Justin Worley
Photo by Adam Brimer, copyright © 2011
Tennessee quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw, left, talks with quarterback Justin Worley during the fourth quarter of the team's game against Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Another new quarterback walked into the Tennessee huddle with the starters and grabbed the attention of Tauren Poole.
But it wasn't so much the message that was delivered to the senior running back that stood out. It was how he was addressed by Justin Worley that caused a double-take.
"I asked if he was ready to go," Poole said. "He just looked at me and was like, 'Yes, sir.'
"I looked at him like, 'What? Why did you call me sir?' He's a young guy, he probably didn't even think about it."
His age doesn't really matter now, and almost as quickly as the Vols pulled the redshirt off the true freshman in a loss at No. 2 Alabama over the weekend, UT coach Derek Dooley officially announced on Monday that Worley would be taking the first snap against No. 14 South Carolina on Saturday (TV: ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.).
He has already taken his first reps with the starters heading into practice this morning, breaking into the rotation and apparently paying his respect to the veterans during a closed workout on Sunday night.
That represents a quick turnaround for a player Dooley admitted would have ideally sat out this season. But with an ineffective passing game with Tyler Bray mending a broken thumb and Matt Simms struggling over the last two games, the Vols (3-4, 0-4 SEC) have turned to a freshman for a spark for the second season in a row.
But as opposed to when Dooley did it a year ago with Bray, this time he's making the move without even a single pass attempt in a game to go by as he prepares for the Gamecocks (6-1, 4-1).
"I just feel like it's something we need to do," Dooley said. "I think we have to be very cautious to say it's like last year, because I know that's what everybody thinks. But we had a lot more data on Tyler going into last season when I made the move than I have right now on Justin.
"This one is a little different, and I don't know what it's going to look like on Saturday. ... I just feel like that for us to go out and try to win games, we're not throwing and catching the way we need to and we're not calling the game the way we want to. And so, we just need to make this move. I just feel like it's the right one — it's not something that's done on a whim. You know, we have a lot of data to make a switch. We don't have a lot of data on Justin."
The numbers haven't been pretty for Simms, though a pair of the best defenses in the country can take partial credit for the 14-of-37 combined passing performance for 186 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns over the last couple weeks without Bray.
That surely doesn't explain all of the issues through the air lately, but the frustration with the passing attack was evident after a fourth-quarter interception by Simms prompted UT to bring Worley off the bench to make his debut against the Crimson Tide.
He didn't get to attempt a pass after a fumble by running back Marlin Lane on his first play, and there wasn't a chance on his next drive, either, after starting inside the UT 1-yard line. But it shouldn't take long to get an opportunity against the Gamecocks, and Dooley should have plenty of chances to accumulate data and find out what he's got in the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year.
"My philosophy has always been to play the best players who give you a chance to win — period," Dooley said. "I think that's my responsibility as the coach. To me that's a professional responsibility I have to the organization to go out and try to do anything I can to win the next game. I'm not going to just tank it here and say, 'See you next year.' I don't like losing. I believe that you're going to recruit every year, we're going to sign another quarterback. We've got one committed.
"Quite frankly, we didn't want to play Justin this year. I didn't want to play him. But I believe that's what we need to do to try and win the game. I may be wrong. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong."
But if he's right, the older Vols might just let Worley call them whatever he wants in the huddle.
Austin Ward covers Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Vols_Beat and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/ward.
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Comments » 142
vollerdash writes:
I dont care who starts,when they start or how long they have started..... I JUST WANT A FREAKIN WIN !!! very very tired of our beloved Vols looking like the 80's version of Vandy.
CCLC writes:
What about Nash? It's like he isn't "really" on the team!
just sayin'
taylorsvolfan writes:
Please just beat the Shamecocks !!
jobrando#216494 writes:
They call him "the Kid"
VolinCalif writes:
What ! What! he is going to run the table.
Go Kid Go Vols
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Even if J W can get it to them, his receivers have just got to .........................
catch it.
Go Vols and Justin
OrangePsyched writes:
This kid has a quiet swagger. He is so different than the gunslinger Bray. Worley reminds me of the GA. QB. Greene that was a 4 yr. starter. He just moves the chains. I'm not saying that he will do it Saturday but he will be special.
