There's No Joy In Volville After UCLA Loss

The Tennessee Volunteers started the 2008 season the same way they did a year ago by losing on the West Coast to a Pac 10 team.

The UCLA Bruins rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit to stun the Big Orange 27-24 in overtime.

This time the Vols weren’t expected to struggle as they had against California in ’07.

The Tennessee players and coaches have been upbeat throughout the preseason and planned to go to the Left Coast and claim a victory.

Nevertheless, a third-string quarterback who threw four first-half interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, dissected the Big Orange secondary in the second half.

Kevin Craft turned it around in the second half by completing 12 of his last 14 passes in regulation; including a TD pass with 1:27 remaining to give UCLA a 24-21 lead.

Tennessee’s Daniel Lincoln booted a game-tying field goal with no time left on the clock to send the contest into overtime.

However, Lincoln pulled a field goal attempt wide left in overtime to hand the Bruins the win.

The message boards were rocking-and-rolling when the game ended.

The Left Coast Pac 10 backers were having fun gigging Tennessee and the SEC.

Here’s a few of my favorites.

Lalive wrote: The mighty SEC??? Hope that's not the best ya'll have to offer. (Sporting News)

itsyouallnoty'all wrote: Bwaaaahaaaahaaaaahaaa! SEC vs. 3rd string QB, 2nd string RB. Way to go Tennessee! (Sporting News)

SCHeismanU wrote: Norm Chow was the best "recruit" of the off season. How Chow pulled this win off was unbelievable. UCLA's last drive with a 3rd string QB was all Chow. Tenn losing to a projected 5/6 place Pac10 finisher says it all. Go Pac10. Fight On! (Sporting News)

Finally, BarefootSerpent wrote: This game should have been played at Heinz field because Tennessee kept letting UCLA catchup! Nevertheless, when your starting QB is worse than their 3rd string QB, you know it's going to be a long night. (Sporting News)

The Vols struggled in many areas against UCLA. The special teams allowed a touchdown on a blocked punt. Lincoln missed field goals besides the one that decided the game.

Jonathan Crompton looked slow in making his decisions. He did not move around well in the pocket and often was a sitting target for UCLA defenders.

Crompton poorly threw too many passes in his 19-for-41 effort that produced 183 yards and one interception.

The offensive line didn’t look as good as last year. However, Crompton at times taking too long to make decisions might have contributed to some of that.

There was no sign of a new offensive coordinator with a bag full of touchdown producing plays.

Dave Clawson’s new offense looked a lot like the Tennessee offense did before David Cutciffe returned to the Vols.

Aside from the G-gun set with Gerald Jones, the offense looked vanilla and ineffective.

The Tennessee defense provided four first-half interceptions, including one returned for a TD. However, UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow made changes at halftime that helped the Bruins generate an offense.

If the Vols overall performance against the Bruins is any indication of what is ahead for the Big Orange it could be a long year.

But remember, Fulmer was able to rally his team in 2007 when the future looked the darkest.

Morley's Back At Home As The Vols' Safety

It will be a special moment when Tennessee's Demetrice Morley runs on to the Rose Bowl turf on Labor Day to face the UCLA Bruins.

From living in a car to celebrating the birth of his son Deion a little more than a year ago, the trip back into spotlight has been quite a ride.

After being dismissed from Tennessee in January of 2007, Morley lived in his Chevrolet Caprice on the streets of Miami.

But he returned to Knoxville where he worked at Calhoun’s on the River and made enough money to go to Pellissippi State Technical Community College and get his academic standing back in order.

Morley will start at the strong safety next to Eric Berry on Monday. As a starter in 2006, he registered 51 tackles, seven for a loss and had two interceptions.

Coach Phil Fulmer and the Vols' staff are expecting a big year out of Morley.

And quite frankly, he deserves one.

Fulmer Answers Questions Before UCLA

Haywood Harris Interview With Phil Fulmer Before Labor Day Game at UCLA

1. Have you been pleased with the overall progress the team has made in reaching goals you set for preseason practice?

PF- "I have been pleased with the progress of the first units. I'm still concerned about depth issues. Overall, there has been an excellent attitude, and the players have worked hard to get themselves ready."

2. How has the team adjusted to any changes instituted by your new offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson?

