Tennessee will be limping to South Carolina.
In a figurative sense, the Vols (3-5, 1-4 SEC) are wounded after a disappointing start to a season that began with hopes for a second consecutive trip to the SEC championship game. But after three consecutive SEC games, the Vols are literally wounded, too.
The status of five starters and one major contributor are in question as the Vols returned to practice Sunday night to prepare for Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at South Carolina (TV: ESPN 2).
Starting defensive tackle Dan Williams is doubtful, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said, after injuring his right ankle late in the third quarter of a 29-9 loss to No. 2 Alabama on Saturday night.
X-rays were negative, however Fulmer said the junior likely will have an MRI this week.
Williams, who has 34 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss this season, was injured one play before Alabama’s third-quarter touchdown. An Alabama player, likely right guard Mike Johnson, appeared to injure Williams with a block below the waist on a running play.
Fulmer called it “an ugly looking block” on Saturday night. He stopped short of calling that play dirty in his weekly teleconference Sunday, but said it easily could have been flagged for a penalty.
“It’s one of those things where a lineman’s trying to make his block and the defender’s trying to get away from him,” Fulmer said Sunday. “It was lower than you’d like for it to be. I don’t think there was any intent there at all, but it’s just one of those things that happens. It was one of those things that could have been a chop block for sure.”
Two other defensive linemen left the game still nursing injuries, although both could be ready against the Gamecocks.
End Wes Brown injured his right knee late in the game and left the field on crutches. Reserve defensive tackle Walter Fisher missed UT’s game against Mississippi State with turf toe, and played sparingly against the Crimson Tide.
Middle linebacker Ellix Wilson, the team’s leading tackler with 65 total stops, missed some time Saturday with an ankle injury but should be able to play against the Gamecocks. Wilson also missed UT’s game against Northern Illinois on Oct. 4 after suffering a shoulder injury in a loss at Auburn.
Offensively, senior guard Anthony Parker and wide receiver Gerald Jones are both expected to play this week after suffering ankle injuries against Mississippi State. Parker started against Alabama, but “just played OK” in limited snaps, Fulmer said. Jones did not play Saturday.
Two special teams contributors — LaMarcus Thompson (knee) and Ja’Kouri Williams (concussion) — are probable for Saturday, but reserve safety Daryl Vereen is out, Fulmer said.
Williams’ injury remains the most serious for UT, which entered the year already thin at defensive tackle because of a preseason injury to reserve Chase Nelson. Without Williams and Fisher against the Crimson Tide, end Robert Ayers moved to tackle, while sophomores Chris Walker and Ben Martin took more snaps at end, as did junior college transfer Gerald Williams.
That would likely be the plan again this week, although it could change depending on the status of Fisher and Brown. Whatever the case, Fulmer said starting tackle Demonte’ Bolden will have a lot on his shoulders.
“Demonte’ will really have to step up his game,” Fulmer said, “and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 161
cleVOLand writes:
Ouch
cainclifton23 writes:
2nd
vol4good#206163 writes:
I am truely numb, wish I had something whitty to say, but I dont. Please stop helping mr. Fulmer, just start leaving. I cant take it much longer.
redneckerson writes:
very good, junior. Now hurry off to bed before Mommy finds out you were up so late.
HeckuvaStandpoint writes:
Ouch is right
Make the best of a bad situation...
