Dave Hooker's post-game audio
Related stories
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- Report card: Tennessee vs. Northern Illinois
- Defense carries weight again
- Stephens shows teammates he can get it done
- Hamilton suggested change at QB
- Huskies left it all on the field, Kill says
- Adams: QB switch does not change ailing offense
- Watching with Ward: Tthe Game Day blog
Tennessee Stat Book
Northern Illinois Huskies
Quarterback B-
Nick Stephens was 10 of 17; two incompletions were drops. Stephens showed poise and pocket presence and appeared to manage the offense well. Stephens made a couple of dangerous throws and took a costly sack on third-and-goal that led to a missed FG. Stephens short-hopped a pass to an open Austin Rogers with the game in the balance.
Running backs D
Arian Foster (18 carries, 75 yards) hit the corner a couple of times but continues to get caught from behind on other runs. Foster also showed a lack of heart - or power - on short-yardage runs. Montario Hardesty had only seven carries and never got into a groove.
Receivers D+
The plus is for Denarius Moore, who used his speed to make the biggest play of the game, hauling in a 52-yard TD pass. Josh Briscoe had two catches for 22 yards but fumbled. Brandon Warren and Gerald Jones each dropped a pass, and Jones was called for being an ineligible man downfield.
Offensive Line D
Outplayed by a Mid-American Conference defensive line despite a 45-pound per man size advantage. Ramon Foster's missed block led to Stephens taking a fumble-inducing hit. Jacques McClendon had motion penalties on consecutive plays. No surge on short-yardage plays.
Defensive Line C
Looked very ordinary much of the night as Wes Brown recorded one sack and Dan Williams a 1/2 sack. Demonte Bolden got a silly personal foul for a late hit. Failed to dominate an inferior opponent in the manner of past UT D-Lines.
Linebackers C
Appeared fairly active, but NIU was falling forward on most of its runs. Nevin McKenzie had nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks. Rico McCoy was in on eight tackles and had a sack. Nick Reveiz had four stops in getting the start.
Secondary C+
Eric Berry's interception and 48-yard return was the highlight. Arguably the secondary's worst game of the season. NIU receivers were open often, but the Huskies' third-team QB couldn't find them. Dennis Rogan was called for holding and DeAngelo Willingham had a pass interference.
Special Teams C-
Good coverage, but otherwise subpar in most areas. Daniel Lincoln's kicking was disconcerting. Lincoln made field goals of 36 and 34 yards, but one bounced off the upright and the other one slipped just inside the upright. Lincoln missed a 32-yarder. Chad Cunningham had a punt partially blocked.
Coaching C-
Phillip Fulmer and Dave Clawson deserve credit for having Nick Stephens ready to execute. Time management wasn't a problem, and the only turnover was Briscoe's fumble. Defense played hard despite being on the field 33:05.
Overall C-
It was a win over a well-coached mid-major opponent with a brand-new quarterback, albeit, not as decisive as a program like UT should score. The Vols' biggest problems remain on offense, where UT needs more competition at tailback and receiver and a more motivated, physical offensive line.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 87
vtvol#210290 writes:
Where are the letter grades? Has it gotten so bad that the football program is now graded on a pass-fail basis?
chrisw2967 writes:
this is stupid C- for coaching and I havent seen 1 game this year where they should of gotton a D- , this whole year has been a F-, except for the Def. they have kept tn in every game minus the UCLA game that the def.gave away. and they get a D & C for this game.
bluetick writes:
Theres a lot of work to be done no matter how they are graded. I wish they would allow Poole or Creer in more often to hit the corners. They find the holes much better than Foster do. I've always liked Foster but seems this isn't his year.
chucker6 writes:
How does UT coaching get a C-? D- would be too generous. If there is an F- or lower, that is what they clearly deserve. They were clearly outcoached by NIU. UT would have to struggle to find an opponent they could outcoach, if that is even possible. Creer should have been in the game early, he could have broken a couple of good gainers when Foster clearly couldn't. Leave it to Fulmer to punish the team so he can reward an individual. Fulmer is completely, absolutely clueless, and that is being kind.
