Tale of the tape: Numbers show UT a different program under Kiffin

The records alone show change. But not much.

To understand the depth of change, a closer inspection is required.

Tennessee's football team stands 3-3 and 1-2 in the SEC at the midway point of the season. After six games in 2008, the Vols were 2-4 and 0-3 in the SEC, a start that would eventually lead to the Vols' third coaching change in just over three decades.

The Vols are clearly a different program under Lane Kiffin than they were in Phillip Fulmer's final season.

Here's a comparison of both seasons at the midway point:

Kiffin Can Pound the Rock

The Vols are a much-improved running team in 2009. Tailback Montario Hardesty is averaging 112 yards per game this season compared to last year's leading rusher, Arian Foster, who averaged 56.8.

UT is averaging 183.7 yards on the ground, which ranks sixth-best in the SEC and 34th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Last year, the Vols ranked 89th in the FBS and ninth in the SEC with 122.2 rushing yards per game.

Hardesty's improvement and added opportunities as a full-time starter have upped his 2008 average of 3.9 yards per carry to 5.4 this season.

Kiffin vs. Clawson

Kiffin's offense has been limited with a struggling passing attack for most of the season but is still averaging 32 points per game, which is fifth in the SEC and 29th in FBS.

The Vols were 108th in the FBS and 11th in the SEC with 17.3 points per game after six games under former coordinator Dave Clawson in 2008. Overall, UT's scoring is up from 104 points in 2008 to 192 in 2009.

Points aren't the only telling stat. UT is averaging 392.7 yards per game (sixth in the SEC, 48th in the FBS) this season after averaging 299.5 yards per game (10th in the SEC, 104th in FBS) in 2008.

As a team, UT's pass efficiency this season is 129.7, which is 59th best in the FBS. Last season, the Vols' rating was 106.2, which ranked 101st in the FBS.

One-Man Show

The Vols are much more settled at quarterback than they were a year ago.

Still, that was a bone of contention among fans before Jonathan Crompton's standout SEC performance against Georgia last week. Now at least, it seems UT's coaches knew what they were talking about when they vehemently defended their struggling quarterback.

UT's 2009 quarterback debate hasn't led to a switch despite weeks of fan consternation.

In October 2008, the Vols were in the middle of a full-fledge quarterback controversy. Crompton had started the first four games, then Nick Stephens started six. And there was a fan favorite, B.J. Coleman, waiting in the wings.

Coleman eliminated that debate for 2009 when he transferred to Chattanooga following spring practice.

Crompton's passer rating at the midway point of 2008 was 95.8. This year his rating is 129.1.

Monte vs. Chief

UT was allowing 18.2 points and 280 yards per game under former defensive coordinator John Chavis. Both statistics ranked seventh in the SEC and 29th and 21st in the FBS, respectively.

Under Monte Kiffin, the Vols are allowing 19.5 points and 272 yards per game. The points allowed ranks seventh in the SEC and 34th in the FBS. The allowed yardage ranks third in the SEC and 12th in the FBS.

Both defenses have had their struggles getting key stops in the fourth quarter. Both have faced times when a more successful offense would have helped.

Berry Different

Eric Berry's role has changed. The All-American safety was more often a roaming defensive back under Chavis. He had four interceptions for 103 return yards after six games in 2008. This season, Berry has one diving interception.

Berry has played closer to the line of scrimmage in 2009, especially against foes who run a non-traditional offense, such as the spread option. Berry's tackles are up. He has 50 compared to 34 after six games in 2008.

Ready Volunteers

UT had 13 recruiting commitments after six games in 2008, an admirable feat considering the Vols were struggling so much on the field and Fulmer was so heavily scrutinized.

This year, the Vols have 20 commitments and are rated as the seventh-best class in the nation. That ranking will likely rise as the Vols fill out their class. A top-five class nationally is within reach.

Take Off the Cuffs

As most would have expected of a new hire, Kiffin cleaned house when he arrived. Some players were asked to leave and some left on their own. Receiver Brandon Warren, who was dismissed from the team this month, was the latest casualty.

However, there haven't been any public incidents involving local law enforcement since Kiffin took over in December. That certainly wasn't the case under Fulmer, whose team had plenty of highly publicized, off-field incidents.

The Vols also are showing more discipline on the field. UT had 65.3 penalty yards per game (11th in the SEC, 101st in the FBS) at this point last season compared to 31.8 (first in the SEC, fourth in the FBS) in 2009.

Not Being Bullied

The Vols were handled easily by their two biggest rivals in the first half of the 2008 season. Florida and Georgia beat the Vols by a combined score of 56-20. This year the Vols kept Florida in range, 23-13, and blasted Georgia 45-19 for a combined score of 58-32 in UT's favor.

Orange-Clad Honeymooners

The Vols had a strong crowd for the Georgia game despite home losses to UCLA and Auburn. UT fans are clearly willing to wait for Kiffin to implement his plan, which could take two more years.

Via talk shows, message boards and some vocal fans in Neyland Stadium, Crompton has received much of the criticism when the Vols struggle. Yet it was nothing like last year.

The 2008 season was much about Fulmer and his job security - or lack thereof - even at the midway point. Clawson took some heat but he wasn't the main target.

Time will tell if changing coaches was the right decision. It's clear, however, that fans were ready for something different.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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