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AUBURN, Ala. - Late Saturday afternoon, Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson scanned the laminated sheet with UT's gameplan against No. 15 Auburn.
Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.
The Vols ran the ball. They threw the ball. Wide receiver Gerald Jones did both from the quarterback position.
But in the final quarter of a 14-12 loss to Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium, neither Tennessee nor Clawson could find a play.
"You're looking up and down your game sheet and you're trying to find a way," Clawson said. "That's why we went with some of the G-Gun package and ran that more. You need to try something. I went up and down that sheet three times and tried everything that we prepared and certainly didn't dial up a good one."
And despite taking over in Auburn territory four times in the second half, neither Tennessee (1-3, 0-2 SEC) nor quarterback Jonathan Crompton made anything happen.
Only once - after a Dennis Rogan interception gave the Vols possession at Auburn's 37-yard line - did they manage to score.
That eight-play drive was Tennessee's lone second-half highlight, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Montario Hardesty.
On five of their other six possessions in the second half, the Vols went three-and-out. Their other possession lasted all of four plays.
"Momentum was, I thought, in our court for the majority of the game," offensive tackle Ramon Foster said. "We just needed to capitalize on it, but we didn't."
Field position was UT's biggest second-half advantage.
UT's worst field position in the final 30 minutes came at its 42-yard line. UT's best chance to take the lead came when it started at the Auburn 38.
Needing only a first down for a possible game-winning field goal, UT lost 2 yards and punted.
"It just really kills you," center Josh McNeil said. "It makes it an even more frustrating loss. When you get field position like that, that is so huge. Half the game is field position. Getting good field position just gives you a way higher percentage of putting points on the board. We had it, and our defense gave it to us a bunch of times. We just couldn't do anything with it."
Tennessee didn't do much with its other opportunities, either.
Twice in the first half Tennessee settled for field goals after moving the ball 39 yards on one drive and 69 on another.
And then there was another killer turnover.
A botched handoff against Florida cost the Vols a likely touchdown last week. This week, a botched handoff gave Auburn seven points, which proved to be the winning score.
On first down from the UT 5 in the second quarter, the ball popped loose as Crompton handed the ball off to Arian Foster.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he thought Foster's elbow might have caused the ball to come loose. Press box statisticians credited Crompton with the fumble.
Afterward, neither Clawson nor Crompton had an explanation.
"I've got to get back and watch the film," Crompton said. "I have no comment right now."
"Just a missed exchange," said Clawson, declining comment until after watching the play again on film. "The exchange wasn't the way it should be and we paid for it."
Another botched exchange was even more frustrating for McNeil.
"If it happens once, it's like, 'Wow, that's just a really unlucky play,' " McNeil said. "It seems like those things are happening way too much. They're happening way too much this season. Those are the mistakes that really kill you as a football team."
Crompton certainly didn't provide any first aid. The junior had the worst statistical day of his five games as a starter, completing just eight of 23 passes for 67 yards. He was 0-for-6 in the fourth quarter.
"You would like to be able to do something," said Crompton. "Like I said, tough times come and go. We're in a tough time, and we're going to get through it as a team."
Ultimately, though, McNeil had no qualms hanging Saturday's loss on the offense.
"This loss is definitely on the offense," he said, "because we couldn't get what needed to be done in the fourth quarter."
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Comments » 63
soooashamed writes:
I do not know how many older folks are on here but some of you may remember "the unknown comic" who wore a brown paperbag with two eye holes cut in it, he was a hoot. Can you imagine if 40% or more of the fans in the stands are wearing brown paperbags over their heads to "remain anonymous" I can see it on all the highlight reels and ESPN. Then maybe something will be done!!!
volsboy1983 writes:
bench him and let the young ones who want to play play the game
http://www.petitiononline.com/Benchhi...
smashmouth98 writes:
get Foster out of there. the fumbling is in his head & he HAS A FUMBLING PROBLEM!!!!! Let Hardesty and Creer carry the ball. Foster will always be known for his fumbles, regardless of if it was Crompton's fault or Ainge's (FLA last year) We have other options at that position. I forgot to mention poole.
IdahoVol writes:
I will always cheer for the Vols, and unlike some of the losers posting here, I can't hope for a loss just so the coaches will get fired. That being said, I sure hope they sit Crompton. I honestly don't think we can do any worse with the others. I too think it is time for Fulmer to go, but I won't boo the team at the games. In fact, I'll be there next week to show support. (I can only cringe when I think of how small the crowd might be though.)
