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Quarterback C-
Decision making was again shaky. Accuracy is a regular issue for Jonathan Crompton. The senior only was on the hook for one interception in the first half, but it could have easily been three. His touchdown throw to Brandon Warren was perfect, though, and he led UT quickly downfield before halftime for a field goal. Crompton nearly altered the game single-handedly with a fumble Ohio couldn't pick up correctly.
Running backs A-
It wasn't anybody's fault in the backfield they weren't getting their numbers called in the first half. Montario Hardesty more than made up for it in the second half, carrying the ball 17 times for 124 yards to take control of the offense and the clock. Bryce Brown had a wide-open drop along the sideline in the passing game, but picked up 56 yards on 13 carries on the ground.
Wide receivers C-
Run blocking was better, and Denarius Moore and Warren helped offset the loss of Quintin Hancock with seven combined catches for 71 yards and a score. Neither Nu'Keese Richardson nor Marsalis Teague really took advantage of their chance in the starting lineup, and Teague was limited with injuries.
Offensive line A-
Crompton had plenty of time in the pocket, even if he often didn't know exactly what to do with it. The holes for Hardesty and Brown in the second half were gaping, and UT was repeatedly successful running to the right side behind Aaron Douglas in his first career start. The redshirt freshman, however, was hit with a holding penalty early.
Special teams C-
UT left a gaping hole for the Bobcats on their first kickoff and paid the price, giving up a 95-yard touchdown and the momentum from an impressive opening drive by the offense. Lincoln's missed field goal off the left upright was a hiccup since he responded with a career long 49-yarder.
Defensive Line A
End Chris Walker's interception for a touchdown was a superstar play. Tackle Dan Williams was nearly unblockable. The officials seemed to tire of calling holding penalties on Ohio and let several go as the game went on.
Linebackers B
Rico McCoy played well with a team-high eight tackles and a forced fumble. Nick Reveiz, as always, was solid in run support until he injured his knee. Greg King showed flashes in his first start.
Defensive Backs D
A busted coverage gave up Ohio's first score. Janzen Jackson failed to secure the ball after recovering a fumble deep in Ohio territory. Brent Vinson struggled. Another blown coverage in the fourth quarter resulted in a 59-yard reception that helped keep Ohio in the game.
Coaching C-
Why didn't the Vols run the ball more? More importantly, why did the Vols continue to run a banged-up Hardesty when Brown was running well? UT should have called a timeout with :07 left in the first half.
Overall C-
If the Florida game was a moral victory, the Ohio game was a moral defeat.
- News Sentinel staff
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 104
Wii60 writes:
Mostly agree, but I will say that the coaches were right not to call a timeout with 7 seconds to go. Waiting was the right call. There's no way to get downfield fast enough to take a shot, so it's better to take the points and get in the locker room.
spoonerism writes:
I feel worse about this win than I did about the Florida loss. I'm very concerned about the QB position going into the meat of the SEC. I mean, how bad are the other guys on the bench if JC is our best option?
VOLKING writes:
Our receivers have trouble getting open. Even the announcers were seeing that. Then, on top of that, they dropped 4 or 5 passes that hit them right in the hands. JC rarely hits anybody in the hands, but when he does, they have to catch it. Special teams...ahhhhhhh!! Why does every Vol fan hold their breath when we kick off or punt? Kick every ball out of bounds. Better at their own 40 than in the end zone. Defense looked iffy in the secondary. D line looked good. O-line looked good. Running backs looked very good. Freshmen have to step up this year. Rebuiling takes time and recruits. All in all....we win and move on.
wayoutwill writes:
Amen,We got no coach as far as I can see!He stinks for running his mouth and showing no class and he also has no balls for his indecision on the field either!We got taken when we hired this guy!Al Davis wasn't as stupid as he was made out to be and he said the guy is a liar and a punk and I belive he is right!We got a lemon!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I don't think that the other QBs are as bad as everyone assumes that they are. Stephens lost out to Crompton in the summer because of his shoulder surgery. If his mechanics are off, then that's a good reason for him not to take the spot, but there is another possibility. It could be as simple as Kiffin trying to follow a policy of "stand by your quarterback" until Crompton gives him no other option. My worry is that when we get into the heart of SEC play, Crompton is going to give Kiffin "no other option" and then Stephens is going to have to run an offense without experience. I haven't questioned CLK's coaching ability until this game. It would have been advantageous to at least see if Stephens could manage a game. Who knows?? I still have faith in CLK and I love the Vols. When I watch the games I just repeat...Patience, Patience, Patience.
