AP Top 25 College Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin says he will stick with redshirt senior Jonathan Crompton as his starting quarterback when the Volunteers travel to Florida on Saturday.
But Crompton won't be allowed to speak to the media as part of Tennessee's game week preparations.
"He doesn't need any more distractions," Kiffin said. "This is a great university to play at, but when things go back because there's so much focus on football, you're going to hear about it. You're going to hear about it when you're at breakfast, when you're at lunch, when you're at dinner, when you're walking to class. That makes it a difficult situation to handle."
The Waynesville, N.C., native threw three interceptions in Tennessee's 19-15 loss to UCLA on Saturday and was involved in a fumbled snap that was recovered by the Bruins. He completed 13 of 26 passes for 93 yards for the Vols (1-1)
After being the best position group in the first game of the season, Kiffin said the offensive line performed worse than any other group on the team against UCLA. The wide receivers performed almost as badly, he said.
"If the offensive line doesn't play well and the receivers don't play well, it's going to be very difficult for the quarterback to play well," Kiffin said.
Crompton won the starting job after competing with backup Nick Stephens during spring and fall practices. The two shared the starting duties last season but made so many mistakes that neither emerged as the clear starter.
Kiffin said he is worried about Crompton's mental state because of his struggles last season and the negative things being said about him.
"I've talked to him," he said. "We're going to really focus on this game plan, focus on this week. That's all you can do. Can't worry about the other stuff and what people are saying."
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BIG D: Despite Tennessee's struggles on offense the defense has remained strong, keeping the Vols in the game against UCLA despite a number of turnovers.
"When you turn the ball over four times and go 25 percent on third down, usually the game's not close," coach Lane Kiffin said. "Luckily our defense played extremely well for the most part."
Through two games, Tennessee ranks third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense (134.5 yards per game), 13th in pass defense (86.94 ypg), 20th in rushing defense (59.5 ypg) and 27th in scoring defense (13 ppg).
Tennessee returned five starters from the 2008 squad, which finished third in the country in total defense. Two freshmen — right tackle Montori Hughes and safety Janzen Jackson — are seeing significant playing time.
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LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1: When Tennessee travels to Florida on Saturday, it will be the eighth time the Vols have faced the No. 1 team in the nation.
Tennessee has only come out on top in two of those contests. In 1959, the Vols beat LSU 14-13 while ranked No. 13. In 1985, an unranked Tennessee edged Auburn 38-20. Both of those games were played in Knoxville.
This will be the third time Tennessee faces a top-ranked Gators squad. The Vols most recently faced No. 1 Florida in 1997 and lost 33-20.
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ORANGE SLICES: The Tennessee-Florida series, dating back to 1916, is tied at 19 games each. The Gators own a 9-5 advantage in Gainesville and have won the last four straight meetings. A win for Florida would give the Gators their first lead in the series. ... The two programs have combined to represent the Southeastern Eastern Division in the league title game 14 of a possible 17 times. The winner of the annual Tennessee-Florida matchup has represented the SEC East in the title game 10 of 17 years.
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SMOKEY SEZ: "Going back over the film, it became even more frustrating than it was after the game because we let that game get away," Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said of a 19-15 loss to UCLA.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 42
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Bang the drum slowly.
SmokeyBallStank writes:
Wow. I have a feeling Stephens not getting a look for recruiting purposes.
yardboy#538962 writes:
Florida will be the Great White shark and we are going to be the seal. Spread could go as high as 35 by game time. Fla intends to destroy the Vols. Its tough wearing # 16 down here. All I can say is tighten up the chin straps.
yardboy#538962 writes:
Above all, place blame where blame belongs.... Coach Fulmer left us a mess from hell. How does a university of this size wind up without a decent QB for years on end? I wont even go into special teams or DBs. Florida has a third and forth string QB that could start for any team in the league. Sad!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good viewpoint.
Crompton starting - thus the 28.5.
