The 200 or so fans who made it to Neyland Stadium on Thursday night own bragging rights. They saw Tennessee’s best quarterback play of the season.
To be fair to Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens, the competition wasn’t exactly SEC-caliber in the Vols’ 37-21 junior varsity win over Hargrave Military Academy.
Still, redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman grabbed his opportunity and ran with it, passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns.
“It took me one play to get back into the rhythm,’’ Coleman said afterward. “I’m thankful to get out here with these guys I’ve been working with for two years.
“I’m trying to work as hard as I can to get to a real opportunity, to where I can get a shot on Saturday.’’
That could come on Nov. 22 when the Vols (3-7) play at Vanderbilt. Tennessee has an open date this weekend.
Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson observed from the press box. While he had a big smile and a handshake for Coleman, Clawson deferred comment to sideline coach Jim Bob Cooter.
“It’s up in the air,’’ said Coleman. “We’re going back to practice this week and work hard and hopefully things will go good.’’
That would be a new direction for UT’s varsity quarterbacks. Neither Crompton nor Stephens has been able to generate any consistent production and both have been plagued by mistakes.
Coleman, meanwhile, has played only a couple of snaps in the win over UAB on Sept. 13.
However, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Coleman showed no signs of rust, finishing 22-of-31 and hitting a variety of passes.
The former Chattanooga McCallie High School standout connected on nine of his first 11 passes, including a 5-of-5 possession as the Vols drove 83 yards for their first touchdown.
Coleman hit fullback Ben Bartholomew for a 5-yard score and a 6-0 lead.
Hargrave (10-1) took a 13-9 lead when Jonathan Meeks returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown with 46 seconds left in the first half. That was ample time for Coleman to regain momentum.
He hit Tyler Maples for a 23-yard strike, then found the former Maryville High standout again for a 24-yard touchdown with 15 seconds to go.
Maples had four catches. Ahmad Paige led with five.
“All the balls I caught were perfect balls,’’ Maples said. “The credit goes to him. He put the ball on the money.’’
“The ball,’’ added Paige, “was where it needed to be. That’s the kind of quarterback we need.’’
But not often the kind of quarterback UT has seen this year.
Coleman’s 325 passing yards doubles the Vols’ passing output in six out of 10 games. Tennessee’s entire offense hasn’t produced that many yards in the eight games since UAB.
“Everybody has their bumps in the road,’’ Coleman said. “Some times you’ve got to take a step back to go two forward.
“I think the Tennessee Vols will be back. Sometimes you’ve got to go through trials and tribulations so you can get a little more mature and have some perseverance.’’
Tennessee’s defense created two second-half scores. Tyler Wolf’s goal-line interception and 71-yard return set the table for Tanner Shamblin to hit tight end Ben Lehning with a 14-yard touchdown pass.
Defensive end Phillip Tritapoe sacked Hargrave quarterback Kevin Newsome, forcing a fumble at the Hargrave 28.
After Coleman found Paige for a 13-yard gain, Bartholomew rumbled 15 yards for a touchdown.
Sam Edgemon’s 1-yard plunge capped a 14-play drive to make it 37-13.
But Coleman was the story.
“The main thing I really wanted was to manage the football game the way it needs to be managed,’’ he said.
“And dynamics is a very important part of the game. I wanted to bring something to the table that not everybody’s got.
“And also tempo. I thought we were in and out of the huddle good.’’
How they scored
Hargrave 0 13 0 8 -- 21
UT 6 10 14 7 -- 37
First quarter
UT 6, Hargrave 0: Ben Bartholomew 5 pass from B.J. Coleman (kick failed).
10 plays, 83 yards, 5:25
Second quarter
Hargrave 7, UT 6: Tyler King 5 run (Troy Krepich kick).
7 plays, 65 yards, 2:43
UT 9, Hargrave 7: Devin Mathis 23 field goal.
10 plays, 63 yards, 4:07
Hargrave 13, UT 9: Jonathan Meeks 91 kickoff return (kick blocked).
1 play, 91 yards, 16 seconds
UT 16, Hargrave 13: Tyler Maples 24 pass from Coleman (Mathis kick).
2 plays, 52 yards, 23 seconds
Third quarter
UT 23, Hargrave 13: Ben Lehning 14 pass from Tanner Shamblin (Mathis kick).
5 plays, 29 yards, 2:26.
UT 30, Hargrave 13: Batholomew 15 run (Mathis kick).
2 plays, 28 yards, 35 seconds
Fourth quarter
UT 37, Hargrave 13: Sam Edgemon 1 run (Mathis kick)
14 plays, 81 yards, 6:46
UT 37, Hargrave 21: Phillip Lefebvre 2 pass from Kevin Newsome (Newsome run).
9 plays, 64 yards, 5:07
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Comments » 296
mgdchvol writes:
We will see........
slammingseth writes:
fool-more just doesnt recognize talent
gohawks1 writes:
37 points and 325 yards passing? That's more offense than we've had in the last 2 or 3 games combined.
