Photo by Dan Proctor
If you’re looking for a metaphor to describe Tennessee’s offense, look to the baseball diamond.
Ranked 107th in the nation in scoring and 112th in yards per game, the Vols’ offense is the football equivalent of a soft-throwing reliever left on the mound a few innings too long.
“I think the biggest challenge this year is this: Every good offense has a fastball,” UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. “There’s something that they do extremely well, week in and week out. … To me, the biggest disappointment this year is I don’t know if there’s one thing right now that we do exceptionally well.”
Tennessee will face South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium for a 7 o’clock kickoff (TV: ESPN2) Saturday. And if it’s going to avoid a fifth loss in six Southeastern Conference games, Tennessee has to find a fastball.
Early on, the Vols (3-5, 1-4 SEC) thought they could rely on the running game. But after running for 443 yards in their first two games, the ground attack has been a knuckle ball — it floats and darts but rarely finds the strike zone.
Since rushing for a season-high 266 yards in a 35-3 victory over UAB on Sept. 13, UT has rushed more than 100 yards in a game twice. Senior tailback Arian Foster, who remains 282 yards shy of UT’s all-time rushing record, has the Vols’ only 100-yard performance of the season, which came in that win over the Blazers.
Against SEC teams, the Vols are averaging 79.2 yards a game on the ground. And as opponents continue to commit eight or nine players to stop the run, a passing game that ranks 98th in the nation hasn’t been able to connect often enough to reverse Tennessee’s offensive fortunes.
A 29-9 loss to No. 2 Alabama last week was another low point.
The Vols ran for just 36 yards on 21 carries, and their longest rush came on a 12-yard scramble by quarterback Nick Stephens.
“That’s not usually a good sign,” Clawson said.
Neither is South Carolina’s defense.
While the Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) have struggled at times offensively, their defense has been stellar. Carolina ranks first in the SEC and fourth nationally in total defense, and its opponents have averaged only 16.1 points per game this season.
Although the Gamecocks’ run defense ranks seventh in the SEC (115.8 yards per game), their pass defense leads the conference by giving up a paltry 140.4 yards per game.
Safety Emmanuel Cook leads the team in tackles with 67, while cornerback Carlos Thomas has three interceptions. Linebackers Eric Norwood and Jasper Brinkley are versatile defenders as well.
On offense, the Gamecocks have struggled to run the ball, averaging 100.2 yards per game on the ground — one spot above UT’s rushing offense. The difference, though, is South Carolina’s passing game.
Quarterback Stephen Garcia, who is expected to start Saturday, threw for 215 yards last week in a loss to LSU and is a threat to run the ball. Chris Smelley, Carolina’s leading passer, could also play. But the real strength of the Gamecocks’ offense is their wide receivers, led by Kenny McKinley and tight end Jared Cook.
“I think they’ve got a really, really fine offense,” UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “Maybe as good a group of receivers as we’ll see. When the quarterback play is good, they’re really good.”
Tennessee, meanwhile, remains hungry for something good to happen.
A win Saturday, though, could help the Vols rebound. Players maintain they’re still fighting to become bowl eligible and finish the year 4-0.
“The mentality is, it’s not over,” said defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden, whose role will increase with the likely absence of fellow tackle Dan Williams (ankle). “We’ve still got a couple games left. If we win out, hopefully we can make it to a nice bowl.”
A loss would mean UT’s second season in the last four with at least six losses. And even if it finishes 6-6, it wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot in the postseason — nor would embattled coach Phillip Fulmer be guaranteed an 18th season in Knoxville.
Again this week, Fulmer was forced to defend himself after UT’s lackluster start.
“We’re just into the age of instant gratification and what have you done lately,” he said. “I understand that. Hopefully we can give everybody good encouragement about winning and what we’re going to do in the future by how we play.”
For that to happen, the Vols need to start throwing heat.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 177
WYLOVER writes:
first
KENVOL writes:
What we need is an O-Line that can block.
