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Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton (8) looks at a fumbled ball which was recovered by Auburn during the first quarter of action on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at Neyland Stadium.
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Perhaps Jonathan Crompton just needs to play faster.
Tennessee's much maligned passing attack - and its even more maligned quarterback - showed signs of life after a rocky start in a 26-22 loss to Auburn on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.
Crompton was at his best when the Vols went to a hurry-up attack late in the first half.
The senior was 2-of-12 passing for 22 yards before he completed two passes of four for 40 yards in the closing moments of the second quarter, leading the Vols to a touchdown.
"We're going to look at it," said UT coach Lane Kiffin said of implementing a more regular hurry-up offense. "Forever whatever reason we're doing better in it."
Crompton, who came into the Auburn game ranked 91st in the country in pass efficiency, finished the game 20-of-43 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Once UT went to the hurry up, Crompton was 18-of-31 for 237 yards.
Saturday's game was also the first that Crompton didn't throw an interception in a game this season. He threw one pass that could have been intercepted and lost a fumble.
UT's entire offense struggled to convert on third down.
"You go 3-of-17 in third downs, I don't know that you'll ever win a game," Kiffin said. "That's a big storyline."
It wasn't actually that bad. The Vols were 4-of-17 on third down but Kiffin's point was still well received.
UT's receivers were partly to blame. There were drops, blown blocks downfield and a memorable play in which senior receiver Quintin Hancock was hit in the head with a Crompton pass when he wasn't looking for the ball.
"We're not good enough to overcome drops," Kiffin said. "We're not explosive enough. You start adding those drops in there and we're going to struggle. Right now at the stage we're at we need to make all those plays.
"We don't need to make miraculous plays but we need to make the normal plays."
UT's receivers were far more active than most would have guessed coming into the game. Kiffin had primarily leaned on the running game in their best performances of the season, most notably a hard fought loss at Florida.
Against Auburn, the Vols were more pass happy, especially early. Kiffin said he was trying to establish a rhythm while always aware he could fall back on the run if necessary. UT threw 43 passes versus 29 rushing attempts in the game.
A bad first half by UT's offense resulted in a 13-6 halftime deficit.
"It was about as poorly an offensive half as you can play," Kiffin said. "There was no rhythm. It was bad."
Yet UT's offense got off to a fast start. Receiver Nu'Keese Richardson lined up at quarterback on the game's first play and ran for 41 yards. The Vols never went back to that package - or play.
"It's not really a full package," Kiffin said. "His other package we ran last week. We're always working to expand and ways to get him the ball."
With another SEC match-up looming next week against Georgia, the Vols could use an improved passing attack.
Perhaps they just need to hurry up.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 106
SoddyVol writes:
Iv'e never been so frustrated with watching the team since around 1960 when Bowden Wyatt coached some of the last Single Wing teams. Whats the hold JC had over Phil and now Kiffin?
VolinCalif writes:
Yes they could use a immproved passing attack. The could go deep once in a game and supprise the fans as well as the other team.
dbc5361 writes:
Garbage yards and points! Kiffin begging for a 2 point try down 4 with no time left!!! lmao
LiveFaith writes:
Well, the good news is that Fulmer is gone. Wheeeeeeew!
DownTheField writes:
?
LiveFaith writes:
I think it's called "Least Worst".
VolinCalif writes:
Also I should watch my grammer,spelling. You can't help. been bad for from the start in 1940
LiveFaith writes:
Imagine what making a pedestrian field goal and not getting your extra point blocked could have done at the end of the day?
Have not heard much @ it since the O is so bad. But, our special teams are horrific. The kickoff coverage and kicking is the worst. Punt returns are a thrill a minute. Our field goal kicker was never that highly rated before UT, then had "protected" (read: not trusted for long kicks) early freshman success and everyone assumed he was All American. He's not, just average at best. Punting is pretty sporadic.
Decent special teams alone may have won this one for us. Just a thot.
sig4ever writes:
Did anyone else hear about a fire that broke out in the North endzone stands? I have a friend on facebook who was at the game and left early because an usher said they were "trying to put the fire out". I would have left too! Imagine being trampled by 100K paniced fans! Scary!
BamaBeacher writes:
Don't give up yet, you have the Lady Vols.
mytrifecta writes:
I like our coach...but agree that was just sad.
mytrifecta writes:
Wow, now our issue is the punter? He put at least 3 punts inside the 20. He's doing his job...unfortunately he has to do his job much too often. Again, Mr Crompton, you're son is indeed the problem.
shoelessvol#236864 writes:
Long night!! Agree that special teams cost us the possibility of winning this game. Crompton had a decent game for once. Don't know how many catchable balls the receivers dropped, but there were several. Though it might be a gimmick, and Auburn used about everything I've seen in a long time, we might be better at QB with a hurry-up package throughout the game. At 2-3 it can't hurt. Maybe we can salvage something out of this season.
mytrifecta writes:
crompton had a decent game? less than 50% completion rate, 8 balls thrown behind receivers, 2 stumbles and 1 lost fumble. He did not have a good game. He lost this game again...like he has many before. He's real bad and continues to prove it.
