DEKALB, Ill. - In the first game of the season, Northern Illinois lined up with Chandler Harnish starting at quarterback, Justin Anderson at running back and Matt Simon and Britt Davis two of the wide receiver spots.
By game four, through various reasons, none of them started last Saturday against Eastern Michigan.
And although the quality of opponent dipped from Minnesota to Eastern Michigan, the Huskies didn’t miss a beat on offense with Dan Nicholson and DeMarcus Grady at quarterback, a cavalcade of running backs and Greg Turner and Nathan Palmer at wide receiver.
That kind of performance says a lot about the depth for Northern Illinois (2-2, 1-1 MAC West) and how coach Jerry Kill approaches his team.
“We play a lot of players,” Kill said after Saturday’s game. “In a season, when you’re playing 12 games in college football you better build some depth. The only way you do it is you have to practice a lot of people.”
One of those players who gets a lot of reps in practice is Turner. Turner found out Thursday night he would be starting for Matt Simon, who hurt his foot against Indiana State.
Turner slid right in and had five receptions, mostly on screens, for 24 yards.
“Every week, all the wideouts, we try to act like we’re all going to play,” Turner said. “When our time comes you have to be ready for it.”
That attitude and approach benefits Northern Illinois week-to-week, and season-to-season as well.
“It’s phenomenal, the depth we have,” Turner said. “It’s so much better for the next few years too because we will have all of these guys offensively and defensively that are ready to play.”
Kill said he hoped to have Simon back for Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
Crucial punts
As usual, Kill had something to say about the kicking game, specifically the kickoffs of Mike Salerno and punts of Andy Dittbenner.
“In the kicking game, anytime you can keep your opponent starting at the 10 and the 20, the kicking game was crucial,” Kill said. “I thought today we won the game in kicking, defense and offensively we didn’t turn it over.”
No challenge necessary
Kill said his coaches in the press box were confident that the interception breakup by wide receiver Marcus Perez was an incomplete pass. Kill was ready to challenge the play from the sidelines.
“We were going to challenge but we didn’t have to because it went through the booth,” Kill said.
Quotable
Need more proof that Kill and his staff are starting to get comfortable with the players? Take a look at this quote from Saturday.
“We played together as a team for the first time in our young season,” Kill said. “We really gelled together.”
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Comments » 61
OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:
Hope to see a different QB against this team. The defense can stop the opponent if the offense can just score a bit.
Go Vols !!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Oh little man sjt, where art though? You said all summer long that Clawson was going to have full control of the offense, yet the indications from other sites are saying that this ins't Clawson's offense and not what they have seen in practice. This is still Foolmore's offense, ie conservative to a T, just like I told you over and over all summer long. Oh and Clawson wanted to make a QB change on Sat, but got overruled by Foolmore apparently. But hey, you said all summer long that Clawson was calling the shots. I'm right (yet again) and you are wrong (yet again). ROTFLMGDAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Striker writes:
So funny, I just realized that i have no idea when kick off is! This is the first time ive not known on Sunday prior to a game since the 80's. Wow, thats such a nice feeling.......
I feel so sorry for all teams left on UT's schedule. If you dont beat Tennessee this year YOU will look like idiots. SC, Vandy, Kentucky, you had BETTER find a way to beat um' this year.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Striker,
It's a night game. I believe kickoff is 7:00 p.m. I'll be there and I hope it will be to see a new QB and a W for the Big Orange! Free Nick Stephens!
law_vol writes:
Listening to Dave Hooker on 99.1, KNS seems to think that putting in Nick Stephens could be a bad move. Could someone please tell me how things on the offensive side of the ball could get any worse with a different QB? Running game won't be affected as no team fears Crompton's ability to pass on them. So, if NS throws a bunch of incompletions and turns the ball over a couple of times, how will that be any different than the last 4 games?
utvolz#637682 writes:
Play at the QB position can't possibly get any worse than it has been during the first 4 games..... Stephens to the rescue!
gvegasvol writes:
31 - 27 for NI!
Bristol writes:
As pathetic as it sounds, but if we don't lose the rest of our games, we will not see a change in the coaching staff. From the way it looks right now, that might just happen. I believe that this is what is needed at UT.
Striker, I am with you, this is the first time that I will not order the game on pay-per-view.
