QUARTERBACKS: D
As passers, Jonathan Crompton and B.J. Coleman collectively failed; Crompton's only pass was intercepted and Coleman was 4 of 8 for 21 yards with an interception returned for a TD. The running of Gerald Jones and Eric Berry brings the grade up to a D.
RUNNING BACKS: C+
Lennon Creer showed a nice burst and good speed in getting to the corner and turning it up field. Creer, who had 80 yards on 13 carries, also fumbled. Montario Hardesty ripped off a 27-yard run, but also missed a key block in protection. Arian Foster shook off some rust with nice fourth-quarter runs.
WIDE RECEIVERS: C+
Austin Rogers made a nice third-down catch, but Luke Stocker dropped a pass. Receivers obviously did their job blocking, as UT runners had space on the perimeter.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A
Vanderbilt knew the run was coming, jammed the box, and still couldn't stop the Vols. Other than Chris Scott's illegal-formation penalty - he wasn't on the line - UT's linemen weren't penalized. A constant push throughout.
DEFENSIVE LINE: A
Extremely active and effective. Robert Ayers had two sacks and three tackles-for-loss, Chris Walker had a forced fumble, Walter Fisher had a sack, and so did Wes Brown and Dan Williams.
LINEBACKERS: A-
Rico McCoy had 11 tackles, a pass break-up and a QB hurry that led to Eric Berry's interception and TD. Ellix Wilson had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Nevin McKenzie recorded a sack. Good pursuit and team tackling.
SECONDARY: A
Traded yardage for time late, but locked down when the situation called for it. Eric Berry was sensational with a 45-yard interception return for a TD. Brent Vinson grabbed a deflection and returned it 69 yards to set up a field goal. Good open-field tackling.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Dennis Rogan had a nice 41-yard kick return, and Britton Colquitt's punting was above par. Demetrice Morley was offsides on a blocked extra point, and Vandy averaged 23 yards per kick return. Daniel Lincoln hit field goals of 25 and 24 yards.
COACHING: B
The Vols' defense appeared to know what Vandy was going to do before it did it, and their aggressive blitz scheme stymied the Commodores. Offensively, UT did as much as it could without the benefit of a passing game. Phillip Fulmer's decision to kick a field goal before half was prudent.
OVERALL: B
UT football, as many have long known it, returned in Nashville, even without a passing game. Fulmer deserves credit for making the most of the open date and keeping his players focused despite distractions. Strength coach Johnny Long shouted to fans as he left the field: "They're still Vandy, and we'll always be Tennessee.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
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Comments » 145
blitzshoot writes:
Good to see UT pull it out over Vandy.
BillsBrother writes:
Always nice to beat the Commodores. A "W" next week would be nice, too.
orangecountry21 writes:
I love the quote at the end of the article.
budd#207344 writes:
interestingly kns no longer is identifying the grader. The team did ok today. They quit last week . This week they played hard even without a qb
CoverOrange writes:
Is it true that Lennon Creer has been credited with more fumbles this year than Foster?
AppStVol writes:
I hope all of you Mike Leach fans are watching Oklahoma throttle Texas Tech. That offense wouldn't work in the SEC just ask former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme. There are to many good athletes on defense. Leach is a clown hire Kiffin.
LANE KIFFIN FOR COACH '08!!!!!!!!!!!
Triton1 writes:
I would actually give the coaches an A on this one.
Teresa writes:
The team didn't quit last week...they never got started. They were in emotional shock. I was too, so I can't really fault them too much.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Is anyone else sick of dvolfan - rc shepards - phooey?
He made over 22 posts today - in a 10 hour period - insulting Manning, Ainge, Fulmer, Clausen, Mims, and White praises Spurrier and claims to be Vol fan!
Dvolfan - if you are a Vol - are the biggest loser fan in UT History!
