Photo by Michael Patrick
Buy this photo »
Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones (4) can't get away from Florida's Brandon Spikes (51) during action in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Vol vent
Audio slide show
Stats
Stories
- 'That loss is on me'
- Report Card: UT vs. Florida
- Adams: Series gap more gaping than ever
- Fans deliver boos; Crompton says 'we play for our football family, that's each other'
- Turnovers, missed chances hurt offense
- Short-yardage failures soured defense
- It's all business for Florida and it shows
- Florida has easy time with stumbling Vols, 30-6
Faced with a chance to be different, Tennessee wound up with more of the same.
More of the same mistakes that cropped up in the Vols' first two games this season.
More of the same costly turnovers.
More of the same errors in critical moments.
And, ultimately, more of the same against the Florida Gators.
Those penalties, turnovers and failures to execute on offense added up to lost points in a 30-6 loss to No. 4 Florida in Neyland Stadium on Saturday and the Vols' fourth straight loss to the Gators.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," quarterback Jonathan Crompton said. "We should have won the ballgame in my opinion."
Tennessee (1-2, 0-1 SEC) certainly had its chances despite falling behind early.
UT's offense, which entered Saturday as the SEC's leader in yards per game, got backed up from second-and-1 on its first drive to third-and-16 because of a personal foul call against senior tailback Arian Foster. Tailback Montario Hardesty fumbled after catching a pass on the next play, which led to three points for Florida.
After Brandon James' 78-yard punt return made the score 17-0 little more than 10 minutes into the game, Tennessee appeared to answer with a mammoth drive.
UT methodically drove the field with a steady running game and reached the Florida 2-yard line, thanks to a key conversion from Crompton to tight end Luke Stocker on third down.
Two plays later - the Vols' 14th play of the drive - Tennessee botched the exchange between Crompton and Foster at the Florida 1.
In last year's 59-20 loss to the Gators, Foster couldn't control a handoff, which opened the gates for 31 unanswered Florida points late in the second half.
This time, Crompton held the ball out too soon, hitting fullback Kevin Cooper, who was moving toward the line of scrimmage to block. Again, the Gators pounced on the ball and ended a great scoring opportunity for UT.
"I don't know exactly what happened," Crompton said. "I've got to go back and watch the film to see whose actually elbow it hit. I don't know. It was a bang-bang play, and obviously we came out on the wrong end of it."
Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson had a different explanation of the play.
"I believe what happened is the ball hit the fullback," Clawson said. "That's one of our base goal line plays. We run it in practice. We had a situation with our second offense where we did that once. We made a big point of stopping practice and talking about 'seating' the football. We've got to make sure we clear the fullback before we extend the ball. That's a base, fundamental mistake. It's my job to coach that and make sure that it doesn't happen."
Tennessee had another chance to make something happen at the end of the first half, but another turnover took points off the board.
After moving from its 39, the Vols bogged down again inside the 5. With three tries to score from the 1, Crompton threw an interception on fourth down.
Instead of a possible 17-14 margin, the Vols trailed 20-0 at halftime.
Had the Vols been close at halftime, offensive lineman Anthony Parker said, the game would have been different in the second half.
"You come out calling different plays," he said. "You have a different feel about yourself if the score's 20-14 and you've got the ball coming out. It's a completely different game."
Despite Tennessee's ability to run the ball (96 yards on 31 carries) and even outgain the Gators 258-243 in total offense, it was simply more of the same against Florida.
And more of the same frustrations that come with starting a season 1-2 and another loss to Florida.
"The frustration for me right now is knowing we had a lot of good drives," center Josh McNeil said. "I felt like we really moved the ball well at times. We have to get the ball in the end zone. It's so frustrating because we felt like we left something out on the field.
"We could have made a difference, and we didn't."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
 can't get away from Florida's Brandon Spikes (51) during action in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.){kind=link}
Comments » 21
BigVolOnBoard writes:
I told you guys Crompton was no good, when are you going to listen?
mdvol writes:
Clawson is a bust.
whistlinwingman writes:
The offense runs the same dozen or so plays they have since 1994 and they are still talking about execution!
Jshoop writes:
I know most of the comments here are negative but we didn't play that badly. We moved the ball, just couldn't score. Very disappointed in Foster. They score and we were moving and he killed us with the 15 yeard foul.
