BallHype - Latest Tennessee Volunteers News Articles

Chris Dufresne's five things to watch in college football

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +1900

The Times' college football columnist plays it forward with a look at Vanderbilt, the Florida-LSU match, a Big 12 grudge match, Tennessee and even Northwestern. > Five things to watch this week in college football:

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College Football’s Week Six All-Chump Team

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 02:59:51 +1900

Viva la chump! Back by popular demand, here are the individuals in college football that wish this weekend’s performances would just go away. Let this be “tackling fuel” for each going forward: College Football’s Week Six “All-Chump” Team QUARTERBACK Starter: Tom Brandstater (Fresno State) 12 for 24, 204 yards, 3 INT, lost fumble in a 32-29 OT loss to Hawaii This weekend, Brandstater and the Bulldogs were like Sen. Larry Craig, caught with their pants down. Backup: Curtis Painter (Purdue) 13 for 22, 112 yards, 1 INT in a 20-6 loss to Penn State Once again, Painter struggled against the Nittany Lions. This performance was like Clay Aiken’s recent news: nothing new and nothing we didn’t know already. RUNNING BACK Starter: Maryland’s Running Game 21 carries for 79 yards in a 31-0 loss to Virginia Virginia ...

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The 25 Best SEC Football Rivalries

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 21:48:24 +1900

Here is my list for the best rivalries in the SEC. Teams outside the conference are also included such as Georgia Tech in the Tech-Georgia rivalry. The rankings are based on several factors including history, number of games, proximity, competitiveness, recent relevance and the hate/respect factor. 1. Alabama-Auburn (Iron Bowl) 72 times met, Alabama leads 38-33-1 - Hands Down 2. Florida-Georgia (World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) 85, Georgia leads 46-37-2 - Keeps getting better 3. Auburn-Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry) 111, Auburn leads 53-50-8 - The most “respected” rivalry 4. Tennessee-Alabama (Third Saturday in October) 90, Alabama leads 45-38-7 - Two winningest programs in the SEC 5. Florida-Florida St. (Battle for the Governor's Cup) 52, Florida leads 31-19-2 - Rivalry is fading a bit 6. Ole Miss-Miss St . (Egg Bowl) 104, Ole Miss leads 59-39-6 - Underrated, intense rivalry ...

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Tennessee Struggles in Win Over Northern Illinois

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:18:57 +1900

The Nick Stephens era in Knoxville began yesterday with an unimpressive win over Northern Illinois. Tennessee was a two-touchdown favorite against the mediocre NIU squad, but settled for a 13-9 win. NIU scored first, after a Tennessee fumble put them at midfied and a roughing-the-passer call moved NIU even closer to pay dirt. After the Huskies drive stalled on the Vols' 10, NIU kicker Demonte Bolden nailed a 25-yard field goal to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead. Tennessee's Eric Berry ran an interception back to the NIU 16, and after a sickly three-and-out, Tennessee tied the game with a Daniel Lincoln field goal. Who would have thought these two teams would be tied at the half? One can only imagine what Phil Fulmer had to say in the locker room at halftime, but, whatever it was, it worked—it didn't work well, but it worked. Tennessee scored on another Lincoln field goal early in the third. Using the momentum they had gained, the Vols got aggressive and found the end zone on the first ...

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Tennessee turns to Stephens at QB

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 23:35:56 +1900

The Tennessee Volunteers desperately need someone to add some spark to their offense. After opening the season 1-3, they're hoping ...

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Vols bench Crompton; Stephens gets the start

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 23:35:06 +1900

Tennessee will start Nick Stephens at quarterback on Saturday night as the Volunteers look to spark their offense against Northern Illinois. Coach Phillip Fulmer announced Friday that Stephens will replace starter Jonathan Crompton, who was forced to compete for the job after going 8-for-23 for 67 yards in the Vols' 14-12 loss to Auburn. Tennessee (1-3) is off to its worst start in 14 years.

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Tennessee to start Stephens at QB

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 22:10:30 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee will start Nick Stephens at quarterback when the Volunteers face ...

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Vols will start Stephens over Crompton at QB

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 22:05:06 +1900

Read full story for latest details.