VOLuptuous writes:
Good to see that you are still enjoying watching UT go down. Here is your pat on the back....now please go join the other UF fans who have thankfully vacated the facilities. You really do just log on here to inflate your ego....you add NOTHING to this site other than negativitiy. I am so sick of reading your sad dribble
hallsguy writes:
I thought they hired Clawson because he was an offensive genius.He was going bring the spread and all that.
What I am seeing is not the spread and looks like a Fulmer offense and is entirely predictable as always.
Crompton has always thought a lot of his ability but I have yet to see anything vaguely impressive.He has little control of the ball passing and is not tall enough to see where he is going unlike Ainge or Peyton.Tee Martin could move around and control his passes.Crompton and Foster have not mastered the art of the handoff.
Time for a new head coach and QB.The other teams on the schedule are smelling blood and I can very much see losses to the rest of the SEC schedule if Vandy and KY don't do their usual October-November fade.
DennisVols writes:
Going to the gsme is NOT a show of support for Fulmer. It is a show of support for your university and your team. If you want Fulmer gone, and I support that, write to the AD.
Understand that this team has to recurit outside of this state and even this region. The one thing UT had going for it in the 90's and even in the early part of this decade was it's fan support and the recurits fell for that as much as anything. If we become ugly fans there is no coach in the counrty going to be able to heal that.
I'm not happy with the direction this coaching staff has taken this program but I will not become part of the problem either. You can bet that the way the fans reacted during the UF game affected not only Nunes but other recurits. They chose to come here because they want to play football for a career. If we become preceived as a program that does not have fan support, that we will walk out on them, then the ganes will always be PPV and no longer will UT be a place to come and get the exposure you could get somewhere else say GA, UF, UM, UA, AU or even Vandy.
Be mad I sure as heck am. Write the AD every day, let the boosters, talking the million dollar club, know, but whatever you do, do not become part of the problem by making us look classless in how we act and support our team.`
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Are you going to start crying now? I am glad that you enjoyed the mediocrity over the last several years. Here's a hint, quit reading my posts if you are tired of it. It's really not that hard.
TommyJack writes:
I didn't hear that show. If what you say is correct, I would like to ask HOOKER to explain his logic. NOT starting Stephens would be coaching malpractice. Did you say that, Hooker? Hmmm?
Striker writes:
Blah, Blah, Blah...
I know that sounds all warm and fuzzy. 108k crammed in our beloved Stadium, all clad in Orange yelling our heads off.
But......Lets cut back to reality. If we have every seat filled and cheer our heads off it wont make a bit of difference to a potential recruit when we are embarrased on National Television. ultimately recruiting comes down to winning programs. YES, its a nice selling point with fans in seats, but we must start playing better or they wont be coming...
shipperman#280095 writes:
"Going to the gsme is NOT a show of support for Fulmer."
I respectfully disagree with you. Fill the stands and that is as good as keeping Foolmore around. The only language the AD understands is money, and the less of it they get, the more Foolmore looks bad. I am staying home and will not watch the PPV. FIRE FOOLMORE NOW...PROMOTE CHAVIS
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Take nothing for granted.
Stumps writes:
Don't look now, but NIL could beat us at this point. they have put up some scores, and does anyone remember when they went into Tuscaloosa a few years ago and embarrassed Shula?
Could happen... and that is horrible. it's one of those games you should plan on giving to your backups for game experience after the second quarter
yikes
nbt44 writes:
"Understand that this team has to recurit outside of this state and even this region."
That is a lie. We have great players right here at home, i.e. Fulton, Maryville, Alcoa, etc... that would make tremendous Big Orange players. Fulmer doesn't want to recruit here because he wouldn't have any excuse then for his 2 million dollar recruiting budget.
My cousin works with Randall Cobb's father and he said Fulmer made no effort to recruit Randall. That's a big reason he went to Kentucky instead.
Fulmer & staff like to jet around the country to recruit so they can blow that 2 million.
Couchdummy writes:
TJ,
I listened to a great deal of the Sports Page show this morning, and the only thing I heard Hooker say was that changing to Stephens from Crompton was not necessarily an instant cure. Hooker, being a journalist, tries to make sure that there is always a perch to climb onto for any situation that may transpire. But he is right, there are no guarantees even if a change is made.
vol52 writes:
Sounds like the area that I used to sit in. I did not renew my tickets this year because that was the only way to protest Fulmer staying as coach. I felt like a pawn to Mikey and Phil.
