Parker: Foster's ball security needs fixin'

Just when you think it's safe to drive back over to Knoxville to watch some good, ole-fashioned Tennessee football, they go and break your heart again, only to lift up your spirits and return to the pedestal with some of the best in the country.

The 2007 season for the Volunteers has been as up and down as the rest of the college football world. After blowing out Georgia and squeaking out a win over South Carolina to again move into first in the SEC Eastern Division, the faithful are starting to buzz. But, embarrassing road losses to California, Florida and Alabama still have coach Phillip Fulmer and much of his staff twisting in the wind.

Tennessee tailback Arian Foster gets the ball stripped from his grasp by South Carolina linebacker Casper Brinkley. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

If the Vols could settle on an identity for their offense, things might start to click more consistently. One week they manhandle teams up front and run the ball down opponents' throats. In the 35-14 victory over Georgia, they had 44 rushes for 190 yards and against Mississippi State, 42-211.

Even diehard Alabama fans realized UT owned the line of scrimmage, relinquishing 103 ground yards. But, they totaled only 19 rushes and abandoned the run game sooner than coaches admit.

Finding a dependable ball carrier might make things simpler.

Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe hinted that Arian Foster didn't have much competition as the starting tailback in the preseason.

However, Foster has developed a bad habit of putting the ball on the ground in crunch time. One of the biggest plays of the game on Saturday came when reserve guard Jacques McClendon pounced on a fumble by Foster with the Vols driving and trailing 24-21.

"He's a fantastic back running the football and at times he gets the ball away from his body way too much," Fulmer said in the postgame press conference. "We've coached it, worked it and at times he tries to do too much. He needs to learn to get the ball tucked high and tight and get what he can and get on the ground."

The fumble brought back memories from the South Carolina game almost exactly two years ago when the Vols fell 16-15 and Foster fumbled the ball away on the 1-yard line.

"With him running, somebody's band is going to play, but it's not always yours," Fulmer added. "He's got to do a better job of taking care of the football."

With 10:01 left in the Outback Bowl in January, Penn State cornerback Tony Davis recovered a Foster fumble at his own 12-yard line and returned it for a TD to break a scoreless tie. The Vols lost 20-10 and the tailback looked as dejected as a young man possibly can afterwards.

He talked of having a photo of the fumble in his locker while preparing for ‘07 as a means of motivation. But, it hasn't helped much in regards to taking care of the ball.

UT appeared to have all the momentum on their side after Eric Berry returned an interception for a touchdown to narrow the Vols' deficit at Florida to 28-20 early in the third quarter. The following series Foster and quarterback Erik Ainge didn't click on a handoff. Linebacker Dustin Doe scooped up the loose rock and returned it 18 yards to the house. UT didn't score again and fell 59-20.

Trailing 3-0 in Tuscaloosa in the ‘05 season, Foster again put the ball on the ground again in a 6-3 defeat. He coughed it up with his Vols losing 3-0 last year against ‘Bama as well.

"Arian's had a history with it and has a history in big situations," Cutcliffe said. "To be honest, it's got to become more important to him to take care of the ball in those situations."

At some point the Tennessee coaches have to get the problem completely fixed. Otherwise, how can they continue to count on Foster to be their No. 1 back?

Redshirt sophomores LaMarcus Coker and Montario Hardesty both have shown glimpses of possessing the talent necessary to carry the ground game. Freshman Lennon Creer has a bright future.

The last three seasons combined, Fulmer and the Vols are 19-13. That's not a good, ole-fashioned record and change must start somewhere.

Danny Parker is Times-Gazette sports editor.