Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry (14) leaves the field after the 29-9 loss to Alabama on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee Stat Book
It was a game where Tennessee decided to pull out all the stops. Alas, that didn’t stop the losing.
This time the Vols (3-5, 1-4 SEC) lost 29-9 to Alabama on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.
Besides continuing a frustrating season, it was a game in which coaches utilized some of the changes that media and fans had long been calling for.
However, UT’s commitment to the changes and the subsequent results were less than spectacular.
It started with superstar safety Eric Berry, who returned kickoffs and played receiver — both career firsts.
On offense, Berry played one play and caught a screen pass for three yards in the first quarter.
“I was very excited about that but I just wanted to win,” Berry said of his very limited role on offense. “… I know on offense coaches get caught up in different plays and what they want to run so they’ve got to take care of their business first before they fit me in there.
“They’ve got other things to worry about right now.”
Berry also returned two kicks for 32 yards.
“Kickoff return was pretty new,” Berry said. “I haven’t done that since middle school.”
Berry said he had no preference between kickoff returns and punt returns, although he returned punts throughout high school.
Coach Phillip Fulmer said Berry had not yet mastered handling punts. Fulmer said the Vols had four or five offensive plays designed to get Berry the ball.
“We’ll continue to try to do that along the way,” Fulmer said. “He’s a dynamic player.”
The Vols also attempted to get former freshman All-American Brandon Warren involved early in the passing game. The tight end caught two first-half passes for eight yards.
From that point, Warren was shut down. Warren has eight receptions for 74 yards this season.
The Vols also got creative on defense — this time out of necessity. UT slid Robert Ayers from defensive end to defensive tackle in light of several injuries at tackle. Ayers had four tackles, one for a loss.
“I just want to win, plain and simple,” Ayers said. “Wherever they put me, that’s where I’m going to play.”
For Kicks: Fulmer said he considered using strong-legged punter Britton Colquitt on UT’s 51-yard goal attempt that David Lincoln missed. Fulmer decided against it based on Lincoln’s strong performance in pregame.
Fulmer said all positions, including placekicker, are open for competition following UT’s fifth loss.
Lincoln was one of three in field goal attempts.
Fulmer suggested that Lincoln’s struggles this season may have gone to his head. Lincoln is 8 of 15 this season.
Injury Report: Senior offensive guard Anthony Parker started and played extensively. Sophomore receiver Gerald Jones suited up but did not play. Both suffered high-ankle sprains last week against Mississippi State.
Dan Williams injured his right ankle and was forced to leave the game. Reserve linebacker and special teams standout LaMarcus Thompson also suffered a right ankle injury.
Linebacker Ellix Wilson suffered a right ankle injury. Special teams contributor Ja’Kouri Williams suffered a head injury. Defensive back Daryl Vereen suffered a left knee injury.
Defensive end Wes Brown suffered a right knee injury.
First Fumble Recovery: The Vols are no longer the only team in college football not to recover an opponent’s fumble, a distinction they carried into Saturday’s game.
Thompson forced punt returner Xavier Arenas into a fumble following a driving punt by Colquitt. The fumble was recovered by Dennis Rogan on the Tide 5.
Alas, UT’s offense lost nine yard and had to settle for a 31-yard field goal.
It looked as if UT had another when Berry picked up the ball at midfield and ran into the end zone. Officials, however, ruled the Bama ball carrier down before he lost the ball.
“I figured it probably would have gotten us started on offense and defense, a big momentum changer,” Berry said.
Milestone: Saturday marked Fulmer’s 200th game as UT’s head coach. He is 150-50.
Including his time as a player and assistant coach, Fulmer has been on the sidelines for UT in 421 games dating back to 1968 when he played offensive guard.
Getting Special: Tailback Montario Hardesty reversed a season long trend when he partially blocked a second quarter punt.
The Vols have struggled at times this season on special teams, having had two punts blocked this season, one that was returned for a touchdown. UT also has given up a punt return for a touchdown this season.
Hardesty’s block caused the punt to flounder just 22 yards downfield, putting the Vols in great field position at the Tide 32. The Vols lost two yards on the ensuing drive and Lincoln missed a 51-yard field goal.
Hearty Haywood Welcome: UT historian Haywood Harris received a hearty round of applause from media in the press box when it was announced he was in attendance.