WinkeyVol writes:
As much fan support and alumni support as well as mega bucks spent on the Tennessee football program,I think the fans deserve to know what is going on with the quarterback situation.At least half of these blogs mention the QB fiasco.Why is it so secretive.Fans and supporters deserve to know!
VolWoman writes:
"News Sentinel Staff" what would you have had them do with 7 seconds left? Throw a 20+ yard incomplete pass and have no time left?
Why will no one put their names to this anymore? Not that I disagree with most of what "the staff" wrote but usually, in years past, an individual wrote the grades. Do you not want to make Kiffin and/or Crompton mad?
I like the new staff but I wouldn't mind having them explain to me why Stephens gets no chance as the commenter above said.
volfan17 writes:
"Why didn't the Vols run the ball more?" It's because they NEED to work on the passing game. Have you not been paying attention? I'm sure the train of thought was that Auburn is next week and Crompton needs more throws in the hopes that something will click.
echapin (staff) writes:
When posting this tonight, I asked about the byline. Apparently, it's a collaborative effort among the sports staff. That's why the generic "News Sentinel Staff" byline.
vol_lifer writes:
I agree. Next week I believe Auburn will be getting a heavy dose of Hardesty and Brown with the occasional short dump passes to keep the Tiger defense honest. Hopefully it will be enough.
Orangeblood13 writes:
Just a sloppy performance I thought all around. Of course listening on the radio does no justice but, if Williams was so unblockable, where were the sacks? Berry really not on the map and with all the injuries, our depth showed up to be weak. For the first time in history, we might not win 5 games, I mean really, where is Crompton taking us? Stephens deserves to get in there, to get ready for the future.
It's funny to see the people get on and off the Lane train, He is what we have right now guys, might as well settle in.
al2476 writes:
Crompton needs to just quit and study for his future and then just maybe we can move to another QB. I can't see how it could be possible for anyone to do any worse. His fumbling around back there is starting to affect the entire team. You can start to see it with the rest of the team. They have no confidence in his leadership and his ability to avoid so many costly mistakes. It is starting to get really embarassing.
dvhill100 writes:
Certainly not the cleanest performance, but ugly win beats pretty loss. I expected them to be flat after the FL game, and they did look like it.
xvolx writes:
News Sentinel Staff. F
AlpharettaVol writes:
NS staff needs to also grade the announcers. I paid $24 for pay-per-view and I'd give the play-by-play a big fat F. I had to listen to Randy Smith call teams by the wrong name, stumble over players names he couldn't pronounce, get down and distance wrong, admit he didn't know the rules and the crowning comment: he said the Ohio player got out of bounds but not far enough out of bounds to stop the clock. He makes Bob Kesling sound like John Ward. Surely there is someone out there in announcer land who can do a better job.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Our Special Teams are, well, not so special. Who's in charge of ST anyway?
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
SandySpringsVol writes:
For the casual fan, if your team's starting quarterback is struggling, the best player on the roster is his backup.
For all of you clamoring for Nick Stephens, remember that this is the same Nick Stephens that went 3 for 9 with two interceptions in a loss to Wyoming. The same Nick Stephens that led the offensive juggernaut that put up a whopping 13 points against Northern Illinois. The same Nick Stephens who threw a pick-6 against South Carolina and was then benched in favor of -- wait for it -- Jonathan Crompton.
