Tennessee seemed doomed for a repeat of last season after losses to UCLA, Florida and Auburn. Then something happened.
The Vols got a decisive win over SEC East Division rival Georgia and ended up with the confidence that seemed to be missing for so long.
“It’s just coming from inside the locker room, players saying, ‘We’re not going to lose anymore,’” wide receiver Denarius Moore said. “We’ve worked too hard to not have a good season.”
Midway through their first season under coach Lane Kiffin, the Vols (3-3, 1-2 SEC) have one more victory than they did this time last year. None of the five wins Tennessee finished with in 2008 were as high-profile as the 45-19 win over the Bulldogs on Oct. 10.
And with six games left to go — three against teams that currently have losing records — the Vols are poised to make a run at a bowl game after missing out on last year’s postseason.
“It’s been an up-and-down season,” Kiffin said. “I think overall it’s really hard to say (how we’ve done) because we’ve been inconsistent, but it’s about what you do last.”
That’s a message he’s been preaching to his players all season. He wants them to finish practices, games and the season better than they start them, rather than have to figure out why they fell apart.
The message is getting through. The Vols have scored a total 66 points in the final quarter of games this season compared to 19 points at this point last season.
They’ve also held four opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter and given up a total of 13 points to the other two.
Tennessee did more than just finish well against Georgia. The Vols found the consistency that had been missing from their passing game.
Quarterback Jonathan Crompton and the receivers have gradually improved since completing 13-of-26 for 93 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions against UCLA in week two.
Against the Bulldogs, Crompton was 20 for 27 for a career-high 310 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. That earned him his first SEC offensive player of the week honor.
Unlike Fulmer, who switched between Crompton and backup Nick Stephens as the pair struggled to make completions last year, Kiffin pledged to stick with the senior quarterback while demanding better play of receivers and promising to call better plays.
“Anybody at any position doesn’t want to have to look over the shoulder and stay worried about it, because that’s when you play timid. When you just go out there and play ball — I wouldn’t say play recklessly, but play within the system and play like yourself — it pays off,” Crompton said.
Kiffin also credits backup players with doing a better job on the field when starters tire or are injured.
“They maybe didn’t get the (practice) reps at those exact plays in those situations,” he said. “There was a number of instances in that game where guys made the plays and did things right where before, when guys had to come in, they weren’t doing things right.”
That discipline is expected both on and off the field.
Following the 2007 season, eight players were either arrested or disciplined for violating team rules. Since Kiffin has been hired, there have been no arrests.
Kiffin has also dismissed two players for actions that might have previously been handled with suspensions. He kicked Demetrice Morley off the team in April after the defensive back missed a number of practices, meetings and workouts. Wide receiver Brandon Warren was dismissed Oct. 5 after a sidelines confrontation with an assistant coach during the Auburn game.
Warren’s dismissal has especially resonated with his Tennessee teammates.
“He’s part of our family and he’s one of the guys that we care a lot about,” defensive end Ben Martin said. “Obviously, it hurt us a lot when he got dismissed, but we’re a team and we’ve got to move on and just try to put that behind us, even though we care about him.”
For now, Tennessee is relishing a midseason bye week and hoping to use some momentum from its win over Georgia when it travels to face another big rival in second-ranked Alabama.
The Vols spent their off week doing some extra work in the weight room, resting a few banged-up starters and getting back-ups some extra practice.
“Everybody could have just been satisfied with the victory and not worked as hard, but we’ve had really good practice, and it’s been really intense, and I feel like that we’re all starting to come together and starting to buy in a little bit more,” fullback Austin Johnson said.