Stephens starting, probably 23.5.
sig4ever writes:
Hope the UT Sports Psycologist gets busy this week. What a sad day when you have to turn to a shrink to save your football program.
I also heard a suggestion wondering if Crompton has been tested for color blindness? It would explain why he does so well in practice (all jerseys look the same) and the seemingly unexplicable reason he throws the ball directly at another team's defenders.
bigorange_inbham writes:
So Kiffin bashes the offensive line and and our recievers but NOT Crompton. Anybody that watched the game knows that the interceptions had NOTHING to do with his protection or recievers.
Crompton is a big boy and needs to take responsibility for his actions and losing the game. As long as you spread the blame around to everyone but the the true problem how is anything going to change.
Bold prediction for Saturday: Our defense does a stellar job until the end of the first half becuase they have been on the field for the entire half nad Florida is up 17-0 because of Crompton turnovers and we haven't been able to make a single first down.
Second half defense keeps us from totally getting blown out and Kiffin blames offesive line, recievers, water boy, line judge and Erin Andrews for poor play but we were playing the no.1 team in the nation and none of it was Crompton's fault. I hope I'm wrong but I doubt it!
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Thanks, I needed that. I think we all need a little humor after that debacle last Saturday. Let's just hope the season doesn't turn into one big joke - Go Vols!
VolFanInAtl writes:
What QB recruit wants to play for a team that can't "coach up" a QB?
This has more to do with Lane doing what he said he would do. He said he would have his quarterback's back.
DenverVol writes:
Good Gosh! Not sure why I even bother reading this message board. Based on all your posts, the great majority of you need to go on prozac or something.
I realize that DaMan is Daloser. But the rest of you...chill out.
This time last week, all I saw were posts of us crushing UCLA and possibly sneaking out a win in Florida. One week later, you all want everyone's head on a post including this new coaching staff. Take a breath, chill out and for the love of God stop hatin' on "your" team.
I for one believe Florida is overrated and overhyped. I watched that Ol' Miss again not too long ago and I watched them against Troy this weekend. Best team in college football history? Please!
I'll never make a prediction on a final score of a UT game. However, I will predict this: Our D is not going to quit this coming Saturday like in years past and while we may not win this team won't quit. Florida's in for a fight. GO VOLS!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
garbage post and you are from being any kind of man.
thse 16 kids had a chance to step up and be leaders under the new coaches, they decided not to.
number #3 ranked recruiting class will be ok even without the ones lost
qb cupbard was bare no matter what, I think a coach that has had 3 heisman trophy winners can evalutate better than the below average joe as yourself
Nuke would be at Florida right now but chose to come here. 2nd game as a freshman, he deserves a little longer
ok I'll take your spin, but both coaches picked JC over Stephens, got to be some truth there somewhere.
Berry, McCoy, Lincoln and there will be more that rise up.
Anything you post is hilarious, I'll give you that to.
OLEVOLFAN writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
82cat writes:
As a vol fan i have never pulled so hard for a young man to have success as I am for Crompton.
If you are a vol fan you should put it all aside and pull for him-- he is our qb
yardboy#538962 writes:
Overrated and overhyped... are you kidding me? They score at will while having fun. They laugh thru the entire game. And I hate to admit the last laugh will be on us.
Psychovol writes:
Stephen's is a gamer and JC is a practice whiz. BJC was also a gamer and both he a NS would've given UT a chance to win. The reality is, everyone played well enough to win save one position. Anyone venture a guess what position that was?
ChrisM30TN writes:
Just a thought:
If anyone in the athletic dept. actually reads these posts, I know it is a long shot but trust me.
I know of a kicker that played 3 years of semi-pro football that was way too much into his head and because of this had some bad kicks. One day he realized, while throwing darts, that if he drank once he caught a buzz he threw much better, because he wasn't thinking so much. This caused him to try the same theory on the football field. Once his coach and team saw what a dramatic difference it made, the coach and even the trainer would buy him bottles of liquor before the game. They would line up a few shots for pre-game and a few shots each time before he took the field. He hardly if ever missed once they started doing this, I wonder if the same thing would work for Crompton? Not getting him drunk, just a nice little relaxed buzz to get him out of his head.
