AP Top 25 College Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee seemed doomed for a repeat of last season after losses to UCLA, Florida and Auburn. Then something happened.
The Volunteers 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 Southeastern Conference) 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 » 27
GhostofRobertNeyland writes:
Amen!!! The officials cost the Hogs a victory and they tried to do the same against So Cal. Two of the worst officiated games I have ever watched. Both crews should be placed on probation. Hogs should have won by 20+, easy. Asterick beside this Gator victory!
volzcrushm writes:
Yes, yes, yes....and yes. We still have 6 games left(7 w/a bowl) to do some damage on some teams and it would be great to put a damper on the Tide's season!...and go 10 - 4 from this point.
Hardrocknox writes:
Florida just fell to #2 in the polls , Alabama is the new #1 . Man it would be great to take them down this week.
NobodyCares (Inactive) writes:
lol! The greatest football team in the history of college football is ranked #2? lol!
MaxTorq writes:
The wheels are still on the wagon but if Tennessee is to get a marquee win this season, this is their last chance. Ole Miss, doormats, and whipping boys follow, which is not much to hang your hat on.
Playing the number two team in the nation at their house presents a formidable challenge, especially when execution has been sporadic and special teams nonexistant. Prior to division play, this was THE game of the year and is still considered so by some. How the new coaching staff perceives this game and presents it to the players is another matter. Regardless, Tennessee finds itself in the role of spoiler and can gain a little strut and walk a little taller with a victory.
Poise by the quarterback, concentration by the receivers, discipline on special teams, and team execution are the keys if victory is to happen.
cc623 writes:
If that was the greatest team in history that had a game "gifted" to them by the refs then you're history must be flawed...
UT4ever writes:
Yes Witchy.......Deja Vu for this article, I have.....News Sentinel unoriginal, I say......Adams behind this, I know......Earn their money, they don't.....Vols dominate Bammer, I foresee!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pdiddy10 writes:
please taylor mays and ndamakung suh are overrated
I have just one problem though that I think you might agree with.
Ndamukong suh is being considered for heisman and defensive player of the year.
Eric Berry was considered but know he isnt.
My case is simple...look at their stats
Eric Berry has FIFTY total tackles, THIRTY FIVE solo tackles, and fifteen assissted tackles. Eric Berry also has an interception on TIM TEBOW and a fumble recovery for fourty yards or so. Also, Berry is in the toughest conference and to prove that he will have to play 2 number one teams this year..FLorida and Alabama. Alabama and FLorida also have one of the best rushing and passing attacks in the nation.
Ndamukong (whatever) only has a total of thirty five tackles, twenty solo, and fourteen assissted tackles versus a very wimnpy conference. He only got four tackles vs Texas Tech while Berry got nine tackles against florida.
Also, every single team UT plays, they throw the ball away from eric berry.
Ndama... is considered for heisman and eric berry isnt???? while eric berry has SIXTEEN more tackles then na... Suh has. how is this possible?!?!?!? take this into immediate consideration because I think it is completely unfair... Eric Berry has waaay better all-time stats then suh has too. Also, in the big picture, Tennessee's defense is better then Nebraskas. And who the heck does Nebraska play??? Virginia tech is the only good team that they play and VIrginia Tech just lost... UT has and will play 2 number one teams... wow - Eric Berry is getting no publicity at all.
Take this into immediate considereation because me, and many other people, are down-right P.Oed that Ndaajklsdha suh is getting more heisman votes then berry is. chris,YOU NEED TO CHANGE THIS.... NOW!!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU LOVE TAYLOR MAYS...HE IS AWFUL TOO. TAYLOR GAVE UP A HUGE TOUCHDOWN TO GOLDEN TATE. TAYLOR MAYS STINKS AND IS OVERRATED. ERIC BERRY FOR HEISMAN AND DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!! SPREAD THE WORD VOL SFANS!!
.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
only ranking that matters is the one at the end of the season
TommyJack writes:
Yeah, listening to Lunquist vomit platitudes about Tebow was disgusting. Seems the officiating is right there with the media. Were I a gator, I would feel dirty after that "win".
yeavols#228407 writes:
I agree....Too bad we didn't find out who we are in the Auburn game..even a win there would have been a huge lift going into the Bama game. But with new coaches and a new offense and trying to find out what mix of players are right, it could be worse I suppose.
NobodyCares (Inactive) writes:
Actually chuck, Timbow probably DOES deserve Heisman CONSIDERATION. Without him -- QB/Leading Rusher/Head Cheerleader -- UF is average at best.
Meyer? Not so important. At Utah he rode a one-trick-pony-QB, Alex Smith, to noteriety. He's done the same thing at UF with Timbow and will do the same thing at Notre Dame. Right now he is hoping that Jimmy Clausen will stay for another year and Weiss(sp?) will get fired.
UF may win out and get another NC, but this year is the end of the road. UT showed them to be vulnerable and everybody else is lining up to take a shot. It has been proven ... stop Timbow and you stop the Gatas.
As I posted elsewhere, looking at UF's SEC performance this year (less UK), the SEC is either pretty tough or UF is at best average. But the Gatas kicked hell out of a couple of city colleges!
volvann writes:
"Big games left: vs. LSU; at Auburn; SEC title game "
This is what was posted on Rivals.com for 'biggest games left' for 'bama. The Vols don't even rate according to the writer of the article for BCS Breakdown. Hmmm... Will the mojo be workin for the Big Orange?
Go Vols, stomp the elephants!!!!!
