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Auburn is ahead of Tennessee in the rebuilding race. A 26-22 victory Saturday night in Neyland Stadium didn’t seem an accurate measuring stick of how far ahead.
A crowd of 102,941 and an ESPN audience watched the Tennessee offense struggle to keep pace with Auburn’s prolific and imaginative offense as the Tigers improved to 5-0, 2-0 SEC, under first-year coach Gene Chizik.
“I thought we lost in all three phases of the game today,’’ said UT coach Lane Kiffin after the Vols fell to 2-3, 0-2 SEC.
UT trailed 23-6 early in the fourth quarter before quarterback Jonathan Crompton and the rest of the offense finally showed some pop.
Too little, too late. Crompton’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore as time expired was the closest Tennessee got all night.
The Tigers dominated statistically most of the night and ended up with 459 yards of total offense.
“They’re so complicated,’’ Kiffin said. “They do a great job. And I thought their players made a lot of plays tonight.’’
Tennessee didn’t make many plays until the fourth quarter.
Chris Todd’s 11-yard TD pass to Terrell Zachery put the Tigers on top 23-6 with 13:41 to play.
UT answered with a quick scoring drive. Crompton found Montario Hardesty with a 31-yard touchdown pass and it was 23-13 with 11:36 remaining.
Tennessee’s next possession was a laborious, 18-play undertaking that reached the Auburn 4, but not the end zone.
Daniel Lincoln’s 26-yard field goal left it 23-16 with 4:19 left.
A 52-yard kickoff return by Ontario McCalebb helped the Tigers get close enough for Wes Byrum’s fourth field goal of the game.
And a 26-16 lead was money in the bank, with only 39 seconds left.
The Tigers, it turned out, needed those three points. Crompton hit two long passes, the final one to Moore for the score.
But time was out and Auburn was home safe.
The late rush made Tennessee’s numbers surprisingly respectable — 410 yards of offense.
Crompton was 20-of-43 passing for 259 yards. But only 78 of those yards came in the first three quarters as the passing game struggled mightily to overcome off-target passes and drops by the receivers.
“We’re not good enough to overcome drops,’’ Kiffin said. “We’re not explosive enough.’’
Auburn, which joins Florida in holding an active five-game winning streak over Tennessee, led 13-6 at the half.
It was almost 13-0. Hardesty scored on a 1-yard run with just 28 seconds left in the half. Lincoln’s PAT kick was blocked.
Auburn’s lead had come via an 11-yard TD run from Ben Tate and Byrum’s first two field goals.
UT’s first snap of the second half helped kill any hard-won momentum: Crompton tripped coming out from under center for a 4-yard loss.
The Vols never even approached midfield in the third quarter. Auburn threatened a touchdown but came away with only a third Byrum field goal.
Thus UT began the fourth quarter facing a 16-6 deficit.
Not for long. Auburn drove 70 yards for Todd’s TD pass to Zachery to make it 23-6 and seemingly put the game out of reach.
The Vols appeared to have stopped the drive on an interception. However, a review determined the ball hit the field before Montori Hughes intercepted it.
Reprieved, Auburn converted a third-and-8 and continued on the march.
Auburn’s Tate finished with 128 yards rushing. Hardesty had 90 on 21 attempts.
The Vols managed 175 yards of offense in the first half but it wasn’t evenly distributed.
Nu’Keese Richardson accounted for 41 on the first snap from scrimmage. From there, nothing much happened until UT drove 70 yards for the score in the final 1:30 before halftime.
The 64 yards accumulated during the meat of the first half were mostly scattered around incomplete passes: Crompton was 4-of-16 at the break.
As Kiffin said, UT didn’t win the kicking game, either.
In addition to the blocked extra point, Lincoln missed an 39-yard field goal on the Vols’ opening drive.
Chad Cunningham finished with a 41.8-yard punting average but his first attempt, a short 27-yarder, put Auburn in good field position for their first field goal.
Finally, when the Vols made it a one-score difference at 23-16, Auburn’s McCalebb uncorked the long kickoff return that propelled the Tigers toward a field goal that expanded the lead to 10 points inside the final minute.
Crompton made it through the game without an interception — a first for 2009 — but he fumbled a snap from center that set up Auburn’s second field goal.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Vols as they search for their first SEC win under Kiffin. Georgia is due on Saturday, and Alabama awaits after an open date.
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Comments » 451
thevoice writes:
The receivers lost this game tonight.
thaclaw writes:
1st
TrueVol70 writes:
Our best receiver is also our best back!
bigorangesob writes:
Our offense is killing our defense, looks like the Clawfense to me
thaclaw writes:
why dont you approve me??/ its been 4 weeks
thevoice writes:
Wonder why we didn't use Nuke at QB anymore.
tnbanker_govols writes:
This is really getting old. What you're doing is obviously not working. PLEASE MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS!!!!
pupvol writes:
bring back cpf no change in system and we can get them cheaper!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Speechless!