OrangeMandM writes:
We need an O that can score....
brush#220070 writes:
article says we play tonight-did they sneak and move the game w/o warning to keep us from watching
ditto on the o-line
WYLOVER writes:
yes!!!
More exciting to get a first in than to watch the Vols anyway.
Our offense (if you can call it that) needs to completely change direction and players. Hopefully Creer will keep getting the carries as he has D 1 speed at least. Stephens should throw more deep balls behind the LBs. The lack of that kind of passing is what has killed our run game this year and decade.
D Moore, Jones, Berry and Warren need to be on the field as much as possible. An wideout not capable of a 4.5 forty should be benched. Number 21 needs to lose his scholarship unless the softball team needs players
SCRockyTop writes:
We need an O-Line that can play angry and push people around. What a bunch of soft quitters. Where is the heart and passion from this group. This zone blocking shuffle garbage has wreaked our offense. What happened to hard nose beat your man football?
WYLOVER writes:
agree with blocking scheme comments. we need fighters.
I still don't get how our O line is so much worse this year than last. I know QB is part of it but scheme has to be more of it.
Clawson is 1AA class.
FlaVol2 writes:
Get it done Vols. Fry the Gamecocks. Go Vols!!!
tnbigg writes:
107 in the Nation...The University of Tennessee offense...good frieken grief...and it could EASILY get worse...Visor Boy is DREAMING about punching the great Phil-Osophers final ticket...destination disgrace...
jcherrie#219531 writes:
A better metaphor is that we are lacking a fastball, curveball, slider, knuckler, change-up, or forkball.
Our offense has screwballs and is a sinker.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Come on Vols, Beat those coc*ks!
VolNavy writes:
It will be a good night if we score 16.1 points or so. I am trying to figure out how 2 months and 8 games into the season classifies as "instant" gratification.
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
do you ever wonder what Clawson is really thinking? Is he thinking, "man, these guys are so dumb they couldn't spell UT unless half of it was already on their helmet" or "wow, this coaching thing is a lot harder than it looks"
either way, I'm not sure he or Phil will be around to enjoy each others company down the short road.
gohawks1 writes:
According to Bolden, “We’ve still got a couple games left."
Huh? I thought we had 4 more. Which two is he gonna play? I think I'm beginning to see the problem here. It's not anything complicated like schemes, reads, routes, etc. It's simple arithmetic that's tripping us up.
LoftonsNut_s writes:
I've got Lower Level seats on the 12th row on center court for the Memphis vs Tennessee game on Ebay. Check them out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tennessee-vs-Memp...
gohawks1 writes:
Here's my take on it - our offensive line is no better or worse than last year. They seemed to shine last year because Erik Ainge was coached to check off quickly, and if it wasn't there, get rid of the ball. I refer to this as the "2 steps and pass" plan, or sometimes the "2-seconds is too much" plan.
Even Dupree could keep a D-lineman away from the QB for that long.
gohawks1 writes:
I thought he was going trick or treating dressed up as a K-Mart greeter.
threehundredbowler writes:
Mr.Clawson is way too modest.Actually there are several things this offense does well.1- they fail to get first downs 2-they miss scoreing inside the red zone.3-they stink up the offensive line very well.
CoastGuardVol writes:
Another comment about the O Line is what in the world is going on with penalties? How many times have we been in the red zone and then end up screwing our kicker into greater than 40 yard field goals because they cant keep still until the ball is snapped. Another metaphor could be that we might could throw a fastball if we could keep from balking all the freakin time. Of course some of our players could say what do I know about football or that I probably never played. To that I say I did play football and they obviously have not had to work a full time job and pay their way through college like most fans. I mean the best you can do is rack up false start penalties?? I know Im ranting but come on only move when the ball is snapped!!!!
ncvol writes:
Most of the articles are posted night before the event.
