Photo by Michael Patrick, copyright © 2011 // Buy this photo
Michael Patrick/News Sentinel Tennessee's Rajion Neal scores the first touchdown of the game against Buffalo in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Tennessee Stat Book
Replacing Justin Hunter wasn't supposed to fall exclusively on Da'Rick Rogers' lap.
Hunter was so special and so unique that Tennessee would have to do it "by committee," players and coaches said during the two weeks between an ugly loss at Florida and Saturday's 41-10 romp over Buffalo at Neyland Stadium.
The committee was certainly ready and willing to help Vols fans forget about Hunter, but so was Rogers. And Buffalo's defense, which stuck with its man coverage from start to finish, was more than accommodating to let the sophomore run all over the field without much distress.
Rogers reeled in one-third of Tyler Bray's 21 completions (seven) for more than half of his 342 passing yards (180). Unlike the Florida game, when he was double-teamed from the moment Hunter went down with a torn ACL, Rogers seemingly was open on every play that involved him running a route.
"They played a lot of man, and I feel like we exploited that," Rogers said. "We're throwing a lot of quick routes seeing if our big receivers and other receivers can make plays on them."
Those other receivers did make plays Saturday, but they'll likely be responsible for more as October progresses. Not many games against the SEC's best, starting next week against a suddenly hot Georgia team, are going to be as easy for Rogers as it was against the Bulls.
"They're going to scheme, obviously, to shut him down," junior wide receiver Zach Rogers said. "That puts a lot of weight on our shoulders as other receivers. We've got to keep practicing great and come out next week with a good mind-set."
Former tailback Rajion Neal, who was hampered by a knee injury during the preseason, provided a fresh face in the receiving corps, but his production was minimized after a hot start. Neal caught a 14-yard pass and followed it with a 20-yard touchdown off an end-around run to cap UT's first scoring drive.
Neal touched the ball only twice more — both on carries — and dropped a screen pass, but he came away from his first real action of the season confident and satisfied with his role in the offense.
"I feel the role will grow," Neal said. "I can help as much as they allow me to."
Technically, Zach Rogers, who was slated to play exclusively in the slot before Hunter's injury, filled Hunter's role at the "X" position. He was targeted just a handful of times and finished with two catches for 24 yards.
His biggest play came on Da'Rick Rogers' 58-yard reception in the second quarter, when he took out two Buffalo defenders with one block to help spring the long catch-and-run.
"I had to look up (at the JumboTron) immediately," Zach Rogers said. "I like to block. I think it's one of our top receiver attributes. I try to do that each and every day. This time it worked out well."
Freshman DeAnthony Arnett wasn't on the field as much as he was against Florida, when he led the Vols with eight catches, but he was certainly efficient. Two of Arnett's three receptions were for touchdowns, including a controversial one in the third quarter that survived a replay review.
"They couldn't see it on the replay, but I'm going give him credit for the second one," coach Derek Dooley said. "He's doing OK. Wasn't very active in the slot but we didn't need him to be.
Da'Rick Rogers in Buffalo game
"Da'Rick had a big day. If Da'Rick can't catch for 180 then someone has to make up for it. We have to get these yards."
Bray said he didn't grow bored feeding the ball to Rogers and wasn't going out of his way to involve the other receivers just because he felt he had to. That mind-set changed, though, changed on the goal line.
"I try and always spread out the touchdowns," Bray said with a smile.
The committee will just have to wait another week.
"When a guy catches for 180," Dooley said, "what do you do?"
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Comments » 21
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Glad that Rogers had a big day--made some really nice catches. However, we need several other receivers to get some significant touches.
Right now, we're a 1-trick pony (we were 2 tricks but Hunter went down). If we can't get the ball to others on the team, then we're going to be in trouble. And those other receivers have to be legitimate threats, too.
Not hating. Just sayin'.
UTByrd writes:
I love it. "I try to spread the touchdowns around." Noticed that last year when 5 different receivers had TD's (in 1 game).
Go VOLS!!!!!
rockypop writes:
I know everybody has their knickers in a knot about the Vols not having much of a running game, but I'm ready to embrace the notion of passing to set up the run. UT has the athletes to win with a passing offense - much like BYU over the years. So why not go with your strength. Instead of forcing defenses to stop the run, make them stop the pass. Then let's see what kind of running game the Vols have. After all, Chaney did develop Drew Brees, and he led Purdue to the Rose Bowl. Hasn't fared too poorly after college, either.
FWBVol writes:
I love Zach Rogers' attitude about blocking being a part of his job that he enjoys. As a junior, and one of the most veteran receivers on the team, Zach has to set the tone for the young receivers in how they work. I hope they understand what it takes to be successful without the older guys we had last year.
1986sugarbowl writes:
I agree 100%. Why not pass? Right now I would make extra time with the running backs to make sure they knew how to pass block and pick up the blitz. Our backs look good in the open field. Set up some really good screen packages. I like what they did with Neal, but you can't do it more than a couple of times a game. Could you imagine what Young would do with a screen or a wheel route?
jobrando#216494 writes:
Where's the gator trolls. Brantley mushed....What a great day for the Bama folks. Now 3-1 in the troll's capitol.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I feel like this headline might carry more weight if it wasn't post Buffalo
givehim6 writes:
Watching Bama-UF it's half time think the SEC east will be wide open tomorrow. So UT better get the holes filled in the passing game, the RB's need to stay lite up, and the special teams put it together. PS Brantily tooks too be out, sorry to the young man. To the trolls that thought it amusing Hunter got hurt, let me ask now the shoe is on the other foot how does it fill? Oh do not use this as a excuse if you loose to Bama..ROLL TIDE.
