Tennessee's young tailbacks were the standout performers of Saturday's scrimmage at Neyland Stadium.
"I think that all those tailbacks and running backs played very, very hard today," offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. "They made some explosive runs, which we haven't had in the last couple of days."
Freshman Toney Williams averaged six yards per carry thanks to a 42-yard run. He finished with 84 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.
"The way he played today and the way he finished his runs, he looked like a grown man to me and he's still a high school kid. I'm real pleased with his development," Chaney said.
Some thought Williams might be too big and slow to play tailback in the SEC when former coach Phillip Fulmer offered him a scholarship. Not so, said Kiffin.
"He wasn't a surprise," UT's first-year coach said. "I don't put expectations, don't put ceilings on guys because of things like that . . . We just give him opportunities and push him and coach him just like we coach a starter and he's really responded."
Sophomore Tauren Poole ran 14 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. He also had a fumble.
"Tauren has a good feel for the ball game," Chaney said. "Tauren needs to hang onto the football or he's going to hate me."
Kiffin was a bit more optimistic.
"Boy, he looked good today," Kiffin said. "He just kept spinning and making runs and kept pounding away. "
Senior Montario Hardesty was limited by UT's coaches during the scrimmage.
Kiffin said Hardesty had shown enough during the first eight spring practices. Still, Hardesty ran for 29 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against the first-team defense.
"Montario has played really hard," Chaney said. "He had some nice runs today."
Quite a Comparison: Former UT defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who recently signed a $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins after seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans, watched the scrimmage.
Kiffin said seeing Haynesworth alongside freshman defensive tackle Montori Hughes caught his eye.
"I saw those two guys around each other," Kiffin said. "They're built about the same. It was pretty cool, I thought, to see him (Hughes) dominant like that and see the best in the world 10 yards away watching him."
Tyler's Take: Receiver Tyler Maples caught three passes for 26 yards but also had a key mistake near the end zone.
"The fumble kind of takes it all away because it was a fourth-down play and we had it," the former Maryville High School star said. "I think I tried to get too much out of it."
Practice Points: Kiffin said his quarterbacks "seemed to play well" despite some errant passes and an interception thrown by senior Jonathan Crompton.
Saturday was the final day of UT's coaching clinic, which was headlined by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who dressed in UT gear and coached the Vols during the scrimmage.
"Having Mike Tomlin here today was huge," Kiffin said. "(He) spoke to our team today, came into the team meeting. He's our type of guy. His energy, his passion for coaching and the way he goes about it, he fits in really good here. We loved having him here today."
Visitor: Clemson shooting guard and Cleveland, Tenn., native Terrence Oglesby attended the scrimmage.
Drew Edwards contributed to this report.
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Comments » 62
utmichael20#546617 writes:
"Saturday was the final day of UT's coaching clinic, which was headlined by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who dressed in UT gear and coached the Vols during the scrimmage."
That is Awesome!!!
CoachFulmer writes:
Terrence Oglesby! Oh boy!!!
GO VOLS!
UTandETSUfan writes:
"Visitor: Clemson shooting guard and Cleveland, Tenn., native Terrence Oglesby attended the scrimmage."
Why is a Clemson SG attending the UT football practice?
HallowedHill writes:
Great to hear Mike Tomlin was on campus participating with the coaching staff. Just one more reason to be excited about the winds of change on the Hill.
rockytopatl writes:
Don't count on it. I want to be optimistic, but I can't see JC suddenly blossoming into a great SEC quarterback. I'm just hoping he can hand it off without fumbling. I'd feel better if Stephens or Coleman had stepped up this spring.
rockytopatl writes:
Maybe he wants to transfer. But we have no scholarships, do we?
StroVol writes:
Football is a great game to watch.
DennisVols writes:
Williams scored 7 TD's in one game during his senior year. This kid is the real deal. Look at the stats he also had 3 catches.