Go Vols.We need a win!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Iam not sure what this offense is except totally predictable.. 75% of the time the defense knows what play is coming based on formations and lack of imagination..It would take NFL caliber blocking to have sucess based on that. Draws;counter trays;swing passes;lame screen passes are all he runs and they go nowhere time and again.We have some decent tight ends but Clawson can't even pull off a play that sneaks them in open ground behind opposing linebackers or underneath wide recievers running deeper routes..If you watch closely Saturday Spurrier will show what a real passing game is supposed to look like i.e. clever crossing routes and using decoys and barely legal pick plays that knock cornerbacks and linebackers off routes just long enough to get open for quick timed completions...One things for sure; this is Clawsons playbook and it couldn't be successful even with all of the talent of USC's or Texas!!!!I don't care what his past backround was his offense is embarrassing at any level
hotrodvol writes:
We may not have the most talent, but we are not getting the most out of our talent either.
Madkels writes:
Fulmer quote:
Again this week, Fulmer was forced to defend himself after UT’s lackluster start.
“We’re just into the age of instant gratification and what have you done lately,” he said. “
What? Instant gratification? How can he accuse the fans of thinking this way when:
1) Our O-line returned from last season
2) He is 1-11 versus top 10 teams since 2000.
3) We are sub .500 versus top 25 since 2000.
4) We lost 3 SEC champ games since 2001.
5) We are 1-6 versus UGA, Bama, LSU, and UF in the last two seasons.
Denial....It won't help you keep your job. Retire at the end of the season and save some face. Don't make this ugly coach Fulmer.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Clawson -"not one thing we do exceeding well".
Did he forget Phixable spreading the blame every where but himself?
In a class by himself.
Doug Matthews-104.5 this afternoon ventured a esteemed opinion that Phillip is,
well, history.
tnbigg writes:
Phixable...indeed...
Plallixable...maybe
Did you see this very telling...interseting column...
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.d...
gohawks1 writes:
Another Fulmer quote:
After beating Georgia last year, he said, "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yep, ck out the tennessean.com every AM.
Ma in law likes the obits to make sure everything is ok.
Climer rang the bell and he was a huge Phixable backer a while back.
Stevereno will try to hang 30 if he can.
Believe Dawgs prevail again tomorrow.
gohawks1 writes:
Stevie would love to drive the final nail in the coffin, me thinks.
tnbigg writes:
Once twas a coach on old rocky top...
His ego he'd flaunt without stop...
He pondered in vain...
As if quite insane...
See his lofty old goal was quite swollen...
The one thing that had to be stolen...
I must pass old neyland...
Afore fate ends my playland...
He pressed fore and yon...
But the losses kept on...
Now the outrage did grow...
Yet no fear did he show...
In reply he proclaimed...
NONSENSE...I'm ordained...
His dream was so strong...
He did shreik at the throng...
HEY! I won a national championship and none of you can say anything that matters because most of you probably never ever played a down of football or coached at this level...so shut up because its all phixable and we'll work like heck and watch the films and turn this thing around and we'll just get us another great recruiting class like in 2005 and maybe I'll write another apology letter and maybe I won't and maybe some of my former players will tell you idiots how great I am and how laughable all this nonsense is and if they don't do it soon I'll have WeLoveTennesseeVols and a few others tell you the way it really is. Rhyme that you bunch of stinkin' ites! Nega Vols! Bot true Vol fans! YEAH YOU! I'm talkin' to you! You know who you are! Now shut up and let me coach! I won a championship! You didn't!
bigorangeslice writes:
“ … To me, the biggest disappointment this year is I don’t know if there’s one thing right now that we do exceptionally well.”
C'mon Dave....surely there's.....well let's see...can't pass very well, thats out, can't run at all.....hmmmmmmm
First we hear that the team is content with losing on the road, now we hear the OC say they can't do one thing very well....this picture gets brighter and brighter
As wet willie once wrote:
Keep on smilin through the rain, laughin at the pain
Rollin with the changes til the sun comes out again
Go Vols!