DingoVol writes:
We don't have to look very far away to see what bringing in the right coach can do to a program sinking fast. It wasn't long ago that Mike Shula was at the helm of a terrible Alabama team. They couldn't recruit, win, or even compete on the National level. Now look at them. Saban didn't need to look at the film to jump on his players asses after they just stomped the Dawgs at their own house. That is what a real coach does. He holds the players accountable and expects results. He never does that half smile, half grimace while clapping. It will get worse before it gets better. I am willing to put up with an 8 loss season if it means we make a change. I say the whole staff goes. I like Chavis, but his prevent defense has caused me great grief over the years and has cost this University several wins. Clean house.
Striker writes:
You have a right to your opinion my friend. However someone please explain to me when did it exactly become wrong to express displeasure with someone or something????
And by the way, not one of us displeased with UT is happy to see them falling.
-Next time your child is not doing what they are told, cheer them on. Or at worst just have them sit in a corner for 5 minutes
-Next time America goes to a war you dont agree with, cheer on your leadership, otherwise that would be unpatriotic.
-Next time your child plays an organized sport, dont keep score, we just couldnt have our children learn that you dont always win something.
Where did we go wrong in this Country???? We are becoming nation of whimps!
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I sure feel bad for this Clawson fellow. Div I-AA coach looking for his shot at the big time and he jumped on board the titanic instead.
GreerVol22 writes:
geoff, I'll give you $40 cash for both.
Thats a deal considering I can probably get some given to me If i wait long enough...
98reax writes:
Watch the oddsmakers. No one will be picking the Vols. Any W we get will be considered an upset.
bubbanator21 writes:
If you are offering to pay me $96 to take the tickets off your hands, then I'm in! Don't believe it's worth the gas money to drive to the game even if the tickets were free.
bubbanator21 writes:
What sites are you referring to?
volroadwarrior writes:
Where are all of you people who complained about Cutcliffe, Ainge and the dink and dunk. You were thinking things couldn't be worse, but it is.
All of the same simpletons are whining for Fulmer's head. They think this simplistic remedy that will answer their dreams. Maybe he should be replaced, but things could get a lot worse for years before it gets better with a new coach if MH makes the wrong choice. Do you trust him to make the right choice?
orangebloodgmc writes:
The good news is, Gerald Williams got to play. Does anybody know if he got any reps at linebacker? I couldn't tell if he did.
fedupvol writes:
I agree....it apparently will take going 2-10(assuming they can beat either NI or the cowboys)before major changes and a thorough cleansing in program(including Hamilton!) will take place....so sad that things have been allowed to get this bad!
bugman (Inactive) writes:
i'd like to see NI win just to make Phil mad.
jasonn1970 writes:
WELL, he did alright when he hired that one fella. What was his name?? Oh yeah, Bruce Pearl. The point is a change needs to be made. I liked the earlier idea of naming Chavis interim coach. For the most part his defenses have been the strongest part of the team over the years. Hopefully the 55-60K at Neyland this week will inspire some action with reguard to the coaching situation.
AirForceVol writes:
And you have a right to your opinion Mr. Striker, but I find your comment on war to be totally inappropriate. Understand this, your freedom to express that opinion is solely to the credit of the leadership of this country. I am active duty military and liken the support for Phil Fulmer, or lack thereof, to war as well. The idea that someone can criticize the President or military leadership and still support our troops is completely irrational. It is perfectly acceptable to not agree with a war. It is perfectly acceptable to not agree with playcalling or coaching decisions, but if you think you can openly criticize a team's coach and still claim to support the players on that team violates evrything that suggests the word team. This may upset you to learn, but the U.S. military does not fight for you and your right to express your opinions, we fight for those with the courage to fight beside us and or support us and the leaders we fight for. Don't call my coach a Phool and then expect me to care about you and yours! GO VOLS!
Orange4life writes:
SCREW you all. Losing solves nothing. Thes young men need us to cheer them on and back them. Fulmers gona be here and we all might as well get used to it. It could be the best 5 mil buyout money can spend, but I don't think they are gona get rid of him. So instead of all the negativity and grief, why not cheer for the young men that bustin their balls trying to get better?
