Crompton on season: 'It's been a fun ride'

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Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin talks to quarterback Jonathan Crompton (8) during a time out on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

With fate seemingly lined up against him throughout his Tennessee career, Jonathan Crompton persevered.

Through a coaching change, four offensive coordinators and three surgeries to his throwing arm, Crompton marched on.

The resolve paid off over the last six games as the senior transformed himself from one of the worst quarterback in the SEC to one of the best, if league statistics are used as a guide.

The transformation was perhaps most evident when the senior ran through the pre-game 'T' to a round of cheers from many of the same fans that recently booed him.

"I've been through a lot here, obviously but it was good," Crompton said. "... It was a good night, a good way to finish out here."

Crompton had a special fan in the stands Saturday as the Vols bested Vanderbilt 31-16. His mother, Janet Crompton, watched her son play an entire game in person for the first time since last season. She's usually tucked away in secret stadium hideaway so she doesn't have to listen to fans criticize her son.

"It's been hell," she said after the game.

Jonathan Crompton's father has stayed in the stands, watching his son, often with admiration.

"I've got a strong son," David Crompton said. "At the end of the day, when you write a book the last chapter needs to be good."

Jonathan Crompton has penned a strong conclusion to an up-and-down career that has included four offensive coordinators and a head coaching change at a program once known for stability.

"We catch a couple of balls and we kick a couple of field goals and Jonathan's the story of college football this year," David Crompton said. "I don't mean that in a bad way but it's the truth. He's overcome a lot and done it in a class way.

"And the University of Tennessee should be pretty tickled that he represents this university. He loves this place more than anybody I ever met."

Coach Lane Kiffin has said he's never seen a quarterback improve as much as Crompton in one season.

"I'm so glad for Jonathan and his family for him to be able to end his home season like this and to be able to play so well," Kiffin said.

Fate still seemed determined to remind Crompton that it would have a say in his performance. Crompton's lone interception wasn't his fault. Freshman David Oku failed to reel in a well-thrown pass and tipped the ball in the air, which was caught by a Commodore.

That pick kept Crompton from setting a school record: most consecutive passes attempted without an interception. Crompton's streak ended at 142. Casey Clausen holds the record with 143.

"I was so upset about the interception because he was so close to the record," Kiffin said.

Crompton said he wasn't even aware of the streak.

"We won the game; that's all that counts," Crompton said. "Records don't mean anything to me as long as the team is winning and we're having fun, that's all that counts."

A drop by Gerald Jones also eliminated what could have been a long touchdown pass. Still, Crompton wasn't complaining. He had too much to be happy about following his last game in Neyland Stadium.

"It's been a fun ride," he said. "We haven't won them all but it's been a life-changing experience for everybody on this team.

"I wouldn't trade it."

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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