Kiffin stays close to offense (in huddle)

It looked a bit odd in such a game-like situation.

There in the offensive backfield for every play was Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin guiding the offense.

"I'm sure me being out there in the huddle helped our offense," Kiffin said following Saturday's Orange and White Game, which the offense won 41-23.

Kiffin stayed on the field for the game because UT's offensive signals have yet to be installed.

Kiffin also called plays, directed receivers to their proper positions and motivated his players - whether he meant to or not.

"He's such a competitor," senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton said. "That's why we love playing for him."

UT's other coaches were forced to the sidelines or press box as the Vols wrapped up their 15th and final spring practice. Not Kiffin. He was in the same spot he's been all spring.

"He's really out there teaching and saying 'Forget about the last play. Focus on the next play,' " Crompton said.

Not Just Hype: UT's most improved players of spring practice lived up to their billing.

Receiver Quintin Hancock, the player chosen on offense, caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.

"It is always nice to come out and have a good practice, in front of the fans makes it that much better," the senior said.

Defensive end Chris Walker registered a sack and four tackles.

"I wanted to finish the spring off and I think I finished the spring off pretty well," the junior said. "There was a lot of talk about people wanting to see what I can do. I think I showed them a little bit."

Walker, the choice on defense, believes fans want to see much more than a solid spring game.

"They want to see what I can do against the Floridas, the Georgias and the Alabamas," Walker said. "I'm going to be working hard this summer so I can show them."

Weight on Walker: Despite being just 235 pounds, Walker said he's not going to try to gain much weight.

"They want to see just a little bit of weight, not too much," Walker said. "They said they like me where I am now."

Walker will shoot for adding strength, not necessarily weight.

Weight could help Walker defend the run. However, Walker believes he's already got the tools to accomplish that goal.

"My arms are really long so once I get into them (offensive linemen) and escape from them, I can use my long arms to keep them away from me," Walker said.

Highlight Reel: One of the most impressive highlights of the scrimmage came when sophomore quarterback B.J. Coleman overcame pressure to hit Hancock for a touchdown pass on fourth-and-5.

"I saw Quintin in the corner of the endzone," Coleman said recalling the play. "At that time he was covered by the defensive back so I looked back inside."

Coleman then sidestepped defensive end Gerald Williams against the sideline and found Hancock, who showcased some nifty footwork to stay in bounds.

"I saw Gerald coming and I felt like he overran it a little bit so I stayed in bounds and stepped back," Coleman said. "By that time Quintin had gotten himself in a free spot in the endzone. I felt like it was very important to put it where only he could catch the ball."

Coleman did so and Hancock managed to tap both feet in bounds.

"He made a great play keeping his feet in," Coleman said. "It really kept the momentum going on the offensive side."

Hancock credited the play to two drills - a scramble drill and a sideline drill.

"We work on that in practice all the time," Hancock said. "It just paid off in a game."

Warren Report: Former Alcoa High School star Brandon Warren caught four passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think it's a pretty powerful story," Kiffin said. "Here is somebody that wasn't doing everything right, wasn't doing things that we felt to be a great player he needed to do, which is off the field by your habits and by the way that you go about who you are and representing us."

Kiffin was referring to mistakes Warren made midway through spring practice, which led to his No. 1 jersey number being taken away.

"Single digits numbers are very powerful here," Kiffin said.

UT also took away tailback Lennon Creer's No. 3 jersey. Creer left the team shortly thereafter.

"One guy responded one way and had a great spring game. The other guy quit," Kiffin said. "I like the story of how Brandon responded."

Visitors: Dozens of former players were in attendance, including former linebacker Al Wilson.

No Rest: UT's players will be free from coaches for only a short time. They'll have a team meeting on Tuesday.

On TV: The Orange and White Game will be televised by SportSouth tonight at 8.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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