Tennessee Stat Book
Vanderbilt Commodores
Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton hasn't had a lot of fun the last six weeks.
After giving up the starting job to Nick Stephens following a 14-12 loss at Auburn in September, he's played sparingly. The Vols (3-7) went just 2-4 during that stretch.
It's been a long slog since the Vols dropped their season opener at UCLA in overtime on Sept. 1, and that certainly includes Crompton.
"It's tough, especially when the team's not winning every game and struggling through it," Crompton said. "But you just got to come out ready to prepare every day. You've got to try to have fun. It's hard to have fun when you're not winning, but we're trying to win these last two games and do that."
Heading into Saturday's game (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.) at Vanderbilt, coaches said that Crompton will start because he gives Tennessee the best chance to win.
"I think you still have to approach it as what is the best way to win the football game," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said.
Even with Crompton starting, redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman is expected to play against the Commodores.
Exactly when Coleman will get his shot is to be determined.
"I don't think it's fair to Jonathan to say, 'You better play well the first series or you have the hook,' but I really want B.J. to prepare as if he's going to play because I really want to get him in there," Clawson said.
Crompton, who is 80-for-158 passing this season for 788 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions, said he won't be looking over his shoulder Saturday.
"You can't think of that," said Crompton. "That's the wrong way to go about it. You've got to take care of yourself and do what's best for the team, and I think that's what we're trying to do."
Just how much Crompton has improved, however, is tough to tell. Coaches have said all season that he performs much better in practice than he has in games.
In his most extensive playing time since being benched, Crompton was 11-of-27 for 91 yards in UT's loss to Wyoming on Nov. 15 and guided the Vols on their lone scoring drive.
"Jonathan has always practiced well," Clawson said. "I thought at times in the Wyoming game, he played well. At times we didn't execute as well as we needed to. It's always been a difficult gauge because he really does practice well."
Hardesty Good to Go: Despite a stress fracture in his leg that kept him from playing against Wyoming, tailback Montario Hardesty said Wednesday he'll play against Vanderbilt.
"Come game time, I'll be out there doing everything I usually do," he said.
With senior Arian Foster still limited by a thigh bruise, Hardesty could get his first start since 2006.
"I'm not sure," Hardesty said when asked if he'd start against the Commodores. "That all depends on how Arian's thing comes around. I'm prepared to get out there and play, so whether I'm starting or not, I'll be ready come Saturday."
Homecoming for Fisher: Defensive tackle Walter Fisher is one of four Vols who grew up in the Nashville area.
Bragging rights are always big, Fisher says.
"I do not want to go home after this is over knowing that I lost to Vanderbilt," he said. "I'm not trying to say that in a negative way or nothing. It's just that I've got a lot of family members that love Tennessee. For me to lose Vanderbilt and then go home and walk around like nothing's happening, that's not going to fly with them."
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Comments » 129
tnbigg writes:
Just win...fun is not an issue...
mempuss writes:
cromptons goal: Not to suck!
blitzshoot writes:
Duck
Rockytop4life writes:
He's garbage, no if ands or buts about it, straight trash.
VolsAllTheWay writes:
Just what the Dr ordered. A QB that can't hit receivers and when he does, they are so shocked they can't catch. The line won't block or get push, ruuning backs with sore legs and a good, solid defense. Maybe we can duplicate the MSU game and run back 2 picks. Otherwise it is time for the execution of the offense.
thevoice writes:
Coach: "Crompton gives us the best chance to win."
Coach: "BJ will play some."
These statements provide immense conflict, confusion, and worry. Can someone make a tiny shred of sense from this verbal garble? Coach, if you're out there, please explain. Like Ross Perot said, "I'm all ears."
