Vol audio: Post-UCLA
- Phillip Fulmer’s post-game comments
- Defensive coordinator John Chavis talks about his defense’s effort against UCLA
- Dave Hooker interviews UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel about QB Kevin Craft’s turnaround
- QB Jonathan Crompton talks to the media
- Arian Foster talks about UT’s first half struggles on offense
- Dave Hooker interviews RB Montario Hardesty about his performance
- Dave Hooker interviews WR Josh Briscoe about UT’s offensive struggles
- S Eric Berry talks to the media about UCLA’s offensive turnaround in the second half
- C Josh McNeil discusses UT’s pass protection issues
Links
Articles
Tennessee Stat Book
PASADENA, Calif. - So much for big beginnings.
After all the hype and anticipation heading into Monday night's season-opener, a pair of new faces didn't get the start they hoped for.
First-year offensive coordinator Dave Clawson's offense sputtered for much of the evening, although the Vols finished with 366 yards.
Quarterback Jonathan Crompton, in his first game as UT's full-time starter, struggled with consistency and accuracy.
But despite those struggles, 18th-ranked Tennessee managed to take a late lead and force overtime with only 23 seconds to work with.
It just wasn't enough in a 27-24 overtime loss to UCLA in the Rose Bowl on Monday night.
"Obviously I'm disappointed," Clawson said. "I thought we had opportunities to score points and we left too many points on the board."
After flailing along - and failing to score - for much of the second half, Tennessee's offense managed to respond twice in the final 6:51.
Trailing by three points, Crompton guided a 67-yard drive to retake the lead.
At one point in the fourth quarter, Crompton threw eight consecutive incompletions.
But facing third-and-11 from the UT 47-yard line, Crompton tucked the ball and picked up 10 yards. He plowed ahead for 2 more yards on fourth down, preserving the drive.
Montario Hardesty provided the go-ahead score from 20 yards out.
Hardesty finished with 70 yards on 12 carries and accounted for both of UT's offensive touchdowns.
After UCLA took a three-point lead with 27 seconds left, Crompton again guided the Vols to a game-tying field goal as the clock expired at the end of regulation.
But when a touchdown would have won the game in overtime, Tennessee's offense couldn't find a way into the end zone.
Crompton had the best shot at extending the Vols' only overtime drive, but he bumped into an offensive lineman and wound up 2 yards shy of a first down.
That led to Daniel Lincoln's potential game-tying field goal try, which sailed left of the upright and sealed UCLA's upset win.
Center Josh McNeil said UT's problems on offense were simply a matter of failing to execute.
"There was nothing we did tonight that we haven't practiced a hundred times," he said. "It all comes down to execution. There was some breakdowns that shouldn't have happened. You have to put all that on the players, because it's our responsibility to go out and execute."
Before Tennessee's 13-play, 67-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, the Vols' offense was milk carton material aside from its first possession after halftime.
After UT forced a three-and-out, Crompton led the offense to UCLA's 6 before Arian Foster lost a fumble inside the 5, likely costing the Vols at least three points.
Foster finished with a team-high 96 yards on 13 carries, including a 41-yarder, and added 12 yards receiving on four catches.
Gerald Jones had a team-high four receptions, as did Kevin Cooper and Foster, for 40 yards. Josh Briscoe caught a 41-yard pass, which was good enough to lead UT in receiving yards.
In Crompton's debut as a starter, he completed just 19 of his 41 passes for 189 yards, no touchdowns and a first-half interception.
Some of those incomplete passes appeared to be a result of pressure from UCLA, which blitzed frequently.
"That's part of football," Crompton said. "Sometimes you get hurried a little bit and sometimes you have to get it out a little quicker than you want to. It's something you've got to work on.
"We don't need to get our heads down because we played good. I just think we got to finish it. That's what we'll go to work on Wednesday."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Clawson...the next head coach at UT. LOL!!!!!
What happened to the Goon Squad!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!
Field Goal Phil strikes again!!!!!!
Only 1 play away from being undefeated!!! LOL!!!!
a new low...UCLA's 3rd string QB and entire 2nd string offense. LOL!!!!!
WOW!!! averaged 6.48 yards per carry and threw the ball 41 times? CUtcliffe called and wants his gameplan back!!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Cue the charts!!!!
Cutcliffe called...he wants his play book back (41 passes while averaging 6.48 yards per carry). LOL!!!!!
junder13 writes:
This is the scariest thing I've read thus far:
"That's part of football," Crompton said. "Sometimes you get hurried a little bit and sometimes you have to get it out a little quicker than you want to. It's something you've got to work on.
