Herman Lathers News

The first version of Monte Kiffin's Tennessee defense is a thing of the past. Yes, there's one more game to play this season, but there are also three weeks of bowl practice that start Friday to improve on UT's defense, rated 17th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.

Lane Kiffin acknowledges and appreciates everything that current and former walk-ons have given his University of Tennessee football program.

For all the pre-season hype about Florida's Tim Tebow and Mississippi's Jevan Snead, it's been Arkansas' Ryan Mallett and Tennessee senior Jonathan Crompton who have been the Southeastern Conference's best quarterbacks down the stretch.

On its way to a 5-5 record this season, Tennessee has had to deal with a shortage of talent it has rarely seen.

Jonathan Crompton managed the game well and was efficient, completing 20 of 34 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown.

Monte Kiffin didn't get to this point in his career by making excuses, and the University of Tennessee defensive coordinator didn't take that route Thursday afternoon.

For just one day, perhaps it's time to change the speed limit on the Ole Miss campus.

Tennessee didn't always have a hard time getting to Mississippi's Dexter McCluster.

Tennessee just completed its pregame warmups and has returned to the locker room.

Perhaps the Tennessee football team felt distracted two days after three Volunteers freshmen were arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery.

Jonathan Crompton was sacked only once and didn't throw an interception, but the senior made a few dangerous throws reminiscent of his early-season struggles that helped kill drives.

Ole Miss' Jeremy McGee runs the sidelines after intercepting the ball in the first quarter on Saturday in Oxford against UAB.

Tennessee assistant Ed Orgeron is always a little more intense than any of his players or fellow coaches.

Herman Lathers doesn't exactly know all the details. The Tennessee freshman hasn't made a decision on treatment.

On Dexter McCluster: "The problem with Dexter is he lines up everywhere. I don't know that I've seen a guy that can play running back and then go out and run all the receiver routes like he's been out there forever.

Tennessee cornerback Janzen Jackson tackles South Carolina wide receiver Tori Gurley at Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct.

Tennessee running back David Oku runs the ball past Memphis defensive back Deante' Lamar on Saturday, Nov.

Submitted by Jim Boofer on November 7, 2009 - 11:16pm. A At halftime I was thinking that I would write about how Tommy West was outclassed and out-coached by Tennessee head man Lane Kiffin.

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin went through the record books to get familiar with the Memphis series.

Tennessee has lost its starting middle linebacker because of a season-ending injury for the second time this season.