A battered Tennessee defense with a bruised ego might have some relief on the way.
Coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday that linebacker LaMarcus Thompson, injured in a 42-17 loss at Ole Miss on Saturday, might be able to play against Vanderbilt.
Darren Myles (hip, back), a freshman free safety who did not play at Ole Miss, should also be able to go when the Commodores visit Neyland Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
Then there's Vanderbilt itself.
The Commdores rank last in the SEC in scoring offense (16.4 points), total offense (308.1 yards), passing offense (144.7 yards) and passing efficiency (5 TD passes, nine interceptions).
Those numbers should be welcome for a UT defense that has given up 400-plus yards the past two weeks.
When Memphis managed 403 yards on Nov. 7, there was the consolation that most of it came against Tennessee reserves after the game was well in hand.
But there was no silver lining to Ole Miss rolling up 492 yards - the most allowed by Tennessee this year - nor Dexter McCluster's school-record 282 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
"After the game I thought we set a school record for missed tackles,'' Kiffin said. "Now I think we set a national record.
"It was very discouraging.''
Injuries are a factor.
Kiffin said outside linebacker Rico McCoy has a sore knee and was "basically playing on one leg" against Ole Miss.
"He probably shouldn't have kept playing,'' Kiffin said, "but he's just so tough.
"I know his mentality. He knew there wasn't anybody to go to so he stayed in there and kept battling.''
Kiffin said walk-on Shane Reveiz would have been the replacement if McCoy came out.
As Kiffin spoke to the media Sunday, Savion Frazier (torn ACL) hobbled by in the background on crutches, a reminder the Vols are down to their third middle linebacker in freshman Herman Lathers.
With Myles held out at safety, walk-on Tyler Wolf played extensively when UT went to a nickle package on passing downs.
Anthony Anderson was the sub for injured Marsalous Johnson in the nickle package.
Kiffin said Johnson, who had thumb surgery after the South Carolina game, should be back for the regular-season finale against Kentucky.
Thompson, who left the Ole Miss game on a stretcher with his head and neck stabilized, was cleared to return to Knoxville with the team.
"Thankfully, everything was negative,'' Kiffin said. "He's very sore but he's going to be OK.
"We don't know for sure but he may play (Saturday).''
A Step Off: Partially due to inexperience related to the injuries, the Vols suffered from misalignment issues, especially where McCluster was concerned.
"We were aligned a number of times a little bit off,'' Kiffin said, "and if you're just one gap off and that guy gets going, we're not going to catch him.
"We're not the fastest group in the world (at linebacker) and we had too many misalignments and we stayed on blocks too long. If you combine those things, you're going to get what happened.''
Kicking Woes: Kiffin said the place-kicking job will be re-opened this week after another low Daniel Lincoln field-goal attempt was blocked.
"The protection was fine,'' Kiffin said. "It was a jumper from behind so the kick was too low.''
Lincoln has struggled since a mid-season leg injury. Punter Chad Cunningham is the other likely option.
Off Day: The Vols did not practice Sunday, which Kiffin said was his normal late-season protocol.
"This is more for our young guys,'' Kiffin said. "It gets them an extra day off to come back for real physical practices later this week.''
Fewer Reps: Kiffin said freshman Marsalis Teague's reps at receiver Saturday were limited by the fact that UT had six possessions that failed to make a first down and a seventh that scored in three plays.
"You don't rotate as much when you're only in three plays,'' Kiffin said.
Quick Hitters: Jonathan Crompton's two touchdown passes leave him tied for fourth nationally with 23. ... Vanderbilt ranks No. 7 nationally in pass defense, allowing 159.8 yards per game.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 39
tenuscvol writes:
Sure hope we get this one...
I love the night games from Neyland...
GoVols!...
Pdiddy10 writes:
im so mad. i dont care. put up 63 on this team. i reaally dont care at all. i am just so mad. just beat the phooey put of em. keep berry in the whole entire game. put seconds in in the fourth quarter with five mins left. but keep berry in. he needs to get that record. stopm on vandys throats. kill them. rip them to pieces.