Harris wasn’t in the press box last week, the first time he wasn’t there for a UT game in 48 years. He missed the Mississippi State game for health reasons.
Simply Perfect: Dozens of members from UT’s 1998 national championship team were on hand for the Alabama game. The team was honored before the game with a video tribute as they stood at midfield. Select individual players were also honored throughout the game.
More Vols Please: Julio Jones became the first Bama receiver to haul in over 100 yards receiver since DJ Hall did so last season against UT. Hall had 185 in 2007. Jones had 103 on Saturday.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 45
boonhower writes:
1st. Finally.
FLAVOLS writes:
Don't get our best player hurt playing him out of position. He's the man but let's not over do it in a lost season.
chrisw2967 writes:
Berry is just awesome period,the best pure player I have seen at Tn since Dale Carter. if Fulmer had half the heart this kid has they wouldnt be 3-5.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Amen!
juicetke#226846 writes:
If I was a coach and my job was on the line Eric Berry would never leave the field.
ETownVol writes:
“I was very excited about that but I just wanted to win,” Berry said of his very limited role on offense. “… I know on offense coaches get caught up in different plays and what they want to run so they’ve got to take care of their business first before they fit me in there.
“They’ve got other things to worry about right now.”
You got that right. Plenty of things to worry about on offense. I was all hyped up for this game thinking we had a chance since it was a big rivalry being played at home. The offense is so bad I lost interest by the end of the second half. Actually enjoyed watching the UGA-LSU game more than this. What has become of TN football? Sad.
jimmy71#237592 writes:
"Fulmer said all positions, including placekicker, are open for competition following UT’s fifth loss."
Really, the only 2 positions in my opinion that should be open for competition are Head Coach and OC.
UrbanCryer writes:
berry is awesome but ut needs him to bad on d to try and play him the whole game. btw, im sick of reporters giving foolmores record. 150-50 is awesome but what is his record in the past 5 to 10 years and what is his record against the elite coaches?
4EST writes:
AMEN x 2!!!
4EST writes:
UT is now 1-9 at HOME vs top 10 teams under Fulmer.
The biggest impact players for Bama were the guys in black and white. There wasnt a positive play outside of the 10 yard screen pass for TD that they didnt call back.
We may have still lost but they kept it from being a competitve ballgame.
Our Offensive play calling is insane!!
Are our DB's scared of receivers or is Chavis making them line up 12 yards off the receivers?
We have no Offense at all and our defense pays the price for it every game!!
Julio Jones schooled our DB Willingham all night(had him literally turning circles) and the coaches never made a change or adjustment....WOW!!
FedUpVolFan writes:
Watching replay and listening to Vols radio broadcast.Yeah,I know.I have no life.
Ist Quarter:Vols:0 for 4 on third down conversions.The jump by left tackle Chris Scott killed us.Yes.He moved.I watched it in slow motion.
Our poor QB has no clue.Not his fault.Should have called time out before they blitzed and sacked him for a loss.Shanked punt led to 3 points for Bama.We came up a half a yard short of a third down.How?????
Rogers was open and pass was overthrown.Before that Lucas Taylor was wide open and no throw.
And that was just the Ist quarter.
Sad!
FedUpVolFan writes:
OMG!
The 2nd Quarter is worse.
Ugly!
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Fulmer get a clue, Sparky. You are done here.
FedUpVolFan writes:
4th down in 2nd quarter and a yard to go for a first.Ball on opposition's 3 yard line.What would Fulmer do?????
Kick a field goal.
Saban went for it, scored a TD, killed the TN crowd, and ballgame over,
All after Fulmer's stupid attempt at a 51 yard field goal.
BigVolOnBoard writes:
Coach,
Just tell Colquitt that the ball is a beer can and he'll make a 60 yard field goal.
Madkels writes:
They failed to mention the 1-11 record versus top ten teams since 2000. This is more telling than 150-50.
Madkels writes:
4EST...I agree about the referee's. They stunk. The blown fumble call, the fantom holding call on us. Did they ever call holding on Bama? In the 3rd quarter, Bama held big time down close to our goal line. Big miss by the officials. I know it prob would have not changed the final outcome but the last thing we need is to have the officials kill a chance at momentum. Maybe they got part of Saban's salary.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I will not believe anymore hype. Top 10 reasons.
