Post-game audio slide show
Dave Hooker Audio
- Defensive coordinator John Chavis
- Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson
- TB Arian Foster on his ascension up UT’s all-time rushing and all-purpose yard lists and finally getting a win
- TE Brandon Warren on his improvement and play against UAB
- AD Mike Hamilton on the crowd for UT’s home season opener
- LB Rico McCoy on UT’s potential on defense
- S Eric Berry and LB Ellix Wilson talk to the media
- QB Jonathan Crompton and TB Lennon Creer talk to the media
Tennessee Stat Book
Quarterback: D
Crompton's numbers (19 of 31, 240 yards, two TDs, two INTs) were unacceptable against a UAB defense that allowed 350 yards passing with no interceptions against both Tulsa and Florida Atlantic. The timing isn't there, and Crompton missed open receivers. Nick Stephens showed zip and scrambling ability in limited time.
Running Backs: C
Lennon Creer (eight carries, 93 yards) was the most dynamic of the backs and took over on a late TD drive. Arian Foster broke some nice runs but hasn't shown breakaway speed. Montario Hardesty ran hard and took over in the red zone.
Receivers: D+
Tight end Luke Stocker had three drops, including one on a would-be TD. Lucas Taylor ran well after the catch on WR screen and Gerald Jones broke open for two TD catches. Brandon Warren showed his skills on a 42-yard reception.
Offensive Line: C
Looked very good at times but still not as consistent as it needs to be. Three penalties: Chris Scott (false start), Ramon Foster (hold) and Jacques McClendon (false start): are three too many for an experienced group.
Defensive Line: C
Dan Williams had a costly offsides penalty that resulted in a first down. Chris Walker forced a fumble and Walter Fisher had a sack. The unit bottled up UAB quarterback Joe Webb most of the day but had trouble finishing plays.
Linebackers: C+
Too many missed tackles, particularly in pursuit of the shifty Webb. Ellix Wilson had seven stops and an interception, and Nevin McKenzie had a QB pressure and a pass break-up. Rico McCoy was called for pass interference and dropped an interception.
Secondary: B
Eric Berry led the way with seven tackles and an interception but missed making a fumble recovery. A one-armed (hand injury) Demetrice Morley struggled making tackles. DeAngelo Willingham had four tackles, including one for loss, and had an interception.
Special Teams: C
No major breakdowns and good kick and punt coverage, but return teams offered nothing special and units didn't flip field position like good UT teams of the past. Dennis Rogan, Denarius Moore and Nick Reveiz were active in coverage.
Coaching: D
Vols meant to keep game plan vanilla with Florida on deck, but offensive execution is far from polished and defense took a step back in its open-field tackling. Poor clock management at the end of the first half.
Overall: D+
Not up to par with what most Phillip Fulmer teams would do against a far inferior Conference USA opponent. The Neyland Stadium crowd let the Vols know it by leaving early and appearing listless much of the game. A giant step up will be needed for UT to stay with Florida next Saturday.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 173
gohawks1 writes:
That's about right - I might have given the running backs a B, though. I'd like to know the yards per carry on them.
JacksonvilleVol writes:
I agree with every single rating.
But... running backs. I just like the fact we can score at least 3 running backs deep in the roster. Is Arian Foster ok after the game? Dude needs to get some TDs.
DMSVOL writes:
I was not able to see this game but was in attendance at the Rose Bowl two weeks ago. The only thing left to say is something that I heard several times in the crowd as we exited after the UCLA debacle, ..."this team is just not very good..."
sameolvolalum writes:
Nice reporting. The grades were logical in understanding and in application.
MrBamSeydu writes:
I agree. Horrible showing yet again by the offense. The defense was okay, but with Florida running a better version of this spread offense and with much better athletes, I'm afraid we can expect to give up at least 4 TDs and 400+ yards next week against Florida.
Jon Crompton is turning into an example of 5* players aren't always 5* players after all.
Foster, Hardesty, and Creer were unstoppable. We should've ran the ball 90% of the day and kept Crompton from throwing as much as possible.
VolFan1012 writes:
I do wonder why our recievers cannot get separation from the UAB db's??
And why our QB can obviously only throw to one player per play, as is evidence by his stare-downs??
