No, I’m not suggesting that Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton should be included among those for consideration as this year’s Heisman Trophy winner. I haven’t lost track of my senses to that extent, at least not yet.
But on Saturday against Georgia, Crompton finally played like the highly-rated quarterback he was in high school, a player that many of the top football programs in the country were chasing.
Aside from two bad passes, one that was intercepted and returned for a Georgia touchdown, Crompton was fantastic in completing 20 of 27 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns as the Vols rolled over Georgia 45-19 in Neyland Stadium.
Although Tennessee continued to have issues on their special teams, allowing a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and gave up a blocked punt for a safety, the Vols played like a team that finally appears to get it.
For one game in a season where Tennessee fans expected to see a higher level of play, they saw evidence of it on Saturday against Georgia.
The Volunteers rolled up 472 yards on the Bulldogs and the defense didn’t allow Georgia to enter the red zone for the entire game. The Vols forced three turnovers, stopped 10 of 13 third down attempts and held the Bulldogs to 241 yards.
Tennessee’s wide receivers – Denarius Moore, Quintin Hancock and Gerald Jones – all of which looked terrible in a loss to Auburn last week, were spectacular. The trio, along with tight end Luke Stocker, combined to catch 15 of Crompton’s passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Montario Hardesty continued to lead the Vols’ rushing attack, gaining 97 yards on 20 carries. His 39-yard touchdown run gave Tennessee a 31-19 lead with 4:06 left in the third quarter, helping the Vols regain momentum after Georgia had scored on a 28-yard interception return by Bacarri Rambo.
The win gives Tennessee (3-3, 1-2) its first victory of the season against a better than average opponent and also its first SEC win.
The Vols will now have two weeks to prepare for a road game against No. 3 Alabama on October 24. Tennessee will be huge underdogs with few expecting an upset of what some believe is the best team in college football.
The Crimson Tide has the best defense in the nation this season and Tennessee will find out very quickly just how much they’ve improved – or need to improve.
Several questions remain for the Vols. The special teams continue to have problems and the Tide’s Gilbert Arenas is the type of player who will exploit deficiencies.
Crompton’s level of play will be judged on how well he performs in a hostile environment against a superior defense. If he truly has turned a corner, Tennessee can look at the remaining opponents on their schedule – aside from Alabama – and believe they’ll have a good chance of winning.
The Vols should use the Alabama game as a measuring stick for the rest of the season, a season that now has a better opportunity to earn a bowl bid after Saturday’s win.
The process of Tennessee’s football program working its way back into respectability was going to be difficult. The long term benefits may not be realized until next season, but Saturday’s win over Georgia could prove to be where the foundation was laid.
