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Tennessee Stat Book
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Maybe Tennessee was just living on borrowed time.
After managing to go 193 offensive plays without a turnover, the Vols' clock simply ran out in the second quarter Saturday night against South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium.
For an offense with an already razor-thin margin for error, Tennessee's two turnovers proved way too much to overcome in a 27-6 loss to South Carolina, the Gamecocks' first victory over Tennessee on their home field since 1992.
"It was two not very good offenses playing against each other," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said, "and ours was worse than theirs was at times."
The lowlight - and the turning point - came when South Carolina defensive back Stoney Woodson picked off a Nick Stephens pass and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 Carolina lead on the first play of the second quarter.
That interception was the first of Stephens' career, which spanned 106 passing attempts and four starts before Saturday's game.
In fact, the Vols hadn't turned the ball over since Stephens fumbled when sacked in UT's 13-9 victory over Northern Illinois on Oct. 14.
But on Saturday, his reaction to his first career interception was enough to land him on the sidelines for the rest of the first half.
"On Nick's pick, I didn't think he hustled after the interception, and I wanted to set a tone," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "He needed a reminder you always have to play hard."
Stephens, who returned after halftime and completed 10 of his 24 passes for 134 yards in his fifth career start, agreed with the decision.
"I was mad, and he calls it 'dirt-kicking,' " Stephens said. "It was my reaction to the play that caused the consequences. He told me that. I agreed 100 percent because you shouldn't do that. That'll never happen again from me."
With Stephens suddenly on the bench, the Vols (3-6, 1-5 SEC) saw something they didn't expect to see Saturday: Jonathan Crompton under center again.
Crompton, who had not played since going 8-for-23 for 67 yards in UT's 14-12 loss at Auburn, led the Vols' final four series of the first half.
The results weren't spectacular: Three punts and a fumble by tailback Lennon Creer that led to another South Carolina touchdown.
It was another in a series of miscues that have cost the Vols points and ultimately games.
"It's not the gameplan - it's us," said senior tailback Arian Foster, who scored his first touchdown of the season and finished with a team-high 56 yards rushing on 14 carries. "We're out there making mistakes time after time. We can't keep on doing it and expect different results."
In the end, the results were typical of a season that is teetering on the edge of leaving the Vols without a bowl bid and below .500 for the second time in four years.
UT rushed for just 34 yards - factoring in six Carolina sacks - and couldn't make enough big plays in the passing game.
And while turnovers weren't a problem for the Vols in losses to Alabama and Georgia, they certainly were the mitigating factor against the Gamecocks.
"Once again, it was the same thing," senior guard Anthony Parker said. "It's a different person and a different situation on every play that we had go wrong. It's just killing us. It's just something here and something there, it just ends up being huge."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 106
jmsbolt writes:
Yawn" going to bed
NorCalVol writes:
First! Although maybe after this loss no one is really excited to jump on here...
Phowell23 writes:
So Clawson pulled Stephens for Crompton...now we know
MemphisVol writes:
mike leach!!!!!!
BillsBrother writes:
It's not the gameplan...it's the preparation.
I do respect Clawson's decision to sit the QB for lack of hustle.
soddydaisy777 writes:
Read my comments about the game. Arian must read my blog. Its true The players got to be responsible for there play. The coach's can do only so much. I've coached a lot of teams. But, the players got to make plays. You can call any play, the players got to step up to the plate. Be accountable players!!!!
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
So pull Stephens for lack of hustle, yet Briscoe keeps playing. Nice.
Inquisitor writes:
Stephen Garcia reacted to the picker and they carried him off the field. By the time Nick looked up, I'm pretty sure the picker was by him over near the sideline. Since when is a QB gonna catch a DB anyway, unless maybe th DB's still in front and coming at him?
brokebackvol writes:
I expect the fans apathy will only grow, as there really isn't much to play for at this point for the players. Sad, miserable end to a pretty wonderful ride on Fulmer's shoulders. I hope he can see that if he loves Tennessee that it's best to resign and take an Associate AD position or something rather than be fired. He's a good, decent man and nobody wants to hurt him.
91vol writes:
Very poor decision to bench Stephens. Clawson looked like a deer in headlights at the UCLA game, and has performed like one ever since.
CPF has always been good at attracting the talent, but lacks the discipline required to develop it.
Brando said on CBS during a studio update in the UGA / UF game that "When was the last time that TN had a decent offense w/o David Cutcliff?"
He had it exactly right. Cutcliff was the reason for the decade of dominance on offense. All you have to do is graph the points per game output on offense since 1998. The only uptick was when Cutcliff returned.
CPF and the university need to work out a graceful exit; he can continue his working for the university that he loves.