NCVOL09 writes:
at the end of the day we are 3-3, but realistically we are 2 drives away from being 5-1....the future is looking pretty on Rocky Top
DennisVols writes:
What I saw last night against SC was a Bama passing game that was suspect at best. A tendency to turn the ball over and not enough discipline that caused a lot of penalties.
UT will have to take advantage of those areas if they want to have a chance.
SC's passing game was weak and they had to depend on the run too much. Accuracy was more of the reason for their passing issues than the defense.
Crompton will need to be on his game as he was in the GA game. Establishing the run to set up the pass will be critical.
UT's defense against the run will have to step up to stop Ingram. If they can do that and force Bama to throw then UT has a shot.
It will take a total team effort with limited mistakes in order for this to happen.
Special teams could be our down fall if things haven't changed over the past two weeks.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
murrayvol writes:
The officials simply didn't want to take the luster off an SECCG featuring two 12-0 teams. Good for the conference and all.
We're 3-3 BB. Can't change that but we can still go 5-1 on our way to the house.
cincykid writes:
Glad to hear the VOLS are confident because the WKU win is looking more and more unimpressive each week and the Auburn and UCLA losses are looking worse and worse...
RollTideJoe writes:
Understand what you're saying, but Saban will get them focused for Saturday. The mistakes will be limited and McElroy will do better with passing. We will be expecting you to load the box, so McElroy will spread it around more. Crompton will have to deal with an intense defense in his face all day. That is when he comes unglued. This won't be Georgia.
asleep#212036 writes:
The good thing is, as long as we play that way it won't matter. The confidence is high and although I am not, nor have I ever been, a Fulmer hater, it seemed that even in the good years, we often played not to lose and it showed in the big games - we just couldn't stand the pressure. Kiffin, so far, seems to be focused on the process and waiting for the results and the team has responded. Should we be 5-1? Darn skippy we should. However, starting with the second half against Auburn, I think this team has turned a corner towards the future. Don't know if we have the horses to beat Bama but the rest of the schedule looks manageable IF we play with the confidence and execution of the 5-1 team we should be. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Don't know how you can assure the mistakes will be limited and McElroy will play better. I'm fairly certain Saban wants the mistakes limited every week and needs MeElroy to play well to compliment the running game every week and yet that hasn't happened consistently. McElroy may very well have a great game against UT and if he does, Bama will likely win going away. But he is easily your biggest liability and the only reason Bama won't win it all is if he plays like he did last night against a BCS Bowl level opponent. He has games where he not only doesn't help the team, he hurts them. If that had been LSU or Florida, you would have lost that game. Saturday should be interesting since neither Saban nor Kiffin grew up in the South or the SEC and no matter what they say, they can't possible understand the meaning of this game the way you and I do. Go Vols!!!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
UT will probably slow Ingram. Not stop him, but slow him. As far as McElroy, I think he's a world better than JPW, but still screws up under pressure. He's good, but Monte will come up with something to screw with him. We've been great at limiting big plays under Monte. As far as Bama's D, what I'm most worried about is how Saban brings so much pressure up the middle on blitzes. I think you'll see alot of perimeter running, toss sweeps and such. If Crompton shows up like last week, it's gonna be a game worthy of past UT-Bama clashes. I just want a competetive game reminiscant of the old days when Bama and UT were the powers in the SEC. No it won't be Georgia, but we also won't be the UT of the past few years. This could be a dogfight. Two teams with pro defenses, one a 4-3, one a 3-4, going up against power running offenses. Just awesome, screw the spread.
monsterman writes:
The running and play action offense out of the I vs GA was a beautiful scheme that plays to UT's strenghts, offensive line and great hard running backs, while minimizing the need to take deep shots in the passing game. I am with you forget the spread. Let JC throw the roll outs simple routes he can throw and open running lanes for Brown and Hardesty and just like vs GA the big strikes will be there later as the defense weakens and is paying to much attention the run. This also helps that D stay fresh and keep bama off the field.
I like UT's chances and let's don't forget, UT has not beat bama in a few years and their bump to #1 definitely a plus for us and maybe just maybe swells their heads enough to think the game is over before it begins.
Go Vols, we need an upset!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I have wondered for at least five years now why Lundquist still has a job! It is just not RIGHT that HE is the lead announcer for the #1 game in the #1 conference. I would even take (gasp!) Brent ("You are looking LIVE...") Musberger over that senile bumbler Lundquist!
AFVol423 writes:
Nice positive and hopeful story. I'm not going to say the Offense has found consistancy till they do it to at least one more team. I will say I'm excited to see the rest of the season. Go VOLS!
GreensboroVol writes:
I hate to blame the refs for costing anyone a game. Arkansas did have chances to win but you can't leave that many points on the field and expect to beat Florida. However, I really have to question several of the refs calls late in that game. Especially the personal foul against the Arkansas lineman when the UF player engaged him first. I'm not saying there is a great conspiracy in the SEC but I do believe the SEC really wants an undefeated Florida to play an undefeated Alabama in the championship game. So UT take note and don't let Saturday come down to a subjective call from the refs.
volsfanlostinthebigeasy writes:
YEAH!!!!......what he said.
volsfanlostinthebigeasy writes:
I honestly think our boys can pull off an upset at bammer. JC will have to play like he did against GA. and our D-FENCE has to clobber ingram. our special teams has to tighten up and not give them good feild posistion. We can do it!!!
VOLS 24
BAMA 21 GO VOLS....BUCK FAMA!!!!!!
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