play FULMER BINGO
http://www.fulmerbingo.com/
rockytop47 writes:
A lot of bad luck. Anyway, go vols!! Coach get 'em ready for SC. I wish the sooo callled fans who cry on a regular basis would just go away. I challenge anyone to name a school who hasn't played poorly in the last 30 years? Go ahead and try cause their is no program! Penn St (ha you idiots would have fired Paterno), Ohio St (Cooper), Michigan (enough said), USC (prior to Carroll couldn't win agame), Alabama (hell even Saban lost to Louisiana-Monroe), LSU (lost them all in the early 90's, Auburn (sad for several years), Florida (Ron Zook), Florida St (can't win without Richt), Miami (well they always drop bad seasons), Texas (before Mack, well...), Oklahoma (bad before Stoops), Nebraska (bad for a few years) and Georgia (hell we beat them 8 in a row). Basically no program is immune so deal with it and ride the wave. We will be back with Phil or without, but don't trash our coach. Anyway, Coach Fulmer lives and bleeds orange so don't question his love for UT. Maybe we need to move on and maybe we don't, but stop talking about Fulmer in a negative way. Talk with class and respect when discussing a National Championship coach who would never leave us or would do anything to win for us. Just my thoughts, agree or disagree that is your right, but lets all show some class no matter how this shakes out! GO VOLS!!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
If he loves the University as much as you say, he would resign today. We need a coach who will change with the times or we are done. Majors style coaching doesn't cut it today
smokymtman writes:
Come on now you Fulmer fanatics! Your references to soooo-called fans is insulting. When we spend the money we do going to games, sit in the stands screaming our heads off to encourage the team and all we get is undisciplined, outcoached, error prone, heartless play from our team, then yes...we do have the right to be less than happy for the payback we receive from this team and the coaching. I don't think there would be 100K fans in the stands if we didn't support our team, but the team and coaches should give us something to cheer about and a reason to stay in the stadium until the final gun is sounded.
smokeysal22 writes:
We have lost 19 games in the past 4 years. I think Fulmer bleeds orange but the body of work is left on the field and right now we are not performing. How long do we need to be at Vandys level before we make a change.
graphpro#231211 writes:
I agree about the boycott. We must boycott all games in Neyland until an announcement of change is made by Hamilton.
Hamilton says he must see the direction of the program. We should show him what we think the direction is under Fulmer. There cannot be another season with Fulmer. We are now the Vandy of the 90's.... embarrassing.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
One more loss and FOOLmer is gone. Yahooooooo!
Striker writes:
Oh no, we might loose this one! We have injured players heading into the USC game! What ever shall coach do? Looks like time for a new UT Maxim:
Ball, oskie, fumble, penalty, loose again...
He Eric B, go over and kick someone on offense in the sack..............Hard
tnbigg writes:
South Carolina's defense is gonna' put the smackdown on our offense...not the first time this year that will happen...but this defensive line at South Carolina? Big, bad and want to win with a passion that our team doesn't even know. I will be surprised beyond imagination if Spurrier doesn't make at least one snide comment about Fulmer and the inept team he fields...
YOU KNOW visor boy and his minions are chomping at the bit to drive a big stake in Phulmers heart...it may be ugly...
Then Wyoming...whom we should beat...but with this team...their preparation..the lame game plans...the lame efforts...the lack of seriousness and laughing and chuckling it up on the sidelines when they're getting their clocks cleaned is more than disturbing...but...it is the all new version of Tennessee Football...disgraceful...and proud of it...
Last note: DO NOT FORGET - Even though it is Halloween and traditionally we love to hear "boo" and see signs that say "boo" for our kids...PLEASE...no signs and no speaking, yelling or even just mentioning, "boo". It will upset the players and Phulmer will use it as one of the excuses...along with the refs...and the cheap hits (he doesn't see ours apparently...right Demonte?)...and cheating coaches and players on other teams for the loss...
Tennessee Football Excellence and Pride! Yee haw!
GoVol writes:
Get your head out of the sand! It is DA's like you that simply are refusing to accept he's washed-up. I know it isn't what we wanted for Fulmer or the University...but it is what it is and Fulmer has to go. Stop hanging onto the past because it certainly hasn't influenced the present and surely will not predict the future. We needed a coaching change 5 years ago!
xvolx writes:
everyone get ready. they will give it to chavis.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Please quit yelling "Woo!" during Rocky Top fight song. This is as red neck, hill billy as you can get. Please stop the "Woo" during Rocky Top.
jsm67vol writes:
and yet none of those programs has played consistently poorly over the past 10 years, like UT has. I don't agree with the personal trash on here about Fulmer. He is a good person, a good man and he does care about his players. Unfortunately, he is no longer a good coach. With the talent coming in the upcoming class, if Fulmer stays UT may have a 9-10 win season in the next 5 years because the new staff in there will be able to get that out of the talent. If Fulmer would do anything for us to win then all he has to do is let UT turn the page on a new chapter of vol football history and retire.
xvolx writes:
I'll second that. new song rockybottom.
panavol writes:
Well said Rockytop47! I agree with you.