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
There was a lot of gnashing of teeth when Marlon Brown defected to GA; wouldn't trade Rogers(or any of our receivers for that matter) for him now.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Respectfully, this has been tried by other teams and it just doesn't work.
As for BYU, that strategy hasn't won BYU any conference championships or NCAA championships the past 25 years. Remember Kentucky under Hal Mumme about 10 years ago? They relied on the pass and would go for it on 4th down? Put up big numbers but couldn't beat any legit team when it counted.
Most recent example was Texas Tech under Mike Leach. Fun to watch, except when they played Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc...When you finally play against someone that's as fast (or faster) than you, then throwing the ball becomes very difficult.
Teams that throw the ball 400-600 yards a game don't typically have good defenses, either. The reason is because all their defense sees in practice is a lot of throwing. When they face a team that can run the ball, they can't stop it, they stay on the field for long drives, and their high-powered offense stays on the sidelines. That's Texas Tech in a nutshell.
Gotta be able to run the ball effectively. Not every down. But when you need it or want to do so.
allvol8 writes:
Don't forget Florida has not beat a ranked team this season.... Funny.... Their 5 stars saw stars after Bama hit them.. Good win Vols! Stay hungry!
1986sugarbowl writes:
This is a good point, and I do think we have a better defense than any of those teams. Personally I would love to have a great running game, and I don't think they need to give up on it, but you have to do what you do best. I hope we don't go out and try to run the ball 40 times against Georgia, LSU, and South Carolina. Especially if we only avg. 3 yards a carry.
BamaVol writes:
Alabama backs run with their eyes open, our backs don't, thats why they can't see the openings. If you want to run against Alabama, you run straight at them. We have a chance to beat Bama, but not much. Everything has to go right, No turnovers.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Great warm-up outing.
Pivotal game vs the Dawgs next.
D-line play will determine this upcoming game.
GBO
volfaninbuckeyeland writes:
Agree with you to a certain extent, Coon. No way UT takes either Bama or LSU. Upshaw is a one man demolition crew, and tackling Richardson requires a team effort. Certainly hope I'm wrong, but after Bama I don't know if we'll have all hands on deck for the SC game. And even if we do have everyone healthy, 2 consecutive lop-sided losses could really play havoc with the mindset of this young team. I think our best chance of a W for the remainder of Oct. will be GA if we can limit the big play. I just happen to feel that the Dawgs have the momentum at this point and, because of their schedule, they have the best shot at the SEC East. Lots to play for. Fortunately, games are settled on the gridiron and not the chat boards and I would enjoy nothing more than to be eating crow with my Snickers come Halloween.
gregsfc writes:
"Let's be real. Tennessee has zero chance of winning against Alabama or LSU and therefore cannot win the East. Even South Carolina and GA wins would be considered mild upsets at this point."
Lets see. UT has shown a great passing attack against all comers so far. LSU has not shown they can stop a team that can pass vertically. AL has a great secondary, but hasn't shown a fantastic pass rush against good pass-protecting teams. With SC's Garcia, there is always a chance for victory. Yeah, we should be solidly beaten, especially by the big 2 in the west, but those teams still have to do what they do against us to beat us, so it's not a done deal. Remember LSU last year. They had the talent to beat us by 30, but won via a substitution penalty that occurred due to questionable enforcement of offensive substitutions combined with hurry up, which they had allowed the entire game to the detriment of the Vols.
nepperso#220348 writes:
We have a better quarterback... BY FAR... than ANYONE left on the schedule. The loss at Florida was tough, but if Hunter doesn't get hurt that game ends differently IMO. Tennessee is not out of this thing. And to anyone saying we "absolutely will not beat Bama or LSU", I'd love the lottery numbers for next week.
Also, remember Appy State @ Michigan. Tennessee is still a year away from being elite again but I for one will not be surprised if they shock the world and go 3-1 over the next four. 2-2 is more likely but I just don't see 0-4,1-3. College football revolves around who has the best QB.. see Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, etc. Auburn's defense was atrocious last year and they won it all. Don't count out the potential of Tyler Bray taking over some games. We only need to do one thing IMO to win most of the rest: eliminate mistakes in the kicking game, period. If we clean up special teams the rest will take care of itself.
DavidB writes:
Kicking game is the big one for me. We either need touchbacks on kick off or more hang time so we can be there when they catch it.
I agree that 2-2 is most likely over the next 4 but I would not be shocked by 3-2. With the first two being at our house we have a little swagger going our way, need the fans to step up and fill the house.
Noogaorange writes:
"Kicking game is the big one for me. We either I agree that 2-2 is most likely over the next 4 but I would not be shocked by 3-2." What the hell ????
Certainly not a English or Math major!
GBO
VolNWA writes:
Not so fast my friend. I would take 3.3 yards/play in a game. That's a first down and really all that you need in order to be successful.
VolGrad writes:
The best way to beat any charges is for you, like Da'Rick, to not be guilty of them.
Or, do you really believe that the KPD would allow anyone to escape such charges? You obviously don't know the KPD.
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