Start him next week. It's not like we have anything to lose.
volnknox writes:
Glad to see fulmer go- maybe next coach can see talent when its right under his nose.
ncvol17 writes:
they won't play him this late in the season.. see ya next year BJ...
irmovol writes:
can he move in the pocket ? leach is wondering ?
RockyTopRooks writes:
i just watched BJ look like a mini Payton throwing only 2 incomplete passes and 2 TDs in the first half! he looked like a stud.
It is a shame if he doesnt get a chance to play these last two games.
Anyone who went to this game will agree with me
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I'll comment after studying the film and consulting the....
Pullingguard writes:
Well I am not sure the other QB's could have provided this offense... but this late in the season, why play him and cost year of eligibility... (is he a true freshman, or did he redshirt last year) if the latter is true then they need to play him and start him verses KY... But Fulmer will have some lame excuse that he does not practice well, or that he is not in command of the huddle, some phooey for not playing him. He cannot do any worse than those who have been embarrassing themselves each week...
govols22231 writes:
We wouldnt want to risk him because if we play him he will lose his redshirt, we are already not going to a bowl just wait till next year
EntourageVol writes:
some hope on the horizon?
caskew#218608 writes:
Don't know about BJ, but Tajh Boyd can!
slammingseth writes:
go vols: he his a redshirt freshman this year so therefor he loses a year of elgibillity no matter what
jcrewvol writes:
looks like BJ has been workin' like...... well, you know the rest
chrisw2967 writes:
sad ,very sad. looks like Fulmer doesnt know what talent looks like.seems like every since he got fired something new happens that comfirms that the right decision was made in putting him on the road.
since he got fired , Wyoming beats Tn and come to find out we actually had a QB on the sideline.I know it was Hargrave that he was playing against but if I was a betting man and it was Cropmton or Stevens out their tonite it would of been more of the same.
caskew#218608 writes:
NO, he redshirted last season...he is classified as a redshirt freshman last year. He still has 3 years left!
RXvol writes:
B.J. has played this year. He got some garbage snaps at the end of the UAB game.
thevoice writes:
Right on. It'd be too much of an embarrassment for the coaches to see a 3rd teamer succeed. Should have pulled the trigger much earlier in the season. Cutcliff liked him the most. Doug Matthews said he was the best HS QB he'd ever seen. But not Fulmer, our head coach!!
invisiblekid writes:
He redshirted last year, absolutely nothing to lose at this point by playing him. He also took a couple of snaps against MSST.
threehundredbowler writes:
agree
thevoice writes:
True, but if you insert Crompton or Stephens into that JV game, I just wonder if each would be 22-31 for 325, 2 TD, no pics. If so, you're argument is very valid. If not, time for BJ next Saturday!
invisiblekid writes:
Agreed that it was just Hargrave, but, then again, it was just Wyoming last week too.
There is no viable reason for Coleman not to see a few snaps over the next two games. Coleman has put in the practice over the past two years and deserves some kind of reward.
invisiblekid writes:
"I don't know if you think he's the next quarterback on Saturday or whatever, I don't think so," Fulmer said. "He's not there. Would I like for him to have been there months ago? Anyone who steps up and can play efficiently (will get a look). That's what we'll evaluate during the course of the week. B.J. is a ways away still with some fundamental things."
It speaks volumes when a coach can't have a player ready to play or have the "fundamentals" down in almost two full years.
newtonrail writes:
You are right. Stephens did well in this game last year. If Coleman isn't stepping on the guards feet, let him play ahead on JC at this point. No offense to him, he may even play under a new coach, but psyche too fragile. Stephens then Coleman. But never forget this game was against Hargrave, not Vandy or Ky. You can put those two down, but they've had a chance for their bodies to mature. Now if we could only get NAFFY to call for Tyler Maples to start at WR.
thevoice writes:
Listening to BJ on the radio tonight, he seems very impressive!! So, like I've always thought: if you can talk good on the radio, you can manage a game. PLAY HIM COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
carpentermike5#409005 writes:
Can you say Wyoming?
BigOrangeinCharge writes:
He redshirted last year. The coaches don't like him because they say he trips up guards in the running game and screws up handoffs by being out position.
I'd love to see what he could do, but let's remember Hargrave is basically a high school team with a lot of academic nonqualifiers who should be true freshmen. They're not really the best competition to judge Coleman. Don't forget how good Crompton looked in the Orange and White game against UT's B-team, which just kicked the phooey out of Hargrave.
tennisvol writes:
Par for the course under ole Phil. The best QB has been riding the pine. What has happened to Brandon Warren?