And I have to say I was glad to see the defense man up today. I still think Chavis has what it takes to keep us in games from that side of the ball.
JKW50 writes:
Our offense is absolutely PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!
cterblan writes:
Hardesty is clearly the best back... Creer is a good change up... and Foster should have moved on last year.
Ironcity writes:
I don't think UT has a choice, they have to start preparing another QB, Crompton though he tries hard, just isn't good enough to be an SEC starter at this time. If the other two are that bad then just move Jones there and bring in a throwing QB only when its third and long.
IdahoVol writes:
Agreed, maybe going exclusively to Jones is the answer if the other two can't do it.
bmaples writes:
If you are looking up and down your play chart ON GAME DAY and can't find a play to run, there are only so many possible reasons:
-- The coaching staff didn't prepare.
-- The playbook isn't big enough to meet the need.
-- The players aren't good enough.
-- The players aren't coached well enough.
Any way I look at it, all of those are the fault of the COACHING STAFF.
And it might help if your playbook was bigger than a 3x5 card.
Good grief.
volsthunder writes:
Clawson..youre in way over your head son..Why dont you resign and take Fulmer, Chavis, Slade, and anyone else on this putrid staff with you! Hamilton, how much more are you going to tolerate? Haslam, how much more are you going to take of these blundering buffoons? The entire nation is laughing at this program. The other SEC coaches and teams are going no..no..no, dont get rid of Fulmer..hes a great coach. Yeah, hes a great coach because each and every other SEC coach can outwit, out-motivate, and out-discipline Fulmer day in and day out. What a pathetic outlook for the Vol Nation. Back up the U-Haul and get rid of this idiot...
OLDVOL writes:
Watched the 1989 Auburn game this week on ESPN Classic. Majors wasn't afraid to play a young Quarterback named Andy Kelly when Sterling Hinton couldn't manage the clock in the closing seconds of the first half. Tennessee went on to win with Kelly playing a lot in the 2nd half and becoming the starting quarterback. Very dissapointed in today's game. Do not understand Crompton playing the entire game. Either none of our receivers understand the routes or the quarterback doesn't understand where to throw the ball. Have gone to games since a boy in 1947. Live in NC and can't attend but 1 or 2 a year now. Bought a hi-Def for this game. It didn't improve on the execution, but did save on gas and concessions. I,m tired of eating Carolina crow.
DennisVols writes:
"We can fix this" is what we heard following the UCKA and UF losses.
UT had a great opportunity coming into the game. UF had lost to Old Miss and now GA is getting beat by Bama.
Auburn gave UT every opportunity to win this game.
Bad decisions, bad passiong, bad excution all from one position. QUARTERBACK
Now he (Crompton) won't even man up and take responsibility for his poor performance. I know football is a team sport but there is no oother place to hang this loss on but Crompton. 8-23 passing, poor excution of a handoff to Foster that cost us the game.
I cannot believe that the other players still have confidence in him as their QB
With just good QB play this team is at least 3-1 right now and may be 4-0
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Give credit to Auburn. They won-we lost.
Phil's spinners are already at work (like heck) saying stay the course, referring to Majors, etc, wave the shakers, ignore the losing record to 7 current SEC coaches.
All is well.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Offense is awful, period. Time to make the switch at QB and go from there.
But, dude....seriously? The defense is the only thing going for us right now. If the special teams and offense were playing halfway decent, we'd be in a great position now....Chavis has been a great DC over the years, why must you try to add to our pain by trying to diss on him? Whatever...
Always a Tennessee Vol who bleeds orange, good times of bad times...GO VOLS!!! MAKE THE QB CHANGE!
GoIrish writes:
This guy Clawson is making Cutcliffe look like Vince Lombardi. At least Jimmy Clausen threw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns today in South Bend and Notre Dame won big.
RockyMountainVol writes:
I haven't been back to UT in ages, and yeah, I'm out here in Rocky Mountain territory, so I only see the Vols when they're on national TV (which will probably mean "hardly ever" from now on). I don't know the roster that well. All that said....
the Vols HAVE to have a better quarterback than Crompton.
If Nick Stephens isn't ready yet, then go to the freakin' G-Gun full-time.
If G-Gun isn't up to the task, then get Randy Wallace on the phone and see if he's thrown a football in the last 30 years. Or Condredge -- Peanut at 55 would be an improvement.