With Brown and Oku not coming in till the fall, watch for Williams to make the biggest impact as a freshman. He reminds you of Dawkins. Good speed, great hands and will flat run over you. Never goes down on the 1st hit.
belayvol writes:
The other story said Poole had two fumbles? Color me confused.
belayvol writes:
Good post Witchy. Hope Kiff, Johnny, and Phil all gather soon in Neyland and sing Kumbaya. OK, maybe not sing.
SandyLoyCCM writes:
Nice article Hook! Really good info in a short tight article...and it sounds like we may have really hit the jackpot with this staff! This sure sounds like UT practices are an exciting place to be these days!
tennesseebee writes:
You're right W_D. Coach will come around when the sting dies down a bit. And he will be welcome. I can feel it in my bones, and like you say, 'bones NEVER lie'.
TD_4_UT writes:
I still want Stevens as our QB. I hope he can make strides before fall. I will never have confidence in Crompton. Maybe he'll prove me wrong.
belayvol writes:
I never did ask and apologize if too personal. But are "Bones" rib bones maybe? I love me some rib bones.
belayvol writes:
Yeah but we will not play touch with Demps and Rainey. It will look like a Thanksgiving turkey. Stuffed!
belayvol writes:
Sounds like something Ol Sarge would say down on University Ave. Store moved to Western many moons later but he started out in a hole in the wall.
rocky_topper writes:
I heard it depends on what tyler smith is going to do whether we have a scholarship or not.
doctorvol#211700 writes:
probably a UT football fan all his life. I know a girl who swam for alabama, but because she had previously attended UT football games until she went to college,as a long-time fan, had a poster of Peyton in her dorm.
Vols033 writes:
Demps and Rainey are way overrated. Need proof? See SEC Championship last year against Alabama and against Oklahoma. Demps and Rainey looked good last year against average to bad defenses. They are not nor will they ever be like Percy Harvin. Percy had great vision and elusiveness you can't teach. Demps and Rainey do not.
volongulf writes:
I hope CPF does not impose an exile upon himself as Majors did. He did some great things for UT. If Kiffin's take on this team is accurate, then I thank CPF for the talent here. Time will tell.
Vols033 writes:
I take Bryce Brown in a heartbeat over Demps and Rainey combined, and he hasn't even played a down of college football. Also Gerald Jones and a healthy Hardesty are way better that Demps and Rainey. All Demps can do is block punts when no one touches him and Rainey can make players form the Citadel look stupid.
orangevolz writes:
Dream on little boy!
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
Watched this kid play last year and was always impressed; asked the Roswell coach after he 1st committed if he was the real deal and he said definitely was the real deal. Wrote several posts about him last year but didn't get much response or support. Glad to see him getting some press now.
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Does anyone remember a freshman running back named Hershel? He ran slam over Bill Bates about game 4 or 5 and never looked back at the bench.
Oku, Williams, Brown.......just one of those things that makes you say Hmmmm?
Vols033 writes:
Wow, thank you for helping me prove my point. Also point out that against Miami, UT, Georgia, Bama, and Oklahoma, Rainey had 20 carries for 59 yards combined for a 2.95 average, and Demps had 33 carries for 94 yards for a 2.84 average. Lots of yards against crappy competition. Don't throw inflated stats at me. Why don't you go post on a Gator website or are you just afarid about what os going on up here at Tennessee?
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
our line was confused by a wierd blocking scheme, our backs were hitting holes that were not there... created by point one, and above all....honestly they were all soft. Its sick how many 3rd and 2's we had last season and got stuffed every time. Will we beat you guys? maybe, maybe not...but we will be more competitive that is for sure.
Volinsider writes:
Read the quote a little closer and you will find the hint.
Vols033 writes:
Oku may not but Brown has already graduated. He IS the real deal too, best high school prospect since Reggie Bush at running back is what Lane and Orgeron said. I think they have a pretty good eye for talent.
belayvol writes:
What then? Why, we simply run over your over rated little hineys. Now get out of the way or get run over. I hope the entire gator nation underestimates us like you do. I love the wtf look you will have after the game.