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Big-shot Vols don't scare NIU

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 06:15:00 +1900

If Northern Illinois bloodies the nose of host Tennessee on Saturday, it would not be the first time the Huskies delivered a harsh surprise to the Southeastern Conference or the first time coach Jerry Kill ruined a Saturday for a more powerful school.

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Tenn. QB must prove himself against N. Illinois

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 06:10:53 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The competition for Tennessee's starting quarterback spot might be over. Th...

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Tennessee Football: Done So Soon?

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 17:43:27 +1900

Tennessee is 1-3, 0-2 in the SEC. For the first time in 14 years, Tennessee is 1-3. The last time that Tennessee started this poorly was in Phil Fullmer's second year as head coach. However, the 1994 Tennessee team was able top rebound and finish 8-4, 5-3 in the SEC. However their have been many changes in the SEC east since 1994. Tennessee's whipping boy, Ray "Goof" is no longer the coach at Georgia. Current Georgia coach Mark Richt is 4-3 against Tennessee. Gerry DiNardo isn't the coach at in state rival Vanderbilt. Instead it is Bobby Johnson is coaching a Vanderbilt team that is thus far undefeated in 2008. Steve Spurrier is now at South Carolina and has yet to beat Tennessee at South Carolina but owned Tennessee while at Florida. Current Florida head coach urban Meyer is yet to lose to Tennessee. Urban Meyer embarrassed Tennessee in the Vols SEC opener this year. Looking ahead at the Schedule Tennessee has Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi State, South ...

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Is Tennessee Done So Soon?

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 17:43:27 +1900

For the first time in 14 years, Tennessee is 1-3 (0-2 in the SEC). The last time that Tennessee started this poorly was Phil Fulmer's second year as head coach. That 1994 Tennessee team was able to rebound and finish 8-4, 5-3 in the SEC. However, there have been many changes in the SEC East since 1994. Tennessee's whipping boy, Ray "Goof," is no longer the coach at Georgia. Current Georgia coach Mark Richt is 4-3 against Tennessee. Gerry DiNardo isn't the coach at in-state rival Vanderbilt. Instead, Bobby Johnson is coaching a Vanderbilt team that is thus far undefeated in 2008. Steve Spurrier is now at South Carolina and has yet to beat Tennessee at South Carolina, but he owned Tennessee while at Florida. Current Florida head coach urban Meyer is yet to lose to Tennessee. Urban Meyer embarrassed Tennessee in the Vols' SEC opener this year. Looking ahead at Tennessee's schedule, the Vols have Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Kentucky, and ...

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish Land Versatile Safety Nyshier Oliver

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 07:53:33 +1900

By Nick Shepkowski of Domer Sports Report An already solid start to Notre Dame's class of 2013 got a little bit stronger on Wednesday as Nyshier Oliver became the 15th commitment to the Irish, who rank 14th in the nation according to both Scout and Rivals in the recruiting front. What will Nyshier do for the Fighting Irish when he breaks out the gold and blue next fall? Oliver, a likely safety is rated as a four-star safety on Scout, while Rivals grades him slightly lower as he comes in at three stars as an athlete. Oliver has played on both sides of the ball in high school and will be able to add depth at whichever position Charlie Weis and Co. decide to have him play at Notre Dame. Oliver originally committed to the University of Tennessee before withdrawing his commitment in mid-August. A day after those events occurred Charlie Weis offered a scholarship in which Oliver accepted Tuesday night. From all of us at Domer Sports Report, welcome aboard, Nyshier! Tale ...

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Tennessee Volunteers Are Playing Like Volunteers

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 02:53:15 +1900

Tennessee, the team that is known and hated by just about all in the SEC. The Vols are a team in the SEC that is well-established, having a national championship and quiet a few bowl game victories under their belt. This season, though, is not looking too hot. The team started with another loss just as last season to a California team, making the SEC look bad. Tennessee has got to step back up and play southern football like it used to. Phil Fulmer has got to get this program back in shape and back to being rough and tough. The 2008 season will most likely not be a good one for the Vols, but hopefully they can take their experiences from the year and use that as energy to become a better program if they want to become a competitor in what is arguably the hardest conference in football. The Vols are the Volunteers; I think that they don't have a team and they are playing like they actually have volunteer players! All I can say is that Tennessee has to do something because, if not, ...