But it isn't Crompton that's to blame. It's whoever decided that Crompton would be fine at QB and that we didn't need anyone else.
And now the kid from Cali is scared away? Dang, Nunes, don't you wanna see how much fun it would be to start as a brand new freshmen QB? You could NOT be worse than what we have now, so don't let a few boos scare you away.
VOLKING writes:
In a post yesterday I joked that our key to winning the football game was : if we got inside the 10 yard line, to take Crompton and Foster out of the game. Let me add this: if we are anywhere close to a goal line, ours or theirs, get both of them the F*** out of the game. We look like the Keystone Cops out there!!! BOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Dark1964 writes:
Look at his eyes! Crompton is a dullard, period. He sits on the bench after some of the worst QB play I have ever seen, regardless of the team, and starts counting butterflies or something. He reminds me of Al Bundy, except through some tragic twist of fate for UT fans, he didn't blow out his knee jumping over a moving car before getting to campus. If he is the best QB over there, then that Uncle from Napolean Dynamite needs to walk on. Heck we all need to. He either throws it at some mysterious midget buried in the turf, or up to some invisible angel that is saying "I am open up here, I'll catch it before it goes out of bounds." I can't stand to watch him anymore. Every pass he does complete is behind the receiver, and makes him turn, stop, or have to fall down to make the catch. I don't know if he would be good at any position, but definitely not at one of them "he needs to be smart" ones. Fulmer & Co. needs to find their 2nd & 3rd QB's, move them to 1st & 2nd, and play them the entire next game so they'll have some game time before GA. The defense could win the SEC if Crapton hadn't already sabotaged us. He also needs to have his scholarship taken back and pay for the years he was there drawing pretty bananas & peanuts. The plays look good but 'dullard eyes' can't see more than one receiver, and then can't hit him when he does get open. Clawson will score as soon as Crapton rides the pines (or goes). Jones would at least be competent compared to InCrompetent.
jcvol#215939 writes:
at least its not 13th
mediatom writes:
How many times do we hear the a tv commentator another team: "talent isn't there but you know that coach X will always put a disciplined and fundamentally sound team on the field".
Obviously Fulmer will never be referred to that way.
Dark1964 writes:
You obviously don't understand how those statistics work. Allow me to explain...if your offense is incrompetent and can't stay on the field for more than 3 plays, your defense will ultimately give up more yards than you would normally expect. Defense is better than you think...oh wait, you aren't much of a thinker are you? Is your real name Crompton?
Dark1964 writes:
That comment is totally retarded. Might as well wish for someone to die. Stupid Stupid Stupid you are.
mlsoft#228820 writes:
No, I cannot bring myself to pull for my vols to lose. I do, however, continue to be utterly convinced the problem with our football program is coaching, and that has been the case for at least 5 years now. Before that, Fulmer was often outcoached, and he all too frequently cost us games in the win column. Fortunately, Fulmer was a great recruiter so the overwhelming talent advantage let him win anyway.
I still like and respect Fulmer as a person, but as a coach, I believe his time has passed. Clawson has been an utter, complete disaster, not being even minimally competent at either offensive coordinator or as quarterback coach.
After watching today's game, the only thing I can come up with to explain not even trying another QB is that our backup either has severe drinking problems or has secretly developed a paralytic condition of some sort. Otherwise, to have not played the kid was criminal. I hate to think that as bad as Crompton played, we have someone else on scholarship that is even worse.
yeavols#228407 writes:
WIL MUSHCAMP!!! LOOK UP THE NAME!!
RomeoSullivan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
budd#207344 writes:
If you do not hope we lose you will be stuck with this worthless coaching staff. Are you not embarassed by the performance? Is this how you want to remember the Vols football team? Are you proud of this?
fulmer is an arrogant pierce and he needs to go. Just like that drunk majors got forced out.
Do you think we got stupide as coaches? Well I'm not the one playing Crapton phil, you are. So the answer is you are either stupid or you like seeing Tennessee lose.
Pullingguard writes:
Bad start and what is worse it's not gonna get much better as the season progresses... Losses to Ga., Ala., SC can almost be assured and there is no gurantee about any of the other games in the SEC.. Fulmer and his family will find it very hard to weather the storm of adversity and negativism that will follow them where ever they go. Fulmer and his coaching staff have lost lot of respect and will be hard to bear for next year..
pammyvol1000 writes:
We might win 2 more games this year.
