Tennessee-Auburn Report Card: Report To Detention

Tennessee sure needs to start playing better, first because I hate watching them lose, and second because I am running out of school-based terms for this report card segment! 

Anyway, let's take a look at how the Vols were graded after last Saturday's 14-12 loss at Auburn, with a little more detail on the positions.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Well the good news was Crompton didn't throw any interceptions.  The bad news was he didn't have to.  Crompton was 8-of-23 for 67 yards.  He is just not seeing the field well and looks uncomfortable back there. 

He and Arian Foster also gave up a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for the touchdown that ended up being the difference in the game. 

Gerald Jones also spent time in his G-gun formation running for 25 yards, but his one pass was dropped.  If the G-gun is to be more effective, Jones will have to be able to pass (and Clawson needs to call for a pass or two) or all the defense will do is just wait for him to try and run.

GRADE: D-

Running Backs

The running game only gained 124 yards on 33 carries, and that includes rushes from Gerald Jones and Crompton.  The backs only gained 84 yards. 

Montario Hardesty led the way with 35 yards and the only touchdown for the Vols. 

The fumble by Foster and Crompton in the endzone, no matter who you put blame on, is inexcusable.

Foster was supposed to be the most experienced and most versatile back in the SEC. He definitely does not look like that right now.

GRADE: F

Receivers

Crompton and his receivers were not on the same page way too many times during the game.  It looked like receivers were able to get open against a talented Auburn secondary, but Crompton was way off the mark all game. 

Eight different Volunteers caught passes, but they all only got the one pass for a total of 67 yards.  It is tough to get the ball to the playmakers when they can't get the ball.  It also appears as if Tennessee does not have a viable deep threat as well.

GRADE: C-

Offensive Line

UT's top two rushers, Foster and Hardesty, averaged less than four yards a carry. The Vols allowed six tackles for a loss, including two sacks.  I thought this was supposed to be the best offensive line in the SEC?

GRADE: D

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

The line had trouble stopping Kodi Burns on the ground in the first half, but did a great job in containing and adapting to both Auburn quarterbacks throughout the game.  Ben Martin got the first sack for the defensive line, and Dan Williams had eight tackles, two for a loss.

GRADE: B+

Linebackers

Nevin McKenzie had two pass breakups, one of those to end an Auburn drive in the fourth quarter. Ellix Wilson led the Vols with 10 tackles, including one for a loss. Rico McCoy had six tackles, but Adam Myers-White missed at least one tackle.

Overall, the linebackers did what they were supposed to do, but nothing really beyond the call of duty.  They also missed a few easy tackles.

GRADE: B

Secondary

Besides Auburn's only touchdown drive, the Vols' secondary played lockdown for the rest of the game.  Dennis Rogan's interception set up Tennessee's only touchdown and was a big momentum changer.

Sophomore Eric Berry continues to impress, playing and hitting hard on every single play.

GRADE: A-

SPECIAL TEAMS

Chad Cunningham showed a strong, accurate leg, dropping three (and nearly four) punts inside the 5 and kicking two touchbacks. Daniel Lincoln made both his field-goal tries, which had to give him some confidence back after the disaster at UCLA.

Gerald Jones provided a spark on punt returns, including a 40-yarder that flipped the field.  Unfortunately, the Tennessee offense could not take advantage.  The special teams would have made General Neyland proud.

GRADE: A

COACHING

Tennessee is still a step off on offense.  To me it looks like they have already become predictable.  If not for incredible runs by Crompton and Jones on the only Tennessee touchdown drive, they would not have gotten anywhere near the goal line. 

With the Auburn defense only rushing three on third and medium or long, and dropping eight knowing the Vols would pass, no one thought to maybe try and sneak in a draw play.

GRADE: D

FINAL GPA:  2.05

The defense and special teams did their job to keep Tennessee in the game.  However, the huge turnover and the general ineptitude on offense made sure the Vols went to 1-3 on the season.

I hate putting blame on college and high school kids, but I really think there needs to be a change at quarterback on Rocky Top.  All those three-and-outs are just embarrassing, especially with the great field position Tennessee had all second half. 

Crompton is just not getting it done right now.  What better time to break in a new quarterback than against Northern Illinois.

Tune in next week to see what happens!