Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry (14) trips up Vanderbilt's Jeff Jennings at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Saturday.
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Slide show
Audio
- Vol Network analyst/record-setting defensive back Tim Priest offers some insight on S Eric Berry
- Phillip Fulmer talks about the emotions of the past three weeks since UT decided to make a coaching change
- Phillip Fulmer talks about the changes coming in UT's program
- Phillip Fulmer talks about the Vandy game
- B.J. Coleman talks to the media
- Defensive coordinator John Chavis talks about his future
- An emotional John Chavis talks about Phillip Fulmer's pending departure
- S Eric Berry talks to the media
- DE Robert Ayers talks to the media
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NASHVILLE - Tennessee was a pretty good football team on Saturday.
So said Vanderbilt after the Vols won 20-10 before a crowd of 38,725 at Vanderbilt Stadium.
"Sometimes you just get beat, and we got beat,'' Vandy junior center Bradley Vierling said. "They just were more physical than we were up front.''
Many media members searched the Commodores (6-5, 4-4 SEC) for a deeper explanation: Did UT (4-7, 2-5) do anything they didn't expect? Were there any undisclosed injuries? Was Vandy simply not fired up?
"Tennessee had a lot to do with it that we dug ourselves such a big hole in the first half,'' said Commodores coach Bobby Johnson, who found his team trailing 20-0 at halftime. "They are very good on defense, and it was pretty tough sledding for us.
"They forced us to do some things we didn't want to do.''
The Vols held Vandy to 25 yards of total offense on 25 plays in the first half, forcing Johnson to bench starting quarterback Chris Nickson in favor of Mackenzi Adams.
"We tried several different things . . . you can't make mistakes against a Tennessee defense,'' said Nickson, who was 1-of-5 passing for minus-4 yards, was sacked three times and threw an interception. "Their speed, their strategy, they prepared for me. They had my number.''
Adams had more success, finishing 18-of-38 passing for 192 yards with an interception and three sacks.
"They did a lot to limit our offensive capabilities,'' Adams said. "Their defensive line is extremely good.''
And what of the Vols' secondary? Was Adams' first interception - returned 69 yards to set up a field goal - a result of a bad tip?
"I had my face in the ground, I don't know,'' Adams said. "There were no miscommunications. Sometimes you run a route and they cover it.
"Sometimes it looks like I had a bad throw, but in reality, I'm just throwing the ball away.''
Adams said he believes the extra week of preparation probably helped UT.
"They do some really confusing stuff,'' Adams said, referring to the Vols' Mustang pass-defense package, "with three down linemen, they'll blitz their linebackers.''
Vanderbilt cornerback/receiver D.J. Moore conceded the Commodores knew UT was running the football on most plays. The Vols finished with 222 yards on 51 attempts.
"Their running backs are pretty good, so they're going to break some runs,'' Moore said. "It's not just the runner; it was the blocking, too.
"This loss was disappointing, but the Duke game (loss) was outrageous.''
Johnson summed Saturday's action up.
"Our guys were ready to play, and sometimes it just doesn't work,'' he said. "Our defense played well enough to win, but they don't allow you to get much momentum with their defense.''
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 16
TopProspect writes:
1st
TopProspect writes:
Now that I got that outta the way...
I was just watching the news and I really feel bad for Chavis.. I think he's a really good coordinator. I really hope the new coach keeps him around. He's the only coach i would keep. Maybe the Defensive backs coach too.
Has anyone noticed that on punts and kicks it seems like our returners never even have a chance to break one?? It's weird because when someone first starts returning punts they do really well. Then after like thier 3rd or 4th game doing it.. it goes to run forward for 8 yards a punt... It always happens... Hefney did well at first, Lucas taylor seemed really dangerous at first, and last year Rogan was dangerous..I think the special teams coach doesn't like the moves and natural ability and tells them just to get some yards and get down. It really bothers me.
