Dave Hooker audio
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Tennessee Stat Book
On Tuesday, Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson provided a rare moment of levity.
During his weekly press conference, Clawson showed his quick wit with a rapid comeback when asked about Mississippi State, which held previously undefeated Vanderbilt to 107 yards of total offense in an upset win last weekend.
"Trying to make me feel good?" Clawson joked.
Six games into the season, Tennessee is still looking for a reason to feel all warm and fuzzy.
When the Bulldogs enter Neyland Stadium tonight for a 7 o'clock kickoff (TV: Pay-per-view), Tennessee will be at a crossroads.
Even with No. 2 Alabama coming to Knoxville next weekend, a win would give the Vols some much needed confidence - and a little forward progress - after starting the season 2-4. A loss, meanwhile, would drop the Vols to 0-4 in the SEC for the first time since 1977.
For Tennessee (2-4, 0-3 SEC) to win, it will have to improve offensively against a defense that is among the most physical it will face all season.
But aside from those 107 yards of total offense allowed last week, the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) haven't exactly been a brick wall.
Georgia Tech's option offense rolled up 438 yards rushing against the Bulldogs, while LSU scored 34 points and picked up 427 yards of total offense.
Still, Mississippi State's pass defense ranks second in the SEC and third nationally, allowing opponents an average of 138.2 yards per game and has forced five interceptions.
"They don't really get out of position," said UT quarterback Nick Stephens, who has yet to throw an interception since taking over the starting job three weeks ago. "They're well-coached, they're fast, they make plays. That's what they do. We just have to know when to take shots. We have to throw strikes and catch balls. Back to the basics. We just have to make plays."
Clawson wants to see Tennessee's offense improve, despite the challenges Mississippi State poses.
"We need to (improve)," he said. "That's the challenge of a coach. You take your team and keep your foot on the gas and work like crazy to make it better. The results so far are not what we wanted or had worked for, but it doesn't mean you stop working. We're going to be better this week."
It would be hard to be much worse, especially in the run game.
Against Georgia, the Vols finished with 1 yard net rushing and ran only 45 plays on offense. Tennessee added more contact to practice this week in an effort to improve those numbers and hopes some combination of tailbacks Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer can get hot this week.
Offensively, Mississippi State can certainly relate to UT's struggles.
Like Tennessee, the Bulldogs benched their starting quarterback and have gotten solid play from Tyson Lee, who hasn't thrown an interception in 93 attempts. They've struggled to score points, too, ranking last in the SEC in scoring offense (16.3 points per game), one spot ahead of the Vols (17.3 points per game).
But State wins and loses with a running game that features a physical offensive line and a physical back in Anthony Dixon, who averages 71.2 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry this season.
"That's how they design their offense," UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "They're a downhill team that's going to get behind their pads. They're going to try and block you and knock you off the ball up front. You shouldn't expect anything different from Mississippi State."
Tennessee, meanwhile, expects a lot more of itself.
Six games into the season, the Vols are still hoping to find an offensive identity. They're trying to find confidence. And they're trying to find a way to salvage the season after falling out of the SEC East race last week in Georgia.
And UT coach Phillip Fulmer, who needs one more win to reach 150 for his career, is under fire again. This week, athletic director Mike Hamilton said he'd like to stick to his usual practice of evaluating coaches and programs after their season is over.
Dissension within the program is one of the few reasons Hamilton said he would intervene. According to senior wide receiver Josh Briscoe, Tennessee isn't there yet.
"We're not looking at the next level or where we're going to be at next year," Briscoe said. "We're looking at finishing out strong so that when people talk about this 2008 year, they're talking about the year that started out 2-4 and ended up going to 8-4 and maybe winning a bowl game."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 536
gavol2572 writes:
"We're not looking at the next level or where we're going to be at next year," Briscoe said. "We're looking at finishing out strong so that when people talk about this 2008 year, they're talking about the year that started out 2-4 and ended up going to 8-4 and maybe winning a bowl game."
I admire Briscoe's optimism, but I don't think 8-4 is in the cards for this team.
ncvol writes:
8-4 could be a possibility. I think we can do it.
Let's cheer our team on.
Go Vols !
hotrodvol writes:
Clawson has optimism too, maybe just a dreamer...
tenuscvol writes:
Good Article...
Run sweeps......many sweeps....
Stephens probably gets his first pic....
That's OK...
