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Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer is carried off the field by Anthony Parker (75) and Ramon Foster (78) after the Volunteers beat Kentucky 28-10 in their last home game of the season and the last football game for Fulmer Saturday in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
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Neyland Stadium has seen its share of forlorn endings in 2008. You’d have never known it, though, judging by the closing scene Saturday night.
Phillip Fulmer rode off into the sunset on the shoulders of his players after his final Tennessee team pounded Kentucky 28-10.
As last impressions go, the second half of a rare November night game stands about as strong as any the Vols played all year.
With a crowd estimated at 65,000 braving the chill and wet to honor Fulmer, Tennessee broke away from a 7-3 halftime struggle to dominate the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.
The Vols rolled to a 28-3 lead before allowing a meaningless touchdown late. For the first time since October, a UT quarterback didn’t throw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
“That’s what we wanted it to look like,’’ said Fulmer.
“Given time, that’s more what I think it would have looked like.’’
Fulmer wasn’t given more time, though. His tenure ended 152-52, the second-most wins in program history behind Robert Neyland’s 173.
When Lane Kiffin is officially named the new coach this week he inherits a 24-game winning streak over Kentucky, the longest of any series in the nation.
By beating Vanderbilt and Kentucky to close the season, the Vols end up 5-7 (3-5 SEC), avoiding becoming the first eight-loss team in program history.
“The record doesn’t indicate it but we worked our butts off,’’ said senior defensive end Robert Ayers.
“It was a good win,’’ added quarterback Jonathan Crompton, “to send Coach out in the right fashion.’’
Crompton, a junior who struggled most of the season, also went out in the right fashion.
He was a judicious 6-of-8 passing for 101 yards and ran eight times for 17 yards.
Four times Crompton ran to convert first downs, but his biggest gain was a 1-foot sneak for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal to close the first half.
That score put UT up 7-3 at the break. On the third play of the second half, Crompton connected with wide-open Denarius Moore for a 63-yard touchdown to make it 14-3.
“I saw pre-snap we had a good match,’’ Crompton said. “The o-line and the running backs did a good job protecting against the blitz call and the rest is history.’’
Said Fulmer, “I’m really proud for Jonathan to play as well as he did tonight.
“That’s more like we all expected.’’
Eric Berry had a nice 23-yard run at quarterback in an 80-yard touchdown drive. Lennon Creer got the score on a 5-yard toss sweep to extend the lead to 21-3 as the fourth quarter began.
UT’s next touchdown drive covered a season-long 83 yards.
Crompton converted third-and-8 with a 12-yard run. Then Gerald Jones sprinted 55 yards to set up his 2-yard TD. UT led 28-3 with 5:44 to play.
Alphonso Smith scored Kentucky’s lone touchdown, a 1-yard run with 3:44 left.
The Wildcats’ only other points came via a 40-yard field goal from Central High School graduate Lones Seiber in the first quarter.
The Wildcats finished 6-6, 2-6 SEC and await a bowl bid.
Alcoa product Randall Cobb started at quarterback for Kentucky.
He gave way to Mike Hartline in the third quarter, finishing 4-of-7 passing for 23 yards and rushing for 22 on 11 carries.
“First thing I’d like to do,’’ said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, “is congratulate Phil Fulmer for going out in style.
“I think (Fulmer’s ouster) is a tragedy, a sad commentary on the coaching profession.’’
UT rushed for 210 of its 311 yards. The Vols held Kentucky to 193 yards. It was the third time this year UT had limited an opponent to fewer than 200 yards.
“We sent Coach (John) Chavis out on a good note,’’ said Ayers.
The first half was more representative of Tennessee’s season.
The first quarter was spent jockeying for field position, with Kentucky winning. The Wildcats, however, managed only the Seiber field goal.
In the second quarter, Kentucky went backward for a net of minus-22 yards.
Speaking of going backward, three of UT’s first four possessions produced negative yardage.
The Vols were able to turn the tide but it was a chore.
Trailing 3-0, Tennessee took over at the Wildcats’ 35 after a short punt. What followed was a laborious, 12-play drive that required two fourth-down conversions and consumed all 5:36 left in the half.
