Notes on Offense Impressive Half
Junior tailback Tauren Poole ran wild in the first half against Oregon, running for 140 yards on 15 carries. In the first quarter, he had rushes for 39, 31 and 23 yards. Tony Thompson set the Vols’ record for rushing yards in a half, posting 200 yards against Mississippi State in 1990. Here’s the UT top 10 list for rushing yards in the first half: UT First-Half Rushing Leaders Name Yards Opponent, Year 1. Tony Thompson 200 Miss. State, 1990 2. Travis Henry 154 Kentucky, 1999 3. Cedric Houston 150 La. Tech, 2004 4. Jamal Lewis 149 Georgia, 1997 5. Reggie Cobb 145 Auburn, 1989 6. Arian Foster 141 Vanderbilt, 2005 7. Tauren Poole 140 Oregon, 2010 8. Tony Thompson 135 Vanderbilt, 1990 8. Reggie Cobb 135 Duke, 1988 10. Johnny Jones 134 Vanderbilt, 1983
Rebuilt Line
Center Cody Pope, offensive tackles Dallas Thomas and Ju’Wuan James and offensive guard JerQuari Schofield all made their starting lineup debut in the season opener. For a new O-line, the Vols were effective in assisting the Vols rushing game against UT Martin. Tennessee rolled up 332 total rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. The Vols finished with 182 rushing yards against Oregon.
Herald Gerald
Although currently sidelined with a hand injury, senior wideout Gerald Jones is approaching the top 10 in two main receiving categories in the UT record books. With 93 catches under his belt, Jones needs 21 receptions to slide past Lucas Taylor (2005-08) into the top 10 for career receptions. The standout receiver, who has amassed 1,200 receiving yards in three years, can also move into the top 10 in career receiving yards. Donte’ Stallworth (1999-2001) is 10th on the list with 1,747. Here’s where he stacks up on the career lists: Career Receptions 8. Tim McGee, 1982-85 123 9. Larry Seivers, 1973-76 117 10. Lucas Taylor, 2005-08 113 Gerald Jones, 2007-Pres. 93
son starting at their respective positions. Including 2010, Stocker has started all 26 games in that stretch, while Cooper has started 20 of them. Jones has started 16 games at wide receiver. Cooper enjoyed a breakout season as a receiving option last year, catching 12 passes with an average of 9.2 yards per catch. The Chattanooga native caught his first career touchdown on a two-yard pass against South Carolina last year.
Simms’ Debut
Junior Matt Simms made his debut at quarterback against UT Martin, completing 14 of 24 passes for 181 yards and 1 touchdown. He followed up that performance by completing 15 passes for 151 yards and an interception against Oregon.
Stock(er) Market Rising
Senior tight end Luke Stocker looks to have a breakout season after improving his numbers each season since he began his playing career at UT in 2007 and finishing 2009 with a flurry. In his junior slate, Stocker’s numbers increased by 16 receptions, 250 yards, and five touchdowns. In the Vols’ final two regular season games last season, Stocker registered 10 receptions, 125 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Year 2007 2008 2009 2010
Receptions 4 13 29 3
Net Yards 11 139 389 19
Hunter Also a Track Star
TD 1 0 5 0
Freshman wide receiver Justin Hunter had a busy summer on the track, a sport in which he’s found national success. In June, he won the long jump at the USA Junior National Championships with a leap of 25 feet, 10.75 inches. Hunter later represented the U.S. at the IAFF World Junior Track & Field Championships, where he finished sixth. Hunter, listed as a back-
5
Numbers of Interest
XX 140
Rushing yards Tauren Poole accumulated in the first half against Oregon
1 XX
New starter on offense: Zach Rogers made his first appearance in the lineup.
21
Yards freshman wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers ran for on his first career carry.
3
Rushing touchdowns by Poole thus far in 2010, including one last week against Oregon.
8
Catches this season by senior Denarius Moore to lead the Vols in receptions.
up on the depth chart, caught one pass for 31 yards against Oregon, which set up a touchdown run from Oregon.
Good to Be Home
The Vols had little problem posting high point totals last season at Neyland Stadium and opened the 2010 season posting 50 points in their shutout win against UT Martin. They scored at least 30 points in six of eight home games in 2009, posting a season-high 63 points in the opener against Western Kentucky. The other 30+ point performances at home include Memphis (56), Georgia (45), Ohio (34), South Carolina (31) and Vanderbilt (31). Tennessee has lost only two games at home when scoring at least 30 points: a 3531 loss to Georgia in 1973 and a 43-30 loss to Florida in 1984. All told, the Vols have only lost seven total games total and tied one other when scoring at least 30 points. The Vols are 324-7-1 (.977) all-time when scoring at least 30 points.
Career Receiving Yards 8. Carl Pickens, 1989-91 1,875 9. Anthony Hancock, 1978-81 1,826 10. Donte’ Stallworth, 1999-2001 1,747 Gerald Jones, 2007-Pres. 1,120
Rogers Enters Lineup
In place of injured senior Gerald Jones, sophomore Zach Rogers started for the first time as a Vol against Oregon. He recorded career highs with three receptions and 45 yards receiving.
Third-Season Starters
Senior tight end Luke Stocker and senior fullback Kevin Cooper are entering their third sea-
Spotlight On:
Sophomore wide receiver Zach Rogers started for the first time last week against Oregon. He had a career-high three catches and led the receivers with 45 yards. UTSports.com | 6