The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game. The Vols capped off the season by defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the Outback Bowl to finish with a record of 10–4.
The team was led by head coach Phillip Fulmer. The Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 2007 season was the last at Tennessee for four assistants on the staff. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe left to be head coach at Duke, taking assistants Matt Luke and Kurt Roper with him, while wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor accepted a co-offensive coordinator's position at Oklahoma State.
Preseason Tennessee headed into the 2007 season looking to build on an average 2006 campaign to UT standards where the team went 9–4 with narrow losses to eventual national champion Florida and also to LSU. This year the team returned 11 starters (2nd fewest in SEC). The schedule was ranked 6th toughest in the country entering the year, with road games at California, Alabama, and Florida.
Tennessee also played key games against Georgia, South Carolina, and Arkansas at Neyland Stadium.
Schedule
Players
Starting lineups and coaches Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer (16th year)
Offense Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks / Assistant Head Coach: David CutcliffeOffensive Scheme: Multiple (I-Form, Shotgun and Singleback)
Player Development / wide receivers / Assistant Head Coach: Trooper TaylorOffensive line: Greg AdkinsRunning backs: Kurt RoperTight ends / Off. Line / Dir. Recruiting: Matt Luke
Offensive recap
CoachesHead coach Phillip Fulmer hired David Cutcliffe, former 6-year head coach at Ole Miss, after being the Tennessee offensive coordinator from '93–'98. Tennessee scored 30+ ppg in each of his first 6 years as the offensive coordinator and went from 18.6 to 27.8 ppg in 2006. In 2007, Tennessee ranked 54th in total offense, 73rd in rushing offense, and 35th in passing offense. The scoring offense ranked 36th.
QuarterbacksSenior Erik Ainge suffered a knee injury in spring but started each game of the season. Ainge was hampered by a finger and shoulder injury suffered in the season opener at California. Ainge finished behind Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Andre Woodson in all-conference voting, earning honorable mention honors.
RunningbacksArian Foster saw the majority of time at tailback, with relief appearances by LaMarcus Coker, Montario Hardesty, and Lennon Creer. Coker was eventually dismissed from the team following the South Carolina game for a violation of team rules. Foster finished the season with 1193 rushing yards.
ReceiversThe Wide Receivers were led by Juniors Lucas Taylor and Josh Briscoe, along with redshirt Sophomore Austin Rogers. Taylor had 73 receptions for 1,000 yards while Rogers caught 56 passes for 624 yards.
Offensive lineThe Offensive line returned three starters in T Eric Young, G Anthony Parker and C Josh McNeil. The remaining two positions were filled by improved junior Ramon Foster (T) and Chris Scott (G). Young was injured late in the season and was replaced by Jacques McClendon at guard, while Scott moved to Young's tackle position.
Tight endsChris Brown started most of the season at TE due to a preseason injury to Brad Cottam. Cottam returned late in the season when it appeared that the NCAA would deny his redshirt appeal.
Starters for the majority of the season.
Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown QB 10 * Erik Ainge 6'6" 220 lbs. Sr. Hillsboro, Oregon TB 27 * Arian Foster 6'1" 225 lbs. Jr. San Diego, California TE/H-Back 28 * Chris Brown 6'3" 250 lbs. Sr. Destrehan, LouisianaTE 86 Brad Cottam 6'8" 270 lbs. Sr. Germantown, Tennessee WR 12 Lucas Taylor 6'0" 185 lbs. Jr. Carencro, Louisiana WR 21 Austin Rogers 6'2" 185 lbs. So. Nashville, Tennessee WR 81 Josh Briscoe 6'3" 183 lbs. Jr. Lawndale, North Carolina LT 54 * Eric Young 6'4" 305 lbs. Sr. Union, South Carolina LG 75 * Anthony Parker 6'3" 305 lbs. Jr. Jonesboro, Georgia C 50 * Josh McNeil 6'4" 280 lbs. So. Collins, Mississippi RG 79 Chris Scott 6'5" 325 lbs. So. Lovejoy, Georgia RT 78 Ramon Foster 6'6" 325 lbs. Jr. Henning, Tennessee
* – Denotes returning starter.
