VolFan4Life
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 Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject: New UT quarterback shows strong arm in debut |
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| Quote: | October 4, 2008
New UT quarterback shows strong arm in debut
By BRYAN MULLEN and MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writers
KNOXVILLE — It didn’t take long into his career as Tennessee’s starting quarterback for Nick Stephens to show off his arm.
The Volunteers’ new starting quarterback threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to receiver Denarius Moore in his first-career start. The third-quarter score was the longest play from scrimmage for UT this season.
Earlier in the half, Stephens connected with receiver Gerald Jones on a 43-yard pass play. It set up a 34-yard field goal by Daniel Lincoln.
Prior to Saturday, the longest pass for UT was a 48-yard throw from Jonathan Crompton to Lucas Taylor in a win over UAB. Crompton had only two passes for more than 40 yards in UT’s first four games this season.
Holding firm: A game-changing moment could have occurred when Stephens lost a fumble inside his own 20-yard line late in the third quarter. But once again, UT’s defense stepped up and limited Northern Illinois to only a field goal.
“I got asked a little bit about that last week, and we’ve always played well in ‘sudden change,’” UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “It was a big deal for us last week and in the ball game tonight.”
Sputtering on key downs: UT was only three of 13 on third-down conversions, and Fulmer was less than pleased.
“We’re still very much a work in progress,” he said. “I thought we made some strides tonight at times. We’re still terrible on third down...We’re having a really hard time with it. It’s an area where we will still continue to work and address.”
Staying alive: Northern Illinois can’t be accused of giving up.
On the final play of the game, from the Huskies’ 21-yard line, DeMarcus Grady tossed a short pass to Me’co Brown, who was quickly contained by several Tennessee defenders. But before the whistle was blown to call the play dead, the Huskies tossed a wild series of laterals that ended with an offensive lineman throwing the ball incomplete out of the end zone.
A penalty flag was thrown for an illegal forward pass, which Tennessee declined and the game ended.
“It just turned into sandlot football and you tackle the man with the ball,’’ said UT safety Eric Berry.
First completion: A roar came from the crowd on Nick Stephen’s first completed pass, even though it covered just seven yards and moved the ball only to the Vols’ 34 yard line. It was as if Tennessee fans were simply happy to witness a completion after Jonathan Crompton completed just 8-of-28 last week against Auburn.
“I was wondering why they were cheering,’’ Stephens said. “It was just a (seven) yard pass. I’m just playing with you. It was funny.”
First TD allowed: Nick Stephens’ 52-yard TD pass to Moore in the third quarter for Tennessee was the first TD scored against Northern Illinois in 10 quarters.
The Huskies did not allow a TD in their previous two games — a 37-0 win last week over Eastern Michigan and a 48-3 win over Indiana State the week before.
Sobol hurt: Northern Illinois strong safety Mike Sobol left the game with an injury
midway through the third quarter.
Playing the SEC: Saturday’s game was NIU’s first against an SEC opponent since the Huskies beat Alabama 19-16 in Tuscaloosa in 2003. The Crimson Tide was ranked 21st at the time. The Huskies are now 1-9 all-time against SEC teams.
Stepping up: Prior to Saturday’s game, Northern Illinois’ quarterback DeMarcus
Grady had seen limited action. The redshirt freshman had completed all four passes he had thrown in three games and ran the ball 17 times for 103 yards.
Special appearances: Former UT receiver Cedrick Wilson (1997-2000) and punter David Leaverton (1998-2000) were honored on the field prior to kickoff. The ceremony was part of UT’s 10-year anniversary of its 1998 national title. Players from the 1998 team will be honored prior to home games all season.
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Any misspellings or grammatical errors in the above statement are intentional; they are placed there for the enjoyment of those of you who like to point them out. Enjoy. |
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