He should be charged with criminal offenses for doing so little with so much. UT will never again come close to pre-1st half 2001 SEC title game levels with him and his stooges at the helm. If they were leading troops in Afghanistan we would have been run out of the country a long time ago. UT football has become a sad joke. Ole Miss and Vandy have proven that UT football is at the bottom of the conference, not because of talent but because of coaching and their lack of leadership and intelligence. I wouldn't hire them to run a housekeeping department, no offense intended to those who work in that profession.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Hey!We are now ranked 55th in the nation!
UCLA is 88th.
Go figure!
volintexas writes:
Was that Hamilton getting a copy of Kill's resume before NIU jumped on the bus?
SKO_Vol82 writes:
Hamilton, please pull the trigger and fire that imbecile ASAP. Start your coaching search NOW before all the good candidates are taken. Otherwise, with the damage our national TV exposure is causing for recruiting, it will take a decade or longer to get ourselves out of the hole CPF has dug for us. Stop the bleeding. Appoint Chavis interim head coach and start interviewing candidates.
chucker6 writes:
And .500 in SEC play, you proud of that C student?
newtonrail writes:
I believe Dave Clawson is the biggest problem on Offense. Starting with the UCLA game he was in love with Passing game, when we were rushing effectively. Lost that game for us. Florida not so sure about, but happened again to tonight. We were rushing effectively, but he never stayed with it long enough to let it gel. And yes, I know NI had 8 in the Box most of the night, but you don't throw on first, run on 2nd, then incomplete on 3rd, then the defense is back on field. And the So Called G-Gun is misused badly. It was used for one play only almost all night on 2nd down, then Stephens is forced into a passing situation on 3rd down. The G Gun should be run more on 1rst down, with consecutive plays, if we are going to run it. Right now it, just like most of the Offense is a joke.
MidTennVol writes:
I beg to differ. Clawson has impressed me as the smartest guy on the staff -- if not the entire town of Knoxville.
I still believe, like many others, that Coach Fulmer is really the de facto offensive coordinator and no play on offense gets past his headset veto if he doesn't agree with it.
I have absolutely zero evidence to support that claim, just years of watching him and years of rumors to that effect (see Randy Sanders).
MidTennVol writes:
Also -- is there any doubt in anyone's mind that the offensive line is the weakest link on the offense, if not the entire team?
yeavols#228407 writes:
Anyone want to guess what the score will be next week? =)
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
The voice of reason and research. Wow!
MidTennVol writes:
Think the Clausen family is happy that Jimmy went to Notre Dame?
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?g...
OldNumber7 writes:
Not sure how you give defense a "C" when they held a team to no touchdowns that outscored it's opponents 85-3 in previous 2 games...MAC or not. Deserves at least a B.
Coaching IS blocking at offensive line - Clawson/Fulmer deserve the D for that. 45-pounds is way to much. Even Coach Kill said Tennessee was way too talented for them to overcome. Kill outcoached Fulmer/Clawson in the trenches.
eutefan writes:
I'm glad to see the offensive line is finally getting the credit it so richly deserves.
In any football game, the team that controls the line of scrimmage will usually be victorious. Tennessee's line, although strong, is not agile enough to dominate. It's okay to be able to bench press a Yugo, but it's illegal for an offensive lineman to pick up his opponent and throw him.
I've said before: If the o-line was leading a sweep, they'd be called for delay of game.
rocky_topper writes:
I swear week-in and week-out, I believe Vicky Fulmer is grading this coaching staff! Didn't they also get a C for the Florida game? LOL
vol98champ writes:
An offense that can't or won't block gets a D and a defense that only gives up 3 points gets a C. The offense gave up 2 of those field goals. How does NI get better kickers than Tennessee? I was a Majors fan until he came back from surgery and ruined a good team. I was a Fulmer fan until he kept Crompton on the field for the whole 4th quarter against Auburn. It was obvious after he took the hit on the first down run that he either didn't have a clue or was so gun shy that he lost everything a qb needs to be effective. A coach needs to read his players. If Fulmer had read Crompton he would have found a blank page.
eutefan writes:
I give Stevens an A+ for leading receivers on pass plays.
