Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Commodores
- When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, 7 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Vandy Stats Book
Tennessee Stat Book
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee wide receivers coach Frank Wilson has found himself drilling a different lineup of players almost every week.
He's had players missing because of injuries. Others were booted from the team because of discipline issues. Others left on their own accord.
Somehow he's still managed to help turn a depleted receiving corps and an interception-prone quarterback into one of the Southeastern Conference's most formidable passing threats.
"We stayed to the course and continued to work hard and developed as a group as a whole," Wilson said. "Those young guys had to step up at times and make plays and be accountable, and they did."
Through the first four games of the season, Jonathan Crompton had only seven touchdowns compared with eight interceptions and an average 160 yards passing per game.
Since then, Crompton has averaged 245.5 yards per game and thrown 16 touchdowns compared with two interceptions.
The Volunteers (5-5, 2-4 SEC) now rank third in the league in pass offense with an average 226.6 yards by air per game. Their 24 passing touchdowns rank second.
"We all knew we could do it," junior wide receiver Denarius Moore said. "We knew we had all the talent we needed, but we just needed to put it together. We needed guys to get healthy and get on the same page in this new system, and once we did, we got a lot better.
"We just kept sticking with it, and we got better. Now we've just got to keep getting better," he said.
Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson has learned a few lessons from some of Tennessee's previous opponents who focused first on stopping the run. Johnson knows his Commodores (2-9, 0-7) will have to do a lot to stop Crompton and the Vols' passing game too.
"What an improvement," Johnson said. "I would say probably the most improvement of anybody in the conference. That shows he's put in a lot of hard work and did a good job."
Plenty of blame for the early problems was heaped onto Crompton, but coach Lane Kiffin said the wide receivers were just as responsible for the problems, if not more. And the receivers had plenty of reasons to shoulder the blame.
Redshirt sophomores Ahmad Paige and Tyler Maples decided to transfer after Kiffin was hired. Redshirt freshman E.J. Abrams-Ward was dismissed in January for a disciplinary reason. Senior Austin Rogers suffered a season-ending knee injury in the summer.
That was all before the season started.
Since then, juniors Gerald Jones and Moore and senior Quintin Hancock have battled injuries. Junior Brandon Warren was dismissed for conduct problems and freshman Nu'Keese Richardson was booted Monday after being arrested last week on attempted armed robbery charges.
But none of that should serve as an excuse, Wilson said.
"That's the thing that this group has shown: resilience and character," he said. "(There) was a lot of times where we could have pointed a finger or blamed it on chemistry and continuity because one guy would be there and the next week he would not be there, but we didn't."
Having so many guys missing from week to week may have even helped the rest of the receivers, who got more repetition during practice as a result.
"We're still not where we want to be, but we're making strides, and I think we're headed in the right direction," Wilson said.
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Comments » 30
Pdiddy10 writes:
has anybody heard that james stone doesnt have us on his top five? or maybe its chaz green. i dont know but whomever it is it isnt good.
we need o-linemen
vandy game - kill vandy! keep berry in the whole time. take hardesty out the fourth quarter, let poole run it a bit but mostly oku and brown. let berry roam alot so he can get a pick "8". just beat vandy ad dont let them score. once they get down to like the thirty yd line put our starters in. i dont care. im just so mad from the ole miss game. i am so mad. kill vandy. i dont care about class. just beat the cr@p out of them
GO VOLS!
DC_Vol writes:
Clearly UT has a very bright future. I would take UT's coaching staff top to bottom vs. any other staff in the country. Just based on the the improvement of Crompton who many thought was the worst QB in the SEC to one of the best, recruits will see how our NFL coaches develop players. Also remember UT doesn't have the great receivers like Florida currently. Amazingly due to our great coaches our WR's are playing better than Florida's WR's Despite the talent deficiency between UT and UF, Kiffin has our WR's outperforming Florida's.
Consider this Florida has Tim Tebow two time Heisman Trophy winner and a plethora of five star receivers that Meyer has coached down to ordinary this year. Kirk Hirbstreet has talked on college gameday about the poor WR perfomance at Florida and the poor coaching by Meyer and their Offensive Coordinator. Meanwhile Kirk Hirbstreet has warned Florida and the rest of the nation they had better beat us now because they won't in the future. Kirk says UT has great coaches and great recruiters.