FWBVol writes:
OLDVOL, Henton was only a sophomore and Kelly a redshirt freshman in 1989 so there wasn't much difference in their time in the system. Everyone was enamoured by Sterling's athletic ability which was very similar to Tee Martin. Kelly wasn't the 5 star recruit everyone thinks we need. He was just a Tennessee boy that dreamed of playing quarterback for the Vols all of his life and when given the chance he proved to be a winner.
Come to think of it, B.J. Coleman's a Tennessee boy. He can't do any worse than the kid from North Carolina, Crompton.
jcrewvol writes:
3 losses rest SQUARELY on ONE PERSON!!!!!!!! Survey says..........the quarterback
(noise from audience - "gasp, I never would have guessed that)
OLDVOL writes:
Amen FWB Vol
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
You're going to have to get a grip on it, sir, we're not through half of the season yet, and you're halfway out of the boat. Get back in here before it's too late. Whole lot of football to be played.
tenuscvol writes:
Time to change QB.
NI should be a good chance to see the backups
Give them each a half and let'see what they got.
If Crompton starts onto the field I will be EXTREMEMLY disappointed....
GoVols!
tennisvol writes:
Crompton is just not a good SEC QB! He can't throw the ball or do anything that a good QB needs to do to win in the SEC. Other defenses probably just laugh at the UT offense because they know that eventually they will self destruct. I'm afraid Clawson is way in over his head in this league.
leedsvol2007 writes:
Actually Henton was a junior and had played a number of games as a redshirt freshman in 1987.
Early on he showed a lot of promise as a passer but just fizzled.
Kelly was a highly regarded recruit as both a quarterback and punter.
As I remember in 1989 other than against Georgia he had shared playing time with Henton. Against Alabama Kelly came in after Henton had been ineffective and from there on out was the starting QB.
One thing is for sure if we do not improve at QB we could be in for the worst season in Tennessee history with a team that has good talent.
After Saturday it is very important to see if we can get more effective play from the position and evaluate the QB's on the current roster can help not only now but in the future.
Not since Chip Howard and Dennis Chadwick in 1971 has the quarterbacking been this bad. That year a little used quarterback named Jim Maxwell came in and saved the day.
Hopefully Stevens or Coleman can provide a spark.
GoVols!
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I'm glad that I didn't watch the game. I had a good day because rather than watching the game, I went and watched a good new movie that came out yesterday. I couldn't care less about this team right now. Call me fair weather, but at this point, I don't want the lukewarm feeling of a Peach Bowl appearance... maybe I'm a jerk for this but I hope we get our butts stomped by every team for the rest of the year. Maybe a 1-11 season would convince them that Fulmer doesn't need another chance. Instead of digging us out of a hole, how about not getting us in it to begin with!
JohnnyU writes:
FWB Vol,
I have to stick up a little for Waynesville, NC, it's just over the state line and we've gotten some good ones out of that area. And I really thought Crompton was going to be a tough, hard nosed QB who got it done because Tennessee was the team he grew up loving. I'm sorely disappointed, but I still think it might not all be on him. Where is Coleman from? What a sorry state of affairs
Urban_Weiner writes:
WHY DOES JOHNATHAN CROMPTON HAVE A SECURE SPOT!! He has done absolutely nothing to earn it, and plenty to lose it! He is THE worst Tennessee QB I have seen in MY lifetime! 8/23 for 67 yrds and 0 td's with TO's left and right in every game! The only thing he is supposedly good at is the deep ball..and he's 0-who knows how many on them, it's either over thrown out of bounds, or a miscommunication! PLEASE TRY ANOTHER QB!! If it were me, and I wish it was, I would go solely to the G-GUN! The options are endless with this package!
If your not going to finish the season with some wins, at least try some new things and change it up! GO VOLS
w4tey#282182 writes:
Quit going to the games. You will see some changes made PDQ !!
SandySpringsVol writes:
Crmpton: "I've got to get back and watch the film. I have no comment right now." Way to take responsibility for your actions, Crompy. Way to show leadership.
Monday's depth chart for QB:
1 - #17 Nick Stephens
2 - #18 B.J. Coleman
3 - #14 Eric Berry (played QB in HS)
4 - #4 Gerald Jones
5 - #8 Jonathan Crompton
RockyTopVolFan writes:
As a running back in HS I was coached that it was the QB's responsibility to stuff the ball in your "breadbasket" as it was called.