mlsoft#228820 writes:
Someone suggested earlier that had the receivers done a better job catching the ball, JC would have had a completion rate of 80%
JC could not complete 80% against tall grass.
mlsoft
dvols writes:
we beat western ky, and ohio..... yay....and really have not been very competitive....auburn was up 6-0 that was probably enough... welcome to the sec coach!
give_him_6 writes:
You must a member of "The Legions of the Misearable". Some fans just want to scream and complain no matter what is going on. We didn't get in this shape overnight. And we dang sure ain't gonna get out of it overnight. Not with some of the key players we have. Kiff and the guys are doing their best to get in the kid of players it'll take to turn this ship around. But jeez...you're ready to give up on them already??? You need to find another team!!!!!!
Go Vols
murrayvol writes:
I was pretty frustated last year too.
BigOrangeinCharge writes:
"Done with this staff" after they've coached all of 5 games!?!?! This is a very solid all around coaching staff. The problem mostly lies with the QBs and WRs we've got--a bunch of headcases and green freshmen are not a good mix to have at the offense's key positoins. Give this staff another couple of years to recruit and teach the players how to play football and we'll be ok.
Besides, IIRC it would cost the university about $14 million to can Kiffin after this season. He signed a huge contract that basically guaranteed him 4-5 years to rebuild by giving him absurd buyout clauses if the university wanted to get rid of him within the first 4 years. After just paying Fulmer $6 million to go away, the university simply cannot afford to throw away that kind of money on a "failed" head coach a year or two later.
Until the Vols can get somebody competent to take the snaps, there are going to be plenty of days like this. We might not like it, but we've got to get used to it. For whatever reasons, the coaches don't want Nick Stephens on the field. Either they feel he really is worse than Crompton, there's a personality conflict somewhere, or they want to use Crompton's status as an outgoing senior to sell recruits on immediate playing time. Nowadays the elite QB prospects don't just want to "compete" for a starting job when they get to campus, they want it promised to them by the end of their freshman years before they commit anywhere ala Matt Barkley, Terrell Pryor, Jimmy Clausen, Mitch Mustain (at Arkansas), Matt Stafford, etc.
RocketVol writes:
Crompton's errant, slow throws and the receivers not showing up are killing this team's ability to balance. Until JC is gone, and the receivers wake up, one-D is all you'll get. Hope for 6-6 this year.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Hurry Up offense?
Does Kiffin actually think that us fans want to see a hurry up three and out or a hurry up turnover?
Crompton doesn't posess the mental faculties to run it and if he did, the new offense would ëventually be called "hurry up and throw the interception"
GR82BAVOL writes:
Agree Rocket...looking at the remaining schedule, 6-6 would be as good as I think we can finish this season.
There's just not much else to say. It is what it is and it is frustrating. I hate it for these kids.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
If we could recruit some WR's with an extra 5' arm in the middle of their back, we could POSSIBLY catch some of those passes.
Maybe not.
independentthinker01 writes:
Why was Head Coach Kiffin wearing BLACK ?? Are we not the BIG ORANGE ?? He has refused to wear Orange since he arrived. He is not a "team player". By wearing black, he has brought the Oakland Raiders bad luck to East Tennessee. His boss at UT needs to talk to him.
Elkabong1940 writes:
Crompton is the worst QB I have seen in 42 years of watching Vol football. We will be lucky to win two more games if Kiffin stays with Crompton.
dtennessee#235123 writes:
TC1:
You must either be an idiot or retarded. Kiffin is cleaning up at least a 7-10 year mounting mess that Fulmer left him. He's not going anywhere after five games, evauluate him again after five years.
In year 5, Crompton continues to prove weekly that he cannot play. Play anybody else, Crompton is wasted snaps and a human turnover machine - he's hopeless>
leepevey writes:
My two cents worth.....Crompton needs to see a sports psychologist -- potential is there but it's hard for him to put it all together. And second, Priority needs to be given to recruiting an outstanding placekicker. I don't blame Kiffin for wanting to go for 2, it's an easier sell to recruits who didn't actually see the game.
dtennessee#235123 writes:
Crompton continues to prove game after game that Five years into the program - he just can't play. He's worse than horrible - he's a nightmare, a human turnover machine, he lost the confidence of his teammates a long time ago, its torturous to watch him take a snap. For the sake of humanity. . .
PLEASE, ANYBODY BUT CROMPTON
buzzcut writes:
geeeeeeeze. It's like askin' Obama to fix the economy that Bush screwed up! Kiffen's tryin' to fix Fulmer's mess!
Pullingguard writes:
Not sure that is a Wheeeeeew something to shout about, for could it really be any worse than it is presently? For those looking for light at the end of the tunnel, be aware, it could be the flashlight of the wandering lost,
FearTheVols1252 writes:
How could it possibly hurt to try?? We're going 3 and out and turning the ball over without running a hurry-up offense. We actually showed signs of success with it, so why not consider it?!?