Anyways im still on the bandwagon of starting over with recievers since ours can't catch and if they do make a catch its 2 yards and down.
bjlong38326#239292 writes:
kent austin (ole ms.) offensive cor. for new head coach at tn.
asif (Inactive) writes:
It doesn't matter how bad we are, we aren't that bad. Lose to Vandy... Please..... I know it's happened, but I think you can see the difference in a truly elite program on a temporary slide and a wanna be program. Bobby and the folks at Vandy should get a nod, but don't kid yourself, they are not Tennessee.
I think the new head coach should look at film (digital recordings) of our defense. Keeping Chavis and some of the D coaches around will make him look like a genius next season.
rawvol writes:
Why not Chavis for head coach? He's an insider, he's family, knows the key alums, knows the players, knows the recruits, knows how to recruit, knows how to compete against Spurrier, Saban, Meyer, etc. He's a good defensive coach, seems like a tough guy who could motivate the entire team, not just the defense.
FWBVol writes:
The balance of nature continues. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and Tennessee beat Vanderbilt.
cainclifton23 writes:
Yea I think we need to keep Chavis too.
And Our Wr's should be...
Gerald Jones
Denarious Moore
Branden Warren
Ej Abrams-Ward
Ahmaid Paige
Lucas Taylor
Titan writes:
I was at the game today and listened to Joe Fisher, the Vandy announcer - that's how bad I despise listening to Kesling. Fisher stated that Hamilton, in his coach search, is urging the incoming coach to keep two or three of the existing assistant coaches and specifically mentioned Chief as one of them. Kind of a strange approach by Mike and I've heard nothing of the sort out of Knoxville. Wonder if Fisher has a good inside source or just speculating?
CoverOrange writes:
TopProspect, we don't have a special teams coach, its coaching by committee. And yes, I've also noticed the trend of less performance over time. Not just the return specialist position.
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
Is anyone else sick of dvolfan - rc shepards - garbage?
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!
johnlg00 writes:
Agree completely about the lack of production out of special teams. No question we leave an awful lot of "hidden yardage" on the field. As for the special-teams coach issue, I have never understood--no doubt, lots of things I don't understand(;-P)--why we have separate coaches for defensive ends and defensive tackles. Aren't they all d-linemen? Why couldn't we have one guy coach all of them and a dedicated special teams coach? I really would like to know why this is.
leedsvol2007 writes:
Just to play devil's advocate suppose the decision regarding Phillip is reversed. Just how compromised would he be when he is out recruiting? The other coaches would be out there telling potential recruits he is hanging by a thread.
The only way we could stop that would be to give him a contract where it specifically states that it is his decision to stay or go.
While I have been a huge supporter of his I too have some doubts. I dont' think he rates a blank check at this point.
Fact is the offense has been horrible 2 out of the last 4 seasons. And in both cases its been caused by a lack of production in the passing game. More specifically failure to have a quarterback capable of playing at a competent level.
Its difficult to judge but you have to say to date that Dave Clawson has brought nothing to the table. And that was a key hire for Phillip given the obvious skills that David Cutcliffe provided for 2 seasons.
Michigan ran a very similiar offense to ours and Phillip could have hired both their coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
He bears the responsibility for that decision.
Given his overall record I have supported him because I thought he deserved another season to bring it around and that some of the expectations of fellow fans are unrealistic.
But I don't think his recent performances would rate a blank check either.
Bob Lowe
Class of '73
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Anyone notice once again no seperation from our WRs.
Favorite TE dropped another one, also.
Get ready, Cats- 4 QBs on the way.
blitzshoot writes:
PD, I don't think UT's receivers could leave a bus stop.
Single wing 50's style would work. Next Saturday at Neyland will be very emotional for many. I hope they win it.
blitzshoot writes:
Does Vandy go to a bowl?
Volundergrad47 writes:
That is harsh. I think it is funny that Meyer hired a STC and look at the returns they have had. Now they do have some great athletes, but they also have blocked quite a few punts and field goals.
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