And how bad any SEC opponent will jump on his passes and intercept much much more than he has had in the first two games??
VolFan1012 writes:
I did love seeing Foster, Creer, and Hardesty running hard. Poole looked quick on a few plays, but not quite ready for SEC play. Why did we not try to redshirt him??
gillblog writes:
Skip Holtz, fans. Skip Holtz.
Fulmer and Chavis very animated and involved on the sidelines which makes you wonder if they were surprised by the poor execution or they were making a 'show' for people who criticise them for being lifeless.
wkjq#213863 writes:
running backs deserve a much higher score, i agree with the rest. the heat was mentioned in another article, i saw an old fellow almost have a heat stroke in section t. it was hot!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Notice Pete Carroll on the side lines coaching his team...Notice Steve Spurrier on the sidelines throwing a fit..I did notice FULMER grab a player..THAT"S HOW YA DO IT!..GO FULMER GO!! GET AFTER EM!
Mr_Bandman writes:
an accurate assessment.....
CalPoly_Vol_Fan writes:
We have some good QB's coming in next year (assuming they are still fired up about Clawson after the season). Until then, I keep saying it, but Nick Stephens looks like a winner, and is the best option at QB.
Nick will get the vertical pass attack going!
chucker6 writes:
I think if you are going to run the spread, you better have a mobile QB who can threaten the defense with the run and Jones is the only one currently at UT who fits that bill. Given our sorry showing to date, we should either go back to the power I until we get that kind of QB or turn the offense over to Jones who can keep the defense honest (if he can pass well) and see what he can do. Stephens looks more mobile than Crompton which doesn't make sense with Crompton's athletic background. Crompton sure doesn't look anywhere near as mobile as Heath Shuler was (who the coaches compare him to). It's a shame to have the quality tailbacks and receivers we have (and supposedly the O'line) yet show so little offensive capability.
rootin4volz writes:
I agree with you IPO...RBs should have been a B. Creer's performance alone was an A+.
CalPoly_Vol_Fan writes:
i agree with you chucker, once we fix the QB problem, whether it is more G-Gun, with Nick Stephens...just maybe we can be as good as this USC team I am watching right now. They are FREAKIN' SCARY!
west_tn_volfan writes:
It was an average performance against a bad team. I didn't see anything that would lead me to believe we will hang with florida. One good indicator of what kind of team we have is BYU 59- UCLA 0 !
tennisvol writes:
Get Nick Stephens ready with more snaps. He will be the QB before the season is over. Crompton just doesn't seem to get the job done.
TommyJack writes:
I agree with Ipee@ 9:17. Running backs showed improvement. Creer & Poole show promise.
law_vol writes:
Receivers D+? Is that based on Stockers' drops? If so, that is a little harsh for the rest of the squad, if not, why the rating?
yemmusdarb - although I wouldn't necessarily credit the coaching staff as having this view, but in my opinion against a team that you feel you should beat and are beating, I think you treat it like a scrimage/preseason game to work on a bunch on different looks/plays to see if there are any sparks anywhere. Sure, they could have rushed a lot more, but we were winning the game anyway, so why not run some pass/play action plays to see if our team is comfortable executing them. We aren't going to be able to be one dimensional against FL, Aub, Bama, etc.
As far as the negative take aways, our team was a few dropped passes and a 1 yard underthrown ball away from posting 49 on those guys. And still, we had almost 550 yards of offense. We don't usually break out that much yardage against subpar teams, and that is as much or more than the other teams the Blazers have played. And, our defense held them to less than 300 yards where the other teams got into a shootout. We could have played better, but this is no litmus test for what is to come. We shall know soon enough next Saturday how the rest of our season will play out.
volsthunder writes:
Another undisciplined performance by what has to be the worst coaching staff in the country. This team has way to many problems to even get on the field with Florida. Fulmer and his sidekick Chavis have again proven to be worthless in the motivation, discipline, and focus department as usual. We can find a kid playing flag ball that is as good as Crompton. Crompton still thinks hes over at Waynesville playing with hillbilly grade school kids.
