3-33-1; Montario Hardesty 3-22-0; Tauren Poole 2-22-0; Luke Stocker 3-19-0; Austin Rogers 2-21-0; Austin Johnson 2-21-0.
Defensive Leaders -- Adam Myers-White 5 tackles; Nevin McKenzie 5 tackles, 3 TFL (-16), 2 sacks (-14); Ellix Wilson 4 tackles, TFL (-4); Donald Langley 4 tackles, 2 TFL (-4); Ben Martin 4 tackles; Gerald Williams 4 tackles; Stephaun Raines 4 tackles; Rod Wilks 4 tackles; Daryl Vereen 3 tackles; Robert Ayers 2 tackles, TFL (-5), sack (-5), FF, FR; Victor Thomas 2 tackles, 2 TFL (-7), sack (-6); Wes Brown 2 tackles; Eric Berry 2 tackles; DeAngelo Willingham 1 tackle, 1 TFL (-3), 2 PBU; Antonio Gaines 1 tackle, PBU; Brent Vinson 1 tackle, PBU.
Punting (Yds-Avg) -- Chad Cunningham 10-42.0-long 49; Steven Hensley 11-37.5-long 46.
Field Goals (Made-Att) -- Daniel Lincoln 9-of-13, long 52; Devin Mathis 2-of-7, long 31; Chad Cunningham 3-of-5, long 48.
Offensive Starters -- TE Luke Stocker, OT Ramon Foster, OG Jacques McClendon, C Josh McNeil, OG Anthony Parker, OT Chris Scott, TE Brandon Warren, WR Lucas Taylor, WR Gerald Jones, QB Jonathan Crompton, TB Montario Hardesty.
Defensive Starters -- DE Robert Ayers, DT Dan Williams, DT Demonte Bolden, DE Wes Brown, LB Rico McCoy, LB Ellix Wilson, LB Adam Myers-White, DB Dennis Rogan, DB DeAngelo Willingham, DB Demetrice Morley, DB Eric Berry.
Touchdown Plays
Poole 2 run
Maples 7 pass from Stephens
Creer 1 run
Creer 1 run
Injury Holdouts -- OL Preston Bailey (head); OT William Brimfield (ankle); TE Jeff Cottam (leg); TE Aaron Douglas (shoulder); DT Walter Fisher (groin); TB Arian Foster (knee); LB Savion Frazier (ankle); DT Chase Nelson (knee, out for season); OL Cody Pope (illness).
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 180
utwick writes:
Good news for the DTs. The offense is still a work in progress, but time is of the essence.
utwick writes:
G. Jones and G. Williams got some good work too.
utwick writes:
We need to remember that only about 90% of the offense has been installed. From previous articles it sounds like after the total offense is installed, they will not necessarily use it all, rather use the plays that work best.
utwick writes:
Hey, nafslov,
They were ganging up on you pretty good on that other line. What gives? Heck, everyone is welcome to their own opnion. Go Vols
Waldorf writes:
Defense always tends to own this first scrimmage no matter what. Good to hear they looked better, but still not going to give to much praise to the D or worry too much about the O.
Next week will be more of a tell-tale sign of whether we should raise red flags about the offense or not.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Maybe we should just recruit more Geralds.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Maybe they should take off the green shirts for the next scrimmage.
utwick writes:
orangeblood, they could recruit Gerald Ford if he were still alive and had some eligibliity left. From what I recall, he was kinda small to play DT and lacked the breakaway speed of a true playmaker.
budd#207344 writes:
maybe we should all realize this is the first scrimmage
longtimefan writes:
This offense is gonna go off on somebody! Get Brandon in and a couple games under their belt and Look Out! Looks like the Gators might catch the Vols at a bad time!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yes, its only the first scrimmage ... but it still puts a smile on my face.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
i dreamed about our vols last night.... honest.. the vols were are offense, the ball snapped to crompton... the offensive line opened a hole only Moses as seen before as in parting of water.... gerald jones came across the middle and crompton "flipped forward a shuttle pass" to him in stride....
DESTROY UCLA
BRING SEC SWAGER TO THE ROSE BOWL
longtimefan writes:
That would be an awesome play to open with tnmantravel! Wonder if there are any spies from UCLA on here? Any Bruins out there?