I'm more embarassed about our fans than our team. I'm tired of listening to all you fair-weather fans wanting to quickly throw the coaching staff under the bus because we're not producing wins in their first year. We all knew coming into this season that it was going to be a rebuilding year. He's recruiting well at this point and we NEED to give this staff time to bring in players they think will work well within the system they've designed.
It's painful, no doubt. Crompton will soon be gone and I'm sure there will be another player you all can quickly attack and demand their head on a platter. Why don't you all take a pill and just accept the fact that this isn't going to be a good season.
lomas98 writes:
I am tired of opposing teams coming into Neyland Stadium and coming out with a win. GA is 3-1 since 01, Auburn is 2-0 since 04, FL only loses once a decade it seems in Neyland, Bama has even won twice this decade, Vandy and SC even have wins in this stadium. People were positive about these next 3 home games, but I don't really see any positive in this team playing at home.
lomas98 writes:
Why does Crompton feel he needs to throw the ball 90 mph on short passes. His receivers should have helped him more last night, but he is just plain bad. He had Cottom wide open in the end zone and throws it 10 yards past him. Another fumbled snap and tripping over the center are way too normal for him.
AlphaMan writes:
Wide Receiver coach Frank Wilson deserves a lot of blame. His troops have underperformed, much like his resume. Why is he even on this staff?
We've got all these great coaches with fantastic backgrounds. Then we've got him.
But don't listen to me, judge for yourself:
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-foot...
yeavols#228407 writes:
I case you haven't noticed, we are playing with hardly ZERO talent. It was this way when Fulmer was here and now Kiffin. We have to have top recruiting classes again and the team has to get used to Kiffin's style of play. In case you havn't been reading or following, first year coaches do not do that well as a general rule. Auburn's new coach is doing well because he has Tubberville's recruits. In time, I can see how Kiffin's teams will develop when he gets the right players. Auburn did all it could to stay ahead. Our defense was on the field the entire game. We don't have a QB that can make good decisions and our receivers are having trouble finding the ball. I can't say it's so much coaching as it is low talent that has waned in years. Gruden isn't on speed dial, and this wasn't a moral victory. We probably don't care if you are "done" with staff with only 4 games into the season. In a few years if Kiffin and staff can't do anything with top 10 classes, then we'll go back to the drawing board. Until then, just give Kiffin and staff a chance. Just think, next year we'll have a new QB and better recruits.
Wherethe____isBrandonWarren writes:
The fact is that our defense was hurt and fatigued and we now know that Auburn does have a legitimate offense. Some of those long third downs they converted are unavoidable. But our receivers and QB aren't that great and our offensive line isn't chalked with Outland Trophy contenders. But this staff can recruit and we need to give them time. People ready to give up on their "team" after 5 games are what we call fair-weather fans. On board when we're winning, and they jump ship as soon as the going gets tough. I'm a fan through and through. Go Vols!
rootin4volz writes:
Since it's obvious we can't pass, or catch (it would now seem), maybe that whole "establish a rhythm with the passing game" idea ought to be shelved, Lane. You're trying to force something that just doesn't work.
AlphaMan writes:
A sports psychologist is EXACTLY what he needs!
He seems be be playing with the fear of failure in his mind. When you do that, you stop thinking about the job at hand and start thinking about other stuff.
No wonder he did better in a hurry up offense. There's less time beteen plays to have all those negative thoughts!
TommyJack writes:
What's your point? You think he should coach receivers on how to catch balls thrown behind them?
Agree there were some drops. I think it's more that the throwees have zero confidence in the thrower.
volsgirl writes:
Hey stop be aaaaaaaaaaaa go back to bama
volsgirl writes:
Stop be bad sport...... hey your day comming
arvolfan writes:
cottam tripped.
TommyJack writes:
I'm thinking more along the lines of a Sports Proctologist. CLK is the one needing the psychologist for putting himself, the team, and the fans thru this JC debacle.
volsgirl writes:
100% agree.....Go Vols
volpreacher writes:
We also have the Alabubba win coming up.
rockytoptn1 writes:
Hurry up offense ain't working. Defense can't work all night and expect to have points on the board. The Vol Nation is becoming restless...I feel a revolt coming on.
gohawks1 writes:
Yeah, but his QB recruits aren't.
govols22231 writes:
lets widen the wild cat package and run that some more, we got 41 yards on the first play of the game.
SandySpringsVol writes:
Several times during the broadcast last night the announcers referred used the phrase "to be a quarterback in the SEC...". Crompton doesn't have what it takes. Stephens doesn't have what it takes either (see his performances last year for reference).
With a reasonably effective quarterback, this team could be pretty good -- just look at what happens when Crompton starts completing passes. But with the QB performance the Vols have usually been getting, well, you've seen it, and it's not very pretty.
Kiffin has to play with the hand Fulmer left on the table, and he's got a pair of threes in a league of full houses. Once he gets his people in, then you can make a judgment on his coaching, but right now he's trying to do the best he can with what he's got.
TommyJack writes:
You cannot be serious! Try something that worked?
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