"We don't need to get our heads down because we played good. I just think we got to finish it. That's what we'll go to work on Wednesday."
orange_glory writes:
Let me tell you story about a about a man named Phil a rich volunteer couldn't keep his teams in games. Then one day his OC got another job and up from Div 1 AA came a sorry excuse for coaches. And then one day UT fans said unemployment is the place you ought to be and then the AD gives him another contract extension. A contract extension, millions of more dollars and at the cost of our beloved program.
(My apologies to the Beverly Hillbillies)
JOEY1268 writes:
Guess we wont be wearing the orange pants again for a long while (well at least im sure that will be one of the excuses)
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Clawson was Foolmore's 3rd choice. I wonder why?
PureOrange writes:
The way we played tonight, maybe we should wear pink except that it could be an insult to our ladies because at least we can count on them to give effort.
I never saw the first hint of excitement by this bunch - either the players or the coaches. It was a deadhead bunch that appeared to be wishing they were somewhere else.
MidTennVol writes:
Yes, our offense obviously wasn't ready but rack up this loss to our BELOVED PREVENT DEFENSE.
I'm no football coach or expert but I believe it's also sometimes called a "soft zone" where our corners play off the line giving receivers whatever they want short.
The idea is to not give up the big play over the top or deep (PREVENT that stuff -- BEND but don't BREAK).
One problem: the PREVENT defenes does not PREVENT short passes underneath -- slants and crossing routes, hitches, etc. So teams know to do that.
Yes, we PREVENT most bombs and long passing plays in the PREVENT defense. But we give up six, seven, eight shorter plays in a row, usually ending in six points with our defense back on its heels. We BEND all the way back to the goalline...and then some.
Every football coach in America who's ever watched us protect a lead knows that we ALWAYS fall into that PREVENT defense on late drives by the other's team's offense.
It makes me want to start laughing hysterically when I recall all the hype about this secondary over the past few weeks.
YES, they are PLAYMAKERS and ATHLETES. But, in my opinion, it's the SCHEME they are/were forced to play.
You had better believe that Norm Chow knew exactly what to do against our defense in the second half.
Being predictable on defense is just as deadly as being predictable on offense.
OldNumber7 writes:
Center Josh McNeil is wrong in this article. All 149...whatever teams in the NCAA are coached. Only the top several "execute". That is the whole point. Great coaches teach, inspire, and motivate impecible execution (Nick Saban case in point...ahead of schedule with a young team). Fulmer oozes lack of discipline and execution on these teams and its coaches. Instead of a great start to 2008, again, he will be rewarded for "bouncing back" and somehow reaching a bowl. Tngeoff - my sentiments exactly.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
Hamilton/Fulmer what a team$$$$$$$$$$
eb502us#225637 writes:
Clawson just made Cutcliffe and Sanders look like Hall of Fames offensive coordinators. Cutcliffes dink and dunk was bad enough, but I'm not sure how I'd describe the Clawson offense, other than "clueless"
airship writes:
just how much longer are going to put up with this crappy coaching staff? i have seen better prepared high school teams.
Smokey333 writes:
Everyone always blames the coaching staff. Didn't anyone see the dropped passes and awful tackling? At some point, the players have to realize that it boils down to their play regardless of the play calls.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
Many come to UT as Stars from High School but get very little coaching. We seem to never be able to make adjustments in a game. What we start the game with is what we finish with.
Canadien writes:
It's basketball time in Tennessee!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Crompton was close to a 50% completion rate in all of the practices. As stated earlier, the number one concern was his ability to move us 80 yards on a drive. What a bust!..and how about the brilliant play calling of forcing him to throw 41 times!!! What a joke we are!! Thanks Fulmer, You deserve all the heat for this one!
RockyTopHills writes:
Too bad soo sad!!! I thought Crompton and Clawson were gonna make it happen!!! YEA RIGHT!!!
rootin4volz writes:
41 passes...jeez. You have a stable of horses in the backfield, you are pounding it down their defense's throat early and wearing them out with the run game, and then you throw 41 times. Pitiful.
RunRunPassPunt writes:
it was disappointing to see our new OC looking very flustered up in the box calling plays...on national television. there was panic all over his face. sad to see the first game go down like this. even craft said they saw that we went to "cover 2" as he called it and they took advantage of it. that defense has yet to be effective. i pin this on the coaches. can you say wrong wristbands? who were these jokers out here last night?
WVVOLFAN writes:
62 days until it's BB time in TN
OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:
What did I think about the Vols execution ?
To quote former TB Buc coach John McKay:
"I'm all for it"
tennisvol writes:
It's amazing what good coaching can do to a team.