AgentOrange007 writes:
I think you are being too generous to the quarterbacks, if you can even call them that. I'll suggest "snap receiver" or "center's butt warmer" as two possible alternative names for the position.
scottmichaelmoore#540590 writes:
KNS' Grade Card:
Beat Writers (M. Griffith)- F
Editor (J. Adams)- F
Layout- F
Advertising- F
Photography- D-
Graphics- F
Cartoons- F
Overall- Pathetic, so bad I can't justify wasting a letter...so you get a number...Threve.
FWBVol writes:
I don't know if Kiffin is or isn't the right guy, he could be, but I agree about Leach, he's definitely not the guy. Stoops has the first SEC-type defense TT has seen this year and the Sooners are putting the breaks on the Red Raiders.
I think Butch Davis should be off the board too after the way NC State whipped Carolina today.
AppStVol writes:
FWBVol,
The only reason I say Kiffin is because out of the coaches that most of us will assume will be an option, he's the best choice. He's young, he can recruit just off his name alone and my guess is that he will bring a high profile staff with him. Recruits don't know Brian Kelly from any other mid major coach, but I guarantee they know who Lane Kiffin is. Now if their is a darkhorse that we are unaware of then its a different story, but I just think Kiffin out of the options. Just my opinion.
vut56#231073 writes:
This is not piling on the coaches; that is a dead horse; further, I think Fulmer and Chavis are class guys and I am afraid we will miss them. That said....
Let's see:
Running backs: 33 for 203 6.2 average per
Quarterbacks: 18 for 42 2.3 average per
The world knows, at this point, Berry and Jones are not going to pass, nor, heaven forbid, heave one over 10 yards (unless it is a wide out)
Ocassionally,...just ocassionally...one of our rotating three semi-regular quarterbacks just might throw a pass.
That said, at least today, were the odds not in favor of letting one of the three semi-regulars hand if off to one of our regular running backs?
We do not have a Tebow; we do not have Florida's line or scheme...so we just look bad playing make-up-a-play in the dirt. We wasted 18 plays.
The "best athlete" does not always make the "best runner." And, until we sail a long one occasionally, no one is going to let us run as well as Vandy seemed to, today.
Take a half letter off coaching for this game.
eduardo writes:
Get TT off of artificial turf and you see what they are! We got rid of that stuff 14 yrs ago and it aint coming back. Hire Brian Kelly! See what he has done with 4 yes count them 4 qbs this year. They lead the big east in passing. This guy and staff could do wonders with what we have!
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
QB's rated as a D...if that coach who said " I wish I was given an opportuntiy..." I believe theUT Admin was more than fair..how do you think those QB's feel..let me sum them up:
Crompton:His best days were in high school and not a QB at UT..everyone knows Phil just handed him the job- Crompton F rating
Stephens: I would start Nick the last game- this kid was the only QB to spark the offense..go back and look at the attrocius blocking, zero separation by receivers and just down right horrific playing call by the most over rated coach Dave Clawson..he is so predictable...at least Stephens streteched the field..the only int that was his fault was the last INT he threw against Wyoming..go watch the tapes.. Play Nick 65% of the UK game and let BJ play the rest- he did play aginast the best of the best at the time..Wyoming game that team was in such disarray that week, they could not have beaten UT-Martin...oh yes Nick had to hand off to that quitter #27...who quit playing after the 1st half of the UCLA game...Rating: A: for being a good teammate today and sucking up the embarrassment of being blamed for 3 losses and not making any negative or dumb crompton like comments
Coleman: If he can only hand the ball off and throw INT for touchdown..play him 35%of the UK game and let him hand the ball off at least he got to hand off to Lennon and Montario..once #27 figured out someone was better he tried. Rating: D
Offensive Line- congrats it only took 11 games..it would have been nice if you played like that against Georgia and Bama you may have won...