The bottom line is that Tennessee does not have a top-caliber quarterback on its roster. Stephens will probably be the backup next year for Bray or another true freshman. In the meantime, we need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I must change my 6-6 finish to 4-8 as long as coach toy's with Crompton. He cant be saved. These coaches are no better at saving QB's than the previous staff. He's to far gone. Heck I would finish the year with Richardson as Nick is as lost as JC.
Couchdummy writes:
I paid 30 dollars for the Dish PPV. Agree that announcing was awful. Chip Kain is an excellent play-by-play guy in contrast to his poor performance as a sports talk commentator. If they change announcers, he would be a good replacement choice.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
There's no secret Crompton is CLK's guy come hell or highwater.
alfrizzle097 writes:
C- on quarterbacking? When you say it easily could have been three interceptions, that seems to be standard to judge your qb by. Why fail to dock him for two bad throws just because the opponent was too feeble to take advantage of them? Your description sounds like D- AT BEST.
BIGORANGEDOG writes:
I lived through last seasons mind numbing QB mistakes with the rest of you and wrote it off on the new "Clawless Offense" as some of you did, but it is hard for me to believe that we have less talent sitting on the bench then we have on the field at he QB position. In 48 years of watching and attending UT football games, I can't recall ever seeing us in a less productive state, offensively then we are today.
ramrodjack writes:
Talking about "could have been" interceptions is like talking about "could have been" touchdowns. I think every play "could have been" a touchdown. Some of you are to dumb for your own good.
HallowedHill writes:
Here's a suggestion, jump on the UF bandwagon. People complain about CLK running their mouth while they do the same thing. Even if you don't like it, the recruits do, and since you won't be snapping on a helmet anytime soon, I don't see how your opinion matters. Fulmer allowed this program to take a nose dive with recruiting, discipline and failing to develop talent. There isn't a single coach in all of football that can overcome those hurdles in 4 games.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Sandy i do agree that INT were thrown:
South Carolina;' #1 Defense ranking in NCAA at the time plus a receiver who ran the Wrong Route and Nick blasting him for being an idiot is fair that is the QB job, you are the coach on the field- Crapton looked horrible coming off the bench at SC but all " players need to be ready"
Now the Wyoming game: Imagine your entire family loosing their jobs and having to go back to work- do you know there were fights with coaches and players that week--do you know how abusive the coaches were to these UT student athletes that week--the players would have rathered forfeited the game then play- So Sandy Vol before you start throwing Nick under the bus, you should know all your facts-- I bet you dont know that Craptons mother is nut case either and UT security has another run in her with at Neyland this year-- but all you folks haven't figured out that that 09 and 10 seasons are throw away seasons for Kiffin-get used to it..
FOLKS STOP TALKING ABOUT WYOMING FROM 2008 YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW BAD IT WAS FOR THESE STUDENT-ATHLETES...
west_tn_volfan writes:
Good post. We simply don't have a QB.
hillsborovol writes:
Don't forget the comment Randy S made when we had 31 points...He claimed that Lincoln had kicked 3 field goals. When Lincoln kicked his 2nd one to make it 34, Randy stated that was his 4th field goal. Simple math Randy even if you can't remember what happened in the game...7 x 4 + 3 = 31. When we ran Nuke at QB, he said it was Gerald Jones and then corrected it to be Teague.
I must say that was pitiful.
TommyJack writes:
Beware, Rich. If you don't toe the party line here, you get assaulted.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
i consider myself a voice of reason---------never a hater, look at the entire collection of work and never expect perfection as so many here do who have no tolerence for any mistakes at all BUT even now I'm ready for a QB change.
His inaccuracy at missing open receivers is bad enough ( not looking at comp % as he gets a lot of drops) but the decision making continues to be bad. The averted fumble should have never happened as he was trying to do too much instead of just grounding the ball but taking the late sack on 3rd down to for all practical purposes push us back out of realistic field goal range was inexcusable. His mistakes could easily have numbered more that appears on the stat sheet.
Not a hater and appreciate his hard work and but NS needs a shot before his attitude deteriorates from apparent disrespect from the coaching staff------he could prove to be a shot in the arm and I would agree if it was a close competition just 5 weeks ago I dont see how that marginal edge for JC could have gotten much bigger since.