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Go down and ask the Chef at Gus's who cooks burgers he has got a better clue than Clawson...glad to see your not go to throw Jonathon under the bus like you threw Nick Stephens- oh Nick throws a INT and he gets the WT# treatment...the whole coaching staff except for Chavois should be exorted out of the state
iowavol writes:
If Clawson really, really wants to get BJ in the game, why doesn't he start him? What promises were made to Crompton and Stephens to prevent Clawson from playing BJ?
khelton657 writes:
"Have fun..." ......just like in Pop Warner..except it isn't Pop Warner...I have a better theme.."There is no business except serious business". These guys along with their coach have had too much kiddie stuff for a long time..."Have fun", make sure you clap 3 times with your hands held high when they screw up now, after all they're just kids....and don't forget to pat them on the butt...just have fun, you gotta be kidding.
These guys have cost our program millions and their performance has torn the program apart..I say you take it very seriously...
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
A few definitions from Websters:
Fulmerism: to not have clue and not to talk to your players
Clawsonism: To have a look of fear
Cromptonitis; To eratically throw balls at body parts other than hands
Colemanitis: To run for your life
BIGEJ writes:
Just let it go...the horse is dead...just GO VOLS...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Foster strictly thinking NFL. ESPN rated him as 8th best RB.
Like to see Hardesty shine, but without blocking that'll be tuff.
VolFaninTriCities writes:
"Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton hasn't had a lot of fun the last six weeks."
Neither have we! If Crompton's goal is to simply have fun, go hang out with Colquitt, take a few shots and drive around the Fort. Crompton is the dumbest person I have ever heard talk.
Inquisitor writes:
Clawson says: "I don't think it's fair to Jonathan to say, 'You better play well the first series or you have the hook,....."
You said what I was already thinking, QB_10. Starting the season, they let Crompton play 4 solid games of the worst QB play anybody has ever seen at Tennessee, and now they've got him elevated to starter again. He’s no better now than he was then. And they want to be fair to him. If they get any more fair to Crompton, they'll hire him as the new coach. Why does Nick Stephens not deserve one iota of fairness? They never hesitated to give him the hook. If I was Stephens, I'd be wearing the biggest possum-eatin' grin anybody ever saw when these coaches finally walk out the door. They're idiots, especially Clawson. I think we can now see why Fulmer hired him. Or did Fulmer just rub off on him. I don't know......it's just weird.
I was reading the article with interest to see if Crompton said, “I’ve just got to go play ball.” It wasn’t in the article, but I bet he said it. Drew Edwards just didn’t have the chutzpah to put it in the article. After all, we must be fair to Crompton.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
I agree, Crompton is done, let him play his last 2 games..give BJ a shot if he succeeds then Vol fans will light the board Saturday night...but not so fast, not even Stephens he is by far the best gettign t=horugh proigressions can throw behind that pathetic thing called an offensive line..Arian Foster son you should be ashamed of yourself..everyone knows you are playing possum and not going to get yourself hurt..heck you only ran hard 4 plays against So. Carolina then shut it down...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
In all fairness he does throw a pretty nice one-hopper.
govols87 writes:
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Crompton was to start...I can't possibly begin to understand this decision...BJ should start he needs to know what it feels like to start a big game with SEC and National title implications in front of 15 thousand screeming Cdore fans...oh my god is this real are we really here...forgive my pessimism but this is Rocky To.....Bottom
gohawks1 writes:
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap).
eduardo writes:
Get a good coach in here, say Brian Kelley and Crompton would flourish. Book it!
dvols writes:
ha,ha.......the savior of ut football is not out there. its an attitude we must regain, lets hope it doesn't take 20 yrs ...
BillsBrother writes:
How ironic. Sagarin College Football Ratings for this week;
#58 Richmond 8-3
#90 Tennessee 3-7
tnvol27#546179 writes:
word is UT alum dont want Fosters name in the record books...no play no rushing yards no record book. Just finish and get the hell out of knoxvegas fumblin piece of *#@!
gohawks1 writes:
We're #90? Man, things aren't as bad as I thought they were.
Volborn writes:
unless he has found some "magic dust", my bet is that he will SUCK!
gohawks1 writes:
The way I see it, we've got "Most Improved" in the bag for next year. Life is good.
FWBVol writes:
I love it when UT wins as much as anybody, but these are still a bunch of college kids playing a GAME! I hope Crompton and every kid out there has FUN Saturday.
