The yards and points were tougher to come by Saturday as Tennessee staged its second preseason scrimmage at Neyland Stadium.
“It was the exact opposite of the first scrimmage,’’ said first-year UT coach Lane Kiffin after two-plus hours of work in the sweltering heat.
Kiffin was disappointed in the offensive execution, including a plethora of penalties, but at the same time encouraged to see the defense’s progress.
Defensive end Gerald Williams continued his surge, recording several sacks with the No. 1 defense.
The No. 1 offense led by Jonathan Crompton produced only one touchdown, a 28-yard pass from Crompton to Marsalis Teague.
The starters got close enough for three field goals, but also had five three-and-out series and lost a fumbled handoff from Crompton to David Oku.
The Nick Stephens-led No. 2 offense produced a pair of scores. The first was an 18-yard TD pass to Jeff Cottam. The other was a 21-yard Stephens pass to fullback Sam Edgmon.
Oku lost a fumble on a hit by Daryl Vereen.
Daniel Lincoln was perfect on field-goal tries from 49, 42 and 36 yards. Chad Cunningham hit his only attempt, from 47 yards.
Several starters were pulled after a couple of series, including Eric Berry, Dan Williams and Chris Walker. Their absence made the offense’s lack of consistency even more troubling for Kiffin.
There appeared to be no significant injuries.
More details later online and in Sunday's News Sentinel.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 45
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Glad to hear NS is playing consistent, because As I have said all fall camp, the presumed #1 JC looks like the same as 08, 3 and out. also improtant that Daniel Lincoln gets his confidence back in his foot wedge
imavolsfanforlife writes:
Well, I didn't hear anything about interceptions. Our offense put up 33 points. The two fumbles involved a Freshman whom I sort of hoped Poole would beat out anyways. We are playing with a top defense in the nation (who practices against our offense consistently) and our kickers were perfect. Oh, and Williams played well too? I don't think this that is that bad of a day personally.
merhawk writes:
1st, GO VOLS, good to see competition, but crompton still cant even hand-off, stephens can at least get ball to rb and has a hell of zip on ball.
TDTenn writes:
Whose fault was the Oku fumble? Crompton or Oku? I guess I'm giving Crompton the benefit of the doubt. I just can't see why a quarterback can't give the handoff. I handed off thousands of balls growing up. I never did what he did at Auburn last year. I'm not going to forget and neither should he. Watch the ball into his gut!
imavolsfanforlife writes:
Sorry for all the typos. I sounded like an idiot right there... let me try again...
Well, I didn't hear anything about interceptions. Our offense put up 33 points. The two fumbles involved a Freshman whom I sort of hoped Poole would beat out anyways. Our offense was playing AGAINST a top defense in the nation (who practices against our offense consistently) and our kickers were perfect. Oh, and Williams played well too? I don't think that this report was that bad of a day personally.
Kevinyaheard writes:
It seems to me that most of the sucess the offense has had the last week occured when the defense was basically playing reserves. (Up to 7 starters held out for various reasons) The main thing that gives me hope is that our defense is a Monte Kiffen defense and is sure to be one of the top units in the league. I hate when people compare and dispare with last year, that's apples to oranges folks...The defense is the strength of our team. I'm pretty sure that this is the first scrimmage that CLK wasn't feeding the O plays in the huddle. So the penalties prob were a result of signal mix ups. GO VOLS
DirtyVolsack writes:
That hit that Furlow? laid on Teague made a pretty loud pop. Dont get down on the froshes just yet. Richardson and Teague will make some big plays for us this year.
chaos001 writes:
"The No. 1 offense led by Jonathan Crompton produced only one touchdown, a 28-yard pass from Crompton to Marsalis Teague."
WAY TO GO MARSALIS!!! RRR!!!
tums writes:
Well its really nice to see that they at least have the basics down pat like fumbled snaps, hand offs, .... oh, wait.....
SEC__Headgear writes:
Well the boys are working hard. It is great to hear that the kickers are doing well. QB is going to be an adventure pretty much on every offencive play. The defence will have to work overtime to maintain a positive turnover ratio.
blitzshoot writes:
One positive is that no injuries were reported between rows 5 and 22. One ankle sprain from a fan did take place in row 2 dodging a mis-guided pass by Crompton. Fan given coupon for free hot dog. Coke was not included.
richvol writes:
Fumbled exchanges are a lack of concentration...need I say more.
jmr68ut writes:
Is there any way we can disguise Lane and get back in huddle for game one?? Just asking!
chrisw2967 writes:
A fumbled handoff? I take it it Crompton doesnt have that part figured out yet ? I cant see Kiffin and staff wasting their time with Crompton like Fulmer did.I know it doesnt say whos fault it was but given Cromptons track record,mo money is on him.