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Georgia Moves On

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:10:47 +1900

Georgia had gone 357 days between losses before Alabama took it to the Bulldogs. Georgia (4-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after Alabama stormed to a 31-0 halftime lead that was a shock to some Bulldogs players, but the team showed some grit by not fading away in the second half. The Bulldogs returned to practice for the first time since the defeat on Tuesday. They have an open date this weekend before playing Tennessee on Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. on CBS. The bye week is a chance for Georgia to let its many bumps and bruises get better. More than a dozen players did not practice Tuesday because of injury or were held out.

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Georgia Bulldogs Move On

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:10:47 +1900

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Tennessee defense best after turnovers

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 20:49:42 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Some teams might worry when they've turned the ball over. That's when the T...

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Middle Tennessee gets by FAU on Hail Mary

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:16:19 +1900

Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

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Tennessee deciding between QBs for NIU game

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:14:18 +1900

Read full story for latest details.

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Doe out with double hernia injury

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 01:38:48 +1900

Florida linebacker Dustin Doe will have surgery Wednesday to repair a double hernia and miss at least two games. Doe, a two-year starter who has 13 tackles this season, was hurt Sept. 6 against Miami. He played sparingly two weeks later at Tennessee, and the injury flared up again Saturday against Mississippi. Coach Urban Meyer said he hopes to get Doe back before Florida's Oct. 25 game against Kentucky.

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Florida LB Doe to miss at least 2 games (AP)

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 01:06:52 +1900

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Vols QB Stephens likely will see playing time

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:39:03 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's Nick Stephens likely will see playing time at quarterback again...

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Vols QBs Crompton, Stephens to play against NIU

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:36:52 +1900

Tennessee expects to play both Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens at quarterback Saturday against Northern Illinois.

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Vols set to have two QBs play vs. Northern Illinois

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:31:30 +1900

Tennessee expects to play both Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens at quarterback Saturday against Northern Illinois. The Volunteers (1-3) are off to their worst start in 14 years and Crompton has struggled to get them into the end zone. Crompton and Stephens are competing this week to start against the Huskies (2-2). But even if Stephens doesn't practice well enough to start, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson wants to see him in a game.

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Stephens should play even if he's not Vols starter

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:30:17 +1900

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Vols to use Crompton and Stephens at QB (AP)

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:24:52 +1900

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Auburn vs. Tennessee Contest Raises QB Questions for Both Teams

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:54:48 +1900

Article courtesy of SEC Sports Hub Crompton has struggled mightily since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Volunteers. In what amounted to a defensive battle last Saturday between the Volunteers and the Tigers, both teams enter the week with questions at quarterback. Following the game, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer stated that the quarterback position for the Volunteers was an open competition. Tennessee faces Northern Illinois at home next week, before a tough road trip to face the Georgia Bulldogs. Fulmer ideally would like to have a quarterback decided on before the game against the Bulldogs, but Crompton isn’t making things easy on him. The junior quarterback has had several key turnovers in the past few weeks, including a botched exchange against Florida inside the five yard line, as well as a drive ending interception in the endzone against the Gators, also inside the five. Crompton fumbled near his own five yard line last weekend and Auburn recovered ...

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Vols WRs awaiting chance to shine again

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:52:01 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's wide receivers are trying to be patient.A unit that piled u...

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Tennessee-Auburn Report Card: Report To Detention

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:09:15 +1900

Tennessee sure needs to start playing better, first because I hate watching them lose, and second because I am running out of school-based terms for this report card segment! Anyway, let's take a look at how the Vols were graded after last Saturday's 14-12 loss at Auburn, with a little more detail on the positions. OFFENSE Quarterbacks Well the good news was Crompton didn't throw any interceptions. The bad news was he didn't have to. Crompton was 8-of-23 for 67 yards. He is just not seeing the field well and looks uncomfortable back there. He and Arian Foster also gave up a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for the touchdown that ended up being the difference in the game. Gerald Jones also spent time in his G-gun formation running for 25 yards, but his one pass was dropped. If the G-gun is to be more effective, Jones will have to be able to pass (and Clawson needs to call for a pass or two) or all the defense will do is just ...

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Crompton, Stephens to compete for Vols' QB job

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:38:15 +1900

Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens will compete for Tennessee's starting quarterback job this week during practice, coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday. "I'd much rather the guy we anticipated being the starter play well and execute like we want. That's not happening on a consistent basis right now," he said. Fulmer called Crompton's 8-for-23 passing performance for 67 yards in the Vols' 14-12 loss at Auburn unacceptable.