WIN OR LOOSE...GO VOLS!!!!
xvolx writes:
hey dirtdobber. next year everyone will clog.
Striker writes:
The Alabama band was playing rocky top Saturday night ........nuff said
xvolx writes:
probably some kind of deal. In case our band got wore out playing it.
beef4davols writes:
Notice, almost all the teams you named having hard times were followed by "bad before so and so."
Meaning: these teams did struggle...until THEY MADE COACHING CHANGES!!
So thanks for proving the point.
jsm67vol writes:
And the motion to supress wooo passes! I've always thought that ruined the whole thing. My what we have been reduced to- complaining about the song. I'm surprised the band still remembers how to play it our team has been so inept this year.
GoVol writes:
Suggestion to Hamilton - fire Fulmer today and turn it over to Clawson to see what he can do for the remaining 4 games. If the offense dramatically improves then we know who to blame. If it doesn't then bring in a new HC at the end of the year.
xvolx writes:
fulmer bleeds green and that's what he will be bleeding when he bleeds ut for 6 million.
beef4davols writes:
“All I know,’’ Fulmer said, “is we’ll keep working to get it fixed.’’
Not that it matters anymore but I will help "fix it"
1. Play the best players. No Warren again (Stocker can't beat coverage) and Berry ONE TIME on offense (terrible play-call)
2. Offensive line is your specialty and our weakest part (hmmm)
3. Let's try something different on kick-offs. The "wedge it where ever it's caught" play allows the kicking team to dictate OUR return. Just meet us at the 25 yard marker EVERY TIME.
4. Our WR motion before the snap gives away the play 95% of the time. If he clears the OL a guard or tackle is pulling the opposite way and we run opposite of the motion. If he does not clear the line, we run with the motion. I CAN SEE IT so I'm sure Nick Saban can. (We have ran that for 15 years so I'm pretty sure this wasn't Clawson's bread and butter he brought with him)
5. Take the oppurtunity to step down and save whatever face is left. I want you gone, but I do not want to associate this ugliness with your legacy when I look back 10 years from now. Nobody can take '98 away from you, but it is time to stop living off of that year alone.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just noticed SC ranking in SEC defense.
# 1.
Phixable will fake them out by having Foster go 11 yards East and 1.5 North.
Columbia, SC has reported a rise in sales of coffin nails.
Even Henry Ford eventually changed the T-Model.
As CrankE said, all but one NC teams have changed coaches in the last 5 years or so, so that longevity arguement means squat. The longest is 8.
jsm67vol writes:
Keep your heads up vol fans today may be a day of celebration. The time has come!!! We can always hope for a change TODAY! I'm not sure Fulmer can take much more of this either. I'm sure he can't stand losing to Spurrier again. Maybe the announcement will come today. Thanks for the memories of the 90s Fulmer!! Enjoy your retirement!
govols81 writes:
It's lose not loose. I will use them in a sentence for you.
"The ball is loose."
and
"The coach will lose again and again without team discipline."
Striker writes:
Thanks govols81
"Govols81, Your Mother was loose last night"
Is that proper usage? Sure felt like it anyway
allntl1#565211 writes:
Phil Fulmer may be a good man, that is for people close to him to decide. I watch what is done on the field and it is not good. Finally a sports announcer quite defending him and said "I've watched TN over the last couple of years and they put athletes on the field that are as good as anyone but for some reason they do not get the job done". Todd Blackledge. Finally someone said it.
mdvol writes:
Has the press conference been scheduled yet?
xvolx writes:
the world ends in 2012 according to the mayans. fulmer will not return for 2013.
hotrodvol writes:
Agree, what about that offensive line, Fulmer has to be embaressed about it. Every head coach has his area of strength, also whats up with Lincoln?
fedupvol writes:
At this point, only thing left to say is PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT put vols on national TV any more to be embarassed over and over and to hear the sportscasters have to come up with lame "compliments"....like maybe.."well they have a good punter some of the time" or "they have a player that could play for a lot of big time programs".....and at least we won't have to see the guys with the bags ala New Orleans "Aints" from a few years ago...but I don't blame them for wearing them...got the point across...to the ENTIRE NATION unfortunately!
tnbanker_govols writes:
No suprise here.....Honestly, I figured the game would be a whole lot worse. Okay, listen people, nothing is going to get better on Rocky Top until some coaching changes are made. Something is horribly wrong on offense. It would be one thing if our offense couldn't convert on a regular basis (and by the way, they don't) but it's a whole different problem when it's 3rd and 15 and you throw a bloomin' 3 yard swing pass. Or you go into each game and you have NO offensive game plan whatsoever.