UT 23 MSU 17
gavol2572 writes:
Believe me when I say that I am not one of those fans that hopes for a loss or one that is always negative. If this team goes 8-4 I will gladly eat me a big ol slice of humble pie. I just don't see it happening, but I hope it does.
cjraney writes:
Glad to see players aren't throwing in the towel. There's definitely plenty of opportunity for this team to get better. And a miracle win against Bammer would be a nice way to send Coach Fulmer upstairs to his new administrative position.
IPOrange writes:
8-4 is a lofty goal. I'll be happy with a bowl game this year. Never will I hope for a loss just to bring about change, though. Always pulling for a Big Orange win... Go Vols!
Jed writes:
MSU 14
UT 10
utvolz#637682 writes:
So Clawson "works like crazy" and his boss "works like heck" Somebody better work like their job depends upon it tomorrow night!
Frank (broadcasting live from Manchester, TN!)
P.S. I'll be there tomorrow to watch the carnage....
Imagine_this writes:
Here is a real feel-good story, even if it is off subject a tad------------------------.
Vanderbilt beats Georgia; and, oh, how sweet it is!!!!!!!
1982_35_28 writes:
A strong finish could keep this boat afloat...
I'm ok with 9-3 or 8-4 for the next few years if it means Fulmer goes out a winner and there is a smooth transition to the next coach. It is the best case scenario. An ugly, shameful ouster will only be a black eye to Tennessee. Can we really expect much more at the end of the career of a 17 year coach?
rsarazen#221200 writes:
If Fulmer goes upstairs in administration after this year, we will see the same snoring style of play. I like Coach Fulmer and think he is a good solid person but it's time for a change; the entire staff needs to be replaced. I live in Birmingham and attended U.T. We live in a time now that money is the only thing you can throw to capture a great coaching staff and that may last 3-4 years at best. I was one that had hoped college football wouldn't reach this point but it has; it is merely a farm league for the pros now. Sad... I have watched Alabama and have lived here for 20 years and have seen their problems locally. They pony up the right amount of money and look what it buys them. I thank coach Fulmer for his loyalty to the University and his success period. Everyone knows it's time.
abrown#232236 writes:
Let's play 'em one at a time. Shed the baggage, and just play. If we start to execute and become fun to watch again, that will be enough to please the fans for now. String 4-5 of those together, and the swagger and glow are back. But for now -- lets go out and play well against MSU!
FlaVol2 writes:
Hey Tennessee fans, let hope for the best. We will never get anywhere thinking negative all the time. Go Vols!!!
abrown#232236 writes:
BTW -- tough year, disappointing year, but I love the VOLS. Next week, I am driving 6 hrs. from Raleigh, NC to go to the BAMA game with my 10 yr old son. I tried to get out of it, telling him we could go down to the beach, fish a little and just catch the game on TV. He said "Dad, we're only going to get to spend 6 hours in Neyland this year. They're having a tough year -- lets go high five 'em at the VOL walk and cheer them on." Ah...the pupil has become the master.
TommyJack writes:
CJ: Back in the day, coaches got kicked upstairs to admin. as a reward for past services. In those days, they weren't millionaires when they left. I doubt CPF will need an admin. job. JMO
shipperman#280095 writes:
I don't know, ask Johnny Majors
xvolx writes:
can't pull for them if it means fulmer stays.
Titan writes:
The decision to stubbornly stick with Crompton and not make the change to Stephens sooner is looking dumber all the time. With more game experience, I feel like Stephens could have given us a decent to good shot at winning any of the remaining games - probably with the exception of Alabama. We'll never know.
ncvol writes:
xvolx writes:
can't pull for them if it means fulmer stays.
Sad indeed if you can't cheer for your team.
Go Vols !
69vol08 writes:
I like Briscoe's comment and I do hope that the players are taking the attitude and play like a team that is trying to turn 2-4 into 8-4. I am also okay with his statement of "maybe win a bowl game", because that is more honest. Although 8-4 seems unlikely, making it to the sec championship seemed unlikely at this time last year...we will have to tune in to find out...go vols!
cjraney writes:
TJ-
IF (still a big IF)...any change occurs, I just hope we handle it better than the last one. If CPF goes kicking and screaming, it will be unfornate for him and UT, but he should have an opportunity to go with some dignity, IMO. The program will move on either way.
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
I have a strong suspicion the Vols will roll in this one!
UT 31
MSU 12
JMHO!!
cjraney writes:
TJ-
I saw your comments about Muschamp possibly succeeding Richt down the road. Very possible, but I think it will take more than a couple years for UGA to get restless enough to pull the trigger. They're still among the SEC elite for the next 2-3 yrs at least.