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Fulmer opens Vols' QB job for battle after 1-3 start

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:48:44 +1900

Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens will compete for Tennessee's starting quarterback job this week during practice, coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday.

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Fulmer to miss Tennessee's weekly media day

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:41:53 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer says he won't make his weekly media appearan...

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Vols' Fulmer to consider change at QB (AP)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:21:55 +1900

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Georgia RB Moreno questionable for Vols game

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:18:57 +1900

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- The off week came at an opportune time for Georgia.The 11th-ranked Bulldogs ...

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Prognosticating Phillip Fulmer's Replacements at Tennessee

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:04:25 +1900

I was a regular contributor to Bleacher Report during my first month. Everything was going good until that fateful day on Sept. 1st. I have been in hiding ever since Tennessee’s collapse in Los Angeles. Let me explain. I sweat orange. I was born and bred a Tennessee Volunteer. Football, in particular, is my vice. Every fall Saturday in Knoxville is like my December 25th. They are my holidays. But my gifts are getting rotten. Tennessee’s football program is slip-sliding away: away to obscurity, away to irrelevance on the national scene. The historically underachieving basketball program has surpassed the football squad. Tennessee’s in-state “cupcake” rival, Vanderbilt, is ranked higher than the Vols. Phillip Fulmer is now the third most valuable coach on “The Hill.” The team with the eighth most wins all-time and winner of a National Championship just a decade ago ...

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Moreno among injured for Georgia (AP)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:44:45 +1900

The off week came at an opportune time for Georgia. The 11th-ranked Bulldogs are dealing with a rash of injuries, most notably to star running back Knowshon Moreno. He sustained a severely bruised elbow in Saturday night's 41-30 loss to Alabama. Even with an extra week to recover, there's still a chance Moreno might miss Georgia's next game against Tennessee on Oct.

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Fulmer considers change at QB for Tennessee

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:50:22 +1900

Read full story for latest details.

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Auburn to start Todd at QB vs. Vandy (AP)

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:40:39 +1900

The Auburn Tigers aren't making a quarterback change. Coach Tommy Tuberville said Sunday that Chris Todd will remain the starter for the 13th-ranked Tigers Saturday at No. 19 Vanderbilt. Kodi Burns got his first significant action since starting the opener and completed a key third-down pass on the final series in a 14-12 win over Tennessee.

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Tennessee coach Fulmer to consider QB change

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:56:24 +1900

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer says he'll consider other options at quarter...

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Tennessee-Auburn: CFF's Review of the Vols' 14-12 Loss

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:29:42 +1900

This was a loss, and I'm supposed to feel bad about it. But I don't. Well, not as much as I did last week, but Tennessee played a lot better than I really thought they would, and I'm not really angry with them this week. Offense Well, I lied. I'm very angry about the offense. Dave Clawson has got to get this group together and tell them to stop playing like crap and stop making so many mistakes. Jonathan Crompton confirmed that he is one of the most incompetent and worst starting QBs in the nation with his second-quarter botched handoff to Arian Foster, fumbled at UT's own 5 , which Auburn recovered in the end zone for a TD to make the score 14-6. Crompton clearly is not the starting quarterback. He made several throws that were just awful, including three at least 10 yards out of bounds when he had a receiver open, and sometimes two. And to top it off, his pathetic attempt at a handoff to Foster ended up being the deciding play of the game. You want to know how badly he ...

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No. 15 Auburn 14, Tennessee 12

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:19:14 +1900

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Backup quarterback Kodi Burns did just enough to help No. 15 Auburn run out the clock and preserve a 14-12 win over struggling Tennessee on Saturday. >

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Burns, No. 15 Auburn run out clock on Tennessee

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:18:42 +1900

Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

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No. 15 Auburn holds off Tennessee 14-12 (AP)

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:55:55 +1900

Backup quarterback Kodi Burns did just enough to help No. 15 Auburn run out the clock and preserve a 14-12 win over struggling Tennessee on Saturday. Burns' 10-yard pass to Montez Billings on third-and-5 produced a first down and enabled the Tigers (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) to kneel on three consecutive plays with the Volunteers having used up their final two timeouts.