I'm not sure who you bring in, but the decision will make or break Hamilton.
memphistnvol writes:
Wow. I assumed Fulmer is the one who pulled Stephens out and put Crompton in.
TommyJack writes:
Soooooooo, you think the coaches did enough? Is that what you're saying? Seems to me players have to be coached to step up to the plate. They have to be taught to be accountable. Seems to me you're giving the staff too much wiggle room. Maybe I'm worng.
Inquisitor writes:
Stephen Garcia reacted to the picker and they carried him off the field. By the time Nick looked up, I'm pretty sure the picker was already by him over near the sideline. Since when is a QB going to catch a DB anyway, unless maybe the DB is still in front and coming at him?
newtonrail writes:
Will you call him Fat Mike?
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
"On Nick's pick, I didn't think he hustled after the interception, and I wanted to set a tone," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "He needed a reminder you always have to play hard."
Didn't Fulmer say in his post game interview that he benched Stephens because he wasn't seeing the field well?
andy112382#209793 writes:
9-5
8-5
8-4
9-3
8-5
9-4
Those are his teams records starting with 2002.... isn't that what people complain about with Fulmer? 8 or 9 wins? I don't see how Leach is the answer unless you only factor this one season in. Plus, remember he coaches in a recruiting fantasy land called Texas, so you don't exactly have to be a recruiting wizard, we don't know how good he is in that department.
VOLuptuous writes:
I do honestly think you are wrong....I see no heart in our player....Phil, in spite of his clapping, which shows much more heart than any of the players at any point this year, still has some. These players are taking our tax money for a joy ride. There is no heart on the side line.....strip all of them of there scholarships....not a sinlge one other than Eric Berry deserves it....I have looked for motivation on the sideline since the GA game, which I was at....there is none....that is something that simply cannot be taught or coached...these players do not care that they play for the T. To heck with them....stip them fromt the honor and start again....from Briscoe laughing on the sideline to the OH DUHH looks on all of there faces after yet another screw up...I know we like to give Phil a hard time for his clapping, but that is his way of saying,"OH EXPLETIVE". Truth is he handles it with a lot more class than many of us can...A love for the T can't be taught, and the sad truth is these players don't have it
BillsBrother writes:
TJ, what are you doing up so late??
I agree with you. Effective coaches train players Monday-Friday to execute properly on Saturday.
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
I hope you're kidding about another year. You are kidding right?
Inquisitor writes:
I think the fumbles might have been an aggravating factor, there, Drew, not a mitigating factor. At any rate, I thought it was a stupid move to replace Stephens with Crompton, whether Nick agreed with it or not. I thought Nick was mad because Quentin Hancock (I think it was Quentin) cut off the route and caused the interception, which is what I thought happened. I was glad to see him get mad, unlike the early season when unbelievable things happened with Crompton playing, and he just trotted to the bench with a stoic look on his face. I was glad to see Nick Stephens get mad! I think the whole team should be mad. But I don't think they are. I think they're just like Crompton when he was a starter. They think they just need "to go play ball," as Crompton was fond of saying.
And then, Stephens said he was benched for “dirt kicking,” and Clawson said he was benched because “I didn't think he hustled after the interception.” Which was it? Besides, Stephens was knocked down right after he released the pass, and I don’t think he had a snowball’s chance of catching the defensive back.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. I’m sure Phil’s done. He should finish with 152 or 153 wins, 2nd in UT history behind Neyland. Maybe it’s some kind of justice that he didn’t pass the General. It’s been a good run, but now it really is time for a change in Big Orange Country.
TommyJack writes:
sleepless in geezerville.
VOLuptuous writes:
Good news according to Rivals is that Tajd Boyd committed today....of course we are close to losing a ton of commits if Phil gets booted out of town....This group of recruits seems excited to play in Knoxville....I can't say that about many of our current players....I will agree with Inquisitor, Nich Stephens showed some gusto when he threw the pick...he should have been peeved...and he got benched...wtf...so we put in our worst QB of the century.....come on Clawson....at any rate I put this on the players....complete lack of heart this season
TommyJack writes:
I think he got benched for not getting up off his azz and trying to make the tackle.
