Here's our report card for the Tennessee-Memphis game.
Quarterbacks
Jonathan Crompton has established himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC. The senior was 21-of-27 for 331 yards and five touchdowns with no significant missteps. Nick Stephens threw a bad interception but completed five of nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. A-
Running Backs
Against a defense determined to stop the run, Montario Hardesty ran for 60 yards on 13 carries and Bryce Brown for 55 yards on 11 carries. David Oku provided a burst with 21 yards on six carries. This, however, is obviously Hardesty's backfield. He looks as quick and nimble as ever. B
Receivers
UT's receivers were open on most every play. Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore looked like a formidable duo on the outside with 11 catches for 173 yards combined. Moore made up for one drop with a touchdown catch later in that same drive. Tight end Luke Stocker caught three passes for 60 yards and is proving to be a tough match-up over the middle. A
Offensive Line
UT averaged 4.2 yards per carry on the ground against a defense that loaded the box to stop the run. The Vols gave up only one sack. The Vols also are building depth by playing Cory Sullins and Vladimir Richard at guard. B+
Defensive Line
UT generated pressure for the second week in a row, and the return of Chris Walker seemed to provide a major spark. The junior was credited with 1.5 sacks and Ben Martin added another that created a turnover. UT only got one hurry, but the starters weren't in the game long enough for it to matter. A
Linebackers
Herman Lathers became the second player to make a successful transition to middle linebacker in place of Nick Reveiz, and he handled the defensive calls, as well as the Tigers. Lathers led the team with six tackles. B
Secondary
Eric Berry finally broke through with another interception and added a fumble recovery for good measure. The junior safety still didn't break the return yardage record, but it hardly mattered. Dennis Rogan continued his solid coverage, and Prentiss Waggner was capable in place of Janzen Jackson at free safety. A
Special Teams
The Vols finally busted a big return on a kickoff, forced a fumble in coverage and didn't miss an extra point, but the beleaguered unit still had some issues. In the second quarter, UT was hit with a roughing-the-punter penalty and muffed a return for a turnover - on the same play. The Vols also tried and recovered an onside kick, but they were flagged again for jumping offside. Shane Reveiz forced a fumble. D+
Coaching
Some might not like Lane Kiffin's aggressive, in-your-face style, but UT's players do - and so will recruits. And, isn't it Memphis' job to stop the Vols? A
Overall
The Vols are riding high, as evident by their refusal to overlook an overmatched team. All joking aside, the Vols look like a team that will win out. B
- News Sentinel staff
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
UT's new $45 million football…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group runs the ball past Memphis defensive back Deante' Lamar (16) on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at Neyland Stadium.){kind=link}
Comments » 77
VolunteerLifer writes:
Although its not what was planned, next season the Volunteers will have three - count em, three - Mike linebackers with significant starting and playing experience. Reveiz and Frasier are juniors, and Lathers is a freshman. I don't think we'll have to worry about that position. What's more, that's alot of guys who can transmit knowledge about the position and the defense to the incoming freshmen who would play MLB. If someone steps up to fill the gap, that's always the silver lining in the cloud of injury.
Cldvols1 writes:
Championships and conference titles will soon have a new home on Rocky Top!
ncvol17 writes:
with tough road games at Oxford & Lexington, I don't like the flip expressions of us 'winning out' as if it is a given. I am glad Kiffin takes no game lightly as you can bet the Rebs & Cats won't. We will get their best shots - especially with the Cats hatred of us..Where is the BEER BARREL when you need it?.....
TommyJack writes:
Vote for MVZZ as most obsessed paid stalker on the board.
chargervol writes:
I agree. J. Crompton has turned out to be the best QB in the SEC. GO VOLS!!!
SmokeyHound writes:
and jeff luc
SmokeyHound writes:
jonathan crompton for heisman!!!!!!!
vol98champ writes:
Slive has made his bed. Now he has to sleep in it. He should be spending more time trying to get good refs than trying to silence the majority. Even my Bama fan friend thought it was an interception. Refs really really bad.
west_tn_volfan writes:
This team is getting better every game. Its called player development and its a great change.The future looks bright.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
If we had beaten UCLA and Auburn, he'd probably get consideration right now since the Heisman field is weak. It'll be a travesty and an insult if Tebow wins it. Crompton has more total TD's than Tebow does, with the same amount of games played, and Tebow hasn't had to play two #1 teams. If they give Tebow the Heisman over Ingram or Colt McCoy, I will never again give a darn about the Heisman Trophy.