QBs for the last few years have been throwing passes to where the target is, not where he's going to be. The bomb last night was thrown where Moore could go get it without stopping. I saw a swing pass that kept the receiver going forward. Congratulations, Mr. Stevens. I see you've done some bird hunting.
khelton657 writes:
Foster is a huge problem...pulls up before he hits a hole...excuse me "hit" doesn't describe what he does, before he "stops at the hole"...no speed to turn the corner, have never seen him actually outrun anyone..
bobbarbilly writes:
I see nothing offensive about this offensive line.
khelton657 writes:
Stephens is a terrific improvement..
eutefan writes:
Step into my physics lab a moment:
Mass plus momentum (velocity) = force.
A body in motion tends to continue in motion until met with an opposing force. - Newton
Foster has the mass to be successful, if only he'd hit the hole with some momentum. Even if met at the line, his mass would carry him on to positive yardage.
That what they call "running downhill".
rootin4volz writes:
To the "O-Line": Who the eff are you guys, and what have you done with our "experienced offensive linemen?"
xvolx writes:
fulmer received 20,000 for that game. what a joke.
TommyJack writes:
I agree with the Dane. Clawson will be made the goat if CPF isn't given a ticket to ride.
fedupvol writes:
Pathetic,pitiful, putrid, ridiculous,"stupid",....foster needs to go the way of the crompy....chained to the bench NEVER to touch th ball again! 3-9 still looks more likely after see dores, gamecocks, and wildcats!! cowboys only other probable....maybe.
philfan writes:
Butch,
Good post. Fans expect Tennessee to win every game and that will never happen to any team. If Fulmer defeats Georgia next week it will be Fulmer's victory number 150. We can win this game. Remember, we won last year, 35 to 14.
Why hasn't Adams even mentioned the fact that victory 150 could come this Saturday? It seems newsworthy to me!
shipperman#280095 writes:
I suppose he didn't mention it because it is HIGHLY unlikely that it will happen. This team does not have the heart and coaching to repeat last year.
GA: 30 TN 17
beachvol1 writes:
MIKE, GET A LIFE.....F'S ALL THE WAY, EXCEPT THE DEFENSE
tennecwingrider writes:
41 - 3 UGA
txvolsfan writes:
I agree Denmark, I think Fulmer is holding the reigns on the offense and if he stays I would not be shocked to see Clawson leave. He looks frustrated most of the time, like he has his hands tied.
99gator writes:
let's see.
georgia had a bye week.
georgia was embarrassed by tenn the last two seasons.
georgia is coming off a loss.
tenn managed to only get 221 yards total offense against northern illinois.
the score will be.....
georgia.....a lot.
tenn......a little, if any.
dw0731 writes:
Oh where have the 90's gone? We are now reduced to struggling to beat MAC schools. Come on VOLS I know your better than this. True Crompton was a bust which really surprised me but this offense is not just lousy because of him. Stephens did show he has the confidence and the arm to lead but where in the heck is the rushing attack? Where is the push and clearing a lane for our backs? Many have posted that Hardesty should be starting ahead of Foster but heck Montario only averaged 2 yards a carry Saturday. And I was surprised that they didn't give Creer some touches because he has some break away speed but the O-line has to get the push or Barry Sanders would struggle to get 3 yards a carry. The truth is we are probably the worst team in the SEC east right now, a very sobering thought. If things don't drastically improve soon we will have a losing season and CPF should be encouraged to retire. I have been a CPF supporter but maybe its time for a change. You know I was impressed by how many turned out Saturday at Neyland, and you would have thought we just won the Sugar Bowl after Stephens hit a 52 yard bomb and the crowd erupted. We want a winner again at UT. GO VOLS beat the Bulldawgs!!!!
