University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Find Balance During Second Scrimmage
August 17, 2008 | Football
Aug. 17, 2008
Tennessee accomplished a number of its stated goals Saturday night during the team's second major scrimmage of fall camp. Jonathan Crompton was solid at quarterback, although the Vols defense made its presence felt a number of times over the two-plus hours.
"I thought there were some really good things early on both sides," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I thought the situations we went over were handled pretty well. I was pleased with, for the most part, management of the clock, and for the most part, ball security."
Crompton finished 12-of-18 passing for 101 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Jones. But the defense turned in a pair of interceptions and five sacks to balance the ledger.
"We had very few penalties and took care of the ball for the most part," Fulmer said. "During the backed-up situations, the defense really set the tone early."
The Vols worked on situations where the offense was backed against its own goal line, as well as the two-minute drill and various fourth-down situations. Fulmer said he was especially interested to see the fourth-down play-calling of his new offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson, in game situations.
"I wanted to see the quarterbacks manage that and also get familiar with how Dave likes to call it. We've talked about it, but before we got in the game I wanted to see it."
The evening's initial advantage went to the defense, which stopped the first unit from escaping its own goal line area. The second-string offense led by freshman tailback Tauren Poole helped turn the momentum. Poole carried for 34 yards on his first six attempts to go with an 11-yard reception before finishing with 38 rushing yards on 14 tries.
Lennon Creer was the rushing leader, carrying nine times for 70 yards. His fifth carry went for 22 yards -- giving him 58 in that early span -- but ended in a lost fumble thanks to an outstanding hit by Rod Wilks.
"That was a good hit on Lennon, although he should have had it higher and tighter," Fulmer said. "We don't ever accept a fumble."
Tennessee's top two backs on the depth chart, Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty, combined for 30 yards on eight rushing attempts. Foster added 24 receiving yards on a pair of short pass receptions.
"Foster did fine," Fulmer said. "It was good to get him some carries and he secured the ball well. He's a back that for the first guy on defense, it's hard to get him down. He will be game ready -- and I was really pleased with how Hardesty ran as well."
Linebackers led the way defensively. Gerald Williams paced all tacklers with seven, including a sack and another tackle for loss. Ellix Wilson added six tackles and a sack, while Rico McCoy contributed five tackles and a TFL. True freshman Prentiss Waggner and redshirt freshman Art Evans had interceptions, with Waggner chipping in four tackles and a TFL.
"Sometimes the defense wins, sometimes the offense wins," Fulmer said. "So much tonight, we were looking at situations and people along with some of the scheme.
"If you start saying are we SEC-ready or ready to play a game like UCLA, there will be a great evaluation of the film to see who is ready and see where we are."
Tennessee's only injuries in the scrimmage were minor, an ankle sprain to Austin Johnson and reaggravation of a groin pull by Chris Walker. Fulmer said he expects both players to return to full speed no later than game week. Non-contact holdouts for the evening were offensive lineman William Brimfield (ankle) and tight end Aaron Douglas (shoulder).
NELSON RELEASED AFTER FRIDAY SURGERY
Tennessee defensive tackle Chase Nelson was released from the hospital Friday after undergoing successful repair of his left torn patella tendon. UT head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh remains hopeful the junior from Tulsa, Okla., can return as early as next spring, but expects a full recovery in time for 2009 fall camp.
SCRIMMAGE STATS
Rushing Leaders (Att.-Yds.-TD) -- Arian Foster 3-18-0; Lennon Creer 9-70-0; Tauren Poole 14-38-0; Ja'Kouri Williams 6-50-0, Montario Hardesty 5-12-0.
Passing Leaders (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD) -- Jonathan Crompton 18-12-0-101-1; Nick Stephens 11-5-1-48-0; B.J. Coleman 24-15-0-170-0.
Receiving Leaders (No.-Yds.-TD) -- Gerald Jones 6-82-1; Quintin Hancock 3-43-0; Ahmad Paige 2-43-0; Brandon Warren 6-41-0; Josh Briscoe 2-41-0; Arian Foster 2-24-0; Kevin Cooper 2-20-0.
Defensive Leaders -- Gerald Williams 7 tackles, TFL (-7), sack (-5); Ellix Wilson 6 tackles, sack (-8); Rico McCoy 5 tackles, TFL (-6); Robert Ayers 5 tackles; Eric Berry 4 tackles, PBU; Nevin McKenzie 4 tackles, TFL (-4), PBU; Prentiss Waggner 4 tackles, TFL (-8), interception (27-yard return); Herman Lathers 4 tackles, TFL (-1); Anthony Anderson 4 tackles; Dennis Rogan 4 tackles; Demonte' Bolden 3 tackles, sack (-5); Art Evans 3 tackles, interception (5-yard return), 2 PBU; Demetrice Morley 2 tackles, TFL (-1); Wes Brown 1 tackle, sack (-5).
Punting -- Chad Cunningham 9-42.4-long 58; Steven Hensley 4-37.7-long 39; Britton Colquitt 2-37.0-long 38.
Field Goals -- Daniel Lincoln 8-of-9, long 49; Chad Cunningham 4-of-9, long 43.
Defensive Starters -- DE Wes Brown, DE Robert Ayers, DT Walter Fisher , DT Dan Williams, LB Ellix Wilson, LB Adam Myers-White, LB Rico McCoy, CB Dennis Rogan, CB DeAngelo Willingham, S Eric Berry, S Demetrice Morley.
Offensive Starters -- WR Lucas Taylor, WR Gerald Jones, WR Josh Briscoe, TE Luke Stocker, RB Arian Foster, QB Jonathan Crompton, OT Ramon Foster, OG Jacques McClendon, C Josh McNeil, OT Chris Scott, OG Anthony Parker.
Touchdown Scoring Plays -- Jones 8 pass from Crompton.