Ole Chow of UCLA gave Chavis a lesson on the prevent defense and what an offense can do to it. Reminds me of the Georgia game a few years ago and you'd think ole Chavis would have learned by now. Of course, Fulmer is the head coach and has all the responsibility.
DennisVols writes:
Got to agree with McNeil. The play calling wasn't the issue here. It was the execution of the plays that were called. Too many bad passes, too many dropped balls and when you have it 1st and goal and 1st down on UCLA's 25 and wal away with nothing to show for it then you deserve to lose.
I know it was the 1st game and all but really expected a lot more out of our players. Too much cushion by the secondary, not enough pentration by the line during the 2nd half allowed Craft to get on his game.
Got to hope the butterflys are gone now from an offense that had the opportunties but failed to execute when they should have.
tonyfred#409061 writes:
"We don't need to get our heads down because we played good."
This just shows Crompton is an idiot as well as a lousy QB.
Like one person said, Crompton was seen throwing cups at the UCLA hecklers after the game, but luckily noone was hit.
CROMPTON = OVERRATED.
I would rather have Rick Clausen back.
tonyfred#409061 writes:
I wouldnt be so upset if Fulmer hadnt built all of us up into believing the VOLS were the real deal this year and ready to play last night. It was obvious that they were lost on offense and defense. They looked like a bunch of Circus clowns bumping into each other on every other play.
I have to wonder if Fulmer even showed up for practices this Fall. He was probably at McDonalds inhaling another Big Mac or two.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Vol fans, our season is not over; no coach (or coaches) merits firing after 1 game.
That being said, how many times will the powers that be allow Fulmer to get away with pitiful excuses for losing games? When will he simply say: "It's my fault that this team loses games the way they do".
One more thing: Put Arian Foster on the bench. PLEASE!!!! Some of you may believe he's a great RB, but he's not! The only reason he's as close as he is to breaking the rushing record is because Hardesty has been constantly injured. When healthy, Hardesty is a much better player. Foster spends too much time running "east-west", in addition to the fact that he FUMBLES at critical times.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
What happened to the "look" that Foolmore had in his eyes again for this year? He was rejuvenated, etc. ROTFLMGDAO!!!!!!!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
tonyfred...looks like Foolmore fooled you.
Fear_The_Kiffin writes:
Ok i can't do it anymore, i'm tired of giving arian foster chance after chance to redeem himself and more of the same. Fumble inside the redzone that ends up costing us the game, how many damn times are we gonna let him do this to us. Oh well now we can always look forward to next season this one is already a F'in Bust of all Busts. Pathetic. I'm speechless, this is what UT has become mediocre. Last night put it all in perspective for me. We are only ok, nobody respects our program anymore or fears us when we come to town.
We were the jokes of the day all over ESPN. This hurts after all the hype and talk and new blood that we forgot to go out and execute, it was hard to watch last night. See this is enough to make me say to hell with UT, i thought they were gonna make some strides to break away from that same ole predictable UT, but on defense in the second half it was a joke lets back off the receivers and let them throw 9 yard passes all the way to the endzone. I can't beleive this. I really can't. Don't remember one that hurt this bad. This hurt worse than last years opener loss on the West Coast. Oh well now i agree with all the critics UT 3rd in the SEC East. If we get lucky.
Vol737 writes:
Look how good a 3rd string QB can play!!! Put in B.J. Coleman now!
arkyvol writes:
if crompton really said or really believes that he "played good", then i submit he is certifiable.
jdpvol writes:
the coaches, the players the ones who beleive anything other than they just stunk need to be taken to the woodshed for a reality check, enuf said.
rsarazen#221200 writes:
Was that the MUSTANK package on defense late in the 2nd half? UT can hire new assistants all day long but as long as Coach Fulmer is steering the ship, nothing changes. This looked like the same offensive scheme we had last year; go figure. If this is all we have at QB with nothing in the stables for a program the size of UT, pitiful.
FlaVol2 writes:
I am amazed at you guys that go crazy when the team does not perform like you think they should. Crompton did not play well and he knows it. UCLA's defense had a lot to do with that. Consider Crompton experience. Few real game snaps last year and not much before. I think he will come around. I believe in you Crompton. Our offensive line did not help him too much either. Foster had a crucial fumble but did have 96 yards rushing. Not bad. Our punter and his protection fell down on a crucial part of the field. All in all that is football. This team has a lot of potential and I think it will come around. These are kids out there and they earn a chance to excell. They could have won the game except for a few mistakes. Give them a chance. They deserve it.