A pass-interference flag in the end zone gave the Vols first-and-goal at the 1.
Three times Arian Foster charged forward. Still, facing fourth down, the Vols remained a foot from the goal line.
They used a timeout to stop the clock with 2 seconds. Crompton got the touchdown on a keeper as time expired.
“After that,’’ said Crompton, “the whole team knew we had momentum.’’
And it lasted long enough for a coach to get a ride off the field for the last time.
“We’ve had a good run,’’ said Fulmer.
“I wasn’t really ready for it to end, but it probably ended up as well as it could.’’
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
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Comments » 264
cst8484 writes:
Thank you coach…. We’ll miss you
tnbigg writes:
Good finale...congratulations...
drmad1057#259146 writes:
You will be missed Coach.
stevefrommemphis writes:
He will be back in 3 years as head coach once people realize the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.
hillsborovol writes:
Nice way to end the season. Thanks for all you have done for UT.
ctownvol writes:
Good win and good night all.
allvolinatlanta writes:
Class act all the way.
Russell writes:
I like that they carried him off the field.... Go Vols!
pammyvol1000 writes:
Thanks Phil! The players love you!!
What a great way to leave your final game!
mdvol writes:
Going to miss you Phillip and Vicki. Being carried off the field may not mean as much as a crystal football to you but you deserved both, and better. Wish you and your family the best. You will be missed.
britt writes:
Looking forward to seeing you back in a few years as AD. Cant wait to hear MH saying " I have accepted the universitys decision not to retain me" with Phil peeking out from behind the curtain waiting to be announced.
nola_vol writes:
Teary-eyed, my wife & I watched to the end of ESPN's coverage. Looking for a mood-leveler on TV, I changed channels to a music special on PBS--and there he was, the late Roy Orbison singing "It's Over"...
Volsfan1985 writes:
Thanks coach for all the memories!!!! I wish u the best... You have been and always will be a TRUE VOL......glad to see u go out with a win.. and i Hope as next season approaches we can continue the streak and get back to being a national powerhouse!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gohawks1 writes:
The end of an era....
Thanks Coach Fulmer for giving your all for Tennessee.
tenndave writes:
I think you could be right. If we don't win an SEC east title within 3 years we will be screeming for Phil to come back. However if Kiffin can somehow manage to keep Phil involved the program in some way, we may becoming the power we once were.
Thanks Phil. You Are Tennessee Football!!!!
vol2211insc writes:
Great effort team! What a way to send the man out! I couldn't be prouder....And Finally the G-Gun Worked!!!! Wow! I have been saying this all season but Denarius Moore Should have been a starter a long time ago. Did anybody notice if that was him playing a little DB??
SFOrange writes:
It is done. Great win for a great coach.
(UK seriously sucks).
We are UT.
mempuss writes:
Thank You Coach Fulmer! A true Volunteer through and through!
DennisVols writes:
A Great way for a great career to come to and end. Congrats Coach Fulmer. You will always be a Tennessee Vol.
FWBVol writes:
I'll admit it, I had tears in my eyes as I watched the final moments of the game and listened to Phillip Fulmer's final interview with Erin Andrews. I'm glad he went out with a win.
Thank you Phillip Fulmer for doing it the right way and for all the great wins. You will be missed.
This was the best Crompton has looked at QB all year. One can only wonder what might have been had he played this way throughout the year.
Best of luck in the future Coach. As you said, You will always be a Vol!!!
zqvol writes:
Doubt that it will take three years after the go 0 -12 next year.
He deserves a year of rest, he'll be back in 2010 as HC/AD combo.
ssgdebity writes:
Way to go good job. A little rough start at first. Thank you very much coach, you will be sorely missed. Hate to see you go. There have been allot of great memories, to bad we aint going to a bowl game. Even had a tear in my eyes but got to move on. If we played this way earlier in the season like we did tonight maybe things would have different. Anyways godspeed to you and your family and to the rest of the coaches. Overall its been a great ride. Now lets build on this victory for next year and be a dominent team again in the SEC.
tenuscvol writes:
Great game Coach...