Personaly I have had seats for over 27 years and to see what its become, frankly makes me sick. I see people wanting to go socialize and get drunk to go to the game. instead of being there to support, they go to get wasted and party. The game has became scondary.
So if you stay home then you probably don't deserve to be there anyway. if you come, cheer our guys on and give them our best support
tripper writes:
The early line is UT -16.
Those who believe there is a correlation between booing and recruiting; Auburn, Florida, Clemson, and Georgia fans all booed at their home games. I suggest there is a strong correlation between a program in shambles and recruiting.
tripper writes:
On a more positive note, we moved up in the polls to #1. That would be coaches on the hot seat. http://www.coacheshotseat.com/
DennisVols writes:
If you are not part if the solution, then you are part of the problem.
If you think that booing and cursing these young men who chose to come and play a part in the Vol history,(good or bad) is the solution to the problem you are mistaken.
You make us look as classless.
You claim you are booing a coach and not the players. Tell it to the judge. It was the players and the recurits that were hurt not Fulmer.
There are proper solutions to replacing a coach and acting like children is not it.
These kids are not to blame for the lack of leadership and coaching. How many posible recurits do you think saw the booing and fans leaving really in the 1st qtr thought to themselves "I want to play there"
Yes a winning team will bring in good recurits I am not saying it won't, but if you think taking your flustrations out on the players is going to make that better you are wrong. Memories are long and even if we get a new coach the memory of how UT fans talked down about their players, booing them, and gave up on them will linger.
And in no way could UT field a quality football team based just on recurits within its borders. They should do a better job of keeping homegrown but no way is there 100 3,4 or 5 star players in the state that could make this team.
Striker writes:
AirForcevol
Relax, you assume to much. Heres a few for you. I appreciate your passion and respect your opinion, however heres a shocker for you.
1. I never stated my personal opinion on this or any war. I simply stated what i stated. You are the one who read something into my post.
2. Your not the only one Active Duty on here. I am myself. I have served long enough to retire and during two times of war.
3. I do not believe that it is irrational to disagree with someones leadership and still support the members serving under them. I feel someone can do that anywhere, beit a business, organization, school, or government, just about anything. I have never understood that line of thought.
-I also disagree with you on who the military serves. You stated : "the U.S. military does not fight for you and your right to express your opinions, we fight for those with the courage to fight beside us and or support us and the leaders we fight for". I however serve my Country and support all Americans, not just the ones that think like i do. Thats my way of thinking, sorry if it offends you in some way. I was not trying to upset you. Perhaps I am the one that is wrong, just how i feel, oh well.
Either way, we both want the best for the VOLS!
law_vol writes:
So if GWB and the defense department decided to take away all of your kevlar, guns and armored vehicles and make you walk around Iraq in your underwear throwing stones in the direction of the enemy, I couldn't criticize their decision for not being in the best interest of the troops because I can't exercise the two thoughts independently? How many new recruits do you think you would get if you went to the recruiting office and replaced the notion/slogan of joining up to defend/fight for your country with "Screw the country, fight for (circle one) George Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barrack Obama (?)?"
Striker writes:
I wonder if this guy serves in my section law_vol
Or it may be my boss! LOL
Very good point by the way....
matrosscbc writes:
Those are
$20 tickets at best.
AirForceVol writes:
Please accept my apology. I appreciate your service. Maybe we both misunderstand each other. I am proud of the fact that we provide the freedom to let our citizens believe and say anything they choose. I am not only interested in protecting the freedom of those those that share my opinions. My point is that you can disagree with anything you want, but when you openly criticize the leader of an organization, you cannot reasonably expect anyone in that organization to believe you support them. I am so sick of hearing I hate George Bush but I support the military. Although certainly not sharing the same importance, to me the Phil Fulmer situation follows the same line of logic. Perhaps I got emotionally charged up over this one. He's our coach until he's not. If you or I had the power to make a coaching change, perhaps a negative opinion of Fulmer would be a good thing, but I think most of the Fulmer loyalist support him not because we agree with everthing he does, but moreover he's the coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. If you truly embody the word fan, negative comments may come to mind, but putting those to pen or mouth is crossing the line. I'm sure you're thinking blind loyalist here, but I'm really not. I just know that commitment is what really makes teams successful. I know the ship is going down, but as a true fan my job is to scoop water, not pour more inside the boat. I'll finish with the lighthearted comment that somebody should throw Crompton overboard!