I guess I'm saying I'd be fine with having Muschamp for just a few years if it means getting the program back on top.
Doobz15 writes:
Get real. You're living in Fulmer's world. However, I think that he even knows that there are more losses on the way.
TommyJack writes:
CJ: If we go the coordinator route, he would be a top choice, no doubt. Just not sure that's the way Mikey will go. Who knows?
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
Coach Fulmer has more integrity than to go kicking and screaming if indeed he is replaced. I'm ready to turn the page as much as anyone,but he has much more honor and dignity than to do that.
tnbigg writes:
Each week the same mantra emanates from the Fulmer camp. "We intend to go undefeated for the rest of this season to prove who we really are!" Then...week after week..."That wasn't really us out there!" At some point in time a realistic thought should occur..."That really was us out there."
tnbigg writes:
Illustration:
September 1 at UCLA L 27-24 0-1 (0-0)
September 13 UAB W 35-3 1-1 (0-0)
September 20 No. 4 Florida L 30-6 1-2 (0-1)
September 27 at No. 15 Auburn L 14-12 1-3 (0-2)
October 4 Northern Illinois W 13-9 2-3 (0-2)
October 11 at No. 10 Georgia L 26-14 2-4 (0-3)
Mirror mirror on the wall...who's the ugliest offense of all?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6RWlu...
bigorangeslice writes:
I think Fulmer has spoiled everyone with past success... Sure I'd love it if we could go 10-2 every season but the parity in the SEC is fierce and all the Clint Stoerners are no more.
As long as we can stay above .500 year to year, survive against Vandy 80% of the time, get on national tv once in a while, maybe sneak into a bowl game every other season...I'm a happy guy. Heck, a lot of Sunbelt teams would play their tails off for that type of exposure.
Volomatic writes:
Either your related to touchdown, first year watching football, or you just have no idea what your talking about. Who would want to beat vandy just 80% of the time. And a bowl game every other year, hah funny stuff. And the reason sunbelt teams don't get the exposure like the SEC is because they SUCK. When is the last time you watched a game from that conference and said that team could play for a nc. Take your phoney barely over .500 and root for another team this is VOL country we expect nothing but the best
idahovolfan#230277 writes:
There are two things about this season that really bother me.
One is the fact that we simply do not seem to be getting any better. Yes,there has been improvement at the QB position since the change but overall team play is still poor to say the least. The offensive line is horrible. The running game...What running game??? 1 yard net rushing? That is unbelievable. The defense has played great at times and has been one of the few bright spots,but that soft mustang package is almost always a disaster.
Even worse than all of this is the lack of respect and lack of discipline. Does anyone remember a vols team with this many personal foul penalties at this point of the season? Even the punter has one! I have been a UT fan for forty odd years and I don't recall a team like this. How about all of the illegal procedure penalties because the linemen can't stay in a three point stance? Maybe it is me, but doesn't it seem like those penalties always come at the worst possible times?
Has anyone heard anything about punishment being handed out to try to reign this stuff in? Foster gets a personal that set the tone in the Fla. game. He didn't miss a carry. Colquitt comes back from a 5 game suspension and immediately shows how much he has matured. Worst of all, was the right hook thrown in the middle of the Ga. backfield on national TV. That was downright embarrasing to me. Did the coaches not see any of these things? As much film as they claim to watch, did they still not see? All of this stuff actually bothers me more than the won-loss record,because it appears that absolutely no one is being held accountable for their actions. Neither coaches nor players.
thevoice writes:
Well, first we have to have a coach that direct us to 8 or 9 wins a season. If Fulmer is such a wonderful guy, I often wonder why he can't walk away with dignity and for the good of the program. I understand he won a NC, but no one person is bigger than the program. Isn't that what the coaches preach to players? Fulmer's going to bring this program down with himself because he appears selfish. It bothers me to read all the personal attacks on Fulmer on these posts and I would never wish for him to suffer embarrassment. I just wish he would walk away and make all parties happy. It's obvious his type of coaching is just not effective anymore.
Navalorange writes:
That is what you call "in a nutshell". That retty much sums it up. I would add that accountability is not all though. This is the game of football. We all can see that CPF is lacking in this stage of his great career, but after the UCLA game the players should have been just plain mad. They haven't had that hey, lets just kick some azz attitude. I, for one, think that starts at the top. If you average out the size and speed of any given top D1 program the difference isn't as big as the pure desire to win. It's a team game and a team has to be motivated by a coach. I believe the team goes as the coach goes, bottom line.
invisiblekid writes:
Agreed, there are some things that you just don't do IMO.
invisiblekid writes:
After 6 weeks of the season, it is what it is.
fltapout writes:
Will ther still be these comments when UT is at 2-8,3-7, with a couple of games in the season left?