You and your family are definitely one of the class acts in College Football and if you coach again I'll cheer you on...
GoVols!
Go Gators!...
southernson writes:
The past is behind us. We will not go back. WELCOME TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE VOLUNTEER NATION.
el_duderino writes:
Thanks coach, for everything. People will realize what a big mistake it was firing you when the moron takes over next year and hits 8 losses.
volschick_21 writes:
Maybe the trustees should fire the president of the university. His drunken psyco wife shouldn't be offending the people she has. I want Fulmer to take over as the president of the university. At least his wife is classy and she isn't drunken nut.
thsvolfan15 writes:
CPF, u will always be the face of tennessee football in my mind. what u have done at tennessee is something most coaches only dream of and u have done it the right way. u are one of the classiest individuals i can think of in sports. although we will have a new head coach, i hope u will be involved at ut. i will miss u.
bleedingtoomuchorange writes:
Glad that the coach went out on a winning game. Best of luck to you in the future. Now let's turn the football team around!
carters_dad writes:
K-State thought the grass was greener also and LOOK who thier new coach is COACH SNYDER!!!!! I actually thought UT would replace Fulmer with someone who had a respectable winning percentage. Fulmer had a good one (74%).
bobbyutvol writes:
without the stunning loss to Wyoming when the team was totaly shocked, the Vols would be 6-6 awaiting a bowl game..Thank you coach Fulmer for going out with class and honor. I truly think we as Vol fans will regret this ouster down the road. I wish you nothing but the best Coach Fulmer, you deserved better. Look at Joe Paterno,a few rough years and now back on top. This is an embarressment to the Tennessee program. Kiffin is going to replace a man with 153 wins in the college game, he has NONE... You will be missed Coach Fulmer You will always be a VOL, what a great comment at the end of the game.
xvolx writes:
at last.
rusty_shackleford writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
K-Y fans. This should prove that it just ain't in the cards for you guys. HAHAHAHA
FWBVol writes:
Boy, didn't your momma teach you to respect your elders?
The next generation of the Volunteer Nation, as you call it, will do well to match the accomplishments of Phillip Fulmer, General Neyland, Doug Dickey and Johnny Majors. These are the winning face of Tennessee footbal and all Hall of Fame coaches.
OakyVol09 writes:
Congratulations Coach Fulmer on a wonderful career. You are nothing but a class act. I know you will be back at UT in some capacity sooner or later. Thanks for the memories.
volfan007 writes:
Phil Fulmer went out as a winner..the winner that he is. Thanks for the memories, Coach. Wish things could have been different.
mhillvol#275693 writes:
"GIVE HIM SIX" million that is!
fredricks writes:
Phillip Fulmer = A Tennessee Man
volcop writes:
correction AD
schymtz writes:
Reinstate Fulmer. Simple as that. Fulmer critics now bear the onus of what will follow. Phil may well be back
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Congrats, Phil, classy way to end it.
One door closes, another one opens.
twoxvols#231409 writes:
I was attending UT during the 1998 championship run. Coach Phil Fulmer will always be UT to me. Both my wife and I were sad to see your era end. You always put the program and the team before your self. It must be the O-lineman in you. Good luck coach in whatever you do. You will always have a fan in me.
stevefrommemphis writes:
O.K., I will wait and see what happens. I just hope the next generation is as successful as the last two, and not another Bill Battle "Error". None of the whiners have lived long enough to see really bad Tennessee football. I hope I never see really bad Tennessee football again.
fredricks writes:
I agree.
FedUpVolFan writes:
God bless Coach and family.
See yall next fall!
volcop writes:
UK fans go back up I-75 with your blue car flags and take that cobb fellow with you
sidwalkvol writes:
Is it possible that here, at the last, the guys are finally getting the system? Several have noted that Clawson's first years are always slow to develop. They looked sharp tonight, even if it was KY.
miamiVOL writes:
thanks coach
jandjhome#228397 writes:
Great comment mhillvol#275693
hallmo11 writes:
Coach,
It's great to have YOU as a Tennessee Vol!!!
We thank you.
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