Phillip Fulmer Day A Success

Throughout the ballgame cheers of “Phillip Fulmer” were heard reverberating through the crowd and the night deemed Phillip Fulmer night was a rousing success.

Coach Fulmer rode off into the sunset following his 152nd win as head coach of the University of Tennessee. Fulmer was all smiles after the game and commented many times about what he will remember from his three decades on Rocky Top.

It was a good way to end up a successful career for the long time coach.  I was in attendance for Fulmer’s first game and I witnessed his last.

I was 23 years old when Fulmer took over the job and you have to wonder how many future coaches will be able to maintain that kind of longevity. In a sport where “win at all cost” seems to be a popular motto, Fulmer accomplished a lot in Knoxville and his record will be remembered.  

Fulmer leaves with the second best record in UT history (152-52) and only trails legendary coach Robert Neyland in all time wins.  Neyland leads all Vol coaches with a 173 wins.  

It is amazing how one well executed pass play can soften up a defense. Kentucky dared Tennessee to throw by stacking the line of scrimmage and bringing their safeties up to defend the run throughout the first half. Three of UT’s first four possessions resulted in lost yardage.  

With one perfect pass from Jonathan Crompton to Gerald Jones for a 55 yard touchdown in the third quarter the Cats backed off and the Vols controlled the second half by running the football and won 28-10. 

Tennessee rushed the ball for 210 yards, passed for 101, and held Kentucky to a total of 193 yards total offense. The third time this year the Vols have held an opponent to under 200 yards. 

The Good:
Winning is always good and it is something Tennessee did not do enough of this year.  

Jonathan Crompton had his best game as Vol QB in my opinion. Crompton went 6-of-8 passing for 101 yards and ran eight times for 17 yards. 

Rushing offense:

Lennon Creer and Arian Foster ran hard against a team determined to stop the run. The Vols were also able to break containment on the corner for some long gains. Gerald Jones and Eric Berry were hitting the holes with authority.  

Coaching: The Vol coaches did a good job of keeping the players attention on the game and they may have played their best game all year.  

The Bad:

A crowd estimated at 65,000 was there to witness the final game. Of course it was cold and damp with a forecast of rain.

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