EVERY BODY GO TO THIS GAME! IT IS SENIOR NIGHT!
ps montario hardesty is gonna get the loudest cheer ever when they announce his name. lool
kill vandy! go vols!
Pdiddy10 writes:
cr@p*
tennesseebee writes:
Need to kick the Idiots off the team early in the week so it is no further distraction. We need to close that chapter and look ahead. Excuse the 3 Knuckleheads from the team now!! GBO!!
BeVOLy writes:
I'll be there yelling my lungs out. Let's support our team. Let's thank our seniors.
beaus27 writes:
Seriously, how bad is Ethan Ingham?
AtopofRockyMtn writes:
I think it will be a W for us, but lets not get to cocky and forget about 2005.
gwbask writes:
Just read on Rivals that coach Gran interviewed for the Memphis head coach job.
chad_t31 writes:
a couple of things...
Mccluster averaged 50-something rushing yards a game, before us and Snead has played awful all year. He didn't have great numbers but he didn't look as bad against us as he did in previous games. Our only "cure" will come when we get more depth (recruiting), play smarter, and play with more speed. I'm not knocking the players we have, that's just the situation we're in. So don't give me vandy's stats and say they can be a team that we'll have our way with. This may be the biggest off-season in the history of UT football. Regardless, I feel we're headed in the right direction. Go Vols!!
chad_t31 writes:
Interesting. Sounds to me like that couldve been another distraction. Interviewing during the week of a big game?? Wow. That job would be career-suicide.
gwbask writes:
He isn't one of their top choices but that isn't a good message to be sent to our team nor to recruits. Who is he recruiting for, where are his loyalities, is his heart with the Vols or his career etc. This was a tough last 5 days including this. Whatever, there is no positives coming from the interview except now CLK knows where Gran stands.
surfmaster writes:
Of course, Vanderbilt is thinking that UT could be the cure for the Vandy offense. Will see which way it goes ...
ETNTigerFan writes:
Pretty sure the job is going to UM alum and current LSU asst coach Larry Porter. Strange that he interviewed the week of the Ole Miss game.
orangepridenation writes:
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givehim6 writes:
There is the opening Phil needs to jump on!
tulelakevol writes:
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gwbask writes:
4th and goal
timetofireclk writes:
Yeah they should win the Vandy game but then a real team is up next and UT gets blasted again in KY by at least 80. Just be proud UT got to 6 wins. Next year, 2 wins will be a great season.
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
It has been tuff...I knew Kiff was not going to like watching that video of all those missed tackles cannot imagine McCoy playing with one good leg that guy is such a great player.All the players I am just so proud of Look at Crompton the guy is #4 inthe nation in TD's and look at his INT's lately-zero.
I would take him to battle as a QB ANYDAY.
I knew it was that stupid Clawfense what a goofey 2 or 3 years that would have been getting that to look right.Don't like the issue with Gran what are we not paying the guy enough?
I realize its a HC position but at MemPHIZ come-on where will that take you back to the same spot he is now making less money than at UT.
Im sad to see this year coming to an end but guess what we are just another year or 2 away from eying the NC---WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
timetofireclk writes:
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newtonrail writes:
I hope they remove your post. I can take a lot of trash on here, but My Lord and Savior's name used as a curse is not one of them.
timetofireclk writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!
you got to be joking right the kittens beat us period would be a feat but by 80 points?
Have you lost ur mind you better hope we don't beatt them by 80 I hope Kiff see's ur Old soory excuse for a comment and we bring it like we didd when we played AL if we bring Like that ur really dead you should just be glad the game is at home cause that way we may onlt beat you by 45. this comment has to be a joker you made...
Is this OL Gravedigger at the stadium?
timetofireclk writes:
UT will not keep either team left to under 850 yards rushing each. UT will get 21 rushing yards against Vandy and -66 against KY.
timetofireclk writes:
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timetofireclk writes:
Right now, UT better hope they can beat Vandy or its another 5-7 and then they will lose their starting QB, RB, S, 4 starting O lineman, 2 starting D lineman and some valuable depth. Next year will wind up being a 2-10 year.
