Parker: Fulmer can't find answers to Vols' woes

Tennessee's Montario Hardesty (2) gets his hands on a punt from Alabama's P.J. Fitzgerald midway through the second quarter. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

KNOXVILLE -- Breathing slowly and appearing perplexed talking softly above tape recorders and facing television cameras was coach Phillip Fulmer, fresh off watching his Tennessee Volunteers get hammered 29-9 by No. 2 Alabama on Saturday night.

It's just been one of those seasons. Balls don't bounce their way. Referees' calls appear slanted against them. There simply are no answers as to why the landslide of woes continues.

To make matters worse for Tennessee, all that was left in either deck of Neyland Stadium at the end of the debacle was the Million Dollar Band and Crimson Tide fans, who loudly and proudly spitted "Rammer Jammer" lyrics.

The Vols may want to talk to Adidas about getting steel tops sewn into their cleats because they continue to shoot themselves in the foot every week.

"It's really frustrating," Fulmer said. "I can't put 100 percent of my finger on it. It's like the dam with the little boy and it just keeps coming somewhere else.

"All I know is we'll keep working trying to get it fixed."

Just seven minutes in, a false start on the first play following a recovered fumble at the Tide 5-yard line contributed to UT having to settle for a field goal from Daniel Lincoln. Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said the Vols have had the same snap count and same cadence all season.

Lucas Taylor's reception that would have given the Orange and White a first down late in the first half was wiped out by a pass interference call. Instead of carrying momentum into the half with points, they entered the locker room flat when Lincoln shanked a 43-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, it appeared that Tennessee crept back to within a score when safety Eric Berry scooped up a Mark Ingram fumble and took it to the house. Officials reviewed the play and ruled the Tide tailback down, negating the TD.

"That probably would have gotten us started on offense and defense," Berry said.

The final head shaker came when they lined up offsides on fourth-and-two on a Bama punt in the fourth quarter, extending the final Tide drive.

The Volunteer defense allowed but one third-down conversion and held the Tide offense to a time of possession of 13:54 in the first half.

"We felt like we had them right where we wanted them seeing how Kentucky played them," said Berry, whose team trailed just 13-3 midway through. "They didn't really come out and do too much in the second half much of the season, but this game they just seemed to have a little spark, a little edge in the second half."

Bama chewed clock and showed their might in the running game the last two quarters. They rushed for 96 yards in the fourth period alone.

In sharp contrast, the home team couldn't get their backs in open space and were forced to pass when the deficit reached 19.

Receiver Josh Briscoe (81) took a bubble screen from Nick Stephens and weaved 10 yards for the first Volunteer touchdown with 7:26 left in the game. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"I felt like we had every chance in the world coming into the second half the way our defense was playing," Vol quarterback Nick Stephens said. "They played great. Chief (defensive coordinator John Chavis) called a great game. When you play an offense like that, that's all you can want out of your defense. We stopped ourselves like we have in past weeks. We've just got to continue to keep working to get better.

"We've got a chance to finish the season strong and that's what we're gonna do."

The UT defensive front was weakened when tackles Dan Williams and Andre Mathis both departed with injuries.

"Some things are obvious," Chavis said. "We need some depth. We need to get ourselves off the field. We need to eliminate some penalties. All those things are factors with us being out there."

So, once again the flagship response is for the coaches and players to hit the practice field and film room so they can get out of South Carolina this week with their second Southeastern Conference victory.

Why go through the effort and keep on working when you're struggling?

"I don't even know how to answer that question," Berry said. "That's what we grew up around, football. That's all we've got really, this and school. You can't just lay down and quit. We're like brothers. We can't quit on each other. Would you quit on your family?"

Clawson's first year calling the shots hasn't been his best, but he admits it's not his worst either. He and Fulmer both preach that the inability to execute is killing drives.

"I've had a lot more good years than bad years," Clawson said. "I believe in the system, and I believe in the way we're coaching it and teaching it. We've got to get better at it. It is a new system. It is a new quarterback. I believe in the offense and what we're doing."

Resting at 3-5, the Vols can ill-afford another loss if they want to be assured of an invitation to a bowl game.

"I never thought we'd be in this situation, but we should be able to get it done," Berry said.

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