How about Jonathan Crompton for 1st Team All-SEC?
DennisVols writes:
Preparation: A
In the past decade UT has played down to their competition more often than not. Look at the last 6-7 games against Memphis, or how about Wyoming and N. IL last year.
Coach Kiffin did what all good coaches do and that was to get this team prepared to play a team they should dominate, and they did.
They didn’t discount the defense any points due to the performance of the back ups, so do you discount the QB position for Stephens INT. Crompton was an A+ QB last night. Made all the right reads, threw the ball with authority and when needed got the team to the line, call the QB sneak and scored before the defense had a chance to get set.
The change in Crompton’s performance this season makes you wonder just how good he could have been with the right coaching and a stable offensive system. It also makes you excited at how good UT’s QB’s will become that will get the full benefit of playing their entire college career in this system.
Fulmer was accused of doing less with more in the final years of his HC position at UT. Kiffin should be commended for doing more with less in his 1st year.
The fans are excited again, the media has taken notice and this “in your face style” of football is exactly what has been missing at UT for a long time. Championship teams win against their competition and win big against the lower tier teams. This is just the first step in what many thought to be a rebuilding year. I now have changed my thoughts from rebuilding to regaining.
Regaining confidence, regaining respect, regaining that competitive nature, regaining the “swagger”. Kiffin has done a great job of regaining all the important qualities that will make UT an elite team not only in the SEC but in the nation once again.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
NorthwestVol writes:
That joke is no longer funny.
KINGKONG writes:
Im looking at the top-ten teams in the nation.Not only we can beat every team, in the top ten.There are some teams at least 3 or 4 of them, that is overrated.That if we played them it might be a blow out.
DennisVols writes:
UT went from 3 to 12 votes in the AP this week. Still not in the top 25 but edging closer. Beat Ol Missy next Sat and probably in the top 25 come Sunday.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Weatherman writes:
Get special teams squared away & we'll be heading to a good bowl game this new years. Go Vols!
vtvol#210290 writes:
It was nice to see the Vols ravage an undermatched foe. This team has a fire I have not seen in many years.
seacondor writes:
Ditto.
DownTheField writes:
can't believe i'm replying to this but, uh, you're drunk on the kool-aid there kong and, i imagine, on somethin else too
TommyJack writes:
Easy there, Kong.
kman29 writes:
If Tebow wins it, its because they went undefeated and beat Alabama. The heisman will come down to one game. Alabama vs. Florida. Who ever wins, their player takes home the heisman. (Ingram or Tebow). And while Tebow's numbers haven't been what they were the last two seasons, you can not sit there and say there were not games in which he carried the team on his back and willed them to scores. Most of you have even gone on and said that all Florida has is Tebow. Well if a team only has "one player" and that team wins the SEC and plays for the National Title, then how can you not say that is the best player in the country? So its either one (he is all UF has) or the other (UF is winning with a full team effort). Unfortunately for Vol fan, its what ever fits your argument for that day.
kman29 writes:
Number of current top 25 teams Tennessee has wins over: 0!
Beat a team that is ranked in the top 25 before thinking you can beat every top 10 team in the country, which by the way, UT is 0-2 against.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Nice post. I agree 100%
DownTheField writes:
kman, thanks for the sharp insight... you're on top of your game
Rockytop98 writes:
South Carolina was KNOCKRD out ot the top 25 by TENNESSEE Einstien!! GO VOLS beat the Rebels...
DennisVols writes:
USC was ranked in the Top 25 when UT beat them just a week ago.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Ain't it nice not worrying about having a Wyoming moment? IF you caught the Kiff show today you have to love the aggressiveness and the preparation. I mean, do you think the Fulmer staff would have noticed that the Memphis guy never looks at the ball on the kickoff coverage??...thus the onside kick attempt...
volfan7 writes:
GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE AND TRY TO BE OBJECTIVE
I was pretty impressed with the coaching in the game, and I agree that the Volunteers are flying high and at the top of their game. We must admit that many of these players who have excelled were recruited by Fulmer and his staff. This is not to take anything away from the current staff. I am aware that many people on this board blame fulmer for every loss and credit Kiffin's expertise for every win. This is a bit childish and shortsighted.
asleep#212036 writes:
After the Charles Woodson/Peyton Manning joke, who on Rocky Top gives a darn about the Heisman anyway? It's a political joke. To wit: if all statistical considerations were equal and Peyton had played for Michigan and Woodson were a Vol, who do you think would have won? 'nuff said. Go Vols!!!
murrayvol writes:
Doc, it's one thing to be bad, which they most certainly are. It's quite another not to get it right on review.
asleep#212036 writes:
True. Of course, Florida has beaten exactly one team in the current top 25, Alabama has beaten two - not exactly running roughshod over the rest of the nation. It seems that the SEC, while having two of the best teams, has a whole pile of fairly good teams in the middle, only one of which is currently ranked. We'll see come the NC game how good the SEC really is. Go Vols (and the SEC)!!!
murrayvol writes:
You give a darn about it now?
murrayvol writes:
Agree w/A+ for JC. How could it be less?