VOLliven2it writes:
Okay fans, let's accept what this is. It is taking a chance but one Coach Dooley really has to take. I do not like his no playing time to be the prelude to starting against his home state U but am hoping he grows up fast, the o-line finally gets really mad and gives us a running game which scores points and the defense finally steps up for a whole game. Justin, we believe in you even though you are new. We are all for you...those on here who really matter that is are for you. GO VOLS!
sorkb writes:
I'm just sayin, he's not the best option, he's the only option. He's really lucky, he get to play the November schedule, not the really fun October schedule, Yes, I know SC is in Oct. Thank goodness ML is out for the season.
GerryOP writes:
3-4 on the way to 9-4 baby... 9-4!
Our footVols can do it!!!
GerryOP writes:
I'm just grateful that Matt Simms was around to take the hits for the team last October and this October. Without Simms, feeding Bray and Worley to the LSU and Ala wolves would have been like tossing Christians into the arena with the lions.
born2ride writes:
MTSU and Kentucky may be the only teams Dooley beats this year.
Worley is a talented QB but he is not ready for the SEC. Should have been redshirted. With our line he is going to be rushed into mistakes and roughed up.
If we can beat Vandy we can go 6-6 and a trip back to the Music City Bowl. That is the best we can expect under Dooley.
oldster writes:
This decision concerns me about Dooley. He surely knows more about the relative skills of Simms and Worley than I do, but putting an untested QB out there to start a game which UT should actually be able to compete, makes me wonder if the action is not more based on emotion than thought. I fear that we won't have to worry about our team failing to compete in the 2nd half after a competitive 1st half. If Worley screws up like many would early in such a situtation, our team is likely to fall apart right then because, it does not seem to be able to handle any adversity whatsever.
oldster writes:
I would never be glad that a kid be injured, regardless of the team for which he plays. However, it does somewhat level the playing field.
FWBVol writes:
It's a free country and you can think what you like, but I'd prefer to see negative fans ride on into the sunset.
I'm not going to throw Derek Dooley to the wolves after less than two seasons considering he took a job nobody seemed to want. I still think Dooley will turn things around, but he walked into a mess that wasn't of his making and I don't know if any coach could have done much better than he has all things considered.
oldster writes:
I do not see what Born said as negative. It seemed realistic to me. I am sure that he hopes that there are more wins than that left. However, if there is not, he will not be disappointed with his team and trash them for failing to live up to unrealistic expectations.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Hey, at least we are not standing still. Thanks to Matt Simms for being a gamer and a team player. Worley won the Gatorade player of the year his senior year in school. He's supposed to be one of the best in the country. Get it? We aren't throwing our hands up here. He should have a canon for an arm and be used to succeeding. Because nothing breeds success like success. I hope he goes out and lights it up against the nogamecocks. Because who better to turn it around on than our loyal buddy Steve Spurrier....Can't wait. I'll do my part as a fan, just like I did on the 40 yard line in Tuscaloosa. We have the Bamers scared. I was there. They respect us. We have that, at least. Now we need to get this friggin show on the road and build back our legacy. As the best. The race is a marathon, I agree, but Florida and Alabama need to know we are fed up with this nonsense....Thanks for coming out...
ACWLY writes:
Nice post!
DannyVol writes:
This team is tired of it all. They will win Saturday, mark it down.
1963VOLS writes:
finally someone sees the light,you can't turn a beat up program around in two years we did not have the talent left to cdd that was left to ala lsu or fla,people give cdd a chance,just wait till next years class is here and we start winning again,you are the people who wii be saying we knew all the time cdd could do it.give me a break.,fwbvol,loved your post
VolMan126 writes:
I think CDD is trying to find a spark. This could be it! Having a new starting guard and reading about how strong he is now kinda gives you a view of where eveyone else is. We have needed a new strength coach for several years. Coach Long was a good guy...but did not get the job done. I was friends with coach Stucky. He was one of the most respected strength coaches in the country. We have struggled to run the ball all but a year or 2 since he retired. Hearing this kid is stronger than anyone we have tells me that we were really weak last season and made good progress in the summer. I think this new guys gives us something everyone else doesnt have...attitude...military attitude...special forces type work ethic.