Kiffin has taken Crompton and average receivers at UT and out performed Meyer and Tim Tebow and their five star receivers. Plain an simple our NFL coaches are better at developing talent than Florida. Recruits see this that is why we are getting the best WR recruits. Florida has been forced to recruit several three star WR's.
commonsense32 writes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
off the fl pay board
I received the following. THIS IS JUST A RUMOR. Don't get your panties in a wad.
> The Charlie Weis clock is now ticking to its proverbial ending. It all started on Saturday night after the Irish lost to Pittsburgh 27-22 and it's long flight back to South Bend. Sunday morning Weis was called in to Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick's office at 9:30 am, where he was told something. Whether he is staying or going, has not been made publicly, but the final nail seems to have been nailed shut.
>
> Here are a few tidbits which should uncloud the Irish Nation's mind about the future of Coach Weis:
>
> ~ Weis calls off his Sunday media press conference. This is the first time in five years he has called off a press conference.
>
> ~ The media try to contact both Swarbrick and ND President Fr. Jenkins for comment on Weis future, but are not able to be reached, due to both being away from campus.
>
> ~ 12:00 p.m. South Bend Private Flight carrying Swarbrick and Jenkins is headed South to Florida.
>
> ~ The same plane also has scheduled flights this week to Cincinnati and Oklahoma.
>
> ~ Bob Stoops of Oklahoma has been reported as being interested in the Notre Dame job if it becomes available, according to Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune.
>
> According to one of the Board of Trustees and a source inside the Athletic Department has both confirmed that both Swarbrick and Jenkins have put a package together to lure Urban Meyer back to South Bend. Here are the main details that are on the table as of yesterday:
>
> 1.) A 10-year $50,000,000 base salary, which doesn't include endorsement and university incentives.
>
> 2.) 3 "special" projects a year, which may include JUCO transfers.
>
> 3.) A contract with Nike (football only)
>
> 4.) Additional incentives:
>
> (a) $550,000 for Top 10 Finish
> (b) $750,000 for BCS Bowl appearance
> (c) $1.2 million for BCS National Championship
> (d) $400,000 for 90% or better graduation rate
>
> The carpet is ready to roll out for Meyer for the taking, whether Swarbrick and Jenkins can get it done, will be the trick. If not, Brian Kelly, seems to be the next logical choice.
>
> These next two weeks will be a roller coaster for media and Irish fans alike. But one thing is for sure, the Weis era clock is about to hit midnight!
If this is true that would be astounding and wow. I hope he stays because I want us to beat the best.
As was originally posted on Volquest by 77
DC_Vol writes:
Commonsense great post! I would love to see Meyer go to Notre Dame that would shut up all these UF fans once and for all. Attach your post to all the threads! Go Big Orange!!!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
They failed to mention that the buyout on Weis' contract is a mind boggling 10 MILLION; add to that another 6 million to buy a new HC and staff..That's a lot to swallow!! I don't care how big your program is...Losing or not a 10 million dollar LOSS won't sit well with the notre dame AD; They generate a lot of money with TV contracts but that all important bowl payout hasn't been there and won't this year either
BeRealistic writes:
Hey, you guys need to go to another site where someone cares about ND & FLA. Thats BS.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
It's amazing that we have gotten by with a 4 man rotation at WR this year. Basically Moore and Jones have been on the field the whole game and neither are exactly barn burners or deep threats. The backups are Hancock and Teague who both have played well. I think Zach Rodgers is still adjusting to the harder throwing Crompton and the physical CBs in the sec..Rodgers is much better than brother Austin; He has very deceptive speed;can catch the long balls and knows how to find the open spots. The recruits coming in are good but not spectacular;Thompkins will push moore and jones for playing time
FEARinSEC writes:
CROMPTON FOR HEISMAN!!!! (yeah, that orange kool-aid is spiked)
BigVolFaninSC writes:
Even if Urban leaves, Fla will get a good coach to replace him. The University is in the middle of a high school football pipeline and they have good facilities. It will not be hard to find a good coach to replace Urban. As for this article: We have to give credit where credit is due! Whatever JCs problems (mostly mental imo) from the past, this coaching staff has done a terrific job of getting him to move beyond them! He is completely different and I would put him right up there near the top in the SEC! He is hands down the comeback player of the year in the SEC; maybe all of CFB! Good job JC and coaching staff for a HUGE turnaround!
DC_Vol writes:
I agree with you that Crompton is one of the better QB's in the SEC and he is player great as of late, but Heisman winner may be stretching it just a bit. Anyway I really like you enthusiasm for the Big Orange!!! GBO!!!!
daniellovesutfootball writes:
I'll have what your drinking!! GO VOLS!!!! I'm ready to see those vandy heads roll!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I don't! I want Meyer to stick around long enough to get the beatings he has coming from the Vols! Of course, maybe he WOULD leave to prevent that from happening.