Go4Two writes:
Clawson seems to be struggling finding a flow in calling plays. On one series we had 2nd and 3 inside the 10 after a 7 yard run we bring in the G gun (Why). You pound the ball twice and you have a 1st down inside the 5 yard line. it appears that Clawson's background with the spread offense causes him to give up on the run very quickly. Maybe Phil needs to take over the play calling for a while and let DC watch.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
OFFENSIVE LINE F- THE DAM CHERRLEADERS COULD HAVE DONE AS WELL ., COACHING F- DEFENSE A- .QUATERBACK UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES A-
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read Adams, we are a C- team with potential for change.
chbradshaw writes:
Fulmer and Hamilton don't deserve letter grades. They should be expelled from this figurative school.
budd#207344 writes:
The real culprit here is the O line coach. He has performed terribly over the past two years and everything starts with the lines. We complain about the lack of depth in the D line but the O is supposed to be our strength. This guy has got to go and fulmer needs to take charge of the line. We know he can coach that
How bout them Dores!!!
thirdandlong34#264476 writes:
LET'S STOP FOOLING AROUND AND HIRE "PAT SUMMIT" AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH-THAT GAL CAN DEFEAT ANYONE -PLUS RACOONS.
A VOL IN TEAR
APPLEJAX555 writes:
I think you all have the wrong coach "going" here. Think about the incentives to stay are... and for whom. I wouldnt be surprised to see Chavis go somewhere else for a five year deal at another school - and get out of this mess....
Fulmer is actually smart for staying on and selling himself. Why wouldnt he? But for Chavis, hes facing a downgrade with all this mess - unnecessarily... and would be wiser to jump ship to a HC position (which is maybe what we should do here) or to another D Coach position at one of the places opening up...
Say what you want about this statement, but you know its true. The impact of this statement and its effects make it true...
volsthunder writes:
What a joke...this coaching staff couldnt coach a high school team with any authority..I dont buy the fact the defense is good..holding a MAC team to 9 points..WOW! What about the butt kicking by a suck@$$ UCLA team or Florida pasting us with 30. Chavis is just as lousy as Fulmer and Slade doesnt derserve to be near a football field. The whole bunch need to be removed this afternoon. Laughing stock of college football...
CT_VOL writes:
My favorite part of the game was when Fulmer calls back to back time outs on the NIU 3 yard line to ensure everyone's on the same page. After waiting 10 minutes for this careful and crafty planning, we are treated to an instant Stephens sack! Funny sad!
Frank
TommyJack writes:
I would love to have a spy in the camp. I find it hard to believe that Dave Clawson has much say in this offense. Just doesn't add up. If I'm right, Clawson is the one that should bail. I would let the ship sink with the Captain.
wkjq#213863 writes:
MY GOD! WE GET IT!
wkjq#213863 writes:
I don't know what game you saw, but the fact is we were passing effectively early in the game, then we started trying to run and couldn't.
gslaton#227127 writes:
I agree with those who think that 'those who can, do, and those who can't, write columns'. I would be curious how many writers and bloggers actually played Division I football. Ever notice how when UT looks great it's usually "We won" and when UT loses, it's "they suck". KNS could improve this column by making it "live" and serving beer!
allntl1#565211 writes:
I for one would like to thank Coach Fulmer. He has brought balance back to my life here in Kentucky. I no longer ask for Big Orange clothing for Christmas and birthday. I do not plan my Sat. around UT football, and my wife likes the fact that I am not on the internet following UT recruiting anymore. I also have not been to a game in three years. My family life is much better now.
Thanks Coach
shipperman#280095 writes:
Think back over the past 15 or so years and you will realize Phil IS calling the plays
OakyVol09 writes:
A little off topic, but maybe someone knows the answer. Are we going to be able to redshirt Poole? Or does UT even plan to try? I believe he has only played in the UAB game and you can play a little w/out losing the redshirt. Does anybody know?
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