Fulmer had all this time to go out and get an OC. Honestly, what he should of done was stay within the organization and hire Trooper Taylor; however, for some unknow reason, that didn't happen. (On that note, Oklahoma State sure hasn't had any problems putting points on the board this year.) Instead, good ole Phil hired a JUCO transfer of an OC who made the comment that SEC defenses were no different than what he has coached against in the past. I think Mr. Clawson would retract that statement now.
What needs to happen to revive UT football????
Clawson needs to be gone and Phil needs to announce his retirement at the end of this season. Phil has had a pretty good run here at UT but he has driven this program into a level of mediocrity never seen before. Phil, save what little pride you have left and do the University a favor and announce you retirement.
Striker writes:
Thats true, i saw it on the Discovery channel, and Indiana Jones mentioned it as well.
The Mayans had that hale-bopp rock deverted from earth, and Y2K posponed til Y3k so they could be the ones that destroyed the earth.
See folks it just goes to show you, that if you cut off enough heads you can accomplish anything. Hamilton should learn from them. Plus they had really cool hats
oldbasshead writes:
Not sure what is going on with Alabama. They inflicted several injuries on GA. How can one team be that much more dominate in the SEC. If that trend continues, someone should be doing some investigating.
TommyJack writes:
Not so fast my friend. Phixable has one gadget play up his large sleeve. He will have Foster go 11 yards WEST, then 2 yards North. Trust me, it's in the playbook.
hotrodvol writes:
tnbanker your right, and i don't see the logic of people saying fire Fulmer and put Clawsen in as interem coach. Fire them all, and start over. Bring in Al Wilson as interem coach, just to straighten out the attitudes, while you look for a new headcoach.
Striker writes:
LOL, thanks brother! I just couldnt help it! Theres no place like home!
TommyJack writes:
Is this classic to be televised? Anyone know?
SKO_Vol82 writes:
You'd be hurtin' too if you shot yourself in the foot that many times! Oh lord, please let the Fulmer era end! Thanks Coach for what you did for the program thru '98. We all appreciate it. But, now it's time to step down and let us have a fresh start. Have a great retirement. Muschamp anyone?
rockytop4ever writes:
51st!!!! Whoohooo!
tnbanker_govols writes:
One more comment.....
I am sick and tired of you people who get on this board and run down those who want a coaching change. Let me say this....I am a fan......a fanatic of University of Tennessee Football team. I am not a fan of ANY coach on the staff....I support the University of Tennessee Football Program. I get disgusted when I see talented 18-22 year old kids, who have the ability to win football games, not get the proper training to win those games. The truth: Our coaching staff is failing these young men. We have a head coach who is not only failing these young men but also the entire football program. As a UT football fan who invests in the program by attending games and giving donations, this is very irritating to me. You people, please look at what's happening to us. We used to play with teams like Georgia, Florida, LSU, Alabama,...now, we don't belong on the same field with them. Week in and week out, we are HUMILIATED over and over again. When is enough going to be ENOUGH???
tnbanker_govols writes:
I was giving him the benefit of the doubt because he still has about a 70% winning percentage overall. Trust me, I realize I'm being overly otimistic; however, he still needs to be gone.
tshotdan writes:
Coaching change, YES! Not Chavis...please not. Got to get the offense going...we should have taken the GA Tech coach who has already got them ranked in one year. We blew it. Get Spurrier now, he will win at UT. Offer him the job...we would get players and TN would be back on top in 2 years. Do you want to win or not? For all you Spurrier haters, get over it...his Florida teams dominated and we know it. Go Vols! Who's your pick for the new coach because as I see it, this should be the discussion now.
CoverOrange writes:
dvolfan, tnbanker did NOT take your post. You have never written anything close to that in any of your incarnations (nafslov, eye-no-everything, dvolfan).
Docrok writes:
So has anyone else seen enough non progress to consider a mid season coaching change. How about ole Mikey?
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