SavTnVol writes:
Alright everybody, it's time for you to man up and tell John what I'm gonna say...John, I'm sorry for being down on you this year and last and want to thank you for sticking it out and giving your all for Tennessee....You are a special man my son....now, go beat the HELL outta Vandy for Joe Thompson and the rest of us....
DC_Vol writes:
Excellent post John! You are absolutely right! I agree, I honestly beleive we have the best coaches top to bottom in the SEC and in the country. I believe our coaches with there recruits will be a force in the SEC. Next year at Neyland stadium, I believe we will beat Florida and I would love to see Meyer deal with the loss. Meyer can explain to the media and UF fans how he lost with superior talent to Kiffin. That will be a great day!!!
DC_Vol writes:
Excellent post John! You are absolutely right! I agree, I honestly beleive we have the best coaches top to bottom in the SEC and in the country. I believe our coaches with there recruits will be a force in the SEC. Next year at Neyland stadium, I believe we will beat Florida and I would love to see Meyer deal with the loss. Meyer can explain to the media and UF fans how he lost with superior talent to Kiffin. That will be a great day!!!
cantmakeitup writes:
yep lookin good! take a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GuH9...
OrangeAppeal writes:
They might get Fulmer.
516milesfromUT writes:
Glad to see KNS with an actual article about something other than the arrest! They have managed to beat that "news" into the ground harder than Sean Hannity beat down the Willaim Ayers thing. I had to start an account here also because i was noticing myself more involved with the posts than even reading these unedited storys. they are way bad sometimes.
volzcrushm writes:
DID YOU HEAR THAT: WIES IS GONE.... MEYER IS IN AT ND....AND FULMER IS IN AT UF!!!!! (kidding)
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
YOU GO!!! WOOHOO!!! KEEP ON TALKING BECAUSE YOU WILL FEEL BETTER!!! JUST GET IT ALL OUT!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
"Meanwhile Kirk Hirbstreet has warned Florida and the rest of the nation they had better beat us now because they won't in the future. Kirk says UT has great coaches and great recruiters"
Yeah..I remember him saying that on Gameday two or three weeks ago!! If he says it, you know it must be true..I have a lot of respect for him...
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Thanks for info!!! I can't decide if I want UM to stay or go..Part of me wants him to stay so we can beat the Gators with him as their coach and the other part of me JUST WANTS HIM TO GO.... PERIOD!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Yeah..me too.. i could use one or two or three!!!LOL!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
"Of course, maybe he WOULD leave to prevent that from happening."
Good Point!!
Cash writes:
nope, don't wanna see Meyer go... until CLK soundly beats his behind... in the swamp.
gotta beat the best to be the best.
WaltGoVols writes:
A lot of UT fans have more than a passing interest in whether Meyer bolts for ND.
It would indicate a definite downturn in UF fortunes for the future.
Plus Meyer has been pretty stalwart in maintaining his fealty to UF. So it would show him for the poltroon he so clearly is. That would be sweet.
Walt
UT '81
BigOrangeinCharge writes:
That's what everyone said when Spurrier quit there. Then they hired Ron Zook...
The thing about Florida recruiting is they have all that talent nearby, but everyone in the nation competes with them for it AND Florida kids aren't very loyal. With FSU and Miami in the same state, UF doesn't have the die hard monopoly on the local kids the way UT does from Nashville eastward.
I've got to think that they'd go after Brian Kelly, just like everyone else with a big time coaching job is going to. Or they could surprise everyone by throwing a ton of money at Paul Johnson (the best pure football coach in America) or going with a hot coordinator, like Gus Malzahn.
navarrebeachvol writes:
bout the same number as your IQ
diamond_dave35#235769 writes:
I agree as well..Crompton has had a rollercoaster career. Its almost like the first half (well more than half) was like a Joey Matthews and the last 5 or 6 games hes an Andy Kelly. With that being said, Matthews just plain sucked and Kelly was a proven winner with a lot of heart. Thats what Ive seen in J.C.
jcoop9909 writes:
Jones and Moore will be huge players for us next year, as the young guys develope..I really like Teague to. And i really like these guys comin in next year.. markeith ambles makes it look so easy, Kimbrell Thompkins is a dominant JUCO player that everybody wants, and matt milton is an absolute monster.. 6'6 and runs a 4.5, he will be a beast
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