I don't understand the play calling inside the 5 yard line. Down the middle and stopped time and again. Score on those three good drives and this game is a different game and maybe a different ending. However, if's and but's can win every game. The fact is we didn't and they blew us out.
Good game for Berry, Stocker and Ragen. Jones had a couple nice touches. Need everyone else to step up or next week will be worse than this week.
Go VOls.
TommyJack writes:
It was an azz whoopin, but I don't think anyone quit.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
The only thing more embarrassing than losing is to read the posts here. The kids who play have more class in losing then you guys have . Maybe if they complained more and cried a lot you could relate to them. If you can't stand losing don't watch. I thought it was a great ball game, if it were any better we'd won. Tebow wasn't that great, two they did have enough speed to hurt you, three we did run the ball on them some, four penalties hurt you, etc etc etc. I personally do not like the 40second rule. Less plays. Has something to do with the tV newworks and money somewhere. Football used to be played regardless of the money involved. They needed us then, now we need them(their money) , and they dictate to us. I am sorry that we lost guys, really, and i guess Crompton has some growing up to do. And don't we all!
CoverOrange writes:
Didn't look to me like Crompton extended the ball any. Couldn't really tell that anybody touched it before it came out. So much for Hi-Def.
96 rushing yards on 31 rushes does not demonstrate an "ability to run the ball". An experienced Oline doesn't mean diddly squat if they didn't perform before. Just means they are experience at being mediocre.
tenuscvol writes:
Everyone who commits a personal foul should be running stairs at 6:00 Sunday Morning. This coaching staff needs to tell these "young men" to zip it up until you win a game and keep your mouths shut. You got nothin to be talking about. Foster is such a great guy but he has cost us dearly with his "inoppportune mistakes"...
Crompton needs to say when asked " I made some key mistakes today and I need to find out how I can improve for my team"...you know "SHOW SOME FREAKIN LEADSRSHIP" instead of running your mouth and acting like you've got something to celebrate in the fourth quarter....Crompton thinks he is still in High School and plays like it...the coachs have got to "get to" this guy and make him the greatness they must think he is or lets bring on Nick. something about his few apperances impresses me...seems he seems very confortable back there and Crompton is TOO FREAKIN COMFORTABLE....again he is not as good as he thinks he is and that is a problem....
I hate BAMA! Go Vols Beat BAma!
vol4good#206163 writes:
I see your point, but I would like to point out that most of the posts are directed toward the Coaching Staff. Furthermore, I for one dont mind TN loosing on occasion, what I cant stand is failure to prepare properly, and half effort. If these fellas drag themselves off the field bruised and bloody, I will stand and cheer, win or lose. But, to expect any fan or booster to just accept the half hearted effort this team has given so far, is frankly not fair. If I had employees who failed this completley, I would have to promote them to customer!
rootin4volz writes:
"We shot ourselves in the foot," quarterback Jonathan Crompton said. "We should have won the ballgame in my opinion." WHAT???? You were nowhere close to winning that ballgame Crompton! How 'bout steppin' up like a man and accepting some responsibility for your own poor play, dude!
threesdown#452226 writes:
It seems as if Crompton has Casey Clausen disease.
He thinks he is better than he is and says the cocky thing at the wrong times. The look on his face, how long it takes him to run a freaking play, and his misguided swagger. If you stay humble you might do something...Think about it. One of the dumbest plays of the night was when Crompton didn't call timeout at the goal line. I guess he was "Confident" in his passing ability. I may only play NCAA football on XBOX but at least I know that we would have got in the endzone if we would have run it twice. Hey Clawson!!! Get out of the freaking box and get on the field!! I know it's pretty nice up there, but your players need you on the F'n field. It leads me to believe that Crompton would have got the signal to Timeout if Clawson was on the field!! I have a lot of faith in this team still and in Clawson as an OC. On an unrelated note....Booing your team only makes us look like idiots to the rest of the nation. I understand that it is ridiculous to be on the goalline an blowing it. Understandable if it was only a couple of times. But we shouldn't be leading the nation in it!
ktemaque1 writes:
Threesdown - one big difference between Crompton and Clausen is that Clausen played hard every down. Another one is that he QB'd teams that actually beat Florida! CPF needs to gag his players until they actually start to show something. BTW - I agree about the booing. I don't boo kids, even when they play this poorly.