1. Arian Foster is looking slimmer and more explosive.
2. Jonathan Crompton is the man because he bowled over a defensive back for LSU two years ago.
3. We HAVE to get Brandon Warren eligible ASAP so he can explode on offense with the "packages" we have designed for him.
4. Gerald Williams can actually rip offensive players apart with a dirty look.
5. The G-gun will actually begin to throw and be more than a running gimmick.
6. Eric Berry has been spending time at QB... yet coach Fulmer tells us now there are "4 or 5 plays for him??? How about, "Run a Z pattern. Run a post. Run a flag. Hitch and go." There's you 4 right there. Just plug him into a receiver slot and go.
7. The Clawfense is going to get it into the hands of play makers in space.
8. It's a rivalry game. Everything is different.
9. This may be the best offensive line TN has had.
10. This year has kinda the same feeling as the NC year.
I am guilty. I have believed all of this. I will not believe anymore hype until it is on the field in results. Coach Fulmer, you have done much for this university and should be very much appreciated... however, please let someone else run the show. It is too hard to take in anymore.
eutefan writes:
"We have 10 million psychologists telling us what’s wrong. But at the end of the day, we need to play the game. We have to go out and execute. No one’s pulling out their hair, but this is what you have to do. You have to go out and do it.”
Oops, sorry. I meant to use a Phil Fulmer quote, but picked up one from Bobby Johnson instead.
rusty_shackleford writes:
This isn't the same offense Clawson ran at Richmond. He either doesn't have the personnel or (my guess) he hasn't been allowed to change in any meaningful way.
Berry might have been on the field for offense but he wasn't used. The first time he goes on the field and, guess what, they throw to him! Who would have guessed that?! Kind of like trotting out the G Gun and watching a draw off left tackle. EVERYONE recruited Berry (and watches tape) so they all know what he can do. Keep him out there for a few plays and let the defense get used to his presence....then go to him.
servinggrant writes:
Eric should have gone over smacked Briscoe in the mouth, they Punched Fulmer in that gut of his. Then ran out on the next series and took the ball from Nick. Then as he heads under center kicked the center right in his a$! just before going under it....
rockytop47 writes:
Please stay Phil! Don't listen to the white trash on this site who don't contribute a dime to the program or let alone actually went to UT! GO VOLS and GO FULMER!!!!!!!!!!!
servinggrant writes:
Hey Vickie go back to bed...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Phil was surprised gimmicks don't work against a well-coached team, one of which was in Neyland Sat night.
Get ready for a death struggle with SC.
rockytop47 writes:
servinggrant,
I am up because I am serving my country in Iraq, you on the other hand are laying on your couch in the trailer with your 300 lb wife ordering Pizza Hut and attempting to be humerous on the net. I still can't believe you get the net in the park, amazing really! This modern age gives trash like you a voice and that pisses me off! I fight for idiots like you to post!
olozbal#646632 writes:
- Does this offense ever audible? No I mean that as a serious question. I have never seen Stephens see something then call a different play at the line of scrimmage. The blitz down on the goal line was obvious, plus I've seen a couple of plays where a QB sneak was the right call but he never checked to it. Has Clawson even taught them that yet?
- It's not the losses that tell me we need a new coach. It's the punk players not showing any respect for the coaches. Today it was a smiling and laughing Briscoe but if you watch there's one of these every week. Every time a coach gets in their face they're laughing and smiling about it. THAT's my indicator this program is lost more than the stats.
The right thing to do for Hamilton is to QUIETLY line up one of these hot coaches by putting feelers out now and secure him. Then at the end of the year tell Fulmer he's gone and pay him whatever he wants to make him leave by "retiring" and coincidentally having a new coach already lined up. I feel bad (kind of) for Clawson because he's probably toast.
givehim6 writes:
I had a funny dream last night. I dreamt Dave Cutclift was UT's head coach, Troup Talyer was the OC and Al Wilson was the DC.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Rusty,
I am somehow still trusting of Clawson... although I don't know why. There hasn't really even been any flashes of brilliance that would give hope. Somehow, I don't think that he is out of his league and although I have scoffed at such suggestions before, maybe CPF is holding him back. You're right on about Berry too.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
So... what kind of bizarre waves would roll through Big Orange Country if Clawson became HC? I give it a 1 in 10 shot.
VOLINCALI writes:
Terrell Davis began his Georgia career at defensive back.
