Friday Scrimmage Notes

by Will Shelton on Apr 10, 2009 3:26 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Based on reports from KNS and VolQuest, we're either really really good on the defensive front, or our quarterbacks are going to be running for their lives.

Brent Hubbs ($) called the pass protection "horrific...just terrible." The UT release via the News-Sentinel (with stats) credits the defense with eight (!) sacks and an additional seven tackles for loss. Chris "Unblockable" Walker had two sacks and three TFLs, including a safety. Josh McNeil did not start at center.

The turnovers were down for the offense, no interceptions and only one fumble. Jonathan Crompton went 8 of 11 for 91 yards with the ones, and BJ Coleman was 11 of 16 for 151 yards and 2 TDs in backup duty. Nick Stephens was only 2 of 4, and unfortunately for him it appears his wrist injury really cost him an opportunity this spring.

Rushing numbers make you feel better about the offense: Montario Hardesty starts with 8 carries for 38 yards, and Tauren Poole finishes with 11 for 80 and a touchdown. And when the passing game did get it working, the wealth was spread around: while fullback Ben Bartholomew led the way with 4 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown, Quintin Hancock (who got the start again), Gerald Jones and Austin Rogers each had three catches. Ahmad Paige returned to relevant action with a touchdown grab, and Brandon Warren showed up with two catches for 16 yards.

In other news, John Brice ($) is reporting that Wes Brown will need knee surgery and is done for the spring. The emergence of Montori Hughes has never been more important, and here's hoping Brown is 100% by fall.

The team gets the Easter weekend off before returning to work Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday next week, with action concluding with the Orange & White Game in eight days.

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And to think

just two seasons back our O-line was setting NCAA records…

by jimvols on Apr 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Graduation: not just for the academic scholarship people.

by Chris Pendley on Apr 10, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

.....

i realize that….just reminiscing.

by jimvols on Apr 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I would guess it's more due to problems on the O-line than success on the D-line.

Don’t get me wrong – I think we’re going to be surprisingly good on D-line; I just think that the offense has had more ground to make up than the defense this spring, and they’re not there yet.

I’m very excited to hear that the running game is working well. Even if defenses stack heavy against the run on us, that’ll at least buy the QBs a bit of time and open up the coverage a little bit, which should help.

by David Hooper on Apr 10, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I think the difference in our D-line is evidenced by the QB numbers

While we have depth in the secondary (thus making Coleman’s numbers impressive), we have 0 depth on the defensive line. I’m betting Coleman has a lot of time to throw, while Crompton is constantly running for his life. Hopefully this stuff will get worked out before the season starts. It’s better for the defense to be struggling than the offense. If our offense looked great at this point (against our defense), I would be very concerned.

by rblakeh on Apr 10, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions