University of Tennessee Athletics
Notebook: McCoy Liked Frazier's Debut at Middle Linebacker
October 04, 2009 | Football
Oct. 4, 2009
BY DREW EDWARDS
UTSports.com
It didn't take long for Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy to form an opinion of Savion Frazier's debut at middle linebacker on Saturday night.
"I think he did a heck of a job," McCoy said.
Frazier made his first career start in place of injured middle linebacker Nick Reveiz, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL in last week's victory over Ohio.
Frazier, who moved to middle linebacker this week, finished with 11 tackles and two quarterback hurries. Only McCoy (16 tackles) and safety Eric Berry (14 tackles) had more in the Vols' 26-22 loss to Auburn.
Despite Frazier's production, the Vols still missed Reveiz.
"We handled it pretty well," McCoy said. "But you can tell Nick's out. He'd been there spring, fall. He was a guy that worked real hard and studied his stuff."
Tennessee, which falls to 2-3, 0-2 in the SEC heading into next week's game against Georgia, gave up a season-high 459 yards of total offense to Auburn, which ranked third in the nation in total offense entering Saturday's game.
"Savion Frazier had a tough deal coming in there this week," McCoy said. "With a week of practice (at a new position), against one of the hardest offenses, one of the most explosive offenses that comes out with multiple formations and adjustments, I think he did a heck of a job.
"I think they would have given anybody trouble in the middle. He did a pretty good job getting us lined up and stuff today."
Those plays were frustrating, but the dagger came after a 26-yard field goal cut Auburn's lead to 23-16 with 4:56 remaining.
Tigers running back Onterio McCalebb took the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to the UT 39-yard line, which set up a touchdown drive that put the game out of reach.
Vols freshman David Oku, however, proved solid on kick returns, averaging 28.7 yards on three attempts.
Bad Bounces: Tennessee again forced opponent fumbles but failed to corral any of them.
In a loss to UCLA, the Vols forced five fumbles and recovered just one. Auburn recovered both its fumbles Saturday.
"We work on it all the time in practice," defensive tackle Wes Brown said. "We work on turnovers, stripping the ball. It's unfortunate we can't get any balls bouncing our way. Things have got to turn around for us.
"When the ball's out, you've got to get on it. A lot of times the ball bounced the opposite way. We've just got to swarm the ball and recover it."
Pahokee Package: Wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson provided the Vols' longest play of the night - on the first play from scrimmage. Lining up at quarterback, Richardson broke free for a 41-yard run to the Tigers' 24-yard line.
Richardson, who also earned his first career start by virtue of beginning the game at quarterback, did not line up behind center for the rest of the night.
"That was just a special play," UT coach Lane Kiffin said. "That was just a special play we put in and ran it the first play of the game. It's not a full package. His other package, we ran a little of it last week, which we're always looking to expand that and find ways to get him the ball."
Apology Accepted: A chop-block penalty against the Tigers had Brown, who is playing with two banged up knees, steaming early in the game. The Alabama native, though, softened his stance after multiple Auburn linemen apologized upon his return to the field.
"I was ticked off, but at the same time I came back out there the next possession and I know some of those guys from recruiting or being from Alabama," Brown said. "They said in no way was that on purpose. That just happened. We're not out here trying to hurt you. I can't be whining and complaining about that. That's just the game. That's going to happen."
Sell Job: Give defensive tackle Montori Hughes credit for a good sell job.
Late in the third quarter, Hughes jumped up after an apparent interception of a pass tipped by McCoy. He flipped the ball to an official and went straight to the sideline.
The play was overruled on review.
Tough Start: Saturday's loss was Tennessee's third straight SEC loss in the month of October. The Vols lost to Alabama and Georgia last October.
Grounded: Auburn tailback Ben Tate became the first opponent to rush for more than 100 yards this season.
Tate finished with 128 yards on 25 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The previous high was UCLA tailback Jonathan Franklin, who rushed for 80 yards in the Bruins' victory on Sept. 12.
Orange Pants: The Vols broke out the all orange look for the first time under head coach Lane Kiffin. But the result was the same as the last time Tennessee wore orange pants with orange jerseys.
The Vols lost the 2007 SEC championship game against LSU wearing all orange. All told, the Vols are 0-4 in their last four games wearing orange pants.
Injury Update: Wide receiver Quintin Hancock (jaw) played for the first time since breaking his jaw in the Vols' loss at Florida. Defensive end Chris Walker (back) also played Saturday, although his status was in doubt during the week.
Odds and Ends: Receiver Gerald Jones led the Vols with seven receptions for 75 yards, after catching just one pass for 4 yards last week against Ohio. ... Tailback Montario Hardesty moved into 24th place on UT's career rushing yardage list with his 90 yards Saturday night. He also set a career high with 56 yards receiving.
