Player interview
Tennessee Stat Book
Georgia Bulldogs
Conventional wisdom would lead one to think this is the week that Tennessee quarterback Nick Stephens takes a step back.
Facing Georgia on Saturday in Athens won’t be like facing Northern Illinois last Saturday in Neyland Stadium. Stephens is realistic about the challenge.
“It’s going to be a lot more challenging,” Stephens said.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn’t seem concerned.
“I don’t see Nick being intimidated by that at all,” Fulmer said.
The challenges are many. Get UT’s offense out of the huddle. Evaluate the defense before the snap.
Then call one of a package of plays at the line of scrimmage with a crowd likely at maximum volume.
“Often times he’s at the line of scrimmage with two plays,” Fulmer said of Stephens. “When you go on the road in conference, it’s a little bit harder to (check) with the noise.”
And don’t forget about that pesky play clock that just won’t stop ticking.
“It’s hard if you make it hard, but if you practice it a lot and watch film, it’s not that bad,” Stephens said.
Stephens said if need be he’s even ready to call other players out for mistakes.
“As a quarterback, everybody is looking at you in the huddle,” said Stephens, who made his first career start against Northern Illinois. “You’re expected to point out the mistakes. If I feel like I need to say something, I’ll say it.”
Growing Gerald: If there was any doubt that junior college transfer Gerald Williams would grow from a linebacker to a defensive end, let that debate end here.
Williams came to UT listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.
Now, defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell estimates that Williams is around 265 to 270 pounds.
While UT coaches have told Williams he’d get another shot at playing middle linebacker next spring, defensive end looks like his true home.
In very limited time, Williams has two tackles, a pass deflection.
“Physically, he’s a man,” Caldwell said. “He’s athletic and very strong.”
“He’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
Next year perhaps?
“I think that will be this year,” Caldwell said. “He’s got to get comfortable with the position. He’s not comfortable.”
Captains: Tailback Montario Hardesty, defensive end Robert Ayers, safety Eric Berry, linebacker Ellix Wilson and offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Anthony Parker were named captains for Saturday’s game.
Scouting Report: UT defensive end Wes Brown said it will take a group effort to corral Georgia star tailback Knowshon Moreno.
“He runs tough and hard,” Brown said. “It’s going to take eleven guys getting to the ball to get him down. It’s rare that one guy gets him down.”
Caldwell said sacking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford is also a challenge, for more than one reason.
First, Stafford is 6-3, 230 pounds, plenty mobile and playing with more confidence.
“I can see the difference in what he’s doing right now compared to last year,” Caldwell said. “He’s throwing the ball with a lot of confidence.”
Second, Georgia relies on double-teaming, or at least chipping, opposing defensive ends with tailbacks and tight ends to limit their pass rush.
That’s a big help for redshirt freshman Justin Anderson, Georgia’s starter at right tackle.
“They do a lot of things to help them,” Caldwell said of Georgia’s tackles.
Caldwell said Georgia is still evolving offensively.
“Just like us, they’re still working to find themselves a little bit,” he said.
UT is ranked 97th in the nation in total offense and ninth in the SEC. Georgia is ranked 30th in the nation and second in the SEC.
“They’re doing something right,” Caldwell said.
Late Drop and Add: Herman Lathers was dropped from the dress roster at the behest of UT doctors. The freshman linebacker has tonsillitis.
Freshman offensive lineman Preston Bailey took Lathers’ spot.
“Preston is a good young prospect,” Fulmer said. “He’s smart and he’s aggressive. He hasn’t been intimidated by the environment.”
Bailey would only play in an emergency situation against Georgia. Fulmer said he plans to redshirt Bailey this season.
Cottam Comeback: Fulmer admitted that losing junior Jeff Cottam, UT’s best blocking tight end, for the first five games of the season hampered the Vols’ run game.
“You can sit here and make all the excuses in the world if you wanted to … but we’ve missed him a lot,” Fulmer said.
Cottam underwent preseason back surgery before returning to the lineup in a limited role last Saturday.
Cottam is expected to be full go this week.
