NCAA Football, Tennessee Volunteers Football NEWS
Volunteers Offense Struggles Again In Loss To Georgia
Published by MoonDog on October 11, 2008
The Tennessee Volunteers traveled to Athens for a Saturday afternoon game against the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs with thoughts of getting their season turned around. But the Vols weren’t able to turn much around as their offense continued to struggle, losing to Georgia 26-14.
The Bulldogs dominated the game, totaling 458 yards of offense to Tennessee’s 209.
Georgia’s offense controlled the clock, holding the ball for 42:09 and put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 17-play, 76-yard drive that lasted 10:59 against an overworked Tennessee defense.
Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno Gained 102 Yards Against Tennessee
Matthew Stafford had a career day, completing 25-of-36 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. Knowshon Moreno became the first running back to gain 100 yards against Tennessee this season, rushing for 102 yards on 27 carries.
Tennessee (2-4, 0-3) is winless in SEC play for the first time since 2000 and is off to its worst start in 20 years.
Tennessee managed to convert both of Georgia’s turnovers into scores, scoring late in the second quarter after the Vols Robert Ayers picked off Stafford at the Tennessee 15 and returned it eight yards.
On the ensuing drive, Nick Stephens, making his second start since taking over for Jonathan Crompton, completed a 60-yard pass to Denarius Moore. The Vols got on the board when Stephens connected with Gerald Jones on a 2-yard pass to cap a six-play, 77-yard drive.
Stephens finished the game completing 11-of-30 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer
Tennessee’s offense couldn’t establish a running game against the Bulldogs, gaining only one yard on 15 attempts.
Dave Clawson, the Vols offensive coordinator, continues to produce a game plan that lacks originality and is now becoming more predictable with each game.
“I don’t know where our running game has gone,” Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Offensively we’re just not getting any rhythm.”
“Everybody in the world is going to talk about me, about the staff,” Fulmer said, adding his staff and coaches have to determine “what kind of backbone have we got.
“I’m going to look them in the eye and say ‘I’m not quitting.’ We’ve kicked butt before. We’re getting ours kicked now. It will cycle back around.”
Tennessee drew 10 penalties for 97 yards, including four personal fouls, two of which helped Georgia regain momentum after Tennessee’s first touchdown.
Tennessee WR Gerald Jones Catches a 2-Yard TD Pass Against Georgia
After Tennessee cut the Bulldogs lead to 13-7 with 2:24 left in the first half, Georgia mishandled the ensuing kickoff and began from their 3.
Georgia methodically moved the ball down the field, capping a nine-play, 97-yard drive when Stafford connected with Mohamed Massaquoi on a 9-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs in front 20-7 with 0:09 left.
Were it not for the Bulldogs two mistakes, Tennessee probably wouldn’t have scored.
The Vols Eric Berry intercepted Stafford in the end zone and returned it 54 yards to the Georgia 46, setting up Stephens 12-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Taylor to cut the Bulldogs lead to 20-14 with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter.
From there, Georgia put together two long drives and held the ball for over 17 of the remaining 20 minutes of regulation.
Tennessee will face Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2) next Saturday in Knoxville. The Bulldogs knocked off previously unbeaten Vanderbilt Saturday, 17-14.
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CincyVol on Sun, 12th Oct 2008 22:41
I don’t know what the problem is with this offense this year. Stephens has another alright game, with some throws that were flat out great and others that showed his inexperience. Can we please play Creer? Please?
MoonDog on Mon, 13th Oct 2008 10:52
I’ve been telling everyone what the problem is, but no one wants to listen to me. Hell, I only played the game.
The problem is Clawson and Fulmer.