TommyJack writes:
Biggie: There once was a lady from Nantucket...
jandjhome#228397 writes:
My prediction for the remainder of the season. We will go 5 and7. SC Loss
Wyoming - Win
Vandy Loss
CATS Win
We will beat the CATS because it will be Fulmer's last game.
One for the Gipper.
tnbigg writes:
Did she keep all her cash in a bucket?
utvolz#637682 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WYLOVER writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
suttree writes:
With regard to Clawson -
I'm a UT grad/fan who lives in Richmond and was glad to see Clawson selected to replace Cutcliffe last January. Based on what I've seen so far with the offense this season Clawson has most definitely been tied to a leash. Even respecting that we have extreme weakness at QB this year this is not Clawson's offense.
I doubt Phil will be let go mid-season and, given that, I am hoping Hamilton puts the boot up Phil to let Clawson take more ownership of the offense. With the fan base speculating about Leach at Texas Tech and Graham at Tulsa I would respectfully submit that we have similar talent in house in Clawson . . he just needs some elbow room and the green light.
My favorite quality about Clawson while he was in Richmond (respecting that the CAA ain't the SEC) was that he OWNED THE LOCKER ROOM. His guys would walk through the fire for him . . something Phil hasn't had since Kelley Washington blew through and corrupted the program.
CrankE writes:
Claw: "I don’t know if there’s one thing right now that we do exceptionally well.”
Nonsense Dave, there's several things that we do well at The Hecktagon.
Things we do well:
Work like heck
Smile on busted third down plays
Get defensive with fans for their impatient attitude
Work like heck
Give 30 yard cushions across the middle
Fumble inside 10 yard line
Watch film (like heck!)
Take off headphones
Take off headphones in an almost angry manner
Adjust hat
Adjust hat AND grimace
Things we don't do well:
Mixing sports metaphors
Crystal Balls (Crystal Balla!, Holla!)
Magic Dust
Cuss like %$^$^@@!@!%!-ing ^%$#!$!!!-ers!
Wait for the snap before moving
Run the ball
Pass the ball
Protect the ball
Pass block
Run block
Block on blocking sled (hey, somebody get the Roundup, there's weeds grown up around this blocking sled since the last time we moved it!)
Get past first down marker before looking for the pass
Score
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Very well put. Have you put your resume in to the KNS?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
TN 55
SC 10
Why the heck not? I've missed every other one this year.
blitzshoot writes:
PD...is 104.5 a Nashville station? Can you let me know what time the program airs each day. I may be able to stream it. Thanks...also, do you know if Bill King is still on the air. Years ago he used to have a program with Bob Bell on WLAC 1510.
blitzshoot writes:
Funny. Watch you be right this time.
utwick writes:
Suttree,
Tell me more about Clawson. I had a feeling that he wasn't as lame as it appears.
BillsBrother writes:
WLAC imploded as a sports talk station a few years ago.
Bill King is on in Nashville 3-6 pm 560 AM WNSR.
WYLOVER writes:
55 points would take 4 D scores and 2 Berry punt returns for TDs.
I honestly think we are going to struggle to win but I love the prediction.
tenuscvol writes:
Regardless of what some may think, these articles are written for the printed press. We just get to see them early. The tense will always be relative to the date of publication.
GoVols!
tenuscvol writes:
That may be the problem....
Just kiddding!
GoVols!
tenuscvol writes:
Good Points....They rip your heart out at times right when it seems like we're getting ready to strike...
GoVols!
murrayvol writes:
That pretty well covers it.
murrayvol writes:
Doubt that we could put up 55 in a 4 hour scrimmage.
tenuscvol writes:
Most the Vols could score in any quarter is 1 plus 1 defensive score. Clock limits scoring drives unless your throwning a lot and have QBs like Stafford or Teebow.
If they play optimum ball for this team UT scores no more than 35.
If we win Tennesse scores 3 TDs and 2 FGs. SC get two TDs and 3 FGs.
UT 28
SC 23
If we loose,my guess (for various reasons) would be:
SC 34
UT 16
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