ORANGEAND2 writes:
i agree with alot of the comments already made -- I.E.- j crompton, at least take some responsibility for u'r own play. in a post game interveiw concerning the fumble on the 2 yl. he said "i just turned to make the handoff & if felt like i was being stripped, i'll just have to look @ the film" what a s*it as* answer!!he talked with a "air" of confidence like we hadn't even lost!!like it the dumb A he is. yes, it was a team loss. iwas just so ?? about his lack of humility.as always, i am hopeing for the best next week & so forth, but let's shake some things up -- as in giving other players a chance to MAKE SOME PLAYS!!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Some of you people need to pull back on the criticism of the players. They are playing this way becuase we have a lack of leadership......in the coaching dept!!! Neither Fulmer or Clawson has a clue which is obvious to anyone with a third grade knowledge of football.
eutefan writes:
I agree with most of what you say. It is very easy for we sandlot heroes to criticize those who are actually playing a game that counts.
But don't you suppose our outspoken criticism on these pages and on the radio have to have a negative effect on the players.
Crucifying Luke Stockton and pilloring Crompton is not supporting a program... it is a vestage of immaturity brought on by delusion of grandure... or something.
At any rate, you are right about the upper management. Coach Fulmer needs to assume the figurehead position he deserves and leave the decision-making to those who are currently active coaches.
winbigvols writes:
I agree with everything you said. Crompton is the reason we look so bad. He should be replaced. Makes me wonder how bad our other 2 must be. Either way Crompton must be banned from talking in public, he doesn't have a clue.
lomas98 writes:
WHy would it had been 20-14 at half. If we score the first touchdown, we would have had to kick the ball to FL instead of them starting on the 1. They would have started on midfield and probably scored a TD.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I sorta get your point, st98, but I think it would have been HUGE for this team's obviously shaky confidence to have gotten it in the end-zone on those opportunities. It also would have kept our fans in the game instead of everybody almost visibly going, "Here we go again; same ol' s***!" Every game has its own ebb and flow. We needed every break we could get and that would have been a big one.
Smokey91 writes:
From Rivals.com:
This team is more reminiscent of the 2005 Tennessee squad than the 2007 version. Tennessee went 5-6 in 2005, which also marked the Vols' last season without Cutcliffe. That team also had inconsistent quarterback production and a tendency to make mistakes in big situations.
That season also signaled a turning point in the Fulmer era.
Tennessee has gone 14-13 over its last 27 conference games, a stretch that started when the Vols fell 38-28 to Auburn in the 2004 SEC Championship Game. The Vols also are 3-9 in their past 12 games against top-10 opponents.
Those numbers make it hard to rate Tennessee as an elite program anymore. Not when a trip to Shreveport seems more likely than a return to Atlanta.
Fulmer undoubtedly will receive much of the blame for Tennessee's slow start and recent slide. The coaching staff failed to respond when UCLA made second-half adjustments in the season opener, and the Vols made numerous mental mistakes against Florida. But there's plenty of blame to go around.
swampbuggy writes:
I've made a few subtle jabs at you folks, but in all honesty I feel sorry for you. Tennessee is a great school, rich in pride and tradition. I lived there a few years and there are no fans anywhere like UT fans (except at Florida). This rivalry has been a good one, and some day it will be again. I almost wish I could help you somehow.
I said yesterday that I believe Coach Fulmer should speak with the AD and resign. The AD should pay him off along with the staff, and ask them to stay on the rest of the year. That gives UT time to recruit a good coach and it would motivate the players to play harder for their outgoing coach.
Just my thought.
Displaced_Vol_Fan writes:
I have to say, Alkhall, I think UT should have won this game. I don't believe Fl is better than UT. I think they are better coached. The defense did what it needed to do to win this game. The offense did not. I don't think it's the system or the coordinator. I think it is simply the QB. All offenses begin with the QB, if that position is no good, the offense is no good. Crompton can not execute this, or any other, offense. Fulmer needs to sit Crompton and go with Stephens. I honestly think he is a game day QB. Crompton is not. If you think back to any game Crompton got into before this season, in blow outs, he threw an interception almost every time. So it is no surprise to me that he has 2 TD against 4 INT's.
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.