carpentermike5#409005 writes:
I love seeing all the Fulmer supporters now.. 95% of everyone here was cutting his head off 3 weaks ago.. now everyone feels sorry for him? Typical Tennessee Fans... Ride whatever train looks to have the most people on it! I love Phillip Fulmer! BUT a steady decline says it all.. My only gripe is we are gonna wait around waiting on Butch Davis and let good coaches get gobbled up.. and Leach isnt the answer... noone would even be talking about him if he hadnt beat Texas.. HIS FIRST EVER BIG WIN... and that offense shouldnt impress anyone... everyone in the BIG 12 scores points... that phooey doesnt work against real defenses.. look at hawaii! Did that work in the SEC? If you remember Kentucky tried that years ago... made a Heisman finialist in couch.. but UK still sucked!
bluetick writes:
True! That fundamental, can't block, can't read defenses, can't move feet or what the blank ever they always talk about is a croc! I'm sooooooooooooooo sick of hearing that from them. Just like Warren..there are some issues though he was able to start as a Freshman and make All American honors at Fla. St. Just put the damn guy in and let him play vs Vandy or KY. If nothing else it gets him more prepared for when he does need to come in and play in the SEC. They keep them on the sidelines toooooooooooo long and then just throw them in. Ridiculous. I'm so tired of Fulmers comments now it makes me BARF!
jobrando#216494 writes:
His footwork is bad according to Fulmer. Hopefully the next coach can fix that. Guess he would have had 500 yards with the Fulmer footwork developed.
CoverOrange writes:
"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."
That was last year (Sept 28, 2007) against Hargrave. The final score was 37-20 (eerily same as this year).
By my estimation 325 > 162 and 22 of 31 is better completion percentage than 10 of 19.
invisiblekid writes:
No offense, but what schedule were you looking at?
This one says they are 2-7:
http://www.hargrave.edu/athletics/spo...
blitzshoot writes:
Can he do any worse?
thevoice writes:
I didn't see the JV game, and am not ready to retire BJ's #, at least not this week. But (1) from what I've seen from the other 2 QBs this season, and (2) BJ's performance tonight, he's more than earned his right for playing time on Saturday's. I'm assuming the same OL coach is coaching JV and V, so I'll also assume that both are equally horrible. Most any fan and analyst can see that BJ deserves a look. But Fulmer won't do it, in fear of looking incompetent for not recognizing talent.
invisiblekid writes:
That completion percentage is a big red flag with regards to Stephens as future QB IMO. Accuracy appears to be a major issue.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How did his feets look?
bluetick writes:
He went to McCallie and should sound impressive. That's not a school for dumb @sses for those of you who don't know. I attended McCallie for the athletics, and got a good education to boot. The facilities there are UN BELIEVABLE! Ted Turner went there as a boarder as do many other high profile people. Great school and great athletic facilities also. It is like a college as far as the athletic training rooms, outdoor/indoor olympic pools etc.. basketball court is made of that rubber substance..its off the hook really. If anybody has ever been there to see the facilities they can vouch for what I'm saying. The last UT player from there was DE Jason Hall who was also an intelligent athlete. My vote goes to BJ...but as we all know, Fulmer surely won't give him a shot at this point in time. Ridiculous!
bluetick writes:
And LET THE JOKES BEGIN.. Nice one. :)
vol_chaz writes:
BJ needs to start the next game. We are playing for next year anyways. No Bowl game to salvage here, buddy. Let the new coach see him, and evaluate the talent, between the 3. Its really difficult to see such talent go to waste, in him and Warren. After the collapse last week, why not give the "in state" kids a chance to play for their state pride.
GerryOP writes:
Yup, and last year after Daniel Lincoln missed a couple of FGs, Fulmer found a small flaw in his approach. Since fixing that flaw, Lincoln now has trouble putting the ball between the uprights! But his approach is flawless.
blitzshoot writes:
Lets see how he does against Bye Week before we jump the gun.
GerryOP writes:
Soooo ... the Hargrave experience has now ordained Coleman as our next starting QB? Does the score mean that Fulmer is really a winning football coach?
vol_chaz writes:
As bad as Fulmer says BJ's feet are, I'm surprised he was able to put his shoes on, much less throw for over 300 yds. Maybe Clawson ACTUALLY got to call some plays....
rep88 writes:
right it was hargrave but i would be willing to bet neither qb we have could have played this well against hargrave. Jc is an insult to say he plays qb at a school that peyton manning once played at and im not even gonna get started on stephens. There is no reason in the world not to start coleman against uk and vandy and at least let the tn fans get to see a home grown kid play win or lose
GahLee writes:
A lot of good talent has went through that school. Not saying they are good or anything but a lot of players with academic problems go there.
tvol71 writes:
This season is gone - no point in using him now, but next year, go for it.
RXvol writes:
The schedule you found was for the high school team not the post-graduate school. This squad was undefeated headed into this game. Here is the link to the post-graduate football team's schedule... http://www.hargrave.edu/athletics/spo...
invisiblekid writes:
My mistake, thanks for the correction. Apologies to Plasticman as well.
Harleydls writes:
"We wouldnt want to risk him because if we play him he will lose his redshirt, we are already not going to a bowl just wait till next year"
If he was a redshirt, that ended when he played in this game. NCAA rules don't differentiate between varsity and JV.
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