PF - "I think real well. In the spring we had our struggles early, to say the least. But we made headway the last week or so of spring practice. I compliment the players. They did a great job during the summer, spending time studying tape on their own. Everybody seems to be on the same page. I think they are ready for the opener with Dave Clawson's offense."

3. Describe the role that could be played by tight end Brandon Warren, who has been declared eligible by the NCAA under transfer rules.

PF - "He will fill a significant role -- partly as tight end, maybe as an H-back at times. He's a very fine athlete, a man who can adjust and play a lot of positions. We are really encouraged about the progress he has made."

4. How has junior Jonathan Crompton stepped into the quarterback job after two years as backup?

PF - "He has done well, working hard to learn the offense. He and Coach Clawson have been practically inseparable since the spring, which is a big plus for us. I think the time he spent as backup has been very valuable to him. The last couple of scrimmages, I don't know how you could ask him to manage things any better."

5. What do you expect from UCLA on Monday (5 p.m. Pacific time/8 p.m. Eastern) under new head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow?

PF - "Openers are always tough, but when you have a coaching switch as UCLA did, it makes it especially tough for us. It will be a process of adjusting and learning throughout the game Monday night. I mean both teams will have to adjust as the game moves along."

MISSISSIPPI STATE TICKETS ADDED TO AVAILABLE LIST
Individual game tickets for five University of Tennessee home football games - UAB (Sept. 13), Northern Illinois (Oct. 4), Mississippi State (Wyoming (Nov. 8) and Kentucky (Nov. 29) - remain available for purchase online at utsports.com, via phone at (800) 332-VOLS and at Thompson-Boling Arena.Tickets for Northern Illinois and Wyoming are $40 each plus shipping and handling. Tickets for UAB, Mississippi State and Kentucky are $50 each plus shipping and handling.The athletics department also has a very limited number of single seat, non-renewable season tickets on sale for the 2008 season. These tickets will be sold for $315 and will be available for purchase only at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office or by phone at (800) 332-VOLS.

http://www.ut-sports.com/

Smokey Nominated for 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame

The first time I saw the San Diego Chicken I thought it was a great idea to have a mascot at the baseball games.

The furry mascots have come a long way since the Chicken got started as a promotion for a radio station in San Diego.

I think the reason I like the mascots so much is that it makes the kid come out in me. The mascots to me are the Hanna Barbara cartoon characters like Quick Draw McGraw, Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound Dog coming to life.

Now, the mascots have been around so long that there’s an actual Hall of Fame for the costume creatures. The categories for admission are divided into professional and collegiate.

And for you Tennessee football fans, Smokey has been nominated for the Mascot Hall of Fame. Smokey is one of the 11 nominated who have entertained and inspired millions of their fans through the years and have a chance to be inducted in the 2008 class.

You Vols fans are encouraged to go online and cast your votes for Smokey at www.mascothalloffame.com through Sept. 12.

Professional Candidates:
Billy the Marlin (Florida Marlins)
Globie (Harlem Globetrotters)
Hugo the Hornet (New Orleans Hornets)
Rocky (Denver Nuggets)
Slider (Cleveland Indians)

Collegiate Candidates:
Cocky (University of South Carolina)
Otto (Syracuse University)
Sebastian the Ibis (University of Miami)
Smokey (University of Tennessee)
The Hawk (St. Joseph's University)
Stanford Tree (Stanford University)
Online voting is open from August 11th through September 12th 2008 at www.mascothalloffame.com

Started in 2005, the Mascot Hall of Fame was created to recognize the art and skill of great characters. Their performances have entertained kids and adults alike for generations and have inspired their teams and communities.

Past Inductees: The Famous Chicken, Phillie Phanatic, Suns Gorilla, Bucky Badger, Aubie the Tiger, Lil Red, and others.

Important Campaign Dates:
August 11th - Online Voting Begins at www.mascothalloffame.com
August 25th through 28th - Media Tour
August 27th - Reggy's Mascot Mixer at Six Flags Great Adventure
September 12th - Online Voting Ends
To See Video of the Announcement go to ReggyTV

"The Mascot Hall of Fame has been a wonderful opportunity for fans to inspire and support their favorite mascot characters," said David Raymond, president of the Mascot Hall of Fame executive committee and the original Phillie Phanatic.

MBA in the Kirk Herbstreit Series

CINCINNATI – Montgomery Bell Academy will take a 1-0 record into a showdown with powerful Cincinnati Moeller in the Herbstreit Varsity Football Series Presented by BURGER KING® on August 31 in Paul Brown Stadium.

MBA is one of 30 teams who will play 15 games in two days in Texas and Ohio as part of the Kirk Herbstreit Series.

The 2007 Tennessee D-II state champions play Moeller at noon on Sunday.

"We're excited to once again showcase some of the best high school football teams in the country and give these young men the chance to play on a national stage," Kirk Herbstreit said. "Giving these young people an opportunity to play on national television in one of the best stadiums in the country and, in some cases, fly with their teammates to Ohio and Texas is a very rewarding experience for all of the event organizers, including myself. We all believe that high school football builds great character and can teach lessons that will stay with these players the rest of their lives."

MBA defeated Antioch 45-19 to kickoff the 2008 season.

Aug. 31 – Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Noon EST Archbishop Moeller, Ohio vs. Montgomery Bell Academy, Tenn.
3 p.m. Huber Heights Wayne, Ohio vs. East St. Louis, Ill.
6 p.m. Lakota West, Ohio vs. St. Rita, Ill.

Hutch makes a difference at Sewanee

Sewanee’s Hutch Hutchings made a commitment to give back to the community off the field.

The University of the South sophomore offensive lineman led a charge for the team’s involvement with the students at nearby Sewanee Elementary School.

Thanks to his enthusiasm and determination, his teammates took time to read and assist the students each Thursday and Friday during the past school year.

For his efforts, Hutchings was named as a co-recipient of the University’s Pearigen Award for commitment in April.

Sewanee professor Mike Braden was impressed by Hutchings’ efforts.

“Hutch is the personification of the word amiable and is undaunted by a challenge,” Braden said.

Gerald Jones Turns Bad Into Good

The Tennessee Vols have many feel good stories about members of the 2008 team. Most are about how the players have overcome hardships and returned to the team.

Gerald Jones filed his chapter in the Vols book under the chapter of not quitting and staying on the team.

In January, the gifted wide receiver/special-package quarterback went from the most exciting member of the Big Orange offense to a freshman in trouble.

Jones was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and admits he considered packing his bags and returning to his home in Oklahoma City.

He waited on Phil Fulmer’s decision on how to handle the issue.

And as the story has been told, new receiver’s coach Lattrell Scott was just arriving in Knoxville from Richmond to take his new job as the Vols.

Scott took time help Jones through his problem and the youngster with the tremendous playmaking speed is now reaching out to his teammates not to make the same mistake.

Quotes of the day:

Phil Fulmer on Brandon Warren

"I just knew him, his family," said Fulmer, a clear paternal figure in Warren's life during this true-to-life soap opera. "His mother cried. His grandmother cried. You know, he was all mystified with that Seminole sticking the spear in the middle of the field. Then he got there and it wasn't so great without his family."He grew up a Florida State fan and grew up in Florida a little bit, I guess. I'm glad he's back."
_ www.Volquest.com

Vince Young on his poor passing.
"In y'alls eyes, you probably say it's bad," Young said Tuesday. "In our eyes, it's going to be all right. We're going to be all right."
_ The Associated Press

Spring Hill coach Jason Scharsch on playing his old boss

"It's an odd thing for me to open up with Gary Rankin," said Scharsch, who compiled a 26-36 record at Eagleville and reached the playoffs in 2005 after helping to start the school's football program in 2002."There's a guy that taught me an awful lot, and I have a world's worth of respect for him and everything he's accomplished in his career. It's going to seem funny to be across the sidelines from him. But I'm excited about it."
_ www.MaryvilleDailyTimes.com

Warren's Wishes Are Granted

The headline on the story Volquest.com’s John Brice wrote Tuesday morning told it all: “Warren wins! Warren wins! Warren wins!”

All Brandon Warren really wanted was to come home and be with his sick mother.

And now Warren has prevailed on his appeal to the NCAA to be able to play with the Tennessee Vols after transferring from Florida State.

The NCAA Membership Services staff notified UT associate athletics director Brad Bertani on Tuesday morning that it had approved Tennessee's waiver requests on behalf of sophomore tight end.