I believe it was the late Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella that said there's a reason the umpire in baseball says,"Play Ball," because it's supposed to be fun. The same can be said of football. Every time we say the kids are "playing" football it indicates there should be an element of fun.
To every player that I might have had a part in taking away their FUN of playing the game, I apologize.
VolinCalif writes:
Rich.
I thought I'd read every post on this site this yr. But somehow I seem to have missed your's on why Crompton continues to play. Care to explain?
AgentOrange007 writes:
I hope you spent your time at Tennessee getting an education, Jonathan, cause, you know, you're really going to need it.
tenuscvol writes:
agree...
tenuscvol writes:
great!
chrisw2967 writes:
This just proves that the firing of Fulmer was the right decision. He is just being fair to Crompton , the worst QB to ever wear a jersey at UT and Fulmer gives him another shot at starting QB is pathetic.Fulmer is going out riding the same horse he rode in on.He is just not leaving fast enough.
I really feel for Coleman cause he cant be as bad as Crompton and still cant get on the field.
rubbervol writes:
Just dont show up and you wont be beat !
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
...prediction--Vandy secondary catches more Crompton passes than Rogers.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
my prediction:
UT beats both VAndy and UK.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
which team you talkin' about.. the one coached by Pearl or Summitt?
thevoice writes:
Hmmm, if whatever you're smoking takes you that far from reality and logic but still provides an awareness to type, I would like to partake of that at this moment. Do you have any left? Did you consider the track record of the UT team this year before or after you started smoking tonight? Regardless, I still want some.
If they do win, it will be from emotion not coaching.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
...in 2009.
shoalcreekvol writes:
I said it before, and I'll say it again: Johnson will be hired by Clemson and CPF will end up at Vandy. And we'll be paying him $6M to come back to Neyland and beat us...
shoalcreekvol writes:
LOL
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Come on now, he is really hurt, and they play and practice for you, don't get testy. If you want to get mad, and experience loss, go look at Freddie Mack and Fannie Mae, and see who's really responsible for that fiasco. As for Crompton, Dear Jon, please throw the ball down the field and try putting a little air under it at times. Mix it up a lot, or a little, and don't tell the safety where you're throwing it. Do all this is 2 to 10 seconds please and thank you. He's cooler in the pocket than Ainge or Clausen, though, and when he's back there I know exactly what's gonna happen.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
FWB,
Hate to break it to you, but this isn't some backyard two-handed tag game at a family reunion...
these guys are supposed to be taught discipline, hard-work, practice till you get it right, and give 110% when they march through that "T" on Saturday.
Quite frankly, it's gotten quite expensive to go out and watch these guys "have fun"... if that's what they're out there for, let them go have fun at Hiwassee, or Carson-Newman, or Tusculum. Seriously!...
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I know what's gonna happen when Crompton's in the pocket, too!
a) thrown 15 yards over nearest receiver
b) hits Rogers and <doink!>
c) sack
Not exactly rocket science, is it?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Berry winning the Lott award would be nice, though.
newtonrail writes:
You tell em Naffy. Compare the stats of Rogers and the brothers. None are doing that great, except Lucas Taylor has been pretty consistent. To all the posters calling Crompton vicious names, you violating the GVX Policy: " No defamatory, abusive, or threatening comments. Several of you are in one or all categories. If you take exception to me saying that, Section Q, row 35, seats 5 and 6.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
newton,
Just curious, but why do you need two seats? Didn't think stadium concessions were THAT great!
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
Hey newt I sit in section Q, but I'm not taking exception to you saying that!!! LOL
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
newton,
Just having fun, BTW. For all I know, you weigh 140lb soaking wet... night all!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I played this song all year since the UCLA game...but no one was intersted..do you think we still need it? here it it in case you forgot it...it's for Crompton and friends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD5sah...
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Ross Perot gave us Bill Clinton, which gave us 9 11, freddie mack and fannie mae's downfall, and now the stock market going down. Where did we go wrong, did we have a quarterback or what this year?
coltvol33 writes:
Idiot.
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