DennisVols writes:
Typical 1st scrimmage news, some good, some not so good and some bad. I agree with Fulmer on the turnover issue. You don't win games, divisions, conferences or NC when you turn the ball over. In '98 we were one of the best in the country in the turnover ratio.
At some point the green jersey has to come off and go at it full speed. Jon talked earlier this week about playing as if he wasn't wearing one but you know in the back of your mind you feel protected.
What we need to see and hear is improvements from this stage. More YAC, better production for the backs. It is kind of a no win situation here if the offense does great we think our defense is doomed and if it is the other way around, well you know.
Keep improving and prove to everyone UT is a powerhouse program and get the respect back we all long for.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Ford played Center AND was the star Linebacker for Michigan. They had two undefeated seasons and two National Championships. He used all his eligibility and Michigan retired his #48. He was a "play-maker" but turned down NFL offers from the Lions and Packers so he could go to Yale Law School.
utwick writes:
BigOrange, sorry if I attempted to interject some humor. Yes, Ford was a star in his time, but no, he didn't have speed (as I mentioned) and would be small compared to today's linemen. He no doubt was a star in his time and a gifted athlete. Didn't care much for his golf game. Also, didn't he pardon Nixon? Loses points there.
HellBornElfChild writes:
Gotta watch that tape. Its all about the tape boys. The tape I tell ya. The tape
utwick writes:
Someone has a man crush on Charles Woodson!
pms151 writes:
Maybe we should all just wait and see. I am not convinced that CPF will relinquish control enough to make us good enough to compete. Are you?
utwick writes:
Oh BTW, Johnny Majors (like Peyton) go robbed.
caskew#218608 writes:
Video of a few plays:
http://www.wbir.com/sports/college/st...
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Glad to hear that the DT's were able to make some plays behind the line today. A tip ball int doesn't bother me, but fumbles do. Our backs can't be doing that this year daggumit! At least there were no injuries. I think the "D" is going to be fast and opportunistic this yaer. We may need them to come up with take-aways this year to overcome increased turnovers and offensive penalties. I hope our "O" will be ready come Sept 1st. I like Chavis' attitude! His group didn't give up a point to the 1st string offense and he still wasn't satisfied. These next few weeks are all about improving. It is hard to gauge from an article when the team is playing well against themselves. Hopefully they are all learning to play fast and disciplined.
Volsrule92 writes:
nafslov, Tim Tebow was the quarterback of a team that lost non-bcs bowl. The Orange Bowl, though it wasn't BCS then, was still more prestigious, and this newest Heisman winner was, like Manning, the best football player that year. Heismans are won before the bowl games and if the 1997 race would have occurred last year, Manning would have won since the voters actually got it right for once. Is there anyone who doesn't believe Tebow deserved the Heisman? There's probably a lot more people who don't believe that than believe Woodson deserved it.
bobbarbilly writes:
I think that Woodson gave up football just to hang out in nafslov's mind.
newtonrail writes:
nafslov didn't comment on on Tyler Maples catching the only TD pass. I wonder why? He has to go back and waste our time slamming the greats like Manning and J Majors.. And Naslop, I was there when John played, and you couldn't carry his jock strap. Holloway, Streater, and Martin were all very good QB's, but Holloway was the only one in the same category as Majors and Manning, taking into account different eras they all played in.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i think ut is in for a long season period. the offense wont be what CPF hoped it would be and the only bright spots will be the secondary and o-line, crompton will be lucky if bj isnt the starter after about 4 games!!!!!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
ut will have a 5-7 year. the wins will be UAB, NORTHERN ILL, MISS ST, WYOMING, KENTUCKY, and the losses will be UCLA, Florida, auburn, georgia, alabama, south carolina, vandy!!!!!! They will of given by the time vandy comes up at nashville like they did in 05
orangebloodgmc writes:
Am really looking forward to this season. Sounds like Gerald Jones is poised to break out as a bigger part of our offense. Hopefully A.Foster will pick up right where he left off, if not run even harder. Hardesty healthy. Creer and Poole can do it too. Lucas Taylor back. Warren would be dynamic if we can just get him in a game. DL improved, dbs improved, G.Williams ready to go in beast mode. Look out bruins!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
ut better hope other programs fill up all of the recruiting spots so that ut dont lose what recruits they have during the season!!!!!!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Tennessee is on a good roll these days. They have lots of enemies wishing them ill, but it won't do any good. The future is looking pretty orange.
orangebloodgmc writes:
sjt, did that just happen to Olsen in last day or two?
