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Tennessee Stat Book
Northern Illinois Huskies
If Saturday night at Neyland Stadium proved anything it's that Tennessee's offensive struggles run more than quarterback deep.
Nick Stephens got a win in his first start at quarterback, but that wasn't exactly a juggernaut he was directing in a 13-9 victory over Northern Illinois.
At least Stephens pulled the trigger on one big-play touchdown and that was enough.
When Denarius Moore raced into the end zone in the third quarter with a 52-yard touchdown catch it would be the game's only touchdown.
And a crowd announced at 99,539 - based on tickets sold, not actual attendance - couldn't breathe easy until a helter-skelter, hot-potato final desperation play by the Huskies was foiled as time expired.
"We'll take the win,'' said head coach Phillip Fulmer. "We've been on the short end of a couple like that.''
That would be at UCLA to open the season and at Auburn last week.
A 16-point favorite, Tennessee (2-3) wasn't supposed to be in the fourth-quarter drama business this time out.
However, an inability to land a knockout punch - or much of any punch - allowed the Huskies (2-3) to hang around.
Stephens, replacing Jonathan Crompton at quarterback in hopes of injecting life into UT's offense, was 10-of-17 passing for 156 yards.
Unable to mount a valid running game, the Vols topped out at 225 yards of total offense. That stood up because of a defense that kept an opponent out of the end zone for the second time this season.
Doing so was a matter of comfort in a 35-3 win over UAB. It was a matter of necessity Saturday night.
The Huskies managed a modest 190 yards and their only scoring came via three Mike Salerno field goals.
UT's defense also gave the Vols' offense a nudge with a big first-half turnover.
Eric Berry's interception and 48-yard return in the second quarter set up the first of two Daniel Lincoln field goals.
"Offensively, we made some steps in the right direction,'' Fulmer said. "I'm proud of Nick. For the most part he ran our offense well.
"There's certainly room to grow and he'll do that.''
Tennessee had several other opportunities to grow its margin but couldn't put the ball in the end zone.
Berry's interception return provided Tennessee a first down at the Huskies' 16. Stephens and Gerald Jones connected to convert for a first down at the 4. However, an illegal-formation penalty wiped off the first down and left Lincoln to clean up with a field goal.
That left it 3-3 at the half. Northern Illinois' field goal had come after a Josh Briscoe fumble on Tennessee's first possession.
On the second play of the second half, Stephens found Jones deep for a 43-yard connection to the NIU 21.
Three plays advanced only to the 17, from where Lincoln's 34-yard field goal put Tennessee ahead to stay, 6-3.
"We have to finish (drives),'' Stephens said. "If we do what we did tonight against a team like Georgia, it'll hurt us a lot more than it did tonight.''
The TD bomb to Moore came on UT's next possession and made it 13-3 with 9:49 left in the third quarter.
"Great throw, outstanding call,'' said Fulmer.
The crowd agreed. Momentum, however, was not ready to don an orange jersey.
Northern Illinois, playing with backup quarterback DeMarcus Grady, ticked off a 10-play drive that got Salerno in range for a 24-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 13-6.
UT's next possession was September-like. Cue a collective groan.
On third down at his own 23, Stephens was sacked from his blind side attempting to pass. The ball came loose and Northern Illinois recovered at the Vols' 9.
Tennessee's defense held, though, and a 25-yard Salerno field goal left UT clinging to a 13-9 edge with 1:31 left in the third quarter.
The Huskies had four more possessions in the fourth quarter, but never advanced past their 31.
The home team, meanwhile, was sabotaging two more chances to put the game out of harm's way.
With Arian Foster - 18 carries for 75 yards - finally getting in a rhythm, Tennessee drove for a first down at the NIU 9.
On third-and-goal from the 4, Stephens was sacked for a 10-yard loss. Then Lincoln hooked a 32-yard field-goal try wide left to a round of boos.
With 2:34 to play, Tennessee stopped the Huskies inches short on a fourth-down try. The Vols took over only 27 yards from the Northern Illinois end zone and Montario Hardesty charged 9 yards to the 18 on first down.