Fiery Fulmer?: Fulmer didn’t take too kindly to further questions about his tailback rotation, in particular why sophomore Lennon Creer and junior Montario Hardesty aren’t playing more.
“You guys want to pick on things,” Fulmer retorted to such questions on Wednesday.
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Comments » 71
orangecountry21 writes:
first
govolsfan#214750 writes:
I'll drink this team to victory.........and yes, I understand, its going to take A LOT!
tnvolfnly writes:
I guess I'm first, but more importantly - I believe in Nick Stephens, where I never gave Crompton much though since last year. I lived in Georgia last year as well, and unfortunatly they were never a joke to begin, but now it's worse. Stephens will pull us through and we will see the Peach Bowl, but other then that - I guess we hold on tight. Greetings from Lebanon, TN.
tnvolfnly writes:
Okay I guess I'm third...oh well - GO VOLS!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"You guys want to pick on things"!
Err Phil we're very close to 2-4 and all you can do is be testy. Haven't had a visit or two with sweatin' Mikey the H have you?
Good luck Stephens, cinch 'em up tight.
eutefan writes:
Amazin' how Coach Fulmer has extreme confidence in Stephens now, but apparently had little or no confidence in him during the first four games. (Well, two through four, anyway).
PepperGrinder (Inactive) writes:
Reporters arent the only ones who are wondering why we arent seeing more of Creer and Hardesty.
shipperman#280095 writes:
You need to sober up before posting. the only bowl we will see this year is the toilet bowl
tnvolfnly writes:
Man, this stinks, finally get to move here this year and Fulmer is proving why he should've been kicked out 11 years ago. Okay, anyway our defense is capable of holding Knowshown Moreno to under 100 yards, put enough pressure on what's there QB's name ....Matthews ....and he can get frazzled. Our secondary can hold their receivers. As for offense - maybe we can play our defensive line both ways for awhile.....what do you think???
tnvolfnly writes:
Shipperman...I was trying to be positive......maybe realistic needs be more of what I should shoot for....I agree with you - next stop THE TOILET BOWL
tenuscvol writes:
With each snap now I am more excited about what Nick might do than worried about what John Crompton would do...
Bring on the dogs!!
I hope we win but if we do not I still beleive we will see an improved effort.
GoVols!
orangecountry21 writes:
Stephen's has a swagger
ncvol17 writes:
good luck to stephens. if he can keep his health and mind set till halloween he'll be one tough dude. all of his hobgoblins & werewolves start this week and don't end till bamas back on the bus. his 'house of horrors' will be whatever stadium he is playing in. i wish him well.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Good luck Nick. Get ready for an all out assault....they feel the need for (1) payback for the last couple of Vol butt kickins' and (2) defend that #1 preseason ranking they're looking to regain.
Frank (broadcasting live from Manchester, TN!)
budrhon writes:
Less talk and more results on the field. Remember the guy you just replaced.
carsontwin writes:
Its going to be a good game. I cant wait to see it. Stephen's is going to be pretty damn good. He will take charge and get us a victory. Everyone has to play there parts and victory is ours. Good luck Stephens' and the rest of the team! Go Vols!!!
TennesseeBuck writes:
Yes he does! I like his attitude.
utwick writes:
We've got the players on paper and now they need to produce on the field. Hope the offense gives Nick some help so he can adapt to the speed of a major SEC tesm. Like GOVOLSFAN. I will imbibe in some cold adult beverages and pull like hell for the Vols.
volcycle writes:
Tennessee will win against the Puppies. Our defense has GA's number. We have for the past couple of years. We now have a quarterback that can distribute the ball to our talented players. They've all had a full week to work together and work on their timing. Ladies and Gentlemen, it all starts this week.
I know the tunnel is still dark, but we're about to charge out into the light and GA will not know what hit them. The Peach Bowl, at the very least, is very reachable.
GO VOLS!!!
khelton657 writes:
So...just how do they pick this meaningful position
'Captains for a day" ? ....does it come with their own little sign in front of a parking space sorta like a Dairy Queen ?
rubbervol writes:
stay the course
BillsBrother writes:
That's right! I'm with you!