Vol_n_Fear writes:
What wide receivers?
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
did you know.... had wilhoit made the extra point and FG earlier, we would have pulled this one out of our butt? As is, Crompton looked like a different guy in the fourth quarter, I hope that catches on, because we can't survive like he played the first three.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
did you know.... had wilhoit made the extra point and FG earlier, we would have pulled this one out of our butt? As is, Crompton looked like a different guy in the fourth quarter, I hope that catches on, because we can't survive like he played the first three.
im4davols writes:
There was NOTHING good about tonight. We were bad on offense, defense and special teams. We are what we are and thats a 2-3 team with the wins over Western Kentucky and Ohio University. Very disappointed. We'll probably start losing our recruits come Febuary!!!!!!
smoky50 writes:
Why in the world wont CLK bench Crompton? He missed several opportunities. Granted there were a couple of dropped passes but I saw more times than not our receivers had to turn back to the ball. Crompton should be the waterboy giving out the nice, cold, delicious water. I would think Daddy Kiffin would have some input with the offense, if that is what you call it. Hats off to Hardesty and the line. Crompton needs to take the helmet off and take his flute to bandcamp. You know the rest.
VolTex writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
CT_VOL writes:
Discusting!
mattucket#231689 writes:
Crompton needs to be in the 2 minute drill for the rest of the season. He's best when he doesn't have to think too much and just play. Guy over-thinks everything else otherwise. Positive note, 2 touchdown and 0 interceptions but 4 or 5 throws easily could have been int.
nightxtr4in#451385 writes:
Crompton is horrible!!! Our receivers play un-inspired. And why is Kiffin affraid to just try something different like play Stephens a series or two???? Especially when JC looks so...so...Jr. high. I am ashamed tonight.
mm29680#645909 writes:
That is exactly right. We need some recievers with hands
RockyTopBoy writes:
I agree that the receivers had a lot to do with it, but Crompton fumbled a snap, tripped on a snap, and consistently threw the ball behind the receivers all night. He is the worst Tennessee QB I have ever seen.
Vol_n_Fear writes:
What wide receivers? I didn't see any...at least none in Orange.
Why don't we do the hurry up offense all the time? Crompton looks kinda half way decent when he doesn't have to actually think at all.
im4davols writes:
There was nothing good about tonight. We were bad on offense, defense and special teams. We are what we are and thats 2-3 with the wins over Western Kentucky and Ohio University. Very disappointed. We'll probably start losing our recruits come Febuary.
Hermione writes:
Go Auburn!
gobigorange writes:
I jumped on the Lane Train full speed ahead but am close to jumping off.It isnt fair to the special players on this team such as Berry and Hardesty to be held back by such an incompetent QB. How much damage must Crompton cause before coach realize all the losses are his fault? I am very disgusted right now with Tennessee football. Just let Stephens have a shot. We all seen the first play of the game when Crompton was on the sideline, he gets in the game and everything falls to pieces. Begining to wonder if Crompton wants to lose. Just hurts me that it has to be like this for Berry.
zigvol writes:
Man I really hate losing. This sucks!!!!!
Homermoosevols writes:
Hancock shouldn't have been playing if he was too hurt. Crompton inaccurate for the most part until the final two drives. Have talent. Dont know how to use it. I feel bad for the defense. If you think Fulmer was conservative what the heck was that tonight. I know Crompton hasn't been playing well but geez you have to do something if you are going to keep him in. I didn't see more than one play action. This hurts. Kiffin didn't even realize that once you score with 0 seconds left you cant go for two. I mean geez. He has a huge learning curb coming. He is talented but he is lacking when it comes to the fundementals. Oh well, time to finish the liter of Jack I started after the first drive. See ya next week.
UTByrd writes:
I'd say we grew up a bit tonight. We still need to be patient.
By the way. Did you see how CBS played negative plays of Eric Berry. Heck, he was all over the field making big time plays.
One play in particular comes to mind. Running back screen going right with a 350 pound lead blocker. Double Trouble comes flying in and, not only does he knock the rb backwards, the power of the hit transferred through the rb into the lead blocker and KNOCKED him backward and down. Check it out.
Anyway, it seemed a little "Heisman Bias" toward Mr. Berry.
I believe the VOLS found some character tonight which will only add to a great base for future football success.
Go VOLS!!!!!