Reviz is out now, team needs another they can try to rally around and NS could be the answer---loyalty is great LK but it ruined Fulmers career when it turns to stubborness --give NS a shot
DaveVol writes:
The coaches say Nick makes poor decisions as well, and doesn't have all of the physical gifts like Crompton. We are stuck with what we've got. QB position is wait until next year.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
RR2 gald to see you back, I agree with the Shuler deal that was part of Fulmer, this time with Kiffin it is about recruiting, Kiffin did not care if NS or BJ transferred as long as one stayed, heck they both should have left and UT fans would have that to complain about.
Mark these down: 5 more SEC losses and possibly miss a bowl game...at least Nick had 4 of the 5 longest plays from scrimmage--one more item: Kiffin fire your special teams coach he is dirt, Cunningham and Lincoln did all that work with their special coaches not with your crew..that one is a fact..Kiffin is now 7-17 and alomost lost to the doormat of the MAC--
Lane Kiffin is part of the lucky gene club, your dad was not a good heac coach and neither is the son...great assistants but not head coaches
TommyJack writes:
Duke: The jury is out on Hamilton's pick. The decision to rid us of FHCPF was the correct one.
blitzshoot writes:
I'm not certain any coach could have come to Knoxville and turned this squad on a dime.
The talent pool was too shallow. Even a wel seasoned
Saban I believe went 6-6 his first year. This program will take time. Acquiring the talent is the first and main priority. I don't care how good a coach you are, if you do not have the players, you will not win.
Blitz,
Kissimmee, FL
shulessjo writes:
First, this non conference game positioned between Florida and Auburn is tricky. While I understand "every game is important", I could understand how the Vols were less than sharp at this point in the season. Look around/ the stadium wasn't full/ the fans were lack luster also.
Second: QB play: It is difficult to assume that we should really expect much different than what we have seen for the past two years. I think the current coaching staff is doing well with "what they have", but like all other fans, I don't really know what the problem is. I just know we can't execute a solid, effective , down field passing game. AND, I don't know what comes first: the chicken or the egg: Is it QB play or is it bad routes by the WR's?
kb7398#233189 writes:
I 100% agree with the last sentence of the report card...this is a middle-of-the-road MAC team and they were clearly in the game the whole way.
It's going to be a long season on Rocky Top.
gwtvol85 writes:
SandySprings Vol-- I couldn't put it more eloquently. What some hysteric fans (which is redundant phrasing as fan is short for FANATIC) don't seem to comprehend is that, as you say, the most popular guy on the team is always the guy holding the clipboard. I love the post that proclaims that achievements of Stephens vs the vaunted Bulldogs...not the ones from Athens, the ones with the storied history of top caliber talent from Starkville. Does Crompton look like the worse QB since Sterling Hinton? Absoulutely. As I told my son he throws either too high, into the turf, or behind his receivers. Even Tim Priest agreed on the broadcast that he MUST let the ball go earlier. On the other hand, as Tim also CONTINUOUSLY stated, the receivers were getting zero separation on their routes. How is a change in QB going to solve this? Hey, if he ain't open, he ain't open, and it won't matter who's taking snaps. Let's stand back, take a breath for a moment & be honest...we knew that there was average at best talent at the position going into the season. You want to lay all of this at the feet of CLK? Were there some bad plays called last night? Sure, every coach has one or two. But don't leave Crompton's (or for that matter Stephen's inability to sieze the job earlier) lack of development at Kiffin's doorstep. Some of it has to do with constant changes in OCs, some of it is on the player himself. That's not a knock on him as a person, but he wouldn't be the first well publicized, highly touted recruit to be a bust (see Mitch Mustain). Long story, short... until Kiffin gets his man, his man to coach and mold, and until the WRs start learning how to run some routes that will aid the passer it won't get better. In the meantime TRUST the coaching staff that everyone was so enamored of as recently as, uhm, last week I believe. Coach is sticking w/Crompton because of what you DO NOT see or know. He's trying to build confidence in the most fragile position there is because he knows there isn't a Clausen, Ainge, Martin, Shuler, etc. sitting on the bench. And for those who think that you actually deserve to know what the thinking is because of the finacial investments into the football program, really?!! Go back to your first semester accounting class and grow up. Dear god. Do you also want an audit of the playbook? Regardless of what you may think you are not entitled nor privy to any such nonsensicle access of the program. BTW: Were you asking for this same information in 1994 when Fulmer had the gall to have two highly touted freshmen sit behind Todd Helton? Not a bash at Fulmer, I'd have done the same thing.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Wonder if Pete Carroll got all this grief last week. Let's wait 2 more games before deciding if Kiff is a mistake. 2 weeks is not asking too much.