GatorHater326 writes:
the vol "Faithful" were leaving the game early on this one and we were winning? I see that as a showing of being fed up. If we lose to Fla. there needs to be a change in the head coaching position quick fast and in a hurry... raise tickets prices and buy him out if need be but this is pathetic. we have the personnel on both sides of the ball to be a great team (except for QB) something needs to give and I am not referring to the defense giving up points. Anyone still wandering why Cut. went with Ainge instead of Crompton... I believe I see the reason now. Stevens is a good try let him take first team snaps this week. if nothing else maybe it will light Crompton's fire unless the wood is wet. Tickets to the game against fla. and hoping for a miracle.
eduardo writes:
All of a sudden F$$lmer thinks he is Bobby Knight! What the working like heck! This guy is only trying to prove his critics wrong. The game has passed him by obviously! Cant coach worth a lick. Cant recruit any longer. What good is he? Maybe a good ambassador for the university? Worth 3 mil. and extensions out the wazzoo? Do the right thing Phat Phil step down asap! The ridiculous powers that be fired king Johnny for the same things that F$$lmer is doing. Divided fan base it is truly a civil war around here with this guy in charge! uab was probably the liking of taking on a div 2 school. They only had 68 scholarship athletes for crying out loud. How much longer must we be held hostage by this present regime?
movol77 writes:
RB's a "C"? Griffith you're either biased or a blind idiot! Every back was awesome! We've got an A running game! Had it two weeks ago too. We just need to run it more and follow it with play action.
Vols1998 writes:
An overall D!!!.......I do not think so, sure our offense on paper should have scored more, but I would give the overall effort a c+, and the backs should be B+ to A-....they did keep the game in UT's control...my gosh! give these guys a little credit.
Go Vols
movol77 writes:
All the comparing of scores between teams from week to week is bogus unless you compare them all. Any idiot can make anecdotal chaos from a couple score comparisons. (i.e. Last year - FL blows out UT. UT blows out GA. GA beats FL.)
DingoVol writes:
VolnDothan is right. We couldn't beat a team that got a 59 spot thrown up on them today. I guess the BYU defense didn't play a soft zone for the 3rd string QB at UCLA. Start taking aspirin now because next weekend is going to be a serious beat down. We will lose by 30.
DennisVols writes:
The runningbacks deserve at least a B and the receivers were more of a C than a D+.
You have to remember this is a new system with a new QB. Auburn just won 3-2 against MSU and they are a top 10 team. GA using the same offensive system they have had since Richt got there and a 3 yr starter atQB and they score only 1 TD against a USC that lost to Vandy.
I don;t know what fairy tale world some of you live in but it this offensive system is going to take some time to develop into its full potential.
They improved this week, Where they good enough to win the conference? no way. UF went to the spread last year with a Hesimen QB and still lost 3 conference games. You want to hold UT to a higher standard but in reality it is going to take time to reach its potential.
I expected more from Crompton but again it is a new system and a new OC which has a lot to do with his performance. It took 9 years for UT to get to the lower level we seemed to think they were at. 2 games is not going to change that.
Oh yeah OSU is again showing how OVER=Rated they are.
wagee12 writes:
Excellent ratings, very fair, right on the money. Mike Hamilton, shut your pie hole with all the @#**& excuses for why there were thousands of empty seats. I know people who were handed free tickets outside the stadium. Fulmer, your time has come and gone, you are embarassing yourself, your family, this great university and all the fans and alums. They booed you, not the players. It's time to get out Phil while you still have some self esteem left.
movol77 writes:
"A" running game it is.
COLONELSWIZZ writes:
THE ONLY SEC GAME WE WILL WIN AGIANST THE BIG BOYS IS GEORGIA. UGA WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE BRIDESMADE AND NEVER THE BRIDE OR GROOM.
P.S.
For all the Big 10'ers I am glad Ohio State stepped up and played somebody non-confernece and is getting there a$& kicked once again.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
volcop writes:
Florida 38
Tennessee 3
rabidvol1998 writes:
Obviously these are the grades from the last game. they don't even match the rhetoric.