Our forefathers didn't give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, and I'm not giving up on the VOLS!
AyAyAyAyAyAyAyAyAyAyAyAy....
volcycle writes:
Don't lose heart jaylit (not sure what you're lit on). You know this team has talent. We've just been missing a quarterback. We'll be fine.
Stay bitter if you want. It's your choice. Kool-aid or not, I'm going to enjoy us all the way to our bowl game.
wkjq#213863 writes:
You moron, Fulmer won a NC 10 years ago.
DennisVols writes:
The Sporting News reported today the early results would suggest SU and WAU going after Kiffin. They said Kiffin would not be interested in SU but WAU might be.
They wondered if UT might do what NCU did. NCU opened the coaching spot early (before the end of the year) so they could get Davis before anyone else had an opportunity.
They also pointed out that AD's do not hire or fire coaches, University Presidents do.
TommyJack writes:
Pick, pick, pick. Just accept it, drones. Pay more, accept less.
Volomatic writes:
I think there will be a dramatic improvement with stephens since he got the whole at #1 qb and not splitting time with Jonathon "get off the team" Crompton. It's going to be nice to see the ball thrown 40 50 yards down field for a change. And when it does it will open hardesty and Creer up to run. I for one am starting to get that can't wait for the season to start feeling. But there is still one big factor and litterally I meant big "CPF"
BillsBrother writes:
Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? (Heck) no!
And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... ............ the tough get goin'!
Who's with me? Let's go!
What...happened to the (VOLS)I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my (butt) from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. (Richt), he's a dead man! (Croom), dead! (Saban) -
volcycle writes:
Stephens brings a lot to the table. And yes, as far as playing, he has just showed up. He's only started one game or did you miss that? I know it was only NIU, but Stephens has connected on the long ball 3 times (which stretches the field), he was actually able to hand off the ball, he demonstrates the much needed leadership skills at qb that we have been missing,... do I need to keep going. He brings a huge upside!!
I didn't say anything about him being the savior, he's just the missing piece.
I said nothing about the coaching.... I agree that's a deeper issue.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Does anything get the sense that Foster is being GIVEN the chance to break UT's all-time rushing record instead of having to EARN the chance? I certainly do. He's not any faster than he was as a freshman and, by now, we all know about his tendency to fumble.
Montario Hardesty is our best back in terms of size and speed. Not only will Hardesty hit you when he runs in between the tackles, but if he cuts out he's got the speed to run past you. There's no way a guy can get in a groove when he only touches the ball 6-7 times a game.
Haven't seen much of Creer but, generally, he's made the most of his few opportunities.
TommyJack writes:
Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No wonder they lost the war.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
"Does anything" should read "Does anyone..."
My bad.
VolFan4ever writes:
I don't know what happened to crompton,but i'll have to admit I thought he would do pretty good this year but he's through...I used to support fulmer but I agree they need to clean house..I hope i'm wrong but I see TN winning maybe 1 sec game this year,and thats a big maybe...The 1 game i'm refering to is mississippi st. ..I do like what i'm seeing from nick stephens,might have been a different year if stephens would've started..but you know fulmer,he usually plays senority instead of talent,and thats probably what will get him fired...oh is it just me or is gerald jones our only decent receiver??taylor,briscoe,and rogers need to be on the bench....
volcycle writes:
Ah... now your drinking the Kool-aid again.:o) Just playin' I just gotta stay positive. Life's too short to not be, but I think, and pray, that we will all be pleasantly surprised Saturday. Good conversation... hang in there and cheer loud.
GO VOLS!!
cjraney writes:
“You guys want to pick on things,” Fulmer retorted. What a girl.
I am imagining what Will Muschamp would say to those questions........
"We're not gettin it done, period. My job is to win SEC football games and I'll play every guy we have til we find the one that wants to win. I don't care if it's a true freshman walk-on if he hits the hole right." Then he picks up the nearest inanimate object and breaks it.
