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UT's backup quarterback, BJ Coleman, talks about last week's JV game against Hargrave Military Academy and the opportunity to play in Saturday's game against Vanderbilt. Watch »
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UT offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson, talks about the many difficulties with the quarterback situation this season. Watch »
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Tennessee Stat Book
Vanderbilt Commodores
For years, Tennessee has entered the last two games of its regular season trying to avoid an upset. This year - and at least this week - the Vols are living on the other side.
When Saturday's game (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.) at Vanderbilt kicks off, the Vols will be underdogs to their in-state rival for the first time since the 1980s.
And a Vanderbilt win would guarantee Tennessee's worst record since it began playing football in the 1890s.
Despite finding itself in foreign territory, Tennessee receiver Josh Briscoe says the Vols have plenty left to play for in their final two games.
"We're still playing for the pride of the name 'Tennessee' and wearing that 'T' on our helmet," he said. "We're at that point right now where we know we have to win these last two games."
Vanderbilt won't make it easy.
The Commodores (6-4, 4-3 SEC) became bowl eligible for the first time in 26 years with a victory last week over Kentucky. After starting 5-0 and rising as high as No. 13 in the polls, Vandy slogged through a four-game losing streak.
In those four games, Vanderbilt lost the turnover battle. But when the Commodores have been at their best, they've pounced on opponent mistakes and taken advantage for points.
Led by cornerback D.J. Moore, who is tied with Tennessee safety Eric Berry and seven other players for the national lead with six interceptions, Vandy has picked off 16 passes, one more than the Vols and one fewer than Florida's SEC-high 17 picks.
More than that, the Commmodores are plus-seven for the season on turnovers. That's a major reason why they've won six games in spite of an offense that ranks one spot below the Vols, who are 115th nationally with an average of 267.1 yards per game.
It's not the only reason.
UT defensive coordinator John Chavis points to Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson as one of the prime reasons for the Commodores' breakthrough season.
"He's gotten them to play at a level and consistently where other people haven't," Chavis said. "I think the biggest thing is whatever it is that he sold them, they bought into and they believe in."
Tennessee (3-7, 1-5) will put its faith in quarterback Jonathan Crompton this week.
The junior will start for the first time since UT's 14-12 loss at Auburn on Sept. 27, although redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman is also expected to play.
Tailback Arian Foster (thigh bruise) could play after missing the Wyoming game on Nov. 8, however junior Montario Hardesty will make his first start since 2006.
Whatever happens for the Vols on offense, it starts with their quarterback play. And the fact that UT is still struggling to find an effective passer 13 weeks after preseason camp says it all.
"Those aren't good seasons," first-year UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "Been through it before, and hopefully I'll never be through it again."
That's how the Vols feel about this season, too.
A loss to Vanderbilt would be UT's eighth this season, leaving Ohio State as the only program in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision to have never lost eight games in a season.
Phillip Fulmer will coach his final game at UT after 17 seasons next week against Kentucky, and a group of seniors who have been part of two losing seasons want to finish strong for themselves and their ousted coach.
That's where pride kicks in.
"We've got a tradition going on here," UT defensive tackle Walter Fisher said. "It's definitely a pride thing. Just to go out on two wins and prove that this team could win in the SEC, because I don't care what anybody says, we are a good team. Just like coach (Fulmer) said, 'We're the best 3-7 team anybody's probably ever seen.' "
Whether or not that's the case, Briscoe says his teammates will be ready for the Commodores.
"I think we're still ready to play," he said. "The way we practiced really showed this team hasn't given up. We're not just waiting for Kentucky to come. We're wanting to send coach Fulmer out on a good note."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 423
ctownvol writes:
A loss to Vanderbilt would be UT's eighth this season, leaving Ohio State as the only program in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision to have never lost eight games in a season.
That's actually pretty impressive that we are one of only two to have never lost 8 in a season. Let's hope it stays that way. In this case 8 is too many.
VolHooch42 writes:
1ST!
hotrodvol writes:
Johnson will out coach Fulmer.
21-10 Vandy
Freshly_Cut_Grass writes:
Hysterical
http://www.sportsjungle.com/view.php?...
john#208876 writes:
No, Walter tell me coach didn't say that... "we're the best..." no he didn't...
VolHooch42 writes:
Gotta wonder what is going through the teams' mind right now.
Hope they pull these next 2 off.
GO VOLS!
chuckfromwoodbury writes:
To quote Jed Clampett, "Peetyfull, peeeetyfull".
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Phixable's contract said 8 is enuf.
And it was.
tnbigg writes:
enuf to set a record that will never be broken...what a legendary coach...can we always call on him for advice based on his "experience" or did Ham Job pull the plug completely...ponderation and musing is all that' sleft of the once reverred Tennessee football program...not even a caveman could have done it...by the by...renowkned coaches...living and passed on must envy the dramatic and impressionable finishing touches...yippee...
gohawks1 writes:
"We're the best 3-7 team anybody's probably ever seen."