Also do not take this post the wrong way I am all for UT, but I see Crompton being over analytical and thinking way too much. Which is exactly like this kicker was, I think they should atleast try it for one practice and if it works do it in the games.
jimr07 writes:
i rarely post but had to after yours. great reasons. keep up the humor. that is all we have left.
AlDavisWasRight writes:
This is just insanity... how much more data does Kiffin need to figure out Crompton can't handle the pressure of a big game? What's the old definition of insanity... keep doing the same thing over and over yet expect different results.
Kiffin is shows just what a mental midget he is... Al Davis was right... Kiffin will destroy what is left of UT football.
When does basketball season start?
jimr07 writes:
amen to that.
T4TN writes:
It would be better for Crompton to play, we wouldn't want Nick to get injured when the florida defense runs through the line like a run away freight train.
utvol2485 writes:
Amen!
ChrisM30TN writes:
I agree. Florida is good, but they are not nearly as good as their fans think they are. I saw Troy moving the ball on UF's starting Defense, they just could not finish. Troy's defense is nowhere near as good as Tennessee's D. If UF was as good as everyone thinks, they should not have ever had to punt against Troy, I saw that first series where Teabow and UF went 3 and out. So, what if UF's defense is highly ranked, I know high school teams that could have ranked defenses against the teams they've played so far.
Side note DA- I do not know who is pulling your chain, but your an idiot. Of course you'd still want Foolmer here, the most predictable offense in the nation, with a coach that could not even beat the Mighty Gay-turds with Peyton Manning. When Teabow is gone, so are all of UF's chances for anymore championships.
TotalPackage1 writes:
I thought Kenny Stabler was a QB not a kicker?
volunteeringerogia writes:
You people must not have watched the same game I watched. The o line was awfull. We could not run the ball or throw without penatration from the defensive tackles. The o line got whipped every play!
latinvol writes:
Amen to DenverVol. Kiffin is doing what he said: "He has his quarterback's back." we all need to chill. last week you would have thought we were vying for the national championship or something. now, we all want to throw the coach, the team, poor Crompton, and even the school prez. under the bus.
Crompton stunk it up. call a spade a spade. What are we gonna do about it? we can throw Stephens to the wolves in this next game? if so, then we have both of our quarterbacks in a funk, and we haven't even gotten to October yet. Crompton will play this game out. if he does terrible, then i bet we will see Stephens within the next two weeks. if Crompton somehow plays decent to good, we have his confidence back.
the one thing i know that WILL happen, is that OUR D will show up to play. Coach also called out his O-Line and his receivers. I bet we will see some new incentive this next week in both of their game. even if we loose, we are going to see EFFORT, HEART, DESIRE, AND DETERMINATION. I don't see quit in this team. GO VOLS.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Yes, I agree. It's not the time to be changing quarterbacks. If it becomes necessary in the future for that to happen, it should take place during a week in which we are preparing for a less formidable opponent. Besides, if our OL continues to perform this poorly, if won't matter who the QB is anyway. The coaches have very few decent options with this OL and QB. A tough position for them to b in.
VAVol writes:
Stick with Crompton. Changing horses now would only serve to damage Crompton's already shaken confidence and put undue pressure on Stephens to step up in a way that possible nobody could do. I, for one, don't expect to beat Florida anyway, but if we do, then think about what that would do to bolster his confidence. GO VOLS!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Is that possible?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Maybe we could have a riderless Tenn Walking Horse.
bradr114 writes:
couldnt agree more.
quit whining and pull for the vols no matter who is qb. it takes 11 on each side of the ball to win a game.
i agree with lane, he needs to understand he does not have an all-american at qb, and therefore, should put him in comfortable positions to make plays. he's a good coach, i have confidence he will be better this week.
