Creer in a rush? It's not about the glory

Despite a gaudy 10.8-yard-per-carry average, Tennessee sophomore tailback Lennon Creer has only nine carries this season — 30 fewer than starter Arian Foster and 15 fewer than backup Montario Hardesty.

Does that mean Creer could get more playing time, possibly even Saturday when the Vols (1-2, 0-1 SEC) play at Auburn?

“I have no idea,” Creer said. “We play as a team and everybody is competing as a team. We don’t really care who gets the glory.”

Most of Creer’s production came against lowly UAB on Sept. 13 when he carried the ball eight times for 98 yards. That was just enough to remind him what it’s like to be the first-string tailback.

“It’s frustrating at times but I know if I keep working hard then positive things are going to happen to me,” he said.

Creer is certainly a different type of runner than Foster or Hardesty, both of whom rely on power more than Creer, who relies on speed.

“I feel like I can be explosive — a change-up guy out of our backfield,” Creer said.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn’t seem in a rush to get Creer into a regular rotation.

“Running back hasn’t really been our problem,” said Fulmer, who complimented Creer’s recent practice habits. “There’s only one football and you can only hand it to one guy at a time.”

Practice Report (Offense): Coach Phillip Fulmer said the offense had its best practice of the season to wrap up Auburn week.

“Just a very few things,” Fulmer said when assessing UT’s offensive mistakes.

The Vols have piped in crowd noise for much of the week. UT will face a much rowdier road environment than they faced in their season-opening loss at UCLA.

Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said he’s been pleased with UT’s work in noisy conditions this week.

“It needs to carry over,” Clawson said. “It’s not going to be something they haven’t dealt with before.”

Practice Report (Defense): Defensive end Robert Ayers said the Vols have been forced to prepare for two quarterbacks this week, even though it seems Auburn has settled on pocket passer Chris Todd over the athletic Cody Burns.

“It’s two different things,” Ayers said. “We’re just trying to prepare for both of them.”

Practice Report (Special Teams): Chad Cunningham will handle punting duties against Auburn, Fulmer confirmed.

On Sunday, Fulmer said he was considering replacing Cunningham with a walk-on after a disappointing performance in the loss to Florida. Fulmer backed off those statements midweek.

“Chad had a good week and had his best day today,” Fulmer said. “He’s kicking the ball on time. I’m very hopeful he’ll get the ball placed where we want it.”

Foreshadowing: Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, or perhaps it’s a hint of things to come. Either way, sophomore receiver Gerald Jones thinks a passing game could soon evolve out of the G-Gun.

“A lot of people are expecting run,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t be surprised come Auburn that if we do run it (the G-Gun), I might be throwing it.”

The dedication to only running the ball out of the G-Gun has some media members calling it the G-Run.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!