Three more Hardesty runs into the middle of the line went backward and UT turned over the ball to Northern Illinois with 14 seconds left.
"We were trying to be really safe,'' Fulmer said, "but we should be able to run that play we ran three times and make a first down.
"It was extremely disappointing we didn't make that first down to end the game without any other drama.''
From the looks of it, there's drama aplenty in store.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 623
creepykev#228270 writes:
boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
GGun09 writes:
awful Fulmer is gone if we lose...bye bye on Monday Phil you better win!
ect1983 writes:
How many are at the game....anyone got a good guess...My bet on Thursday was that UT would announce 97,000.....but ACtual attendance would be 73,000
tnvol737 writes:
I think Stephens is playing pretty well....I think Foster needs to stay off the field!!! Hardesty makes a nice run....then he gets pulled....I think Clawson is calling a bad game....but Stephens looks solid!!!!!!!!!
asand211#361548 writes:
It is getting worse each week. I figured we'd be 2-3 at the end of this weekend and 2-4 after next weekend but there is a good chance after the UGA game we'll be 1-5. Holy cow, I thought we'd never be worse than the 2005 season.
ect1983 writes:
And I think Phatso Phul Philmer needs to quit.....now.....at halftime......Bobby Johnson looks GREAT
chbradshaw writes:
Hard to take my eyes away from the exciting Vandy-Auburn game to watch this MAC-level game.
From a mental, physical and skill standpoint, Eric Berry seems to be the only SEC-caliber player the Vols have.
Anyone have a feel for the attendance?
pammyvol1000 writes:
Is this QB issues or is it receivers issues? Most of those were catchable. I agree that it's the same stale offense and our D is playing way to soft.
I say put in BJ Coleman.. what can it hurt at this point!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Don't kid yourself, Fulmer is calling the games. Clawson is just his latest scapegoat. This is the same offense we have had for 20+ years
chbradshaw writes:
UAB just called...they have requested Double or Nothing.
asand211#361548 writes:
Speaking of UAB, I bet they are think....."how did we get beat by these clowns?"
ect1983 writes:
Does anyone reading this have a clue about 1. How many fannies were in the seats at gametime-----and how many now ? Mega-bucks are riding on this
Hydra writes:
Unfortunately we need to lose this game. It's the only way to convince Mikey that Fulmer has got to go!
PreventUT writes:
UT 18:06 NIU 11:54
utvols1 writes:
we are the (new?) laughing stock of the SEC. There isn't one anouncer that can believe how bad it's gotten. The downward sprial continues. From the games I saw today we'll get beat by UA, UK and Vandy quite handily. UGA must be laughing hard right now. And I thought our O line could at least have one good game this season. Disgraceful
ect1983 writes:
Majors for interim coach
chbradshaw writes:
I am sure the coaches will make changes at halftime and do a lot better than the first half production of three points. There are lots of opportunities for them to create some bigger plays instead of playing it close to the vest and assuming the easy plays will beat an obviously inferior and poorly coached team.
Tennessee might try some adjustments also.
PreventUT writes:
NIU 18:06 UT 11:54 - my bad
asand211#361548 writes:
I think Fulmer has some pictures of Hamilton making love to a goat or something. Nothing else can explain Hamilton's reasoning for keeping Fulmer around.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Do we even have a play book? Same ole stuff.
10 yd punt!! Good Grief.. Maryville High School could beat them tonight.
PreventUT writes:
NIU 95 yards UT 79 yards (28 rushing)
tnvol737 writes:
Guys....I may be wrong here....but I think that Fulmer is a pretty good football coach....when he actually coaches....I think a lot of his problem is that he relies too much on assistants to coach....I think if Fulmer would take an active role in coaching (other than O-line), then, we would be much better off....I'm sure may of you will disagree with me, and I have no problems with that....this is just my opinion....