Sheepscape writes:
Flavol2,
Crompton is a Junior, with two full games under his belt from 2006. Ainge played well as a true freshmen, as did Casey Clausen when he was given the reins midway through his Frosh year. It can be done.
Give them a chance? Where have you been these last few seasons? The excuses are running thin.
utboy92 writes:
Im not suprised anymore, I really didn't expect us to win last night. It's sad.
chiefrobbie#576269 writes:
Nothing will change with the VOLS until Fulmer, Chavis and Slade are gone. I watched the spring game and thought we had gotten away from the "10 yard cushion coverage" but I guess not. Slade is the worst secondary coach we have ever had (I have watched UT football since Majors was at tailback). I can't believe Chavis lets him get by with it. Neither the O or D are able to make adjustments----Major choaching changes are needed and it starts with Fulmer.
MoVol writes:
The late great Jack Buck said it best: "The only thing the PREvent DEfense accomplishes is the mispronounciation of two words."
givehim6 writes:
Welcome to divison 1 football there mr. clawson, and you haven't even seen how we play in the SEC yet. Your not in spiderland any more toto.
budd#207344 writes:
If you want this to end just stay out of Neyland. Don't give your tickets to somebody else . Don't go sell them. Just take the hit this year and send the message. That is what mikey and haslam and the big tiime boosters understand. No matter how much they love phil, they love money more and when he starts costing them money they wil throw him overboard in a heartbeat.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
if Crompton cant admit he was awful and this is his standard for "playing good" then he shouldnt ever see the field again in a game
pammyvol1000 writes:
Crompton..... needs to show leadership and stop using the over confident lines to the media. He needs a good talking from Peyton to get him headed in the right direction. If not, bring in BJ and see what happens.
diehardvol writes:
I don't think Clawson's offense was the problem....just like the players said, it was execution. Our receivers were wide open on almost every play but Crompton couldn't put the balls in their hands, and they dropped a few of his accurate passes (namely Austin Rogers on two big 3rd downs). The digs on Clawson and his offense are unwarranted other than the fact he kept calling passes when our RBs were shredding UCLA and Crompton threw balls that only 8-foot tall receivers could catch.
And to whoever said Neuheisel is a never had talent coach.....you are an idiot. Washington was primed for some big seasons and probably would be rivalling USC in the PAC-10 except for that stupid no-big deal scandal that the UW bigwigs fired him over (and have regretted ever since). Washington would be in the National Title picture on an almost yearly basis if he had been able to stay there.
wildberry14 writes:
what happened to the "great strides" crompton took in fall practice? why isnt hardesty the center of our offensive gameplan? why did clawson look so lost and bored last night? i hate him so much. fire fulmer
mberry2000#241780 writes:
So glad I can read all of these uplifting comments about our team and coaches. Everyone should be proud of themselves. I am disappointed as well but give the guys a break. Wonder how many players read all this phooey?
govols22231 writes:
Our defense played good 4 int's and our offense cant capitalize, this game is Clawsons fault he has to be the worst offensive descision maker i think i have ever seen. we were dominating the run game why through 50 yard bombs when we get 6 to 7 yards basically every carry. If i was coach and i could run the ball like that i would tell the recievers to forget about catching the ball im running it every single play, i mean we have to really good running backs so if one of them gets tired the other one can go in. But all that beside just think of all the mistakes we made 3 missed field goals, a blocked punt that they scored on, a fumble on the 4 or 3 yard line, the fumbled snap at the beginning of the game you never will know what that play would of turned out to be. Just all in all it wasnt very pretty
govols22231 writes:
Fulmers a good coach so everybody stop saying fire him just think of what all hes done for Tennessee.
JohnyLobo34 writes:
Left Pasadena this am with a bad hangover. We've got those great athletes in the secondary & the coaches waste them on zone coverage. Even Tennessee fans out here on the West Coast can see the flaws in that scheme. Don't know about you, but I'm tired of watching our DB's chasing guys into the end zone? Arian Foster is not fast enough to be the featured back; GO NORTH & SOUTH YOUNG MAN! That said: this is going to be a big year for Hardesty if he can stay healthy; he's a beast. It was apparent early on that Crompton has issues. He holds on to the ball WAY TOO LONG! And those overthrows wreak of a mechanics problem. The receivers need to make some tough catches & Austin Rogers needs to stop dropping the ball or take a seat on the bench. Just watched the replay & Clawson looked scared to death & IN-OVER-HIS-HEAD.
xvolx writes:
all you ala. and fla. posters. bring it on. lay it on us. you will actually make us feel better, because we are supporting such a sorry program and coaching staff.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.