And what are you doing still up; dontcha have to preach tomorrow?
BigOrangeVol writes:
Newton you're just wasting your time; ignore 'slob, he's an idiot AND a racist. 'slob already thinks Maples is a wasted jersey because he's white and from Marevul.
Cowboy jump on your pony and take that prediction back to Brokeback Mountain with ya Hoss.
LargeOrange writes:
volunteer_cowboy Where are you getting this gloom and doom from? Would you be better named volunteer_brokeback_mountain_cowboy?
LargeOrange writes:
BOV, great minds think alike, I didn't see your BBM post before I made my post. Sorry, you must type faster than me. :-)
volunteer_cowboy writes:
UCLA's HC and OC are good, really good and they aren't stupid, both came from the nfl but they both were at a time not to long ago at the top at thier job in CFL. They will have a verrrry good game plan and all the players will be auditioning for rick and norm, and they have craft
1manningfan writes:
should we be concerned with fosters knee? they act like its not that bad, but hopefully it dosent linger we need him.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
WOW!!!! the OL sure opened up some holes today for the running game....NOT!!!!!!
Oh and Fulmer's getting a little indecisive over "giving" Clawson total control of the offense.
BSweet writes:
Did I miss something? This was the FIRST scrimmage of fall practice, right? I mean if this was the last scrimmage, and this was how they were performing, I could understand the panic, but this was the FIRST. One week of practice is not enough to shake off the rust. Let's give them a little more time before casting predictions of doom.
McBrim- September 20th- Save your breath for that day. IF your gators win, then I expect we'll hear a lot from you. IF the Vols win, then hopefully you'll have the class to bow out graciously and climb back under the bridge with those other trolls.
Kindest Regards
volunteer_cowboy writes:
UCLA quarterback Ben Olson re-injured his right foot at Saturday's practice backing away from center.
Olson, who hurt his foot last spring making the same move, was carted off the field and taken for a floorscan examination.
The test proved inconclusive, a UCLA spokesman Saturday night. Olson will have an X-ray, and possibly an MRI, Sunday. Olson, a BYU transfer, underwent surgery on the same foot in the spring.
In Olson's absence junior college transfer Kevin Craft and freshmen Chris Forcier, Kevin Craft and Nick Crissman took the snaps at practice.
LargeOrange writes:
oh dang. The Moron alert on my PC just went off. Jerkin is online.
I_Sweat_Orange writes:
Bigorangevol that was pretty funny...Volunteer pony rider sounds like small Mike from the radio....The Vols will always be my team whether they go 0 and 12 or 12 and 0.....stay true Vol fans !!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
We couldn't run the ball, must have been because Cutcliffe was favoring the pass all scrimmage!!!! Wait a minute....
volunteer_cowboy writes:
ut looks ahead to florida every year thus Cal last year. They arent worried about ucla but rest assured ucla has nothing on thier mind but ut
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I love how the moron alert comes on LargeMoron's computer when he is on it. LOL!!!!!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
listen guys im true orange through and through but i think clawson underestimates the sec and this will be a life lesson for him!!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
wonder how long ainge will sit on bench for the jets now???
ZR writes:
How long will Vol fans stand for being Florida's whipping boy? Heck most of the Vol fans love it.
When are we going to beat Florida?
Agent_Orange writes:
Ineffective offense in the red zone, eh?
Where have Vol fans seen that before? Looks like the old vanilla Phil Fulmer offensive strategy all over again. If Clawson doesn't take command of the offense, this is going to be a very long SEC season for the Vols.
LargeOrange writes:
Too late for this sh_t. Have fun JerkinoffSilent_Fulmer, this is to lame to stay up for. Nighty Nite. Idiot.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
if any of you guys were betting with your mind and not your heart (like 5000.00) with vegas, how many would bet on ut against florida, georgia, auburn or south carolina. If you dont pay people will be to see you! tell the truth!!!!
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