That was a B/C game, not a C/D.
orangeblood writes:
arian foster is NOT team player....two postgame interviews the past two games, to notches in loss of respect for him...he needs to humble himself...he's starting to become a manny ramirez to this team
ZR writes:
The good news for Vol fans is that if New Orleans gets wiped out, the Autozone Liberty bowl is just a few hundred miles up river.
bfowler1161#262198 writes:
Be careful what you wish for. If handled like Ole Miss did the Cutcliffe firing, we could end up with Ogeron as coach.
tenecc#214163 writes:
Maybe Coach Fulmer should have a cup of coffee
with coach Bruce Pearl and pick his brain. He could pay him a tutor's fee.
govols22231 writes:
Thats a good assesment. We need to get those to A's and B's by next week
bluechip68 writes:
Crompton absolutely blows. Whats going to happen when we play a team with a great defense???
xvolx writes:
only way to grade this team is on a curve.
asand211#361548 writes:
My question is why in the world is Crompton always so cocky? He pitiful.
movol77 writes:
Our new, undeveloped offense is horrible. Only 558 yards? We should have had over 750 by the 2nd game...and 1,000 against UAB.
Oh, I'm sorry...it's contagious.
TrueVolFan writes:
Foster not a team player? Right... the guy that accounted for 74 of the 80 yd TD drive and watched someone else come in and get the last 6 yds is not a team player. Arian averages 8.4 yds per carry, Creer averages 11.6, and as a team the backs average 6.5 yds per carry for 266 yds on the ground and get a C rating. Crompton goes 19-31 with 3 drops by Stocker that would have made it 22-31, those are C type numbers. Overall a D+ tells me you are either trying to fuel the fire or didn't even watch the game. You bunch of losers will find anything to complain about!
newtonrail writes:
Too harsh. An average C. Particularly hard on receivers when one TE had the drops. About right on QB. I don't understand what Clawson is trying to do. The run was there, but he kept forcing passes, just like some used to accuse Fulmer of being stubborn about "forcing the running game." You take what the defense gives you, and UCLA and UAB were giving us the run most of the time. Not always at UCLA. Expected Crompton to have more command of offense by now.
Reasonavol writes:
After today, (our qb situation, BYU by 59,) I looked over the schedule. I am not sure we make 8 wins. To make 8 we have to beat SC, Vandy, Kent, Miss State, Wyoming, N Illinois. Only two of those are a given. Then we have to beat one of the big four. The only thing we have going for us, is teams will not be up for us or over look us. I feel fear about this year. Unless things dramatically change, all the Fulmer haters are going to seriously have their fodder with a 6 or 7 win season. If we only win 6. I think the haters may have serious point. I have never said to fire Fulmer and I am willing to see how the season unfolds, but I mean. Something has to seriously change.
Reasonavol writes:
I realize we were vanilla playing for the Florida game. I understand why we kept working the pass when we could have run in down their throats, (injuries, trying to help Crompton).
Seriously how can timing be off so bad? Crompton looked better in the LSU game 2 years ago. I know Cut did not like Crompton. Does anyone have an educated idea of what the heck is going on with him? Some inside scoop like he failed the same test Vince Young failed or something.
I have Michigan friend going with me to the Florida game. I feel scared to take him.
go .... vols.....
TNisPeerless writes:
I don't like what I've seen so this year any more than everyone else BUT do you think Michigan fans are ready to pack it in and fire their coach? Do you think Notre Dame fans wanted Charlie "knee's blown out" Weis gone after that dismal season last year? We just got a new OC who is installing a new offense with a brand new QB (who sucks). A little patience...
volunteer_cowboy writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
faithfulvol writes:
FANS: F-
Tennessee fans have become ridiculous.....People at the game was saying that Stephens should start next week. Booing 19 year old kids that have more invested than any fan....This blog stuff has sure brought out the crazies. I don't get it..if you hate everything in Knoxville, find someone else to pull for and give a fan your seat.....Weird stuff! GO VOLS!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
remember todays score, it will be the score next saturdays!!! in favor of Florida. We suck... Coach Cutt was way under paid and clawson is forever and back over paid. We should of hired Borgue, the auburn OC that was fired for tony franklin. Coach Cutt leaves UT and Ole Miss gets better we get sorry, Coach Cutt comes back Ole miss gets sorry, we get pretty good again, Coach Cutt goes to Duke, they get better, UT gets sorry AGAIN!!!! FLORIDA WILL ROLL
JacksonvilleVol writes:
tngeoff
you hit the nail on the head. Wait when the Vols break the sweet 16. I guarantee people will begin viewing us as that.
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.