Tennessee Volunteers' Report Card: Time For a Parent-Teacher Conference

So it took me a little while to calm down and write this.  I wanted to make sure I was talking with reason and not just spewing whatever emotions I had.

This is definitely not the way I wanted the first edition of the Tennessee Vols' Report Card to go, but you play the hand you are dealt, so here we go.

As many of you know Tennessee opened their season for the second consecutive year on the west coast against a Pac-10 school in UCLA.  Tennessee looked like they had the game in control despite only leading 14-7 at halftime. 

UCLA rallied behind third string quarterback Kevin Craft and forced Tennessee to tie the game late and force overtime.  After Tennessee held UCLA to a field goal in their first possession, fans thought the Vols would get a TD and escape with the win or at least kick a field goal and go to a second OT, but Daniel Lincoln's kick went left and the Bruins shocked the Vols 27-24.

So how did all the units do?  Let's take a look:

OFFENSE

Rushing

It has been the Vols bread and butter for years and by the looks of the statistics, the Big Orange had a good night: 177 yards on 34 carries for a 5.2 average.  Arian Foster lead the way with 97 yards and Montario Hardesty added 66 of his own. 

However, Tennessee could not really stay consistent as they would follow up a good run with a bad run.  Also, Foster's fumble inside the five in the third quarter did not help matters.

GRADE B-

Passing

In his first game under this new system, Crompton was 19 of 41 with 189 yards and one interception.  After starting off the game hot, Crompton fizzled out.  While he did throw some ropes to the receivers, most of the time he was either way short or way high on his passes. 

Gerald Jones was the only consistent target with four catches for 41 yards.  Both receiver and quarterback did not click all game and could not get anything going despite solid field position.

GRADE D

DEFENSE

Rushing

This has been the Vols strength in the past, having great run defense.  While they held the Bruins to only 29 yards on 31 attempts, it sure was not against the best competition as UCLA's best back, Kahlil Bell was out after the first quarter. 

However, they made the Bruins try to beat Tennessee with the pass.

GRADE B+

Passing

Of course that is what happened to the Vols late in the forth quarter, their pass defense let them down.  Tennessee picked off four passes in the first half, running one back for a TD to put them in the lead.  The other three picks killed the Bruins momentum. 

However, Tennessee seemed to soften the converge and Craft just picked them apart in two late touchdown drives.  The pass defense was great till it really counted, which hurts.

GRADE B-

SPECIAL TEAMS

For the first time in years it looks like Tennessee might be a big threat in the return game.  Tennessee had long punt and kickoff returns throughout the game and gave the Vols great field position, which the offense could do nothing with to put the game away. 

Meanwhile, Lincoln missed three kicks (two of them over 50 yards) including the one that really mattered in OT, and the punting team gave up a blocked kick returned for a touchdown.  The bad outweighs the good here.

GRADE C-

COACHING

Bottom line, Phillip Fulmer and Dave Clawson were out coached by Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow in the 4th Quarter.

GRADE F

FINAL GPA 1.95

Not a good way to start the year, Volunteers.  Tennessee had great field position throuout the game and could not take advantage of it and put UCLA out of it.  Instead the Bruins hung around and got the win.  I will give credit for the Vols being able to rally and get the scores when they needed it, but it just wasn't enough. 

During this bye week, the Volunteers need to look at their mistakes and get ready for the rest of the season.  There are still eleven games to go, as the Vols motto on all their signs and bliiboards say, CARRY THE FIGHT.