Vols033 writes:
We won't have a great team first year. We WILL be more competitive though. no doubt about that. Phil was a loser because the players could be lazy and get by with it.
Vols033 writes:
Wow another false statement, actually he turned them down. Tell us more about our coach that we know nothing about.
Vols033 writes:
No actually we have replaced the pumpkin with a high energy coaching machine. That is the difference between last year and this year. I will be happy with 6-6 this year if we are competitive in our losses.
Vols033 writes:
Yeah, Western KY forfeits then we kick the phooey out of you guys 2 weeks later. That sounds good.
Vols033 writes:
Wow, I think the gator boy took the zero credibility thing to heart since he knows its true.
belayvol writes:
Even the gators do not suit up nerds with a size 00 nutcup and a napolean complex.
chrisw2967 writes:
the samething they did against the vols def. last year , which was nothing.
Volhawk22 writes:
He doesn"t want to transfer, he was up to visit his boy Chris Walker. Terrence called me to hang out but I left Knox this weekend.
VAvolfanRON writes:
"Tauren has a good feel for the ball game," Chaney said. "Tauren needs to hang onto the football or he's going to hate me."
I love this quote......Poole......hang onto the oval thing!!!
I cannot wait to watch these guys this fall...and yes...that means whoever is at QB
VAvolfanRON writes:
I agree with you....i believe our OL is back..(07) and our backs are responding.....then when OKU and Brown show up.....wow..
Thanks guys.....3 posts on the article on this page.....I had to scroll to find good posts
ccjackson40#254643 writes:
Who??????? Are they Gators? Last RB that was any good at all that was a Gator was Fred Taylor and that was years ago.
VOLKING writes:
Guys, go easy on Gatorzz or Gatorzz2 or whoever he calls himself after getting banned with each new screenname. I think since Janueary, he's posted way over 1000 times and NONE of them have been anything but taunts and chest-thumping. It is easy to see he is a youngster or just wildly immature and cannot even attempt to discuss sports on a calm mature level. He seems like a really sad character to me. Good luck with your inner demons, kid.
VOLKING writes:
January...sorry
txsvol#372416 writes:
OOH-E-OOH-AHAH-TING-TANG-WALLA-WALLA-BING-BANG DITTOS! SAVol
philfan writes:
You must realize that the new batch of coaches is going to put a positive spin on everything. That explosive run may have been an ordinary run that picked up just a couple of yards, and that long pass may have been completed because the defender fell down in pursuit. I put little stock in what Kiffin says, given his tendency to stretch the truth (for example, saying Meyer is a cheater). I will wait until Kiffin has a winning season before I tell everyone what I really think.
richvol writes:
I wouldn't be so quick to catagorize Demps and Rainey as better than anything Tennessee can put on the field...we shall see. They are very fast but small. As you suggest neither one is a Harvin.
richvol writes:
Great,accurate post. However,it was obvious what was wrong "over there".
MarbleVol48 writes:
Who? You have to remember the only player that pretty boy Meyer talks about is Tebooo. Your running backs, defense, and return guy only play a "supporting" role for the "three yard cloud of turf, jump, push, shovel pass, five yard toss to Harvin for 70 yard touchdown and a great speech by him and his coach how he accomplished this. Then you post his speech in alligator hide at the front of the stadium for all to see. Then you ask a great LB like Brandon Spikes to call him the "prophet". So you see other fans in the SEC are not that familiar with the (geez-here goes) ( I get nauseated everytime) Flareda Football "TEAM". I know you have a great defense, excellent receivers, (Had Percy Harvin played for anyone else he may have been the Heisman Trophy winner), and great return guy. Other than harvin, we just don't know the players?
tennesseebee writes:
It doesn't matter that we don't know the names of the Gator players now. We can always get them from the obituary collumn of the GAYnesville GAYzette on Sept. 20. Feel the Power of the T!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
gentleman I will buy big feast and all can enjoy.
no problems here, I enjoy your alls posts, convo would be even better with some cool beverages
gmoneyvol writes:
Maybe the run defense stinks?
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