I read a post about how young we are and that should not be a reason to lose. Think about over the years how many true freshmen we have played....not many. The ones who did play were around guys who were jr and sr. We do not have that at this time. That is a big deal when it comes to strength, power and scheme. Most high schools have a very weak strength programs lead by men who have little resources and knowladge about building d-1 atheletes. So most of the kids who come into our school and others are behind the kids who have been in a program for a year or 2. Thats the reason you dont see many young kids start on the line on either side of the ball much less the whole line be as young as we are.
I hate this...we are paying now for what we done to CPF. If we can keep these guys togather and bring along the new guys coming in we will be back...it just sucks in the short term. The bammers had this problem several years ago. A buddy of mine is a big bammer and said the UT team reminded him of a few of the the bama teams several years ago. Play good enough to get you emotionaly invested and fall apart in the second half do to youth. Kinda like what is happening now. I think we can win on sat...dont turn the ball over and get a break or 2...we win. Just like every sat over the past 27 years I will be in JJ-KK watching! GO VOLS!!
Brentwoodvol writes:
Thanks to all the positive and thought out threads tonight. Its good to know there are some of us still around!!!
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
Alot of folks are puzzling me. You keep questioning CDD's decision to play Worley. You keep wondering if he is too young to be thrown into the mix. But last year, we were in the same place with Simms, and when they put Bray into the game, you all cheered. Suck it up and get behind this move, it is not like Worley could play any worse than Simms. Plus, this is the freaking Gatorade Player of the year! Prepare to be wooed, and jump on the Worley band wagon. There are way too many fair weather Vols fans on this site! Go Worley, and GBO!
eprahm writes:
That was my question, where does Nash stand? When he came to UT with his HS team mate D'Rick after backing out on the Vandy commitment I thought he would get a shot at playing. Have not heard a word on him since.
Take_Back_Knoxville writes:
Hi Jimmy Hyams. Football is an emotional game. That said, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that Justin can't be any worse than Simms.
btw, no update on the synergy stick.
orangeJACKET writes:
well this makes no sense. sacrificing an extra year with worley just to salvage what you can? and what if he does no better than simms? what then? his confidence could be destroyed, and i know our fanbase. when it is his time to take over permenantly, everyone will be doubting him. i dunno. seems desperate to me.
usnavyvolfan_still_getting_paid writes:
1st paragraph: agree
2nd paragraph: Agreed up until this last week. Yes, I supported waiting on Worley, but let's face it, it's time. Simms had his chance. God bless him, he tried, but he's just not an SEC caliber QB.
3rd paragraph: If you're talking this year, I agree.
oldster writes:
I am sure he does since he said that with the addition of wins against 3 of the teams left on our schedule would give 6 wins. At least, when I went to school, 3 plus 3 equalled 6. So, who is a R-tard?
oldster writes:
A coach cannot give in to emotions anymore than an attorney can - and for the same reasons.
And, yes, Worley can be worse than Simms. Hopefully, he will not be, but it is possible. You do remember the first few starts for Jonathan Crompton do you not? Do you think that this "fragile" team could handle such a start from Worley? I do not.
sol_way writes:
how do you know?
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
Well, I am sure that CDD knows what happened to the last guy that didnt make a bowl game.
led0321#648727 writes:
Let the kid throw it, we have nothing to lose. The last time this kid went against Clowney he torched Clowney's team.
Go Vols.....and Go CDD
Madkels writes:
The last time Worley lined up opposite Clowney, Worley won! Let's hope history repeats itself! GBO!
Madkels writes:
Great minds think alike!
