Erik Ainge News

Secondary prospers as defense shines

DeAngelo Willingham had a pair of interceptions and Dennis Rogan picked off another and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown, leading the Vols defense on a soggy Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

“Today was a royal butt-kicking,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “From the standpoint of the offense not taking care of the football and not having sustained drives -- it was definitely the defense’s day.

“That’s great to see because you win championships with defense, but you can darn sure lose championships by not taking care of the football.”

Willingham and Rogan on the corners have been supported ably this spring by safeties Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley, who on Saturday combined for 11 tackles and a blocked field goal by Morley.

“I was very, very pleased with the defense,” Fulmer said. “Dennis had the interception and a nice punt return (53 yards). It looked like he did have a good day.”

The scrimmage work just past the halfway point of spring practice means there’s little time remaining if the offense is going to make an impact heading into the off-season. Fulmer added he was unsure whether the problems in the passing game -- three interceptions by Jonathan Crompton and one by B.J. Coleman -- were because of the throwers or the catchers.

“I’d rather see us pull it down and scramble for three yards or take a yard loss than the defense get its hands on the ball. That’s my priority right now, for us to take care of the ball better. Sacks or interceptions, it’s not just the quarterback. It’s usually the line, the receivers, the quarterback -- it’s everybody together. Everybody has accountability.”

Redshirt freshman Ahmad Paige was a bright spot offensively, leading the receivers with seven catches for 73 yards. Senior tailback Arian Foster added nine carries for 45 yards. Crompton finished 10-of-18 for 108 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Stephens was 9-of-14 for 92 yards and Coleman added 12-of-18 for 63 yards and a score.

Quintin Hancock and Josh Briscoe had the receiving touchdowns.

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