hillbillyvol writes:
Lane looked lost and Monte looked tired wasted 24.00 on ppv.
givehim6 writes:
Not our best defensive game of the year, but that's because our D got so banged up hope all can get healed for Auburn. question is our new trainer not doing his job? Anyway, Crompton didn't suck as bad as he did against UCLA. Not the way UT should start off now were going to start SEC play, but GO VOLS!
NashvilleVolsincebirth writes:
We have a group who keep thinking we have chicken salad where there has been confirmed a sure smell of chicken poop!
Clearly, whoever Hamilton brought in was going to face two huge problems. The fans who thought Phil could do no wrong, like my pop who is now on board the Lane train, and the horrible QB situation. Had Lane landed a top ranked HS QB this last recruiting season it would have been both a miracle and our current starting QB. That said I fully expected to struggle and further expect a huge upside next season. Stephens will get a shot this year only if JC gets Tebow'ed and carried off to the Hospital. May we be thankful for TT's overall health if only, please forgive me even you trolls for I am about to sin, he had done it before he played us instead of after. Without a major injury, it looks like OUR BIG ORANGE TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER COACH says he is our guy. So that means encourage his success. DO IT even if your secretly, or not, feel a need for a change!
Witch Doc's, and other suffering fans who have fairly attempted to post good ideas over the time I have come here, said a lot to me about the IMPORTANCE of OUR loyalty to the team we're putting on the field. We win with the team, we lose with the team ON THE FIELD and failure to support them is not an option if we call ourselves true fans. I for one see the need to be showing solidarity when the recruits are considering us over USC or Alabama.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Think about what you are saying when you write, "I think the fans deserve to know what is going on with the quarterback situation." As I posted on another thread in response to a similar post, what if the response to this comment is that the TEAM has no faith in Stephens? If Stephens then HAS to become the QB because Crompton gets injured or something, it will be easier for them to get behind him if they weren't already on the record as not believing in him.
Or what if the reason is that the STAFF has no faith in Stephens? How exactly, except for indulging our idle curiosity, does it help the team or Stephens for the staff to go on record with such an opinion? Again, if Stephens HAS to be the QB later, how can the staff convincingly argue that they believe in him THEN if they have to say they don't NOW?
The last time I made this argument, it apparently went right over everyone's heads because no one responded to it. I guess the "video-game" mentality or the "toy soldiers" mentality simply prevents non-athletes from appreciating that there is OFTEN WAY MORE that goes into determining who plays and how they play than the opinion of fans. To say that Crompton plays because his parents donate lots of money to UT takes us into outright hidden-conspiracy land.
I don't any more than anyone else about the inner workings of the team. The difference is that I KNOW I don't know, so I take it on faith--because that is all I have as a fan--that the people in charge not only have reasons for their decisions but ALSO that it is not necessarily in the team's interest for just EVERYBODY to know all those reasons. To quote Jack Nicholson's character, Col. Jessup in "A Few Good Men," "You want the truth? You can't HANDLE the truth!"
