DeKALB, Ill — Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill isn’t changing anything about his team’s approach to Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
“You do what you do,” Kill said. “I can’t go out and draw up a new set of plays.”
At the rate his Huskies (2-2, 1-1 MAC West) are going on offense, new plays aren’t needed. NIU is ranked second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring offense and fourth in rushing offense.
The Huskies have four running backs who have rushed for more than 100 yards. Last year, the Huskies ran for 11 touchdowns. Through four games this season, they have 10.
Kill complimented Tennessee’s defense by calling it the fastest his team will face this season, and estimated that there are “three or four” Vol defenders who will play in the NFL.
Despite facing a defense that’s allowed only one rushing play of more than 20 yards in 134 carries, Kill said his team will continue to try to run the ball.
“We just do what we do,” Kill said. “You know it works, you just keep pushing.”
Injury update: Running back Me’co Brown’s left foot is not broken, Kill said.
The freshman injured the top of his foot during a run in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 37-0 victory at Eastern Michigan.
“Basically, he got his cleats caught in the ground,” Kill said.
Brown is day-to-day and his foot is in a walking boot, which is standard practice for that type of injury. He is still listed as the No. 1 punt and kick returner for Saturday.
Linebacker T.J. Griffin also has a walking boot on after a similar injury against the Eagles. He is also day-to-day.
Running back Montell Clanton tweaked an ankle in the second half against Eastern Michigan and took himself out of the game, but should play and start against Tennessee. Wide receiver Matt Simon (heel injury) is still questionable.
Kill said that he hopes quarterback Chandler Harnish (right mid-foot sprain) will start jogging next week.
Depth Chart Changes: Greg Turner is listed as the first team V-wide receiver with Simon. Dan Nicholson is listed alone as the starter at quarterback with DeMarcus Grady second. Clanton is listed alone as the starting running back with Brown, Justin Anderson and Chad Spann on the second team.
Jason Onyebuagu is now the starter at left guard with Kevin Skatrud listed behind him.
Jason Schepler is alone at second team tight end, with Brandon Beal dropping off the depth chart. Freshman defensive tackle Adam Coleman is also listed alone on the second team with freshman Brian Lawson’s name removed.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 19
snoopbob87 writes:
Tennessee needs to forget the problems of the young season and run, run, run. Surely we can push and shove these guys around. Late in the game then start to pass.
Colliervol writes:
OK, seriously. What's the real attendance going to be at this game?
commonsense32 writes:
Hey, You better be careful with these guys, they are a pretty good football team, and we are in the position that we could very easily get down on ourselves and let this one get away. Just ask Bama and Saban what a small no name school can do to a D1 powerhouse! We seriously need some new coaches, but its not going to happen cause Phil says the right things when he is in Hamilton's office!! wink wink. Anyway we are looking straight in the face of a 3 and 8 season, and that is the reality of life for our once vaunted Vols!!
cdonsbach writes:
Have you seen the latest artwork done to The Rock on campus?
http://loserwithsocks.files.wordpress...
It says, "We started paying now start winning. -The Student Body"
It also has some of Crompton's stats spray painted on it.
CarlChilders writes:
OK, here's a thought. If Crompton has indeed sealed Fulmer's fate, we bring in Spurrier. What reason would he have for staying at SC? He still considers East Tennessee his home and could handle things for 5 or 6 years to maximize the talent we have and keep the recruits coming until her retires, then Peyton would retire from the NFL and take over. The greatest student of game would make an excellent coach. Slap me, I'm dreaming. I would even settle for Cutcliff for the next 5-6 years. A 30-35 PPG average doesn't sound so bad nowadays.
CarlChilders writes:
A further thought, when Spurrier retires as HC, he could take over as AD.
JCVol85 writes:
Hey, on a lighter note, Smokey was just inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame! I think they said that they were going to recognize him at the stadium sometime.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
There is no way this outing can be another Memphis scenario of several years ago.
Can it?
alavol writes:
single wing-get away from the stupid spread offense and go to the single wing. with the outstanding running backs and receivers, we would clean house. Don't laugh, others are resurrecting it!
eutefan writes:
I hope not.
Tennessee's offensive line, however, is so slow that if they pulled to lead a ball carrier, they would be called for delay of game.
gObama writes:
Ya'll are putting the cart before the horse if you are already chalking up the NIU game as a W. They are pretty good and if they were 100% healthy I would match them evenly with Tennessee. The Vols have to be favored because NIU has an injury problem, but it is not going to be a blowout....more like 28-17, and it is not impossible that NIU will take it right down to the wire. It would be pretty embarrassing for the Vols to lose, but that would immediately be the end of Fulmer....wouldn't it???
cdonsbach writes:
Spurrier is done. The game has passed him by and it would be pointless for him UT to spend millions so he could play golf Sunday-Friday.
TommyJack writes:
But first we have to name a street for Clint Stoerner.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Why , are you passing out peanuts?
bigorangeman writes:
UM no thanks!
bigorangeman writes:
Why do many people care about Spurrier?? I dont get it he's cause UT fans alot of terrible moments. If he's such a great coach why isnt South Carolina, Florida yet
jasonn1970 writes:
I don't see this being a blowout. I think NIU will hang around in this one but the Vols will be able to hang on in the end.
SFOrange writes:
65,000
stevefrommemphis writes:
While a loss would be embarrassing, I do not think a loss would quite rank on the level of the Chattanooga 1958, North Texas State 1975, and Memphis 1996 debacles. It would be more like the Rutgers 1979 loss to a team with more ability than expected. However, if the loss caused the departure of Fulmer, it would be remembered as historic.
I think it is amusing that the standers such as the three I had to discipline at the Florida game for blocking the views of others are some of the most negative, fair weather fans during this current downturn. They were the last to arrive, because they had been out partying and drinking before the game, they showed ignorance of football by having no understanding of what was happening on the field, then they departed Neyland Stadium in the middle of the 3rd quarter -- proving my point once again that it's not whether you're standing up and acting like an inconsiderate idiot that determines how good a fan you are, but whether you are willing to stick with Tennessee through thick and thin. Fellows, I'm afraid things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. You are getting a taste now of what many of us lived through for 10 years beginning in about 1973.
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.