Stats belie Crompton's outlook

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There are some pretty startling numbers being used to describe Tennessee junior quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

Start with "12".

That's where Crompton ranks among SEC starting quarterbacks in pass efficiency.

Then there's "89".

That's where Crompton's pass efficiency ranks among all the quarterbacks in the nation.

Inexperienced or not, new offense or not, those are a pair of statistics that Crompton is intent on improving.

Here, Crompton discusses UT's slow start offensively and how close the Vols (1-2, 0-1 SEC) are to having a respectable offense.

How would you describe this team's response in practice to the Florida loss?

"A new season starts as of yesterday's (Tuesday's) practice. We're not even thinking about that. We're just concentrating on the future.

"A lot of teams have said that road games are a good way to get away from the distractions, especially when a team is struggling."

Do you like going on the road this week to play Auburn?

"We like playing on the road. As a competitor, it's always fun going into a hostile environment like Auburn and playing a game.

"We're going to come together as a team and play ball together."

What do you draw from your first start, also in a hostile environment, at Arkansas in 2006?

"It's been so long ago. I don't really know what to take from it.

"You just have to know, that no matter what, it's SEC football. It's going to be hostile no matter what."

Is the crowd's effect on the game overrated?

"You don't pay attention to the crowd whether it's home or away. It gets loud but you don't pay attention to it.

Two losses and you're probably out of the SEC East race. How big is this Auburn game on Saturday?

"Last year we had two (losses) and we were in the championship game. Things happen. It's SEC football.

"Somebody's going to get beat someway somehow. You just have to keep your head up and keep fighting until the end.

"Every game's a big one. No matter who it is."

How do you handle public criticism?

"That's part of it. You expect that coming here to Tennessee.

"Expectations are high so you've just got to deal with it, go on and just play ball."

Is that easier said than done?

"I think I've done a pretty good job with that. I haven't read the paper since I've been at Tennessee. I don't listen to the news. I don't listen to the media.

"I just kind of do my thing and listen to my coaches and my teammates because that's who makes all the decisions around here, is the coaches.

"I listen to them because they're the ones who have the say-so about everything."

Coaches and players have continually supported you. How important is that?

"It's great. I have confidence in myself and I have confidence in all of them.

"I'm glad they have confidence in me because I have confidence in everybody on this team to do the best of their ability and play ball with us."

Many have said your offense is far from getting it together. How close do you think this offense is to succeeding at a high level?

"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. We know by everyday at practice - by how we practice - how close we are.

"If somebody wants to doubt us, they can doubt us. For everybody that doesn't doubt us, I appreciate it because those are the ones that are truly with us right now.

"If we just limit a few mistakes we'll be fine.

"When we correct that, it's going to be hard to stop us. It's all about momentum. I think we're in a good spot right now. "

How maddening are the mistakes?

"It's how you respond to it. That's the test of a true champion."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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