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Hire Brian Kelly and you get Ben Mauk as the QB Coach in waiting...his offense fits Nick Stephens not Jonathon INT or BJ Hand Off
eduardo writes:
Hey QB 10 you still doing roids. I hate you got suspended the other day! lol! Maybe you need to take quicker drops and throw the ball out of bounds!
eduardo writes:
hey kitty you got over the VMI debacle? I sure havent! hahhahahahahahahahahha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jason.taylor#629315 writes:
5M should do it....Go get STOOPS hahaa....I wish!
andy112382#209793 writes:
I would have to say I agree with you halfway - I could live with Kiffin or Brian Kelly based on the names in the rumors, but I wouldn't be shocked if some name that no one has really thought of popped up. I am not sold on these 'head coaches in waiting' being solid in staying where they are (like Jimbo Fisher for example - Heaven knows when Bowden retires!!!)
I would REALLY like to see whoever comes to keep Chavis, unless they bring in one heckuva DC. Our defense has been one of the most consistent things over the years. Chavis and a Coach who can recruit and actually develop talent - you would have a winning combo there. The one thing I have been most concerned about over the last few years is how many top rated guys we had the coaches say 'so and so just isnt ready' when meanwhile freshmen and sophmores are starting elsewhere and doing very well.....
Good win today atleast, GO VOLS!!!
posivol writes:
they didnt quit,it was a statement to hammy
BubbaHoTep writes:
Why Stoops?
He hasn't won a NC since 2000.
He has lost FOUR straight BCS bowl games.
asand211#361548 writes:
I agree with the support for Chavis. He has done a great job and if you look back over the last 8 years when the decline began the defense has always been the reason we won games and never the reason we lost games. This year, the offense has destroyed any chances we had in the games we lost. I think had Fulmer made a better choice, and I think Ray Charles is a better choice than Clawson, then he would be the coach next season.
posivol writes:
i agree
asand211#361548 writes:
Good grief, Oklahoma is about to score to make it 72-14 over TT. I've said several times over the last few weeks that Leach's offense would not work against a fast and strong defense and his defenses couldn't stop a good offense. Now, that is evident.
surfmaster writes:
I still belive that Chip Kelly should be our new coach, but I don't hear anyone even mentioning his name. Check out the link to his bio below. He is worth at least an interview. He is a great coach and outstanding recruiter. It would work.
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.db...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HybKUO...
Hamilton, get this guy on your interview list.
posivol writes:
being paid 6.5m a yr now
surfmaster writes:
Sorry,
Here is link to Chip Kelly's bio ...
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.db...
MANVOL writes:
Kiffin is Mike shula all over. He is a name without substance. Living of his dads accomplishments.
asand211#361548 writes:
It is getting a little nerve racking now that the top names being thrown around for UT's coaching position are getting clobbered on this nice Saturday.
asand211#361548 writes:
Actually, Stoops annual salary now is right at $3 mil and at the end of 2008 he will receive a longevity bonus of $3 mil to make this year's salary $6.1 mil. Next year his salary will be back to $3 mil. Saban makes more than Stoops.
BubbaHoTep writes:
So now this is the same Mike Leach that used to be on Hal Dumme's staff at UK? How well did that system work in the SEC?
Maybe we could go get Hal Dumme.
Give me a break. Meyer and Saban are the best in the country. Richt can't live up to the hype. Heck, UGA lost four games two years ago when they were supposed to be the team to beat. Unlike many of our fans, theirs stuck with their coach. Miles is just now finding out how good he really is using his own players and not Saban's. Stoops is a choke artist.
We had someone who ran a program the right way. So did Michigan last year. I fear we're about to find out how rare individuals like that really are.
BubbaHoTep writes:
Too bad that same logic doesn't apply to coaches who lead their teams to the SECCG.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Dont bet on that my friend. he is in the top 2
BubbaHoTep writes:
And prior to CPF coming to UT, pray tell when was the last time UT played for a national championship?