We had to carry the ball all day and sleep with it if we fumbled. That caused you to concentrate.
The announcers thought Crompton lacked concentration, he really needed benching but I guess we'll have to get Fullmer an instant replay screen down on the sidelines so he can make faster and maybe timely decisions by watching video there, otherwise he doesn't do anything.
The team has some very talented players who play their hearts out, I wish Fullmer was smarter in using the talent at his disposal, Crompton should be benched and others should have had an opportunity to contribute. Perhaps if Crompton sat out a few series he would calm down and then play better, it is a disservice to him to leave him in when he is obviously off the mark. It is an insult to his backups when he plays so incompetently and they remain benched.
Come on Fullmer, wise up coach! This loss would have been prevented with better coaching of these talented players who have to endure this embarassment because of your inaction.
Volomatic writes:
is what i'm waiting for is to see if any of our players try to transfer after they have become a laughing stock of the ncaa cause of cpf we are already starting to lose recruits
bench crapton and fire foolmore
fedupvol writes:
Unbelievable!Same old stuff it seems forever...QB looks like deer in headlights...not a clue what to do... time to bench permanently crompton, foster, and fulmer...do vols have to go 2-10 for that to happen??
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Missed it, hated that big thread crashed.
Almost over-served myself yesterday with corn liquor but now, just quietly reflecting at the trainwreck in K-Ville.
Most amazing thing are the Ites who I guess do go to the games for the social time and shaker-waving.
While ignoring the results.
Good eye on the snail darter.
Frapples writes:
I love the excuse that the Fulmer and Crompton both gave....we have to go back and watch the films.
I figured that if you have been coaching for years, you should be able to see stupid plays without "watching the film".
It's bad when the announcers are even pointing out the mistake that Crompton made on the handoff to Foster, and Philbert can't see it.
The great pumpkin said that he doesn't read the paper or comments about his coaching abilities, so maybe we need to give him and Hamilton both time to sit around in recliners and catch up on old news.
BTW, Dave Hooker, are you kidding? A C for coaching? A C indicates just average, not to good, not to awful. It wan't anywhere near that. To get a C, you have to adjust your game plan, have minimal inadverint errors and NO stupid errors.
Tennessee has the most predictable game plan in the world. I figure that Clawson was told what plays he would run, there is no creativity or spark to his "plan".
Ahh, for the days of Trooper Taylor jumping around the sideline... I guess he offended the Philbert when he wanted his job in a few years. At least Trooper brought some enthusiasm to the place.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Muschamp..how are you this morning? little perturbed? Agitated?
volcop writes:
"I've got to get back and watch the film," Crompton said. "I have no comment right now."
You were there Crompton, and you don't know!!!!!!!!! geez
Maybe you need to watch the film to see if you won or lost? No comment!!!!!!!
CT_VOL writes:
I think Crompton may have a learning disability...
Frank
fhjm1234#209203 writes:
Can someone tell me WHY? Willingham is giving anymore than a one yard cushion to the wideout that caught the 10 yd completion that sealed our fate? If Burns could throw it over the top to beat Willingham in that situation then we lose anyway. I noted how when we had it 3rd and under 5 yards in the 4th quarter Auburn would crowd the line on our receivers, leaving no chance for a short completion that might result in a first down. The stock answer is "that coverage was a bust" but I am sick of hearing about "busts". How hard is it to make a point,"if any DB lets them complete a pass underneath for more than 5 yds we lose". The same thing held true at UCLA. I am sick and tired of seeing our DBs let teams complete short passes underneath when it is 3rd and short. Either the DBs are coached to play this way or they repeatedly make the same "busts".This whole year is a bust. That should be the name for 2008 "The year of the Busts" next year we can buy it at JC Penny to go along with our UT video library. Do I sound bitter? Damn right I sound bitter. It looks like the 3 stooges out there at times. Where is the discipline and fine tuned execution out there. It must be a "bust" too. That "bust" is directly attributed to coaching. Think about it!!!!!!!
VOLINCALI writes:
glass houses thunder.
Clawson does not drop the ball before it even gets to Foster.
Clawson looks up and down the play sheet looking for a play that his inept QB can run without throwing the ball five yards out of bounds on third down.
1 - 3 is not on the coaching staff unless, you count the Auburn game as one Phil should have made a change like Tuberville did.
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