Defense Defensive coordinator / Linebackers / Associate head coach: John Chavis (20th year) Base Defense: Multiple (4–3 and 3–2–6 "Mustang")
Defensive line: Dan Brooks Defensive ends: Steve Caldwell Defensive backs: Larry Slade
Position Outlook
Coaches2007 Was the 13th season as Defensive Coordinator for John Chavis. The Defensive staff had been together and unchanged since the 1999 Season, with Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell and Larry Slade.
Defensive lineThe Defensive Line was stabilized by senior DE's Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds, who started each game of the season. Senior DT J.T. Mapu started against California but was replaced by Sophomore Dan Williams. Sophomore DeMonte Bolden started at the other tackle spot.
LinebackersThe Vols had a steady group at Linebacker for the 2007 season. Senior Ryan Karl and Sophomore Rico McCoy manned the outside spots, while Junior Jerod Mayo earned All-SEC honors at MLB.
Defensive backsThe Defensive Backfield saw a slew of injuries and changes. The season started with Jonathan Hefney and Jerod Parrish at safety, while Antonio Gaines and Marsalous Johnson started at cornerback. However, only Hefney retained his spot, as injury and impressive play allowed Freshmen Eric Berry, Brent Vinson and Dennis Rogan to emerge for the unit. Junior College transfer DeAngelo Willingham also saw significant time.
Starters for the majority of the year.
Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown LE 93 Xavier Mitchell 6'3" 255 lbs. Sr. Long Beach, Mississippi LT 55 Dan Williams 6'2" 310 lbs. So. Memphis, Tennessee RT 98 Demonté Bolden 6'6" 290 lbs. Jr. Chattanooga, Tennessee RE 89 Antonio Reynolds 6'3" 270 lbs. Sr. Akron, Ohio SLB 39 * Ryan Karl 6'0" 218 lbs. Sr. Franklin, Tennessee MLB 7 * Jerod Mayo 6'2" 230 lbs. Jr. Hampton, Virginia WLB 5 Rico McCoy 6'1" 215 lbs. So. Washington, D.C. RCB 24 DeAngelo Willingham 6'0" 205 lbs. Jr. Walterboro, South Carolina LCB 13 Brent Vinson 6'2" 180 lbs. Fr. Hampton, Virginia FS 33 * Jonathan Hefney 5'10" 185 lbs. Sr. Rock Hill, South Carolina SS 14 Eric Berry 5'11" 195 lbs. Fr. Fairburn, Georgia
* – Denotes returning starter
Special teams Position OutlookFreshman Daniel Lincoln replaced departing Senior James Wilhoit and earned All American Honors. Britton Colquitt returned as punter and took over Wilhoit's duties on kickoffs. Rogan emerged as the main kick and punt returner, with Lennon Creer joining him as kick return following Coker's dismissal.
Starters for the majority of the year
Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown P 47 * Britton Colquitt 6'3" 205 lbs. Jr. Knoxville, Tennessee PR 41 Dennis Rogan 5'10" 175 lbs. Fr. Knoxville, Tennessee KO 26 Daniel Lincoln 6'0" 204 lbs. Fr. Ocala, Florida KR 41 Dennis Rogan 5'10" 175 lbs. Fr. Knoxville, Tennessee KR 3 Lennon Creer 6'1" 202 lbs. Fr. Tatum, Texas PK 26 Daniel Lincoln 6'0" 204 lbs. Fr. Ocala, Florida
* – Denotes returning starter
Top newcomers for 2007 Eric Berry, CB, #14, 5'11", 194 lbs., Creekside HS (Fairburn, Georgia) Chris Donald, LB, #40, 6'2", 220 lbs., Huntingdon HS (Huntingdon, Tennessee) Ben Martin, DE, #90, 6'5", 230 lbs., La Salle HS (Cincinnati) Gerald Jones, ATH, #4, 6', 185 lbs., Millwood HS (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) DeAngelo Willingham, CB, #24, 6', 205 lbs., College of the Desert [Palm Desert, California] (Walterboro, South Carolina) Nevin McKenzie, S, #20, 6'3", 210 lbs., Trinity Valley CC [Athens, Texas] (San Antonio, Texas) Brent Vinson, S, #13, 6'2", 180 lbs., Hargrave Military Academy [Chatham, Virginia] (Hampton, Virginia) Lennon Creer, RB, #3, 6'1", 202 lbs., Tatum HS (Tatum, Texas) B. J. Coleman, QB, #18, 6'4", 210 lbs., The McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tennessee) Darris Sawtelle, OL, #76, 6'6", 290 lbs., Brother