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
Justin Worley, Sophomore year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxkutG...
wallingdad writes:
I marked it down....just like you said
huntined#565710 writes:
Well if he has a rough start we still have Simms so really no big deal. We just need for ALL the players to step it up a notch. Heck if the running back had come up and pushed Simms in the back we would have gotten that first down. All he did was watch the play. QB important player for sure but ALL the players have to do their jobs to win. Tenn can win this game if they hold on to the ball and catch a pass or two when needed.
florida-volfan writes:
I'll tell you what, I'm not sure what to make of this whole QB situation. Not totally sold on tyler bray, he has yet to beat a quality opponent. In my opinion he did not lood very good against georgia, of florida for that matter. He could have easily thrown more interceptions. Bray seems to have a problem when better and faster defenses give him different looks. Only time will tell how this QB deal works out
smokey-vol writes:
We are in deperation mode. Simms can not cut it.
SCVFL writes:
Agreed, Let the kid sling it around. I hope he throws to at least 5 different receivers. I hope he gets to throw it "down" the field, not just screens and flair outs.
I know I am tainted over my love for the VOLS, but I still believe we can win out the next 5 games. Coach Double D gave MAtt his chance and he did nothing with it. I appreciate his toughness and team spirit, but we need more.
VFL says Go Worley and GO BIG ORANGE.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
Are either one of you correct? 3 more wins will only give us 5 quality wins...1-AA win is not a quality win for a bowl game, correct?
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
How fitting for Worley to come in against his home state! GBO!
SilasDogooder writes:
This is one of the most rational posts I've read on this site; I agree 100%. Well stated, friend.
lomas98 writes:
I have some of the same worry, but Dooley feels Worley will give them some other options with the playbook. I have never seen Worley throw a college pass so hopefully he has more zip on the ball and can squeeze the ball in places that Simms can't. Even if he throws interceptions, I think the possibility of certain plays being called will overall help the team. At least SC does not have any film on this kid and they have no clue what to prepare for. This SC defense is no slouch either. Their defensive line has some special players and their LB's are really good. Worley will get his feet wet with this game. If the coaches have the confidence to start him I hope they have the confidence in the playbook as well.
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
I totally agree with you. Nash was a wasted scholarship in order to lure in DaRick!
RemembertheAlamo writes:
I guess this why I am a Stupid_Idiot....I stand corrected. You can have 1 1-AA win as stated in the explanation of bowl eligiblity: "Bowl eligibility in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) College Football is the standard through which teams become available for selection to participate in postseason bowl games. When a team achieves this state, it is described as "bowl-eligible". Under current regulations, in order for this to occur, a team must have a winning record, which may include one win against a Division I FCS scholarship-awarding[1] opponent, or win their conference, and the team must not be on probation. The NCAA allows one victory per season over a Division I FCS (formerly I-AA) team to count toward an FBS team's bowl eligibility, so long as the FCS team has supplied financial aid for football averaging out to at least 56.7 full scholarships (90% of the limit of 63 allowed to FCS schools) over "a rolling two-year period" that can include the current season.[2]
Teams that are bowl eligible will usually either play in one of the bowl games that its conference is affiliated with based on conference tie-ins or the team will be chosen from the pool of remaining bowl eligible teams to fill one of the at-large positions.
On April 26, 2006, the NCAA announced that they were relaxing the rules for eligibility starting with the 2006 season, particularly in light of the new twelve-game college football season. Now, teams with .500 records can qualify for bowl games if their conference has a contract with a bowl game. Also, teams with .500 records (i.e. 6–6) could earn bowl bids if all other FBS teams with winning records have been taken and postseason spots still remain vacant. In thirteen-game seasons (used because of conference championship games, or allowable for Hawaiʻi and any of its home opponents in a given season), a team must win seven games."
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
Most of us already knew this. Without the Tennessee Martin win last year, we would not have been bowl eligible in 2010.
lomas98 writes:
The fact that this information has to be researched shows how far this program has fallen. We shouldn't have to look this stuff up and actually know these rules.
CantCompare writes:
Good Lord at all the negative comments. WE should be extremely lucky to have a guy like Worley that we can go to! Freshman or not, this guy is our future. He ripped the state of South Carolina up!! (including MR. #1 recruit in the country, Clowney) If I lose my starter to a broken anything, I am counting my lucky stars to have a guy like Worley! GO JuWo! I gotcha back! AND GBO!
VolFanInMO writes:
I agree, Gerry. Simms has been beat up more than any Vol in recent memory and still comes back for more. I hope his toughness gets passed along to others.
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