"I just want to thank the coaching staff for going out on a limb for me and understanding the circumstances I have been in and obstacles I have had to go through," Warren said. "I also thank the university and the NCAA for giving me this chance."

Warren has been practicing with the Vols and is now eligible to play against the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles on Labor Day Sept. 1.

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said, "I'm really excited for Brandon. I appreciate his hard work while he has been here getting his academics in order.

"I also appreciate the work of our compliance staff and the Southeastern Conference, and the wisdom of the NCAA staff of approving this for a quality young man. The whole system is about helping student-athletes be successful, and it's good to see they are making that happen."

This gives Tennessee a special player at a time when the Vols needed him most.

Tight end Jeff Cottam will have surgery on his back Wednesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said Cottam has been having problems with his back for some time. Cottam also missed part of spring practice after breaking a bone in his right leg.

Warren is a former Tennessee Mr. Football award winner, who shunned the big Orange to sign with the legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State in 2007. He will now play in Neyland Stadium just a short jaunt from his home in Alcoa.

Warren returned home to Alcoa to be with his mother, Deirdre, who had cancer. But Florida State blocked efforts for him to transfer to Tennessee. He sat out the 2007 season, but has still had problems getting his release from FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive referred the matter to the NCAA for review.

Warren attended Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville while sitting out a year of competition. There he made the necessary strides in the classroom to be admitted to Tennessee.

Warren will have three years left to play for Tennessee. But, he's the type player who may not be in Knoxville long. Warren has NFL potential.

Father Enjoys Twice As Much Fun Coaching Twins

Like the old Wrigley’s slogan about Doublemint gum, Campbell County football coach

DeWayne Wells has double his pleasure and double his fun when coaching his identical twin sons.

Stephen Wells is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound slot back and defensive back. His brother Phillip Wells is a 5-11, 185-pound quarterback who also plays defensive back.

“It’s been a real joy,” Coach Wells said of coaching his sons. “They have a great appetite for football.”

Like most coaches sons, the youngsters grew up in a field house. However, when it was time for the twins to enter high school their father sought advice from his constituents.

“I called and talked to coaches who I knew had coached their sons,” he said. “Most coaches tend to be harder on their sons.”

Wells said his twins are competitive with each other in everything they do.

“Oh, that’s ugly and it gets uglier,” Coach Wells said of the competition between the two. “If it’s a card game, video game, 40-speed, in the weight room, grades, girls, no matter what they do they compete.”

Wells has been looking forward to this season for a long time.

As excited as he is about his squad of 19 seniors and his sons playing a major part in the Cougars success, he understands the reality.

“I have looked forward to this for a long time,” Coach Wells said. “But I know the finality of it being the seniors last year. A lot of these boys are like sons to me.”
Stephen and Phillip Wells have both been offered scholarships at Campbellsville College in Kentucky and other offers are likely to follow.

Wherever the pair chooses to go their new coach will discover they’re double trouble for the opponents and double good to have on the team.

Tailgate Tour Deals In Fun

Oh, it felt so good to be watching prep football again.

The Victoryswap.com Chattanooga Area Football Scrimmages provided plenty of exciting action on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

Twenty-four teams from the greater Chattanooga area played in the event.

But as good as the play on the field was, there was also excitement in the concourse where the first leg of the State Farm Insurance Tennessee High School Football Tailgate Tour was dealing out fun.

The big State Farm wheel was spinning as fans watched in hopes it would stop on a winning number. The winners took home footballs, water bottles and other goodies.

The Varsity Sports Media crew of Chris Bevil, Greta Harless and Stacy Bevil were busy both days in a tent nearby playing fight songs and giving away Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida magazines.

Okay, the truth is the crew didn't give away many Florida magazines.

The fans lined up to attempt to throw footballs through the hole and win prizes.

At times the competition became heated as on Saturday when players from Tyner and Bradley County were throwing for prizes.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol rollover car was spinning over and over nearby throwing dummies all over the Finley Stadium concourse.

Everybody needs to see the rollover car at least once and learn why we all should wear seat belts.

The tailgate Tour is fun and attracts many people to the tents.

The 2008 season is on us and the State Farm Tennessee High School Football Tour continues this week.

I encourage the fans at the schools across the state to arrive early and enjoy all the fun.

I did.