The Vols' 2007 offensive line allowed just four sacks during the entire season. The 2009 offensive line allowed twice that many in today's scrimmage alone. No. 1 QB Jonathan Crompton was sacked seven times – one resulting in a safety and another in a lost fumble.
“We've got a long ways to go,” head coach Lane Kiffin grumbled. “We've got to get better. Our pass protection right now ... we couldn't play in a real game right now.”
Here are the highlights from today's scrimmage:
- Montario Hardesty popped through a big hole at left tackle and sped 18 yards on the scrimmage's opening play.
- Linebacker LaMarcus Thompson sacked Crompton for a loss of four and safety Dennis Rogan got him for a loss of two on the very next play.
- Sophomore tailback Tauren Poole shot through a gap for a 24-yard gain off right tackle.
- Poole made a wicked inside cut on a gain of 10 yards up the middle.
- Linebacker Nick Reveiz dropped Hardesty for a loss of two yards.
- End Chris Walker sacked Crompton for a loss of five yards.
- Poole fumbled, apparently untouched, as he was approaching the line of scrimmage. Defensive back Tyler Wolf recovered.
- Walk-on tailback C.J. Jackson skirted left end for a gain of 16 yards.
- Defensive tackle Andre Mathis stopped Jackson for a loss of four yards.
- Linebacker Shane Reveiz, Nick's brother, dropped Jackson for a loss of five yards.
- With the offense backed up on its two-yard line, Chris Walker sacked Crompton for a safety.
- Coleman hit Austin Rogers for a gain of 13.
- Tackle Victor Thomas sacked Coleman for a two-yard loss.
- Coleman found Quintin Hancock for a gain of 30 yards.
- Poole squirted through a tiny crease and sped 21 yards.
- Walk-on placekicker Ethan Ingham missed a 45-yard field goal attempt when the ball glanced off the right upright.
- Freshman tackle Montori Hughes sacked Crompton for a loss of five yards.
- Hardesty hit a seam for a 14-yard gain.
- A resounding hit by Nick Reveiz stopped 218-pound freshman tailback Toney Williams in his tracks on a no-gain run up the middle.
- Defensive back Anthony Anderson dropped Williams for a loss of two yards.
- End Ben Martin dropped Hardesty for a loss of one yard, then sacked and stripped Crompton on the very next play. The sack went for nine yards and the fumble was recovered by Montori Hughes.
- Coleman hit Denarius Moore on a drag route, and Moore outran the No. 2 secondary to complete a 30-yard touchdown play.
- Rolling to his right to escape the No. 1 defense's relentless pass rush, Crompton fired a 15-yard strike to Quintin Hancock.
- Three defenders collaborated on a five-yard sack of Crompton.
- Hardesty shot through a gap for a 14-yard gain.
- Chris Walker threw Poole for a one-yard loss.
- Linebacker Rico McCoy made a nice play to break up a short pass from Crompton.
- Walk-on defensive back Derrick Furlow dropped C.J. Jackson for a three-yard loss.
- Jackson scooted 23 yards on the very next play.
- Quarterback Nick Stephens hit Matt Wegzyn in the hands for what would've been a 20-yard gain but the walk-on tight end dropped the ball.
- Stephens bounced back to hit a wide-open Ahmad Paige with a 23-yard touchdown pass.
- Crompton completed a 23-yard strike to Gerald Jones but Jones was flagged for a false start on the very next play.
- Poole popped outside for a gain of 15.
- Crompton found Austin Rogers for a 12-yard completion.
- Montori Hughes stuffed Toney Williams for a four-yard loss.
- Daniel Lincoln nailed a 32-yard field goal.
- Coleman hit tight end Ben Bartholomew with a 13-yard pass, then collaborated with him on a 16-yard gainer and a 14-yard touchdown toss later in the drive.
- Tennessee ran five two-point conversion tries, scoring on four of them. Williams found paydirt on two plunges, Poole posted a scoring run and Crompton hit Gerald Jones with a two-point pass. The only failure occurred when Coleman, under duress, threw incomplete.