BigMix writes:
Go Vols!!!
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I honestly don't appreciate Briscoe's comments. He was adhement about defending the charge for student tickets and the pay raise Fulmer received. He was "enlightening" people on what all the football team does for the university... now how smart does he look? Not at all, he's not even good enough to get on the field for the most part. If he wants us to finish well, he needs to work his butt off and be good enough to get on the field and make some plays. Considering he's not even being talked about, I'd say that's not going to happen.
budrhon writes:
Muschamp will end up at Clemson before the Vols ever have a chance of getting him. Fulmer will get retained for another season and the window of opportunity will be shut until another time.
TheMagician writes:
Too much denial. Stephens first pass should have been picked off, as well as another late. His last passes were when GA was playing soft, giving up the underneath, so his numbers are skewed in that regard. With the OL playing so badly I worry that he will be injured against MS.
Foster has shown no improvement.
Clawson has proved that he can keep up with NI, UAB and UCLA, but just 26 pts in 3 games against SEC opponents.
Being on the field for so long in the GA game is another excuse. At the start of the 4th qtr, they had been on the field no longer than a regular game, and had already given up massive yardage. It looked like GA even backed off some.
Six weeks gone by and every team that takes the field "is not us". So if we have one good game they will claim that is the "real" UT. The real UT is the one that shows up each week - win or lose.
Personal fouls are being ignored by CPF. He still doesn't believe that Eric Berry's knee hit the ground...even after watching the film! DENIAL, DENIAL, DENIAL!
MSU 26
UT 16
Just calling it as I see it....
pdhuff#552644 writes:
And on we go, charts in hand.
Come on Vols, simply play your best and we'll see if it is enuf.
The golden tones of Kesling echoing thru a big barn with a wee dram of Maker's.
gary235 writes:
Sounds like some (fans) think 8-4 is ok. If that's true TN should have keep Johnny. He could do that. I thought TN wanted more. Fulmer (in the early years) did take TN to many 10+ years. Against team that had weaker coachs. Those days are long pasted... Now those team have better coachs. TN still has Fulmer. Like it or not it IS time for a change in Knoxville.
The next coach at TN is going to have his work cut out for him, because it is going to be harder to recruit the best players to a program, that is at the bottom of the SEC.
tnbanker_govols writes:
8-4?? In order for this to happen, everything would have to change about this team. Frankly, we don't have the leadership to make this kind of change. You guys say 8-4, I'm thinkin more along the lines of 6-6.
gvegasvol writes:
Miss St converts two vols turnovers deep in thier own territory for points and wins 10-3
pammyvol1000 writes:
Thanks for sharing that sweet story.
volsoutwest writes:
You have got to be kidding me. No orange blooded fan would ever be satisfied with a medicocre barely 500 season or beating the Commoders 80% of the time. I've been a Vol fan for more than 40 years and can't accept losing to anyone much less Vandy 2 out of 10 times. I'm a happy guy also but not on Saturdays this year. We are not MTSU and in the Sun Belt. We should be on national tv every week. Go Vols.
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
I love it... when you have this attitude you will have more fun than 90% of the posters on this site. and fun is what it is really all about.
Realistically we could win out. All but bama 'should' be a W.
And bama is not almighty- they have struggled several times this year.
I hope we can do it.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Paul Johnson and GT hung 438 yards of rushing on this bunch.
Surely we can get 200 and keep the 2-9 off the field.
With that many yds given up, their LBs must be Phew!
Ok, Phil, it is clear. Run the ball, if you can.
And if you can't,-- hmmmm beer.
chestnutglade writes:
I think this game makes or breaks the spirit of this team.I think it all boils down to the O line. The quarterback is better now. Hardesty is the best running back I have seen this year we have.( if the coaches use him).The Defense is the same O same O.Looks like we can't get a 3 and out Defense.When was the last time the defense had a 3 and out happen twice in a game with out a dropped pass on 3 down?The only way we stop anyone is if THEY stop themselves.In the UCLA game how hard is it to defend a tight end standing still waiting on the ball?I hate to say it but I don't see vols winning tonight.I can hear Fulmer now ( the sun still come up in the morning).That was his line after losses to FLA. in the years past.I hope we can win 2 more games.Wy. and S.C.
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