VOLinMAHWAH writes:
Although Crompton threw some bad passes, the receivers dropped more perfectly thrown balls than he threw bad ones. Unfortunately, Crompton gets the bad wrap and the numbers to show for it. We need some receivers to step up . . . big time!!
tnbanker_govols writes:
Usually its just bad play from the QB....tonight; however, the receivers joined in. I noticed during the game that some of the players were mouthing to each other and arguing back and forth. Frustration is definitely evident on this team right now. Crompton is KILLING us!!!!!!! As bad as he is, you can't convince me that Stephens isn't any better. If you don't have any confidence in Stephens, play Nu'Keese at QB. I want somebody back there who has confidence to lead his team. Crompton can't even take a snap properly!!!!
DRW writes:
Disappointing loss. But the team didn't give up and maybe the Vols found some offensive momentum in the final quarter.
Next week is a must win if the Vols are going to go bowling this year.
allntl1#565211 writes:
I agree, bring back CPF. If we are going to lose lets lose by 30 points.
lomas98 writes:
The WR did struggle, but Crompton missed a lot of them as well. The crossing patterns in the middle of the field were open but he throws the ball behind them. Crompton also kills momentum coming out of halftime with a defensive stop by tripping. He also fumbled a snap and gave them 3 points. When it was 13-6 and Auburn fumbled on the 2 I was hoping we would recover. But what good would it had done? I would take giving up 3 points and not giving him the ball at our own 2 yard line. Maybe we should go with a hurry up offense full time. That seems to be the only offense Crompton is decent at.
smoky50 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
thevoice writes:
Bowling? I'm just looking for 5 wins.
nightxtr4in#451385 writes:
Oh and our Special Ed. teams!!!!!!!! Are you F#@$%ng kidding me???????? Week after week. Guys running out of their lanes. Not sustaining blocks, or blocking any1 at all. No creativity at all. No play makers.
voldo writes:
Looks like we hired the wrong former USC offensive cordinator
thaclaw writes:
let nick do it.... we need him to prepare fornext year...if he gets beat out next year he will at least have some experience
TooLegit2Quit writes:
Another generic Tennessee performance. The offense does nothing and the defense fatigues from being on the field too long because of it. The special teams were pretty bad, the receivers were pretty bad, and Crompton was pretty bad as usual. Hardesty was an absolute beast though, Berry was good as usual.
75VOLinga writes:
How do you know they are not running the routes as practiced but crompton doesn't. It's been said crompton is only a good practice qb. Looks like that is true.
IslandVol writes:
Face it, Fulmer left the cubard bare on offense except for hardesty. Our receivers can't catch(if the ball hits you in the hands, you should catch it.......no matter where the ball is). The O-line wasn't too bad. Im very impressed with Douglas, and remember we started 2 walk-ons on the line tonight(not exactly road graders). And obviously the QB position is terrible, just live with it. Trust Kiffin and his staff and give him a few years to get his people into his system.
Tgordon writes:
Chomped by a gator, taloned by a war eagle, what could the future hold? A bulldogs bite, an elephants tusk? I blame the ugly uniforms.
lamigravol writes:
I agree, Lincoln cost us the game. He left 4 points on the field!
DennisVols writes:
The good: No blow out losses this year and the team never seems to give up.
The bad: A QB that still plays like a 3* freshman and fails to move the offense consistently, Special teams on kick off still cannot seal gaps to avoid big returns, receivers still droping toooo many passes, and last but not least a loss is still a loss no matter how close you get.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
im4davols writes:
I'm tired of hearing lay off Crompton, etc. It is the players fault. Crompton throws terrible passes, the receivers run the wrong routs, the special teams hit the wrong lanes. The coaches can do so much. Tonight it was all on the players.
MTN_MAN_VOL writes:
What happend to the pass defense? Is there no one who can kick into the endzone ?
nightxtr4in#451385 writes:
Wow. That excuse is getting old year after year. I see a pattern. JC must be his own coach then.
mattucket#231689 writes:
Enough with the Kiffin comments.... how did Saban do in his first year at alabama? Give the guy time to get players for his system. Change doesn't happen overnight. The faster you realize it, the better you'll be. Go Vols! Kiffin haters, go eat some bigfoot dung!
txvolsfan2 writes:
Stephens will not get a shot to play. It is much easier to tell a high school player that they can start as a true freshman if we do not have a returning starting QB. If this is not Kiffin's reasoning, then I have no idea why he hangs with Crompton.
Loud_Proud writes:
it doesnt matter guys. our team is what it is. we are nothing more than a 2-3 team. i just had to pull myself together tonight and quit bashing crompton. He is just an inadequate candidate for the position. nothing more to say. sigh...(tired of losing....)......
gavol74 writes:
In about 2 years
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