“I’m excited about what’s up and coming.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 83
utvolz#637682 writes:
Enjoy the bye week and turn your focus 100% to Bama next week. GO VOLS! BUCK FAMA!
utvolz#637682 writes:
And beat the rush, hate Bama early and often! GO BIG ORANGE!
gohawks1 writes:
I like where this train is headin'.....
bobbytodd writes:
A bye week is like being in detention. I'm itchin' for some UT football. I hope they use this time for a good scheme instead of thinking about how good they played last week.
chrisw2967 writes:
I hate bye weeks ,guess I will have to settle for Ark and Fla game and maybe Mallet will pass those Gayfors to death.Go Hogs
volzcrushm writes:
BUCK FAMA....BEAT EM BY 5O POINTS!!! THEN SEE WHAT TYLERBOWTIE SAYS!
halloffamebowler writes:
Injuries should improve this week.Maybe they can carry the big mo into the second half of the season.Crompton,please do not get our hopes up with the way you played last week,and revert back to your old self of the first 5 games.
Pdiddy10 writes:
we better beat alabama and eric berry better get an interception for fifteen yards. im waiting on eric berry... i really think that he CAN get the defensive player of the year if he actually gets an interception or a sack. i think he will fit perfectly into any NFL team but i want him to do something vs alabama
Pdiddy10 writes:
focus on bama not how u played last week or resting up or something. practice your hardest
higgman55 writes:
where are the Gator trolls, the HOGs are givin it to them!! Sooooooowwwwwwwwiiiiiiiieeeeee!!!!!!!
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Tebow just lost that Heisman and apparently AL is the true No 1 team in the country since they handled AK and UF can't even score against them!
This is the beginning of the end of the gators rule...say goodbye to Tebow AND Meyer. It was a good run.
WRITE IT DOWN!!
notoriousBIGorange writes:
And I guarantee CLK will be calling those UF commits like Luc RIGHT AFTER this game...
tenuscvol writes:
Wouldn't bother me one bit if Florida was to loose as nothing would be better than kicking bama's butt with them at home rated number 1...
GoVols! Beat Bama!
marinevol writes:
Of course you realize that the only reason this game is close is because Arkansas isn't trying to win. Also, Florida has had a flu relapse.
cloudodust writes:
Tonight, Alabama and SC, our next two. Florida isn't the same with Tebow still not looking 100%. LSU stretched them out and a non-call jersey tug by UF Collins was a difference maker there. Razorpigs played a good first half. But tonight, I'll be keyed on AL-SC. GO VOLS
blitzshoot writes:
go Hogs!
Razzle writes:
PIG SOOOEY
blitzshoot writes:
These CBS broadcasters ( used lightly ) are such homers. Numbnutquist is a joke!
blitzshoot writes:
They are going to rob this Arkansas team. What a joke.
I think one of the ref's has a gator tat
Razzle writes:
Are these refs blind?
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Well, it's obvious that the officials are going to make sure that UF wins this game...pityfull calls
BillsBrother writes:
Hogs are having to take on the gators and the officials in this one...
yeavols#228407 writes:
The Arkansas and Florida game is another example of how the refs can sway the game. TWO HORRIBLE calls from the refs give Florida a push into the endzone for a tie. It's DISGUSTING and the refs should be penalized. I hope Arkansas files with the SEC and NCAA or someone to get these BOZOS investigated.
West_TN_VOL77 writes:
That last personal foul was obviously to help the gators drive down field...sheesh....just give them the game.
BigOrange93 writes:
How come tennessee never puts stickers on players helmets
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I'm sure the SEC has told the SEC supplied refs they want an undefeated Alabama and Florida to be in the SEC Championship game. Look for phantom calls against us next week.
blitzshoot writes:
Congrats to the Florida refs....kept them in it.
