September 26, 2004
Tennessee/La Tech Commentary
Should Ainge be the starting QB?
I have nothing against Brent Shaeffer, but I honestly think that Eric Ainge has earned the starting nod when the Vols take on Auburn next Saturday night. (Others agree with me)
Why you ask?
Ainge just seems to be more poised and in better command of the offense when he's in there. In the past two games, Ainge has stepped into situations where the Vols are trailing and needing momentum and delivered. Last week against Florida, he stepped in and led the Vols to a touchdown when it was needed. Same thing this week against Lousisana Tech. Ainge led five of UT's six scoring drives against the Bulldogs Saturday night.
I'll agree that Shaeffer brings something to the table in his ability to roll out and run with the ball. He's something out of the Michael Vick/Steve McNari mold--willing to run and be mobile when it's needed. But right now, Ainge seems to have the confidence of his teammates and when he's in the game, things just click better.
Not that having Shaeffer in the bullpen isn't a relief, mind you. It's just that Ainge has separated himself from the QB pack in the past two games.
Let's give Phillip Fulmer a lot of credit here. He made a tough call in looking to the two freshman QBs before the season started. Had the great experiment failed, a lot of Vols fans would be calling for Fulmer's head and also that of offensive coordindator Randy Sanders. But both coaches have made adjustments and brought these two QBs along. Sanders, in particular, deserves a lot of praise for making the offense click on all cylinders this year. I'd still argue the offense hasn't had a complete game, but Sanders has planned to the strengths he's given and he's done a great job. I was very vocal in my criticism of him the past couple of years, so I want to be equally vocal in my praise of him now.
Good test for Auburn?
Coming into a game against Ryan Moats had to be daunting for the UT defense. Moats had gained 257 yards in each of his last two games to lead the nation in rushing. The Vols' defense was able to hold Moats to under 100 yards rushing for the first time this year. This could be a test for what the Vols face next Saturday night against the Auburn Tigers, who bring in a potent one-two punch at running back.
However, while the Vols did hold Moats to 97 yards rushing, there are still big concerns about the running defense. In Sunday's Tennessean, linebacker Jason Mitchell said "''If we show up like we did in the first half, those Auburn guys (Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown) will have 97 yards apiece. We can't do that.''
Starting QB goes out early for La Tech
You never want to see a player for either team get injured in a game. But when the Vols knocked starting Bulldog QB Donald Allen out of the game on La Tech's first series, it might not have been as bad as it seemed at first. Matt Kubick stepped in, leading the Bulldogs on two drives--one long one for 97 yards--that ended in touchdowns. The Bulldogs led 14-7 to end the first quarter before the Vols clamped down and took over the game on both sides of the ball.
Hopefully, Allen's injury isn't severe and he'll be back on the field soon.
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Comments & Trackbacks
Colby Willen says:
posted on September 27, 2004 10:44 AM — linkAinge is looking more and more like a QB that needs to be in the game for every snap. However, sitting Schaeffer out feels like tying one arm behind the back.
The good thing about having faced Moats, Fason, and UNLV's quick little RB is that this defense knows that it has to improve against the run. The bad news: Williams and Brown are coming. Ouch.
