Real Jonathan Crompton Shows Up In Second Half of Vols-Gamecocks

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He's been lost since the last drive of the first half against Auburn.

But during the intermission of the Vols' Halloween contest against South Carolina, Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton finally showed up and played the second half.

During the first half, Tennessee's embattled signal caller was spot on, hitting six of his first seven passes and putting together great drives against the Gamecocks defense. Granted, the drives were on short fields.

Crompton threw for 103 yards and two scores on 8-of-14 passing in the first half.

But Crompton apparently escaped from his holding cell and made his way to Neyland Stadium for the second half.

I have been one of Crompton's biggest critics. Since the beginning of last season, I have been scared of him. I told plenty of people I worried about our chances with him under center.

While last season, and the first three games this season, proved that I was justified in my frights, the guy has made his way into Tennessee fans' hearts of late. He led the Vols to a rout of Georgia and played solidly against the No. 1 team in the country last week, throwing a touchdown pass against one of the top defenses in the nation.

With that being said, I had my suspicions that No. 8 was not the real No. 8. He was simply a figment of our orange-and-white imaginations.

And when the black came out, so did the dark spirits of Crompton's past.

A poor second half, sans the one touchdown drive, showed that Crompton still has the ability to break our hearts.

If you want numbers, here they are. Crompton was 4-of-9 passing for 39 yards.

It might not seem like those numbers are too bad. But watching the game, I found myself throwing my hands in the air and screaming like I used to at the TV, yelling, "Where the crap were you throwing that?!"

Despite not throwing an interception, although Eric Norwood had one and dropped it, Crompton played the worst he has played since the first half against Auburn.

If you don't believe me, watch the film.

Hopefully, for Tennessee's sake, Crompton was simply dressed up for Halloween and whoever has been playing quarterback will show back up.

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