PreventUT writes:
Is it just me or do other teams like LSU, Bama, and Georgia blitz the hell out of teams like this that have no real threat of passing deep?
Maybe if our LB's weighed more than 215 pounds we could break through the line and sack (pressure) the QB before the secondary breaks down.
They're eating up the clock!!!
walt23tn writes:
Ok guys, who's ready for a HEAD COACH???? Please Mike Hamilton read these posts and realize your best friend sucks and deserves to have his a** kicked out of town. He was once a decent coach, but the program is stale. It doesn't matter who you bring in as offensive coordinator, or who you start at QB, the only constant disappointment has been the head coach. He's the only thing that has remained constant in this decade long draught. Please somebody realize that.
GGun09 writes:
Kesling just announced attendance 99,500
aVOLntears writes:
99k for the attendance... Hi-def strikes again
asand211#361548 writes:
I think Fulmer WAS a good coach several years ago but he has been passed by. I think that is evident by the collapse after Cutcliffe left. When Cutcliffe left the first time our offense became stagnant and then improved upon his return. Now he's gone again and here we go again......downhill.
shipperman#280095 writes:
He is usually a decent coach when playing cream puffs, but not doing too well at even that tonight
VolInCatCountry writes:
Kentucky lost a close one to a dominant Alabama and we can't figure out NIU? A winning season looks less likely all the time.
billadcock#209476 writes:
Quit giving the ball to Foster! We need Creer to run the ball.
rummerjack writes:
Did anyone show up for the game?
GGun09 writes:
Stephens looking good...stop giving Foster the ball though!!
PreventUT writes:
And it might be 59,000 now.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Stay the course.
voltan writes:
WOW whats happening. Looks like stephens is consistnt if not spectacular by his stats. Did they send down Illinois or Northern Illinois? I thought if we got rid of the stupid mistakes and calls, we would at least be able to move the ball. Hope there is not a revolt up there tonight. Can't fire Phil during season, unless Chavis takes over. Disappointed
threehundredbowler writes:
most say it is coaching,everyone said it was the QB. everyone said we have equal talent to anyone we play.I have always said we do not have players capable of competing in the SEC.They are too dumb to learn the damn plays.Fire everyone connected with the program.Start with the head coach tonight.
VolInCatCountry writes:
Still no TD...
ect1983 writes:
Shipperman.....I totally disagree, with all due respect......I think he is a Greatat EATING creampuffs
chbradshaw writes:
I'm thinking that Mike Leach at Texas Tech might make a lot of sense.
He is an offensive genius.
He has to think he will always be a notch below Texas and Oklahoma in the Big 12.
BTW, we are ahead by three points and about 3 inches in field goals.
GGun09 writes:
probably about 50,000 now cause we cant score a td.
THE_VOL writes:
I say GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN WOMAN!!! Another idiot that only complains AFTER the fact cause they couldn't see the writing on the wall way back in APRIL!!!!
PreventUT writes:
it actually looks like most people have staid. i think thet're starting to get used to booing.
shipperman#280095 writes:
And I submit to that statement. He eats everything in sight apparently
If we do not start scoring touchdowns in the red zone, they will beat us tonight
GGun09 writes:
come on D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE_VOL writes:
I'm thinking you're pi$$ing in the wind buddy! Are you a newbie or just a moron??? DUHHHH...current contract through 2015! Just extended! CHIEF FOOLmer ain't goin' anywhere unless the embarrassment gets to him and he resigns! Just be glad we're a basketball school or this would be really a sad scene!!
PreventUT writes:
somebody just got NAILED!!!
VolInCatCountry writes:
Good defense, now let's get something going.
GGun09 writes:
good job Dan williams
tnvol737 writes:
Chavis has been calling a pretty good game tonight....NIU puts up a lot of offensive numbers, and their system is pretty had to game plan (option using boot-legs, two different style QBs, etc).....He's mae nice adjustments
THE_VOL writes:
They should PREVENT you from ever posting again! It's spelled STAYED you moron! Must be a former Vol football player!
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