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
To be honest with you we had a big distraction and OLE PIZZ just pounced on us and we were not ready for what they brought. that being said they blocked a FG cause our kicker is still hurt or the score would have been 42-20 a 3 td loss.
Janzen Jackson was out he was a great speed-run stopper that hurtus bad.
No since I think this must not be a joke I level with you the TN-Ky game will be a sshootout mark my words but neither team will beat the other badly
DenmarkVol writes:
Agree.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Has McCluster quit running yet?
What a performance.
Now, to Vandy.
ect1983 writes:
Tennessee 25-Kentucky 0
Prediction of the final score...NO !!!
Just the number of consecutive wins that UT will have over UK in two weeks...LONGEST IN THE NCAA !! UK always finds a way to choke...always !!
PS---The next longest win streak in NCAA is Florida over UK...23 and counting.
PPS...I take my boys to one out of town game a year; we always go to Lexington in the odd years...a sure win, no traffic at the end of the game except for UT fans, you get home before the post game coaches show,and ...this is hilarious...you get to hear that dopey UK PA announcer say "Another first down KKKKEEEENNNTTTUUUCCCCKKKYYYY" and have it echo in the stands b/c the Uk fans are alraedy home watching replays of the 1987 final four in the third qtr.
PPS---UK has the most embarassing non-conference schedule ever in the SEC EVERY year
CrankE writes:
Not sure why the "waiting game" with the 3. Until Kiffin decides, the distraction continues for the entire program. Count on that, folks.
Bad enough to lose. Worse to get blown out. But to get beaten by 1 guy!? Not since Archie Manning led Ole Miss to a 38-0 win over UT has Ole Miss whipped the Vols like this. An absolutely abominable performance by UT this weekend. Where's my hacksaw?
On the upside, Tennessee will likely turn their full and undivided attention to Vandy. Bully!
seventysevenvol writes:
UT will beat Vanderbilt unmercifully...I don't make predictions much anymore, but this one will get out of hand and Kiffin will orchestrate it. It will get ugly early, and hapless Vanderbilt will not be able to do anything. The Vanderbilt QB, however, does like to dance on the sidelines when a band is playing or music is playing over the jumbo tron...even does it on the field during timeouts. We need to "beat them like a drum" and move on beyond this current mess. OK, my prediction:
UT: 63
Vanderbilt: 0
jsm67vol writes:
Blasted again at KY. KY probably hasn't beat us in your lifetime. Not saying they can't, but your statement is laughable. I guess with your screename you would prefer to have ole Phixable Phil back wouldn't you. You are pathetic.
82cat writes:
The facts about Vandy the resurgence of last yr is a myth.
Since the Auburn game 10/11/08 last yr VU IS 4 AND 17 and after Saturday will be 4 and 18.
VU finished the regular 08 season last 8 games at 1 and 7 and have only won 3 times since.
VU has won 24 games since 2004 avg 4 wins per year with most wins coming against western carolina,miami ohio etc
This is NOT even a good team based on VANDERBILT standards they play hard every down but the facts are that VU still does not have enough SEC players to compete.
UT should win this game 42 to 14 with the game not as close as that score indicated.
A LOT to play for these 2 games (as opposed to last yr) winning season and move up the bowl rankings.
By the way Mccluster just scored again (: ouch!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
You should totally stop making predictions; You and all the idiots that predicted UT31 Ole Miss7 last week
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Wow..Thanks for an actual fact giving post..After watching Vandy last year it seemed they had turned a corner.Iam not sure why they lost some of the close ones this year(Army); I suspect it's inconsistent offense and QB play.. No question Johnson is a good coach and won't be losing his job no matter what the record..As it stands Vandy is 7th in the nation against the pass(160 yards per game)..We will definitely run the ball down their throats and control time of possesion.Typical of past games with them
OrangeVeins writes:
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OrangeVeins writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
illinoisvolfan writes:
One question...why does this site allow you to say "hell" and "damn," but not phooey (ie: cr@p)? Just curious...
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