March 3, 2007

Coach Fulmer | Highlights | Photos

Tennessee's big-play defense blew away the offense Saturday in the first full scrimmage of 2007 amid blustery conditions at Neyland Stadium.

Limited by winds gusting to 45 miles per hour, UT's offense kept to the ground for its greatest success. Arian Foster rushed 19 times for 98 yards and two scores, while LaMarcus Coker had eight carries for 60 yards before being sidelined by a rib injury.

But it was two defensive scores that were the day's highlights. Antonio Gaines kept his name in the spring buzz with a 37-yard interception return for touchdown of Erik Ainge's third pass attempt on the opening drive. Later in the afternoon, Dorian Davis scooped up a Nick Stephens fumble and raced 55 yards to the score.

Ainge completed only 9-of-26 attempts for 90 yards, while Jonathan Crompton hit 16-of-24 attempts for 108 yards and a TD pass to Brad Cottam. Stephens was just 2-of-8 for 14 yards, but did find Quintin Hancock for a short-yardage touchdown.

In addition to his big runback, Davis led the defenders with seven tackles. Antonio Wardlow also had seven, while Rico McCoy and Nick Reveiz added six stops apiece.

Tailback Roy Olasimbo turned in a productive afternoon, rushing 15 times for 50 yards and touchdown and adding five catches out of the backfield for 11 yards. Daniel Lincoln fought through the windy conditions to make 5-of-6 field goals, his only miss coming up short from 50 yards. Britton Colquitt was 3-of-5 on field goals and made his 50-yard attempt.

Comments from head coach Phillip Fulmer: "I was glad to get through the scrimmage without any significant injury. I thought the physical nature of our spring work showed up some. There were good sign of that, really on both sides. The wind, obviously, was a factor throwing the football, but I thought our kickers really rose to the occasion with the wind.

"I told the guys that we need to take advantage of each day on the practice field to get better. For the most part, we're doing that. We're growing our leadership. The guys who have played some good football for us are playing pretty well right now and some are being good leaders.

"Erik has played really well. He stood in the pocket well and didn't get hit much, which is a good and bad sign. That second team defensive line can't get away from (the offense). We may scrimmage next time with the ones against the twos, so the twos can figure out the level it's really going to take to play this game. There is too big of a drop off there.

"Our passing numbers weren't really what they typically are going to be, but I think that's as much the receivers and the wind today. Erik has done really well.

"The tight ends made some plays and when we went to third-down situations, they really showed up. They have to be factors for us and there could be times when we have three of them on the field at the same time if the receivers don't progress like we need them to."

Offensive Starters:
LT Chris Scott, LG, Ramon Foster, C Michael Frogg, RG Jacques McClendon, RT Steven Jones, WR Lucas Taylor, WR Austin Rogers, TE Chris Brown, TE Brad Cottam, QB Erik Ainge, TB Arian Foster.

Defensive Starters:
LE Xavier Mitchell, LT J.T. Mapu, RT Demonte' Bolden, RE Wes Brown, SLB Ryan Karl, MLB Ellix Wilson, WLB Rico McCoy, LCB Antonio Gaines, RCB Marsalous Johnson, FS Jonathan Hefney, SS Jarod Parrish.

Rushing (No.-Yds.-TD):
Arian Foster 19-98-2, LaMarcus Coker 8-60-0, Roy Olasimbo 15-50-1.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD):
Erik Ainge 26-9-1-90-1, Jonathan Crompton 24-16-0-108-0, Nick Stephens 8-2-0-14-1.

Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD):
Roy Olasimbo 5-11-0, Slick Shelley 3-38-0, Brad Cottam 2-33-1, Quintin Hancock 2-24-1.

Defensive Leaders:
Dorian Davis 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery for 55-yard TD return; Antonio Wardlow 7 tackles; Rico McCoy 6 tackles; Nick Reveiz 6 tackles, 1 TFL (-1), 1 forced fumble; Jonathan Hefney 5 tackles, 1 TFL (-3); Ellix Wilson 5 tackles; Antonio Gaines 4 tackles, 1 interception for 37-yard TD return, 2 PBUs; Andre Mathis 4 tackles, 1 sack (-8).

Punting (No.-Avg.):
Britton Colquitt 1-44.0; Chad Cunningham 2-31.0; David Campbell 2-27.0.

Field Goals (Made-Att.-Long):
Daniel Lincoln 5-6-37; Britton Colquitt 3-5-50.

Injury Holdouts:
DE Robert Ayers (shoulder), DT Walter Fisher (shoulder), TB Montario Hardesty (knee), C Cameron Mayo (knee), C Josh McNeil (ankle), OG Anthony Parker (knee), C Cody Pope (foot), DE Antonio Reynolds (ankle), OT Eric Young (shoulder).

Saturday's Injuries:
TB LaMarcus Coker (ribs), DB Jonathan Hefney (toe).