chrisw2967 writes:
"On Nick's pick, I didn't think he hustled after the interception, and I wanted to set a tone," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "He needed a reminder you always have to play hard"
I guess they all would play hard if they had coaches that knew what they were doing.does anybody on this coaching staff have a clue. def. isnt the problem as long as the mustang package isnt in the mix
VOLuptuous writes:
No, I think Phil has earned it...I think that Auburns OC got a raw deal...it takes more than a year to install a new offense....I know that what we are running doesn't seem all that new, but it is obvious to me taht the players simply don't get it....after reading multiple Clawson interviews and seeing his track record, I am on the side of patience....heck, it may not pay off in the end...I don't know....but it is better than the option of wasting another year with an entire overhaul to me...if things go south next year.....I am fine with starting from scratch....call me crazy, but I see good things to come
VOLuptuous writes:
I think you are right....at least he was pizzed about the whole situation...more than I can say about LC who just sulked on the bench after his fumble
VOLuptuous writes:
At the same time...I place most of the blame this season on the O line....I really think they are the most overhyped unit in all of college football this season...nowhere to run and no time to pass = no offense....nothing any coach can do to accomidate for that...stand by my comment...pull there scholarships...they don't deserve them
andy112382#209793 writes:
Well, I was at the game tonight, since I only live about an hour away from Columbia...why is it that our receivers feel the need to spin around and go backwards a yard or two before trying to move up field?!? There was at least one time I know we had the first down until they did that.... mind boggling!
I wish it was something obvious that was the problem, makes it much easier to say exactly what to do about it, but there is just simply something not there, something just isn't clicking....coaching? lack of heart from players? just simply don't have the pieces for Clawson to work with? Clawson in over his head? Fulmer just lost the magic touch?
None of us know for sure (though some like to think otherwise since we are all self-appointed football gurus), but whatever it is we need to fix it asap and go about it with a smart approach so we don't take any more steps backwards before moving forward, don't want to become the next Michigan or Nebraska!
Love the recruiting class so far...do we give the coaches the chance to use it? Get new coaches and try damage control on keeping the studs of the class?
TommyJack writes:
I'm not down on Stephens, but you have to react(to the picker) when you throw an int. Supposedly, it was Clawson that ordered the benching.
VOLuptuous writes:
I am for giving the coaches one more year....AND THAT IS IT.....for whatever reason these players just don't get it....it is one stupid mistake after another...false starts...holding....pass interfencer...fumbles....I am sure these are things that the coaches have gone over time and again....and they have said time and again they have....truth is you can't teach smarts......these players simply don't have it up top....I was down on the coaches prior to Alabama...now I am convinced that these players just don't have the heart, the brains, or maybe both....one is a bad enough, but both is just devistating.....an article (in fact the only one in the times free press today) had a player biatching about the booing at home and how he would rather play away.....well, I hope he enjoyed it....fans have booed at one game this season and the only booing at AL game was directed at their classless fans during an injury....if you don't appreciate playing at NEYLAND....GTFO. I just don't think these players appreciate the opportunity offered to them. As a booster....it is hard to watch
dfreeman writes:
Top O' the morning to ya TJ!! geezerville? LOL that's funny!
This team is breaking my heart, but I still love them! Imagine this season with an offense! It's so hard to watch and see what is apparently the end of a Tennessee legend! This season has been hard to stomach on so many different levels!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
06143831 writes:
don't froget about robert ayers. he deserves some credit for his play also. he is the 2nd best D player we have and probably going pro next year.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How lame was that for a coach to say a starting QB didn't do well on his tackling drill? Clawson taking a bullet for Phixable.
I say get a large sack and put the entire staff in and set it to the curb.
We not only have arrived in loserville, we are accustomed to it.
Philm study Sunday at 10 adder breakfast at Golden.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
I think y'all are missing the point on the "dirt kicking" comment. Stephens didn't actually kick dirt on anyone. That's coachspeak for getting down on yourself immediately for screwing up.
You see it all the time in Little League, Jr. Pro Basketball, or Pee Wee Football. When I coached Little League and a second baseman, for example, let a ball go through his legs, I didn't want him looking at the dugout or dropping his head and shuffling his feet around. GET IN POSITION TO TAKE THE THROW FROM THE OUTFIELD! Or in Jr. Pro Basketball, if a player thought he was fouled on a shot and it didn't get called, GO AFTER THE REBOUND OR GET READY TO PLAY DEFENSE IF THE OTHER TEAM GETS IT! Don't drop your head with that "Oh woe is me" look!
I don't know if Coach Clawson or Coach Fulmer expected Stephens to run down the player who intercepted and make an Eric Berry hit on him, but you would expect him not to drop his head and say, "Aw shucks, I just threw my first pick". Just keep playing til the play is over!
Okay, everybody got it? Commit it to memory, 'cause there might be a test.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I'm not buying... if the team isn't doing what they are supposed to be doing, that's a reflection of the coaching staff not teaching players. Unfortunately, players who show up at UT as good players don't get any better, and if they need some work to get better, they'll never amount to anything. There's no player development, there's no gameplanning, there's no discipline.... and the recruiting has went downhill too, even with Tajh Boyd on board.
graysthename writes:
Does drew edwards know what mitigate means...look it up before you try to look smart and throw big words in an article. You probably made 90% of the people that actually read your article a bit dumber by thinking they're going to be cool and use that word in a sentence.
graysthename writes:
Leave the coaches alone, the players are just terrible. Give Eric Berry the week off and just make everyone else run the entire practice. Obviously they don't care about preparing for the games...so get them into good shape at least. Do speed drills, we have the slowest team in the SEC.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
If you would deactivate your account the average IQ of posters at this place would rise 25-35 points.