Laydbakvol writes:
Is it just me or does the fact that when you "reply to this post" it repeats the entire post to which you are replying bother anybody else? These posts are long enough without repeating some of them 4 and 5 times, especially those of some of our more long-winded fellow complainers.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
It will be a struggle, but I'm sure the Vols will beat a gosh darn good NI team. Due to Crompton and Foster, the score is already 10-0 in favor of NI. Can we score enough points to overcome that deficit???
pdhuff#552644 writes:
NIU scouting report left behind after Auburn game.
1. Do not rush this passer. Let him throw.
2. Count on at least one humongus mistake from both O and D for points.
10 men on field, fumble into end zone, etc.
3. Do not try to break line at Golden Corral on Friday nite!
4. They can punt, have much practice in this area.
5. Beware of anyone you meet who whispers - stay the course.
6. Do not rush this passer.
We can compete with this bunch. Go Siwash.
soccervol writes:
Hope the vols lose this weekend - every game we lose, the closer we are to a new coach.
you can't honestly think things are going to get any better??? We are 12-14 in the SEC and 3-9 against top 10 teams since the loss to Auburn in the SEC championship game. We haven't done anything in 10 years; haven't had a heisman hopeful since Manning (i guess you have to be a good team to be considered); we haven't been to a BCS game in 10 years; haven't won a SEC championships in 10 years; sub par recruiting classes; 4 straight losses to Florida and Auburn; 2-5 against UGA in last 7 years; need me to keep going?????
Can you remember UGA and Arkansas fans storming the field after beating us?? We are no longer the elite program we use to be.
Just look what new coaches have done for the SEC....
dvol writes:
Thanks for the heads up on PPV. I thought they were going to pay us to watch it.
servinggrant writes:
It does appear your playing the as you say "blind loyalist" my friend, or simply a true Fulmer (and for that matter Bush fan, lol) however you have every right to root for either of them. Just as the others do to pull for change. There is absolutely nothing wrong either way. Its two sides debating for a possible improvement for something they all love (UT).
I think often times Americans as well as Military Members are confused as to the real ruling of Supporting or appearing to be critical of leadership. Without declaring my current Military Status i will say that i, well have knowledge of the subject.
First off the Military unlike UT have a great Check/Balance program that does at times get very critical of their own leadership. Ever heard of a thing called the Uniform code of Military Justice, lol. On the reasonable side, you obviously serve in the US Air Force. So why do you think it so wrong to be critical of leadership?? The Air Force has constant and countless grading, inspecting programs such as Organization Compliance Inspections, Operational Readiness Inspections, Quality Inspections, and on and on. If a Commander or Supervisor of any level from Shop, Flight, Group, or Wing barely maintains compliance levels or falls below expected levels (Marginal, Failure) they will be removed from their respective positions and possibly from employment. The Air Force has hard core, no nonsense inspection teams that will pull any man/woman down from the top if they arent getting it done.
Lesson Learned here, Military Leadership isnt blind loyalist, they could care less. If someone isnt cutting the mustard their tail is GONE. Military Members are bound to keep their opinions to themselves, fair or not. They dont always do so, but do take an oath to follow the orders of their leadership and the President, and are expected to.
I ask you this one my friend (and dont answer here, dont want you in trouble,;) )as you are a true President Bush fan, do you or would you follow a Democrat as loyaly you do Bush? Say Obama, Biden, or even Gore in years gone by. Who knows, but if you do truely believe what you are saying (and thats cool with me), then you would have to do the same for them.
Makes for an interesting discussion...
Oh, BTW, Fire Fulmer, and Go Vols. lol
goodvol1 writes:
Norther IL will not be a cupcake. Been a VOL fan for 50 years. Never been embarassed by the club as in the past two weeks. I hope they loose to Norther IL! Hamilton must make a decision. With Millions of dollars spent to refurbish the stadium and them this poor football team, needs to make a decision. I suggest the Phil must go along with a lot more of the coaches. Trooper Taylor should be brought bacd as offensive cor or head coach!!
orange71 writes:
why all this rant about the players? is it because you refuse to focus on the source of the problem, which for you sheep is fulmeeridiot.
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