Looks like our Def. will have to carry us again.
DHW writes:
I'd have to check the film, but probably the fault lies with Arian Foster not holding his elbow correctly.....
chattownvol writes:
Priceless. I think there is a plan in the works to have 106,000 waivers waiting at the gates for game one. No sign... No entry....
miamiVOL writes:
lmao @ giving Chumpton the benefit of the doubt, guess you missed last yr
TrueVolFan writes:
You know, it amazes me to see all the die hard Vol fans outcoach this "All Star Coaching Staff" we've assembled. And to think, just a few days ago they tricked us into thinking they were great at recognizing talent and evaluating who the best players were to have on the field. Why don't you guys get over the stupid (yes, it was stupid) fumble from the Auburn game LAST YEAR. Is it not even possible to assume that a kid who is less than three months removed from riding a yellow bus to school everyday could have been out of position or reached out for the ball instead of letting the QB stick it in his gut? If you're going to continue to second guess the coaching staff about who gets playing time and who doesn't, then stop all the talk about being great judge of talent in recruiting. You can't trust their judgement on who to recruit, and not on who to play. There are plenty of things positive to take from this story, but you couple of douchebags insist on finding something negative to say about a player that has dedicated 5 years of his life to this University and has kept his nose clean while doing it. Go Vols!
Laydbakvol writes:
One thing about a scrimmage. There's a silver lining in every cloud. Your team always wins! Bring on W. Kentucky. Then we'll know.
warriorman86#667191 writes:
Anyone expecting more than 7-5 isn't too realistic.
txvolsfan writes:
I Disagree
jsm67vol writes:
Who will step up and lead this offense? I like that these 2 QBs are having to keep competing under pressure from the defense with no green jersey to protect them. Hate to see the turnovers anytime, but as the are happening is painful. I trust the staff to keep both of them moving toward consistency, and both will be better for it. They both have to be ready to play.
RJ_Vol writes:
Here is one positive. If Kiffin were the coach during last year's UCLA game, does anyone really think the original backfield would have started the second half? Lastly, I wouldn't read too much into a scrimmage. You will see pretty much what the coaches want you to see. Kiffin is a gamer. I'm sure he will hold a few cards back.
reidtownriverrat writes:
Our only hope this season is if we can run the ball 70% of the time, and our D is as good as last year. JC nor NS can take us to the promise land. JC is a 5th yr player and still cant run the team. Sanchez from USC started one yr,got drafted and lead his team to a TD in a pre-season game. If your a 5th year man you should be helping coach the offensive players instead of being the offences biggest liability.
madcountyvol writes:
dude why would you even come on this site if all you're going to do is bad mouth the team. Kiffin has already got a top 10 recruiting class and the man has not even coached 1 damn game. you sir are an idiot. we will have a good year at least 8 wins! GO VOLS!
IamScaredOfTrees writes:
If the offense didn't struggle, THEN I would be worried. We all know the offense isn't going to be a juggernaut. Plus, the defense is always ahead of the offense at this stage....ESPECIALLY when installing a new offense. It sounded like there were far fewer interceptions which is the main concern. We'll be fine with a 7-8 win season this year. Next year is what counts.
running_dog writes:
Give the kid a break. He's more than likely our starting quarterback. He's shown he can get through adversity after all he's gone through being on Rocky Top...Crompton is poised for a breakout season.
Orangeblood13 writes:
name calling or not, reading your post, i personaly don't see a "we" in any of your statements. Real Vol fans aren't dogging them at anytime, always supporting. Crompton might or might not be garbage, but I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt of a clean slate. Good year or not, growing pains will be growing pains, ala Saban in his first year, and some other quality coaches. Recruiting is going well, but everyone is living and dying by a QB not being signed yet, ok, but last I looked we are heading for a top 10 year in recruting.
If your going to call yourself a fan of the Orange, then be one all the time, leave the critical comments somewhere our guys don't have to see em.
DennisVols writes:
No matter what, we either lose or win with the inner-squad scrimmages. If the offense does good then everyone is OMG what is wrong with the defense. Of the defense domminates then it is "it's the same problems as last year. JC this NS that, line can't block, yada yada, yada.