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I only listened on the radio, too, and I heard the announcers say several times that Ohio's O-linemen were all but wrestling Williams to the ground every time he broke through, and that they couldn't believe why the refs weren't calling holding on every play. Also, many of Scott's passes were screens and short-drop throws that he could get off quickly. They also made the point that Ohio wasn't throwing in Berry's direction at all. As for jumping on and off the "Lane train", some of our fans bounce around like they were on pogo sticks. In their defense, I think manic-depression is a fairly typical trait for fans(;-P)!
smokies_old_soul writes:
i hope that what i'm thinking is not true - because what i'm thinking is that maybe coach kiffin will stay with jon crompton no matter what because it will help recruiting to do that.
if bray - or even scroggins - sees how bad our senior QB is and they do not see the junior QB stephens get any playing time, then they figure the job is wide open when they get here next season.
but if stephens takes over and starts playing well, the QB recruits see that they will have to wait a year to play. waiting one year doesn't seem like much of a price to pay to then take over for three years ............. but the vols coaches may be selling that immediate playing time.
i hope this is not the case. since the beginning of normal 10 game schedules tennessee has never had an 8 loss season. let's hope this staff is not sacrificing this season for the future - that never really works because you are being so unfair to the juniors and seniors. gotta go with coach saban's philosophy his first season at bama - win as much as possible.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
john, your posts are always rational, logical, objective and thoughtful unlike the other 80% here based on koolaid, hate and just emotion
hman writes:
I agree with all comments and Chip would do a good job. Heck, my wife would do better than those 2 guys. I paid $24 here in Alabama and it was PAINFUL to listen to....someone PLEASE make a change.
golfballs03 writes:
The secondary wasn't good. Vinson was out of position a lot and Janzen was taking bad angles and missing tackles.
Crompton must have been graded on a curve because I wouldn't consider his play to be average. He gets a D at best
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I pretty much agree with you, VFL. We knew what we were getting with Crompton, but I expected the special teams to be MUCH better than what we have seen so far. As seems to be traditional with UT, the guys who actually kick the ball are doing fairly well except for the depth of kick-offs, but our coverage teams and return teams are mostly underachieving, with only occasional exceptions.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Fact #1; The only way Kiffin can recruit is promising playing time-other universities hire coaches that actually care about their players. Kiffin you do nto even have the class and decency to call your MLB by Nick Reviez our Co-CAPTAIN WALK-ON WHO WORKED HARD IS NOW GONE FOR THE YEAR
Fact #2: Bray has been givien the keys but only if he committs to enrolling early in January
Fact #3: Crompton is # 119 worse QB in Division 1-- that tells the story that Kiffin is goign to tell people , I stick with my bad decisions and his EGO is too big for him to put Stephens in now becauase Nick is a better QB and he would make boy wonder look bad
The players start imploding after the Auburn loss
The stuydent section started callign for GINGER like Rudy...Ginger is the slang for redheads aka Nick Stephens
Kiffin your a jack off who has a record of 7-17
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Probably a little, in a "Wow, whatever, dude," kinda way. No way USC fans are as passionate as UT fans or SEC fans in general. Also, painful as it may be in the meantime, a more reasonable time frame for assessing CLK and staff is two YEARS. LOTS of room for improvement for THIS year's team across the board, coaches and players alike. I know we are all fan(atic)s, but we can't lose our heads or hearts over what we HAD to know might be a pretty rocky season.
gslaton#227127 writes:
The "grading" is here to stir debate. My only comment is that Kiffin, knowing he needs a passing game (no matter who the qb is),decided to go with passing in the first half. He knew he could run. He worked on passing and it was moderately successful, but it allowed Ohio to stay in the game. A side benefit of passing is that it runs the defense around the field and tires them out. In the second half he took advantage of that and ran through them. IMHO, Crompton did o.k. until he lost the fumble on the sidelines by trying to do too much. Vols got lucky on that one. I do worry about continuing kick/punt coverage problems. Same as last year. Bottom line yesterday..if we run the whole game we beat them by 3 touchdowns, but gain nothing in passing attack experience. Crompton's problems notwithstanding, our receivers need to learn route-running and separation technique. That will help Crompton, or whoever the qb is, the most.
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