Rice HS (Birmingham, Michigan) Ahmad Paige, WR, #82, 6'3", 175 lbs., Sterlington HS (Sterlington, Louisiana) Art Evans, ATH, #25, 6'1", 185 lbs., Evangelical Christian HS (Lakeland, Florida) Donald Langley, DT, #58, 6'2", 295 lbs., Seneca Valley HS (Germantown, Maryland) Chris Walker, DE, #84, 6'3", 220 lbs., Christian Brothers HS (Memphis, Tennessee) Denarius Moore, WR, #83, 6'1", 180 lbs., Tatum HS (Tatum, Texas) William Brimfield, DT, #96, 6'6", 287 lbs., Hunter-Kinard-Tyler HS (Neeses, South Carolina) Kenny O'Neal, WR, #1, 6', 195 lbs., City College of San Francisco [CA] (Oakland, California) C. J. Fleming, CB, #26, 5'10", 173 lbs., Highland Springs HS (Highland Springs, Virginia) Anthony Anderson, CB, #36, 6', 175 lbs., Austin-East HS (Knoxville, Tennessee) Savion Frazier, LB, #43, 6'1", 209 lbs., Gar-Field HS (Woodbridge, Virginia) Cody Pope, OL, #77, 6'5", 275 lbs., Cathedral Catholic HS (San Diego, California) Daryl Vereen, RB, #9, 6'1", 200 lbs., North Mecklenburg HS (Charlotte, North Carolina) Kevin Cooper, FB, #45, 6'1", 245 lbs., Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tennessee) Todd Campbell, WR, #11, 6', 183 lbs., Franklin HS (Franklin, Tennessee) Tyler Maples, WR, #11, 6'2", 180 lbs., Maryville HS (Maryville, Tennessee) Dennis Rogan, RB, #41, 5'10", 175 lbs., Fulton HS (Knoxville, Tennessee) Deshaun Barnes, S, 6'2", 195 lbs., Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, Florida) – DNQ Rufus Williams, DE, 6'3", 225 lbs., Astronaut HS (Titusville, Florida) – DNQ
DNQ – Did not qualify
Game summaries
California
Tennessee dropped its opening game for the first time in over a decade, losing on the road to California by the score of 45–31.
The Vols traveled to Berkeley for the return trip in a home-and-home series with the California Golden Bears. After Cal's loss to Tennessee the previous year, some observers and college football personalities such as LSU coach Les Miles had questioned the strength of the Pac-10. During the game, a plane with the banner "SEC rules, Pac-10 drools" flew overhead. With a solid lead in the fourth quarter, Cal fans chanted "Pac-10 football" to the Tennessee fans who had already begun leaving the stadium. Tennessee gave up the opening points when an Erik Ainge pass flew backwards, when he was hit while trying to release it. California's Worrell Williams, recovered the fumble and returned it 45 yards for the score. Cal WR DeSean Jackson also scored at touchdown on a 77-yard punt return. Cal QB Nate Longshore was 19-of-28 for 240 yards, 2 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown.
Tennessee traveled to California for the first time since playing UCLA in 1994, Peyton Manning's freshman year. Tennessee had won 12 straight season openers. The Vols opening game was on the road for the first time since 1998, when they defeated Syracuse. QB Erik Ainge played game despite suffering a broken pinky in practice. He was 32-of-47 for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Jeff Tedford commented on the "revenge factor" before the game:
It's not really revenge, I think, if anything, it's redemption. But it's more about us, it's not so much about Tennessee. We didn't play very well last year when we went there and probably got caught a little too much focusing on them and the environment and that type of thing. So at practice this year, we're really just focusing on ourselves if we go out and play to our potential then we'll have a chance to be successful. Last year we didn't come close to our potential so we had no chance. Of course it's a big game like it was last year, two ranked teams, so there's a lot of people watching it to see what's going on. It wasn't that we lost the game last year, I think it was the way we lost the game last year that was the devastating part of it, that hung with us so long.