Now that's just plumb embarrassing right there.
gohawks1 writes:
Guinness called. They're on standby.
chuckfromwoodbury writes:
Fire Fulmer, again.
tnbigg writes:
What has Phulmers tenure done for us? Football has sunk to the bottom of the SEC and is dang close to the worst team in the nation eclipsing even Wyoming...now...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWg-sC...
gohawks1 writes:
That basketball... was like a basketball to me.
tnbigg writes:
Uh huh...my basketball is like a basketball to me too...
gohawks1 writes:
Great song. Brings back fond memories of my childhood.
tnbigg writes:
And ready to comfort...
http://www.beer.com/beernews/Guinness...
jobrando#216494 writes:
How can an uncoached team win? Vandy 21-3
shipperman#280095 writes:
Where has the pride been the rest of the season? Bunch of losers. GO COMMODE DOORS....27-10 VANDY
tnbigg writes:
Phulmer?
Severance?
Unich??
shipperman#280095 writes:
Yeah, I will bet against Leach being hired.
I am Fred DeLucky and I sign my posts
tnbigg writes:
Bro'...now I feel very...very sad...
volnknox writes:
this team has no pride! they are a poor excuse for a football team, pride went out the window a long time ago.
FedUpVolFan writes:
After carefully reviewing all game films and working our butts off this week in pratice;dadgummit!!!!!!!!!!!
Vandy-17 Vols - 7
tnbigg writes:
Good point...we ARE still undefeated in practice this year! Whoo hoo!
xvolx writes:
they havent shown any pride all year. why start now.
silvertr6 writes:
Do you think that Fulmer is proud enough of his $6 million to share it with Hammy?
xvolx writes:
no thanks. we have enough thieves.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
I was flipping through HBO the other night and saw Vanilla Ice in a movie, I found this feelign of uneasiness that came over me......which Vol fans will be the same feeling you wil have after you'll watch Crompy and Coleman..Painful, ineffective and Useless
tnbigg writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6...
JACK8254 writes:
i have to admit that when I heard that Cutcliffe was leaving last year, i was upset, but i thought tht we could overcome it and MAYBE even be better with Clawson. Wow- was i wrong! Same with Ainge- i liked the kid, but thought that JC MIGHT be better cause he is a better runner and has a stonger( in someways) arm. Well - we know how that worked out . He is the worst QB I have seen and I have been going to games since the 50S. Be careful what you wish for. I pray that we will get Davis or Leech and eventually get back to the top of the SEC, but i know it wont be easy or quick.
blitzshoot writes:
One more week....clap, clap, clap.
shoalcreekvol writes:
...or we could do nothing and he still has to leave, still passes go and collects $6M.
shoalcreekvol writes:
dvolfan = Achmed the Dead Terrorist
WeLoveTenn... = Bubba J
Silence!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
This man's team almost took the eventual National Champions to overtime last year, and beat the Gators as the SEC east champion. Maybe Hamilton should have given Cutcliffe the job and the raise, and made Fulmer an assistant AD and recruiter guru par excellance last year. So Cutcliffe says to hell with you, hello Duke, and Phil does what Mike Hamilton's now doing, looking for an offensive guru. So Hamilton's willing to say that Fulmer's behind the times, no longer needed nor liked, and that he needs to make a change, so as to assuage his conscience he does it in the middle of the season calling it kindness. The team responds by losing to Wyoming . Just picture this, who's face can you see sitting next to Kesling on the Sunday after the game. You see why I was against just firing or forcing out Fulmer. He and Mike should have gotten together in secret and together gotten someone on board and then announced together and at the same time that Fulmer was stepping down and that so and so was coming in. Am I a genius or what? And why didn't our buddy John Adams come up with this scenario if he were so smart? And then a lot of us might have gotten to say "Good article , John, great article". And then all of you all's 6 mil might not have been filtered so easily.
SmokeDog72 writes:
Just like coach (Fulmer) said, 'We're the best 3-7 team anybody's probably ever seen.' "
That's the way to shoot for the stars, coach!!!!!
Man, I think we would get thumped by a few D-1A schools this year.
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
General put the GUN down. Phil is gone and that stock market will RISE again. You heard it here first. Now pray for me because I'm a headin to Candyville and I'm a dreaden it. sigh!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD PRIDE BY VOLS , ITS A KISS OF DEATH .
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
E X A C T L Y !!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
We shall see about that. A coach will be named in a couple of weeks, but it won't be the nutcase Leach.
I am Fred DeLucky and i sign my posts
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
You're right about the guns. I pitty the fool who tries to take my guns away. Some have been passed down for generations.You're right Candy awaits and my wife says I must go now. Talk to ya'll later. sigh!
RemembertheAlamo writes:
I want some of what you are smokin or drinking......
jobrando#216494 writes:
My source is Johnny Majors and he says he will let you all know in a couple of weeks that he will be the new savior.
threehundredbowler writes:
If that is what trips your trigger,then you are one sick human being.That was disgusting.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Remember the name Kiffin. Mike hamilton hires leach, they would both be fired within 2 years when SEC defenses shut his wild offense down
dvols writes:
florida back-up qb arrested, cmon kns take a jab
shipperman#280095 writes:
Either of the 2 you mention will get Hamilton fired. Leach will not win at the SEC level. If Florida played TTU today, they would beat TTU by 3 or 4 touchdowns
ThurmondEppy writes:
Not.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Bigg- ok now i need a little MC Hammer
shipperman#280095 writes:
In about 2 and a half hours we are going to show Vandy what we are all about
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