Seems we have some progress, both side but still not consistant as we should be. Believe it or not most of the teams are facing simular problems at this point.
Ever notice how these news stories always place most of their emphais on the negitive.
They brush by most of the positive but will not let even one of the mistakes get by. The fumbles? Was it the QB's fault or did the rookie kick it out with his thigh pad or just not hold on to it?
Last year hurt and memories of the bad fade slower than the memories of the good. At this point the questions out number the answers the fans have due to the limited amount of information we truly get.
Somethings we are not going to know until the games begin.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
running_dog writes:
Compact is a dbag. He needs to take is bs elsewhere...probably a gator...jackazz
givehim6 writes:
I would say the offence doing well in the first scrimmage, then D doing well in the next was by design. This way each side gets to show there stuff.
john#208876 writes:
Thank you! - Finally someone who actually saw the scrimage to add a voice of reason amongst all these 'chicken little' arm chair quarterbacks who wouldn't know a football from an alligator egg! Go play with your gator, and stay off this site!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:All...
Always trying to help you poor lost gators!
RockinTop writes:
I don't think you can put alot of stock in these scrimmages....I would say it's time to name the starter(s). It does two things: build confidence in them and the ones that are not .... You should begin to see what they are really made of..... Both the starters and back ups. JMO
Go Big Orange!
stayingorange writes:
Not sure why everyone is taking the opportunity to jump all over Crompton for this scrimmage. All I've read especially throughout this week is how well he's been doing. It's a good thing Kiffin doesn't waste as much time as you guys slamming people for last year. Right now I think Crompton is going to be the best we've got and all I can do is support him and hope Kiff & Co, keep bringing him around. I think there are lots of reasons they struggled today and it's stupid to jump all over Crompton based on what little info I read above.
volwest writes:
if we can't protect the ball , we can't win. PROTECT THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dave1#220678 writes:
I was there today for a VASF fund drive worker day. CLK was in the huddle all day. Don't know why he changed his mind to do so, but was there 100% of the time. Both sides of the ball looked sluggish today. I think they hit the mid August "wall" today. Even the coaches looked spent. Not the energy that you read so much about. Monte was after it pretty good though. He went out to challenge a couple of spots. Also, the penalties were all of all kinds. They had about 7 or 8 and they ranged from false starts, holdling, man down field, 2 different blocking below the knees, etc. Every drive of any substance had a penalty in it. Nu gun worked well once with a completed pass for about 20 yards. Otherwise, he dropped a snap right in his gut once on the 12 yard line. Poole ran really hard and well. Brown looked ok. Teague had the nice catch for a TD, but dropped a couple of other balls for first downs. Gerald Williams has really elevated his game. Looked great. All in all, defense got the best of a rather disjointed practice.
Voluvr writes:
I hope the Melogen is going to get it done. I just hope this season isn't a roller coaster ride.
ThurmondEppy writes:
you weren't first. You were third. Sped.
DennisVols writes:
Linebacker Travis Williams plans to visit Tennessee
http://www.volnation.com/2009/08/15/l...
10volunteers98 writes:
I live in N.C.and am a life-long Vols fan.I haven`t had the opportunity to see the Vols on the field.But,I said it before that the physical appearance in this Kiffin team would be obvious.Bigger,stronger,and not quitting in the third quarter.I realize that it will take a couple of years to get to the level the Vols want to play at.But,we will see a huge difference in attitude and competiveness right away.No more struggling with the teams we are supposed to crush.GO,VOLS!!!
longertimevolfan writes:
WOW! I would hate to have you nay sayers as a jury of my peers. I would hate to be put to death for jay walking.
Give a CLK coached JC a chance.
GBO
sorebackvol writes:
T V F, thats the best post that has been on here !
everyone should let go of last year! this is 09
new coaches,new offense,new season.IMHO,I think
crompton can do the job.
Vol43 writes:
I knew this would turn to politics. I just knew it. You're losing the arguement so you spin it in a different direction. Interesting, this human behavior.
Exfix writes:
Remember, Saban was 6-6 and lost to LA MONROE his first year. I think 8-4 is right on the money with a bowl win. We beat someone we shouldn't (AL) and lose to someone we shouldn't (Vandy).
Exfix writes:
BTW, Crompton bleeds orange. Give him a chance. With the physical tools he has, if he just stops tightening up he could have a very productive year.
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