AppStVol writes:
What was Bob Stoops record before he went to OU? I mean anyone with common sense knows you can't judge how good of a coach Kiffin is by the Raiders debacle.
asand211#361548 writes:
Only time will tell I guess. All good things come to an end and Fulmer's tenure at Tennessee was one of the most successful runs for UT football. Hopefully, we will get a good coach who is a good person and actually cares about the players and their futures as Fulmer did.
newtonrail writes:
I doubt he would have come, but Fulmer should have gotten Randy Sanders back as QB coach, and the strictest disciplinarian he could find for OC, while sticking with Pro Set. What offense is Oklahoma hanging 65 Pt's on the Great Mike Leach running? Why the I formation, pro set. But Hammy's done the deed, so bring in Brian Kelly, and his $2 Million buyout. Let's
see $6 + 3.6+2+ 3+ 1.6 Million = $16.2 Million in Buyouts and approximate first year salaries. And if Kelly doesn't deliver, I guess we'll throw cups at team since we don't have snow like Notre Dame had. The Great Charlie Weiss losing to a fired Syracuse coach who couldn't beat anyone. Maybe Weiss can get the Washington job.
AppStVol writes:
It doesn't matter what his track record is. He can recruit and nowadays thats the name of the game. What recruiting ties does Brian Kelly have to the south? Oh yeah none. He's from up north. At least Kiffin has gone in and gotten top recruits all over the south. Brian Kelly is really the unproven one on the national recruiting scale.
givehim6 writes:
Great UT win over the Doors, think we finale found the answer at QB, play everone. That way he opposing D is busy trying to put in the right D it keeps them confused. Hope we can do the same against the Cats, hate to see that streek broken.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
at least I got this one right. I figured UT to be mroe talented and to get the wheels on from the off-date. I also look for us to beat UK, maybe even SOUNDLY.
UK better prepare to be HIT.
I thought BJ did okay. He is a good runner. IF you could combine bj, nick and jon into one qb, and give'em rick or casey clausen's brains, you'd hava a stud.
jsm67vol writes:
Thank you Vols for making this saturday enjoyable! Seems that some of the coaches on short list can't wait to get to Knoxville. Leach and Davis must be fighting over the job. They both seem to be throwing games to get their teams out of the running for conference championship so they can hurry up to make the announcement that their leaving. hahahaha!!!!
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
I would agree on the Kiffin thing. Don't be surprised if the guy from UCONN pops up in the next couple of weeks - he and Dr. Peterson are "very good" friends. Peterson hasn't liked Fulmer from Day #1 -
AppStVol writes:
You are right we used to have some pretty solid recruiting classes on paper, but those classes aren't as good as the paper you wipe your a&$ with if you can't develop the talent. Im gonna go ahead and assume that Kiffin will be a better play caller, a better talent developer, and a more energetic coach. Not to mention a coach, instead of a friend. You look at the good coaches they aren't buddy buddy with the players.
utmdm writes:
Interesting concept - We're so comfused on offense that we run the chinese fire drill offense so that we in turn confuse the defense.
eutefan writes:
That was really a different era, one of white guys interested in getting a education first, playing football second.
Kids today are only looking for the best springboard to the pros, and choice of schools to a recruit means determining which school and conference and coach gets the most TV time.
Yesterday's amateur game is long dead, killed by greed and buried by the big-school athletic directors. The only place one can find that throw-back is in the lower divisions that are not showcases for the NFL.
One reason General Neyland had those great undefeated teams of the late thirtys was his going into the hollows of Kentucky and the back alleys of Smithwood and Lonsdale and getting kids that were cold and hungry who would play smashmouth football for a warm bed and three meals. The pros meant nothing to them, although some did go that route, but the larger desire was to escape their curroundings via an education. That we get to cheer for a national program today comes from their desire to give all for UT.
Tennessee's rotating quarterbacks yesterday produced much more confusion than continuity.
tnbigg writes:
Think BIG picture...
http://media.lawrence.com/img/photos/...
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/n...
Yeah baby! We can do it!
http://content.ytmnd.com/content/6/e/...
hippie60 writes:
Hamilton is an idiot and a stooge,we'll be looking for a new coach in 3 yrs.MARK IT!
MidTennVol writes:
More ignorance speaking out. Do your homework before spouting nonsense. Leach's offense at KY set all kinds of records that still stand today. Look it up.
What you don't know, don't talk it.
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