Razzle writes:
Offensive pass interference on Cooper. Another missed call.
blitzshoot writes:
pass interference for god sake. Urban poster is right, SEC is making sure bama and lizards are undefeated. What a joke
yeavols#228407 writes:
Offensive Pass interference NOT CALLED again..INVESTIGATE these refs...Arkansas can't overcome the Refs and play the game too..
yeavols#228407 writes:
DID everyone see the florida player hold while Tebow blows by? Amazing
blitzshoot writes:
Tebow isnt running head first anymore. Running for the sidelines.
orangepridenation writes:
Lets hope our boys can go into bama's house next week and give a heck of a showing, a win would be AWESOME!!! but lets not get too ahead of ourselves here. Lets rest up the guys, get in some extra practice and devise a plan to stop that terrible menstral tide next weekend.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
blitzshoot writes:
Florida's rein is over in the SECCG. Urban Cryer you can put a fork in next year.
blitzshoot writes:
WHAT A JOKE! HOMER FOOTBALL! If Crompton had played like he did against GA, UT beats them, easily.
BAMA will beat this team by 20!
Razzle writes:
Arkansas got robbed.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I agree... I HATE the whole state of Alabama, but I believe they will destroy this Florida team.
yeavols#228407 writes:
And the REFS carried the gators to victory because it sure wasn't the gators...
orangepridenation writes:
well congrats florida. what have we learned today? well nothing, other than the refs absolutely LOVE you.
=]
blitzshoot writes:
Tired of seeing that stupid Shizz grin on Meyer. He knows the days are numbered. South Bend bound before he gets his arse handed to him next year.
Pdiddy10 writes:
arkansas would beat us right now, im sorry, we had only one good game, watch bama murder us
blitzshoot writes:
Go Vols! BEAT BAMA! Go to HE!! Gators!
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
We may lose but this coaching staff will have our team ready. We won't quit like we have in the past. Look for a close game.
blitzshoot writes:
My Big Orange can beat anybody at anytime. Go Vols! Beat Bama!
Regulator writes:
I know this is off topic, but I have a question that I'm sure the Gator lurkers that are or will be here can answer. How much does it cost to rent an officiating crew for the weekend? It would be nice to rent today's UF/Arkansas crew for next week.
volnnwbama writes:
again, two words "BEAT THE LIVING phooey OUT OF BAMA"
ok thats seven words but who cares
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I don't think they paid the officials, but I did hear that Urban gave the referee the game ball.
Elkabong1940 writes:
Has anyone heard what kind of a year Tyler Bray is having?
VolsRaysBucs writes:
It pains me to make ANY predictions if the outcome is either Florida or Bama but.......Bama will physically manhandle the Gators in the SECG, no questions about it. Now, does that mean they will physically manhandle us next weekend? Absolutely not. We took the fight to the Gators, just like the Razorbacks did today. My heart honestly aches for the Arkansas kids. Hats off to you boys, you played your hearts out and did the school/conference proud with your effort.
As an aside, the officiating crew should be investigated immediately. I actually think it's better for us and the conference that UF won, but those consecutive penalty calls on the tying drive coupled with the no call on Cooper, were as bad as I've seen. Well, since Gaffney's "catch" in Neyland. Oops, forgot the bogus PF penalty on a pick 6 in UF's 21-20 "win" in 06 at Neyland.
rockytopatl writes:
Some observations from watching an afternoon of college football:
1. Arkansas's field goal kicker ought to be tarred and feathered. Had he made just one of the two field goals he hooked, the Gators would have had to limp into overtime to beat the underdog Hogs. Mallott made one great pass, but missed at least two others for TDs that would have led to a signature upset.
2. Florida's defense becomes quite ordinary without Spikes.
3. Jimmy Clausen isn't half the quarterback that brother Casey was. Casey would have at least gotten his team into overtime against USC and most likely would have won the game long before the two chokes at the goalline.
4. Lou Holtz came into the week 24-29 picking games, with no regard to the spread and he's missing many again today. There have been dogs, ducks and turtles with better records. Holtz always picks teams he used to coach regardless of their impossible chances. What a joke of a commentator!
5. Florida has no chance against Alabama, irregardless of what happens with the Tide against anybody else, S.C. and/or Tennessee. Their defense isn't as great as billed, and their offense is decidedly one-dimensional.
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