Forget quarterback put him in for Foster.
brody1969 writes:
i got it we have tried him everywhere else how about COACHING im sure he can do a better job than chubby and chavis
brody1969 writes:
talking about berry
volsthunder writes:
If we had a coaching staff that had the heart, motivation, and desire like Berry, we wouldnt even be here discussing this..Downright sickening!!!
LanceR24 writes:
i dont think its so much fulmer having the heart but the rest of the team, even ellix wilson said he doubted some of his teamates character in the press conference after the game, but i do think its time for a new hc.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
see youre copy/pasting this silly dream on different threads under different screen names to suggest agreement with your silly dream----I say again dream another dream--we dont want cutcliff
GahLee writes:
Berry is the best that I have ever seen, EVER.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
getting Berry into the game for one token basic play where Alabama knew he would get the balland was a total waste of practice time that could have been better spent---that certainly doesnt leave any defender confused or guessing lining him up where they did-----------totally rediculous using him so unimaginatively if even at all on offense where of course hes always would be keyed on--------lack of common sense by our braintrust and getting him in was merely a "kiss-a__" to the fans to placate and deminish criticism
jcorange98 writes:
has not returned kickoff since middle school, let him return punts its more like int returns, hardesty on sp teams, wow, uf used fastest men on team too block punts, too little too late cpf, other Good coaches use their best players and have recruited enough to make up for injuries, ut cant and wont
servinggrant writes:
Hey troll,
first BITE ME
second ive been in the Military longer than you so back off!
If you truelly are in the Military than you would know how we grade ourselves via countless, and never ending inspections such as Organization readiness, Compliance, Operational, Readiness, etc. If you were the Commander and meeting slightly over .500 of your objectives you would be transfered immediately then discharged shortly there after.
This is how it works where I and perhaps you work. So if you believe in how we in the Military work then why not hold this over paid prima donna (Fulmer) to nearly the same expectations???
His time is up...
BTW, my wife is a babe, and i just crawled out of bed with her (CONUS), you can go back to your SF boys, and play some x-box....
volmattna writes:
Fulmer is a genius!! What a creative way to get berry involved!! Hahahahahahahahaahaahahahahahahahahahahahaha
umschris#530889 writes:
Berry is a good athlete, but really, how hard is it to appear great in this crowd? Berry at Texas, Penn State, Alabama, Florida, etc... would be just another athlete. Four weeks ago it was Jones that was going to change the season. Give it up. Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy would fail with this coaching staff.
Also, it is odd to read the posts this weekend. It seems that there were a lot of folks out there that thought we would win this weekend. And now that we failed, it is the SEC conference and referees fault. Question for those claiming that the SEC wants Alabama undefeated, did this same SEC use this technique in 1998 when we were remaining undefeated and possibly destined for the BCS? Thanks for taking away the hard work of some of UT greatest team players that earned the National Championship.
Stats during the game last night summed it up. Fulmer's first half of tenure, ~87% winning, compared to last half, ~63%. Unfortunately, the low should be on the front end. As for the Fulmer faithful, expect what you tolerate. We will have 3 - 5 more years of Coach Fulmer. Get used to the nausea that you are experiencing now.
bluetick writes:
Jones can school just about anybody really. That kid is really good! There was a major height advantage of Jones on Willingham too. I also dislike that the backs line up so far back like that. If a reciever has even a bit of education of how to play the game they will always find the open part of the field.
woodwr#217203 writes:
Imagine having an experienced QB makes a BIG difference.
Next year JPW=Alabama and MS=Georgia will replace four year starters and TT=Florida might have a rookie too.
Imagine having offensive linemen who move matters.
Maybe UT's offensive line looked good enough last year because of quick release short passing Ainge.
Maybe what is wrong with this offense is linemen who get outrun on the way to their blocks.
bluetick writes:
Right on there. He should have been used as bait in that one and thrown to someone else. We are just not creative when it comes to play calling. Like I've said before I sure wish we had some of the Boise State play calling but Fulmer is much too conservative for that. Makes me want to start coaching pee wee leagues and reading books on X's and O's and maybe I can get that job in 20 years. :)
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Nobody wants your opinion, JimmyJack, just mind your own business, something you may have overlooked in your quest for greatness. Some of the other posters "hate" the military, and are offended at the term "trailer trash". Some of your friends? Maybe?
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