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Is Philip Fulmer Resembling the Blue-and-Maize Malaise Days of Lloyd Carr?

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:53:18 +1900

Legends aren’t supposed to be run out of town with torches and pitchforks. They’re supposed to ride off into the sunset or at least on the shoulders of their players or the hearts of their fans. For John Ward—who’d announced that 1998 would be his last year prior to the national championship run—it was the storybook finish. “It’s time,” rings in my ears every year that I’m forced to cringe through 12 Bob Kesling-announced football games. Ward wasn’t a player or a coach, so the Voice of the Vols wasn’t hoisted on the shoulders of the team when we beat Florida State 23-16 to secure the national championship. He simply just put down his microphone and walked away. Ward talked to us every step of the way—“with a voice you could hear all the way to Rocky Top”—and his legend lives on, his voice narrates Tennessee history in my heart. He left the way you were supposed to … with dignity and ...

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Why Tennessee Wins: Auburn Edition

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:35:20 +1900

Last week I told you why Tennessee would beat Florida, and that went well, so here it goes again. This week I actually believe Tennessee will win this game, despite the fact that our team sucks, so this should be easier. Phil Fulmer’s back is against the wall It seems like every year Fulmer gets himself into this situation, and, after getting blown out by Florida at home, he is more on the hot seat than ever before. Last year it was Georgia, and this year it will be Auburn. Right now, these players are mad that everyone is calling for their coach’s head, and I think they will play inspired football to somehow save Fulmer’s job once again. G-Gun Gerald Jones got a lot more snaps at quarterback last week and I think we will see more of him this week. Jonathan Crompton is struggling right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gerald throw it some against Auburn, as well. Crompton finally shows up Auburn has a pretty stout front seven, ...

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Five Keys to a Tennessee Victory Over #15 Auburn On Saturday

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:13:00 +1900

This, really, is a must-win game for the Vols. If the Vols lose this one, it could confirm the end of Phillip Fulmer's tenure as UT head coach and the Northern Illinois attendance would be expected to be around 65,000, which would mean more than 35,000 empty seats and the lowest attendance for a UT football game in a long time. Here's five ways the Tennessee Volunteers can pull the upset on #15 Auburn. 1. Limit the mistakes Too many mistakes are the reason why Tennessee is 1-2 right now. In the UCLA game, UT lost a great chance to go up 21-7 in the second half when Arian Foster fumbled a handoff at the UCLA 5 and gave the ball away to UCLA. This play, in my opinion, really changed the game. If UT had gone up 21-7, the way UCLA had been playing, UT would've held on to win easily. Against Florida, they turned the ball over twice inside the Florida 3. If Tennessee got two TDs instead of losing the football on those plays, the score would've been 17-7 and then 20-14, bringing a much different ...

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Tigers-Vols trying to rebound

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:48:46 +1900

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Most of the current Auburn and Tennessee players were in high school the last t...

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Tigers-Vols trying to rebound

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:20:28 +1900

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Auburn, Tennessee trying to rebound (AP)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:16:22 +1900

Most of the current Auburn and Tennessee players were in high school the last time these conference rivals met. They have a lot in common now as they enter Saturday's renewal of a once-annual meeting. Both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks to run newly installed offenses, trying to rebound from difficult home losses to key division rivals and nursing hopes for a move back into Southeastern...

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Tennessee Football: The Vols Can't Rely on Jonathan Crompton

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:27:25 +1900

The Tennessee Volunteers’ start to the 2008 season looks eerily similar to their start to the 2007 season, which, if the Vols’ successful second half of 2007 and subsequent SEC East title is any indication, isn’t such a bad thing. Look a little deeper, though, and things don’t look nearly as promising this year for one simple reason: Jonathan Crompton is not Erik Ainge. This sobering fact has become clear to Tennessee fans who thought Crompton was ready to be the next successful Volunteer quarterback, and it has become clear pretty quickly. Crompton does have talent, as he has shown that he is capable of moving the Tennessee offense down the field. But he has yet to show a knack for making plays in big situations, whether they are plays that keep drives going or plays that put critical points on the board—in other words, the kinds of plays that determine who wins and who loses. He has only played two meaningful games, but unfortunately you don’t get much ...

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