One minor correction. Fulmer did less w/more his entire career. We lost to Memphis in 96' with one of the most talented teams Tennessee has ever fielded.
murrayvol writes:
Time for a little less Grey Goose and a little more deep breathing KK.
jobrando#216494 writes:
In-Crom-petant to most Crom-petant. CPF eat your heart out...
Volguy1971 writes:
I personally couldn't give a fat, hairy rat's behind about that trophy any longer....It's not worth the metal that it is made of...The rules for winning the darn thing changes every year...One year it's winning a big game.....the next, it's an outstanding career achievement....It's just a worthless, over-hyped trophy foa all I care.....And remember, you can't spell FAILURE without UF.
murrayvol writes:
marc_ash, when Palardy gets to town will he be punter, place kicker, or both?
uttcut writes:
GBO
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
M-T makes four game-experienced Mikes. We'll need them all next year, and then some. Most teams, guys are expected to play with sprains, nicks, chips, and bruises, some of which lead to more serious injuries. The reality is that a team and its players are better served with depth and rotation.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I like KIffin's attitude, expressed after our fourth quarter of the Memphis game, that every player is expected to execute plays the way they are coached to make them.
keepitreal4vols writes:
These must be 1st half grades. Surely there was some F's for the 2nd half Defense??? Play as a team, get graded as a team. The 2nd half corners couldn't stop the screen pass and run...F
Overall, a win regardless of opponent is A+ to me.
TelfordVol writes:
Both.
HowBoutThemVols writes:
My thoughts exactly - ncvol17.
Those two remaining away games are traps! If we - actually if the team - starts believing this stuff about we should win out, then I expect at least one if not both of those teams will beat us.
Don't get me wrong, these Vols are good. Very good! They are easily capable of beating everyone on the remaining schedule. But we can't have any overconfidence or going-through-the-motions. Any of the remaining teams could also beat us if we are complacent.
Our coaches have shown the ability to keep the Vols operating at a high level of energy and focus. Let's just keep up the intensity for 3 more games, then we can focus on a bowl. Remember, we still need, at least, one more win just to be bowl eligible. We're not there yet, but it sure looks good.
gvegasvol writes:
Fulmer also went 13-0 in 1998 with a quarterback who had zero starts. He lost 5 games in 5 years during a stretch in the 90's. Yep...you are sharp tonight. Give it up dummy...he's no longer around...try to focus on the present anf the future...which, by the way, are looking up!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Grade on defensive depth - D.
Overall for game A-.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Doc, the SEC Zebra Union already rejected my application to be a official zebra...due to the fact that I am not cerified deaf, dumb, and occassionally blind...that I am not cut out to be no offical SEC zebra. Well, that hurt my feelings considerable, but I accepted it. Still, I got to wonder if maybe those zebras were not exactly on the spot to see that toe. And maybe they don't have theyselves the playback pics that everybody else got.
sleiii writes:
Your Special Teams grade is harsh, your Running Backs is stingy.
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
How can you question the official$? It'$ quite apparant they are well qualified. What motivation does $live have in thi$ $ituation? It can't be a con$priancy to have UF and Al meet undefeated in Atlanta can it? And $o it goe$.
Mabye your bones don't lie, but $live doe$!!!
$leep well Mr. $live.
coachbenchpressfakebakes writes:
Tebow will get it again in another none of the above vote unfortunately. Think about it he became the first soph. winner despite "leading" UF that year to 3 regular season losses. Who was the last QB to win it losing 3 games? And heistman voters still made history by giving it to a soph.!!!!!Tebow is the most overhyped player ever.
Someone explain to me the difference between Eric Crouch (now a punch line) and Tebow?
I am giddy about how much he will suck in the NFL.
Razzle writes:
Exactly. The Heistman is a sham.
murrayvol writes:
Things are looking up.
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