LibertyVolance writes:
No. Your post is hilarious. Go on and rehire Fulmer. I'm pulling for you. The Gators never tire of running over Doughboy. Bring him back, by any and all means. Maybe we can assist with the buyout. lol.
REVOL writes:
Amen Brother! I don't believe Florida is overrated, but I'm with you on the defense being able to hang. I don't see any fear or quit in them. They showed that Saturday. They believed they could still beat UCLA when the Bruins took over at the 1 yd line. I'll bet CMK hasn't shown everything yet. Florida is the better team, with the most to lose. Do the Vols win, probably not. Do they come to play, I believe they do. And until the talent level is comparable (and it will be)I'll take that. Win, lose or draw it's bettter be a Vol than a Gator!GO VOLS!
smokey_vols writes:
YES! I will pull for JC more than ever now. He has tried hard but the Fulmer era messed him all up. Jerking him in and out of games destroyed his psyche. GO VOLS no matter who the QB. Fair weather fans here make me sick.
seventysevenvol writes:
There's a noticeable change in the posts I've read the past few days. Last week there were quotes of 40 something to 3 Vols over UCLA, "come get your b_tt-whipping" etc. Lots of personal shots and tongue flapping. The game was frustrating to watch...can't imagine how frustrating to play in it must've been. Here's a thought, though: no one is giving any measure of credit to UCLA playing just good enough to actually win. True, mistakes were plentiful, but they were on both sides. I too predicted a Vol win- much more modest at 24-10.
So, now Florida is on the radar. September 19 is upon us. I think UF will win, but it will be closer than the 28.5 point spread. The ball takes funny bounces. But, like I've been saying since preseason, one game at a time. Someone once said that "you're never as good as your best game, nor bad as your worst one" or something to that effect. That's kinda where I see my Vols right now. We'll see.
pbnichols writes:
Hmmm....ponder this: CLK may think it is best to wait and start Stephens at home against Ohio. Get his feet wet then with two SEC home games to follow instead of having him be demolished at Florida and then have to pick up the pieces with two QB's that have confidence issues.
smokey_jones writes:
I totally agree with this post. Not only that, it seems like last week everybody had good things to say about JC. Just because JC did not have by any means a good game last week does NOT mean we need to start bashing him and/or replace him as the starter with Stephens. We all have seen last year what happens when we do that.
We need to support our TEAM and all of our players on it. GO Crompton! GO VOLS!
82cat writes:
Folks its time for all vols to get on the same page and get back to being all vol.
kiffin is the coach he says crompton is his qb time to get off the negative train and hope crompton has the game of his life this week.
what i saw saturday was a outstanding defense and a coach who is committed to his plan and no wavering in his approach.
kiffin said he wanted to make a tough run the ball football team and he will take that to florida and try to win with it not crompton throwing 40 times.
I have read this board for the last yr and it is time to unite in our hate for florida and get behind our young men.
I dont know if we will win saturday but I predict you won't see any quit in these young men.
(i feel like john belushi giving his pep talk in animal house)
whos with me??
REVOL writes:
In the famous words of Bluto Blutarski: "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" Let's do it!!!
Vol_in_Mich writes:
Nobody thought we belonged on the same field with Miami in the 1985 Sugar Bowl, we won. Nobody thought we could beat the #1 LSU Tigers in '59 (I think), we won. Nobody thought we could beat Bobby Bowden's Fla. State team in the first BCS championship game, we won. Nobody thinks we have a chance against the mighty Gators, who knows. Fla. has never gone undefeated, might as well be us to mess it up for them this year.
GO VOLS!!!
steelersman42 writes:
Amen, brother. very well said.
Tide_fan writes:
Hey TP,
I thought he was talking about Broadway Joe. I think he owned a bar in Manhattan while he was still playing but Stabler waited until his career was over before he bought his bar on the Gulf Coast.
Peace,
Roll Tide Roll,
George
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The last time Al Davis was right was when he said, "Uh-oh, I think I just peed my pants."
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