Parker: Crompton endures troubled times

AUBURN, Ala. -- Coming out of high school, Jonathan Crompton was the second highest rated pro-style quarterback in the country.

All the hype, tools and optimism followed him to Tennessee after being a Parade All-American and two-time Class 3A All-State selection at his high school in Waynesville, N.C.

Crompton redshirted his first year on campus and then sat patiently behind Erik Ainge the last two seasons, waiting on his chance to be the man.

Four games into his first season as the Volunteers starting quarterback, it looks like Crompton may have already sealed his fate and opened the door for competition at the position with backups Nick Stephens and B.J. Coleman.

Crompton had a dismal day throwing the ball at Auburn on Saturday and the offense failed to make a big play when they needed to down the stretch and lost 14-12, wasting a tremendous effort by the UT defense.

"Offensively, we're struggling, obviously," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "The second half, the defense gave us plenty of field position and opportunities and punts and punt returns to make yards and we didn't get anything out of that.

"We kind of went to the gamut with different things we could try. To play offense you have to execute, that's first and foremost."

Crompton finished 8-for-23 passing, which Fulmer called unacceptable. His longest pass play was 14 yards and he totaled 67. The one play he did make was with his legs, scrambing 15 yards for a first down on a third-and-14.

After trimming the Tiger lead to two points, UT was blessed with spectacular field position. Their fourth-quarter drives started at the Auburn 38, their own 42, Auburn 46 and own 46, respectively.

Despite it all, the Vols came up without a single point or first down.

"It's frustrating, man," tailback Montario Hardesty said. "We've got to score when we get the ball that close. It comes down to the players on the field, us making plays."

"It's very disappointing to get that kind of effort out of our defense and out of our kicking game and not win," Fulmer said.

There was some discussion on whether or not to replace Crompton, but the coaches decided to pass. Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson cited the 15-yard run as a play that turned their heads.

In defense, it would have been a tough spot to bring in an extremely green QB against a superb Auburn defense, whether it was Stephens or Coleman.

"He'd been in the ballgame, been playing, we had field position, he's coached every time he comes off," Fulmer said of sticking with Crompton.

"We'll look at it. Obviously we're trying to always put the best players that give us the best chance to be successful on the field regardless of class or their experience level or whatever. Jonathan's been the guy that we felt like gave us the best chance to do that. It may be that way on Monday. It may not. We'll see."

Crompton is now 1-4 for his career as a starter. This year, he's completed 52 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions in 123 attempts.

"We've got to be sure that he's finding the other receivers and getting the ball to the people that can make plays for us," Fulmer added.

Stephens has thrown just two passes this season. Coleman is yet to have an attempt. Receiver Gerald Jones has run the G-Gun formation at QB and coaches say they'll expand that package more as the season progresses.

"We've got to burn the midnight oil as coaches and get across to players what needs to be done. If changes need to be made, I'm not afraid to make changes," Fulmer said.

If they're going to make any changes in the starting lineup, now is the time to do it. Northern Illinois comes to Knoxville on Saturday for a non-conference matchup. That poses as an opportunity to get new blood some significant game time and experience without having to face an SEC-caliber defense.

The following week, the Vols head to Georgia.

Like Fulmer said, we'll see.

-- Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached at dparker@t-g.com.