Your points are weak, your rants fringe on lunacy, and I'm willing to bet you haven't played a down, pitch, dribble, line change,, etc. of a competitive sport in your life past JV in High School.
Again, if these are really your views on life, football, and just your general way of thinking I hope for the rest of the world you will not or have not already procreated.
txvolsfan writes:
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This team is too undisciplined and that is the coaches fault, 100%
richvol writes:
UT's biggest problem is the offensive line. The penalties indicate a lack of discipline and effective coaching. However, they mostly can't block anyone in the SEC, or any other conference for that matter. They are too slow and can't push anybody back in a short yardage situation. They also let defenders come untouched into the backfield.
Until we are able to recruit SEC caliber linemen and receivers that can get separation from defenders we cannot win. Every pass has a defender draped all over our receiver.
If Fulmer does get another year then if I were him I would damn sure get the very best offensive line coach,a defensive back coach that can teach man coverage and some real athletes that can play o-line and receiver. We are desperately lacking in those areas and it's the only way to save his rear end. If he had held his coaches accountable for results the past 7 or 8 years he wouldn't be in this mess.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Jumping offsides is all between the players' ears. It's not in the coaching, not in the gameplanning, it's in the execution by the players. Concentration is the key.
ralphie writes:
why would mike leach come here? this is not a great job
hooverd283#563729 writes:
Coaches do not the mistakes on the field. Saban,Carroll,Meyer,etc. would not have an answer for this offensive team. Jumping offside on 4th down on special team play is just another example of mistakes that coaches can't control. As a group this is probably the least talen ted offensive team I've seem at UT in 20 yrs. You can call for Fulmer's job as well as his staff's but bottom line this team(offensive)is simply not very talented. Boyd just committed, we have 2 great tailbacks on board. Clawson's offense will work...but he needs speed and if they all stay committed he's getting it on board. Give him a chance.
shipperman#280095 writes:
OK, I will call you crazy. Phil deserves a trip out the door. He stays and we are guarateed to get our rears handed to us by GA, Bama, and Florida next year, at the least
shipperman#280095 writes:
Maybe TJ, but Fiulmer said post game that HE pulled Stephens because he wasn't seeing the field. Kind of mixed stories here
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
you compare jesus to w and fulmer?? my guess is that you think of yourself as devout, conservative and right. you are a blasphemer and you've now doomed yourself to an eternity in hades.
you like apples?
shipperman#280095 writes:
Let us tell it like it is folks. We have a horrible offense and at best an average defense. If the defense were more conditioned, they would not give up multiple poits game after game. Phil needs to go because we will never be above average with Little Johnny remaining any longer
leedsvol2007 writes:
Mustang I think you may have mis-understood the reason he was benched.
Stehens showed up his teammate on the sideline.
It looked like on the replay Briscoe shut down his route and Stephens went after him in a way that he tried to shift the responsibility to Briscoe.
I was really upset that they yanked him at that point because I thought it would hurt Stephens confidence but now it seems logical.
But yeah Briscoe should have been yanked as well.
chbradshaw writes:
I was one of the first, if not the first, to advocate Mike Leach on this board. I'm not bragging...just establishing some credibility.
I am getting concerned Tech's ascension this year and our decline may have taken us out of his consideration. Leach does not have a good relationship with his A.D. After last night, I think the power may have shifted in that relationship. It may be the A.D. who leaves.
I am also concerned that Leach or any other coach may now be much more concerned that our talent-level may be so bad and shallow that it will take a 3-4 year time frame to return to mid-SEC level.
Leach has shown he can win with a lower talent-level than his opponents. This is one reason I am so high on him. That may not apply to some of the other coaches under speculation.
As for this issue of benching Stephens, I don't agree with that at all. Since when have the coaches benched themselves for obviously bad decisions?
Did Fulmer punish himself for starting an obviously inferior quarterback for the first four games or for having Arian Foster in a situation against UCLA where he was proven to be fumble-prone?
At the time of his FIRST career interception, Nick Stephens had the SIXTH longest streak without an interception in Tennessee history. The idea that not hustling in trying to make the tackle was so egregious that it merited the game-outcome suicide move of playing Crompton just doesn't make sense.
My guess is the coaches have not sufficiently dealt with this situation in practice and used the wrong player as a scapegoat for their bad decisions.
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