VolNotes:Thursday LSU Week

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Good Morning Nationals!!

Welcome also to you visiting Bayou Bengals. Let me just go ahead and say, "Sorry about your loss..."

On to Thursday's episode of The Notes...

tfpOnline:Charge against Johnson down to misdemeanor

The felony aggravated assault charge against Tennessee cornerback Marsalous Johnson was lessened to a misdemeanor during a hearing Wednesday in Putnam County General Sessions Court.

Putnam County sheriff ’s deputy Mike Hoover testified that around 8 p.m. on July 30, Johnson flashed a "weapon" out of the driver’s side window of his car during a traffic dispute on I-40 East near exit 276 west of Cookeville.

The article contains full testimony I won't bother to quote, check it out...

tfpOnline:More On The Ankle

"It’s going to hurt. That’s established," Ainge said. "It’s just a matter of ‘Can I get it done or not?’" As LSU week nears its conclusion, Tennessee’s optimism of earlier in the week has been replaced by a nagging uncertainty about Ainge’s sprained right ankle. It’s beginning to look like freshman backup Jonathan Crompton will be needed after all against the nation’s toprated defense.

"Both of them probably will play," receiver Robert Meachem said.

He said Wednesday he has a high ankle sprain, which is one of toughest to heal.

"I don’t have to be able to run or move 100 percent," Ainge said, "as long as I can move enough. How many times have you seen quarterbacks that can’t run, but they can stay in the pocket?" Ainge didn’t back off his Monday pledge to play against the Tigers, insisting Wednesday night, "I expect to play on Saturday."

Yet Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who sounded confident earlier this week about Ainge’s availability, is no longer offering such assurances.

"It’s not like we don’t have another guy," Fulmer said. "We can go, and we can play the game. I remember we played LSU (in the 2001 Southeastern Conference championship ), we knocked Rohan Davey out and the guy that came in (Matt Mauck) just kicked our butt. So who knows?" Fulmer and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said they have been pleased with Crompton’s development behind Ainge this season.

[QUOTE]"I don’t know how this is going to work out yet at all," Fulmer said. "But it’s been exciting. It’s been interesting, a young guy getting a shot — maybe. It’s kind of a really good story in some ways. I guess if you’re Jon, it is.

"If you’re Erik, it might not be."
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Tennessean: More Ainge's Ankle
I'm just kicking in a bit that wasn't in the tfp's piece..

Meachem said Crompton "hasn't missed a beat" while filling in for Ainge.
"He's been studying just like Erik," Meachem said. "He's been watching and talking to us. We're all getting on the same page, so if Erik can't go, Crompton will be a great fit."
Crompton said he'll be ready either way.
"You have to go into every week saying that you're one play away and might be playing," said Crompton, who's attempted four passes this season. "Last week kind of proved that."
Crompton is more mobile than Ainge and also has a strong arm.
He admitted that his competitiveness got the best of him last week, when he played the final three offensive plays for the injured Ainge. The Vols were trying to run out the clock inside the final three minutes when Crompton audibled to a pass on second down. The coaches immediately called timeout from the sideline.

Tennessean:Stats Show Tough Matchup

...on paper, LSU is about as good as it gets. The Tigers rank first in the Southeastern Conference in 12 different statistical categories, including scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense, total defense, passing defense and sacks.
They've gone nine straight quarters now without allowing a touchdown and have scored 40 or more points in five of their eight games.

The obvious question: How have the Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC) already lost two games to all but eliminate them from the Western Division race?
"Sometimes you have those ups and downs or have things go against you," Tennessee senior receiver Jayson Swain said. "But the game tape don't lie, and I really don't see many weaknesses at all with those guys."

But against Florida, LSU had five turnovers.
"You look at the Florida game, and, geez, early on they had their way with Florida," Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "They got after them really good and didn't get it in the end zone. Sometimes you have those kind of days. It's kind of like watching Clemson take apart Georgia Tech and then they go to Virginia Tech and the quarterback couldn't throw it in a well. Those kind of things happen from time to time."

The Tigers have beaten just one team with a winning record (Louisiana-Lafayette).
"Especially right now, we want to prove that we can beat a good team," LSU running back Jacob Hester said. "Tennessee's playing as good as anybody in the country right now. Their wins have all been against pretty good teams. More than anything, we just want to beat a good quality opponent."

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said the Volunteers have their own motivation: finishing what they started.
"I'm not worried about LSU or where they are (mentally)," Fulmer said. "We've got to be at our best. Whether they're undefeated or we were, this is a crucial game for both teams. It's just as important to us as anyone else."

I'm thinking I might just watch this game...:whistling:

Go Vols!!

"If you are going through hell, keep going."
- Sir Winston Churchill

 

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Good stuff. Hopefully Crompton can be as good as the players and coaches think he'll be.