VolFan4ever writes:
bigvolincarolina,thats what i'm refering to when I say fulmer plays seniority instead of talent,foster has lost us several games and i'm not even refering to this year,2 years ago penn st,and he's always good for a couple fumbles against florida,ucla,I hope hardesty or creer bust a big one against georgia,maybe then he'll bench foster,he doesn't deserve the rushing title..
VolFan4ever writes:
I heard that jon gruden bought a house in sevierville recently, coincedince,I hope not,also I get the feeling although peyton's still got some years left in the nfl,he may be our coach in the distant future,one can only hope..
CoverOrange writes:
"Williams came to UT listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.
Now, defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell estimates that Williams is around 265 to 270 pounds."
Is that by design or because he was hanging out with Fulmer at the buffet?
DennisVols, who is WAU and NCU? Western Athletic University and National Credit Union? Or did you mean UWa and UNC?
orangecountry21 writes:
I'm guessing for a reason considering Fulmer is making him play defensive line.
bdennis278 writes:
Peyton is smart enough to get out while he still has his health. He knows that he can still make millions in coaching when his playing days are over. I would personally love to see him get his start as UT's OC/QB coach!
MrBamSeydu writes:
saying "1st" as a comment on a message board is just about the most worthless thing someone can do other than actually watch UT's football games.
MidTennVol writes:
Fiery Fulmer?: Fulmer didn’t take too kindly to further questions about his tailback rotation, in particular why sophomore Lennon Creer and junior Montario Hardesty aren’t playing more.
“You guys want to pick on things,” Fulmer retorted to such questions on Wednesday.
YOU'RE DARN RIGHT WE WANT TO PICK ON THAT, COACH FULMER. THE ENTIRE BIG ORANGE NATION WANTS TO KNOW YOUR ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
TommyJack writes:
Ever intractable, CPF has cost us:
1. 2 or 3 SEC rings.
2. Maybe another Grail.
3. recruits
4. players bailing out.
5. Assistant coaches.
6. Individual games too many to mention.
If this is OK with you, then pray for him to stay on.
If not, then....there ain't much you can do about it.
I'll hang up and listen.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Hope the "charge he takes" will not be outfitted in Red & Black from the blindside.
Bet there's a Tivo in a certain Dook coaches home set for the mentoring lesson in Athens.
Should the awesome offensive machine not connect in Jawga, the ring size is still 12, I believe.
33-15 Dawgs is my surmise, your take?
VOLinDAWGland writes:
I was at the NIU game and was checking my program to see who that huge dude was that batted down the NIU pass...it was Gerald Williams. I totally believe he's in the 260-270 range as he looks like a man among boys out there. I couldn't believe looking at him that he was 'only' 240. He's tall with a long wing span and just built like a freak. He looks like he could finally be the Leonard Little type of DE we haven't had since, oh, Leonard Little.
fedupvol writes:
Yep...that's what I've been saying too...getting a player a record is more important than "W's"...as for talent level, while there is still "some" talent on this team, there has been a huge drop off in recent years and will continue to drop deeper and deeper until the prez fires from the AD down! Sickening feeling after the 45 years I've been a vol fan....just so sad to see what talent there is wasted....
xvolx writes:
everything is clear now. It's cottams fault.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I hope Stephens does well, but should he struggle early, I would like to think he will keep his cool and hang in there until the very end.
Remember the UCLA QB ... I'll give him his props in that we gave him a rough first half but somehow he rallied and marched them down the field late in the game for the come from behind W. That can happen.
richvol writes:
More of Fulmer's arrogant attitude...he has no intention of answering anything that questions his judgement or competence. Unfortunately, he lacks both of those attributes but has plenty of the aformentioned arrogance and a bad attitude.
He just can't see it...he has no idea how to turn this thing around. The first step would be to admit his errors. Then he should take action to correct them ( without being forced to change QB's against his will ) and hold his staff responsible for inconsistancies...not blame the punter.
Fulmer has done a lot for UT but in the mess he has gotten himself into now he is clueless. He needs a coach to coach him.
TommyJack writes:
Leonard's Loser! TN
24-14, dawgs.
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