By: Matt Laws (matt.laws@averyjournal.com)Avery Journal-Times
KNOXVILLE- Everyone associated with the Tennessee Football program wanted to send Phillip Fulmer out a winner in his last three games. However, the Wyoming Cowboys did not get the memo.
The Cowboys defeated the outgoing Fulmer’s Volunteer squad 13-7 in a less the
n happy homecoming at Neyland Stadium.“The players don't owe me any kind of apology,” Fulmer said. “If anything, I should be apologizing to the fans and everybody for this whole week coming about. You get beat if you turn the ball over.”
On Monday, it was announced that Fulmer would not return next season as head coach of the Volunteers in an emotional press conference.
The loss was a painful one for the Vols, who had not lost a Homecoming game since the 2002 season.
“We're not going to make excuses,” UT Defensive end Wes Brown said. “It's been a tough week, but there's no excuse for how we played. No one wanted anything more than to win these games for coach Fulmer and these coaches. That's all I can say, it's been a tough week."
Tennessee quarterback Nick Stephens threw two interceptions, one that was returned for a t
ouchdown and another that was returned to the Volunteer five-yard line, and that proved to be the difference. Right before halftime, Stephens was benched in favor of Jonathon Crompton, who started the season at quarterback for the Vols."Our quarterback play has been less than what we would like to have,” Fulmer said. “I did think Jonathan (Crompton) came into the game and threw it around and competed and kept us in the game.”
Stephens ended the game 3 of 9 for 27 yards and two interceptions, while Crompton was 11 of 27 for 91 yards and a touchdown.
The four touchdown underdog Cowboys entered the game as one of the lowest scoring teams in college football, but scored just enough to keep the Vols and their struggling offense in check.
“We did a great job today and I thought we deserved a victory,” Wyoming Coach Joe Glenn said. “We worked hard and went out and played hard and came away with a hard fought victory.”
Wyoming’s Mike Neuhaus intercepted Stephens on the Vols opening drive and returned it 55-yards. The Cowboys wasted no time in scoring as Chris Stutzriem hit Greg Gen
ho on the next play for a four-yard touchdown.Ward Dobbs intercepted a Stephens’s pass and returned it 24-yards for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a 13-0 lead. The ensuing extra point was blocked.
Tennessee’s offense showed signs of life at the start of the second half. Lennon Creer had a 23-yard run before Crompton found Gerald Jones in the end zone for an eight yard touchdown. The Vols had the ball at the end of the game, but the drive ended on fourth down at midfield with less than two minutes remaining.
“We're trying
to make plays to win the game,” Crompton said of the last drive of the game. “You have to give credit to Wyoming. They played their game. I don't really know what to say because we're out there busting our butts."Creer ended with 86 yards on 16 carries while Tauren Poole has 11 carried for 44 yards. Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty did not play due to injury.
Tennessee has two games to improve on their 3-7 record with a trip to Vanderbilt and a home contest with Kentucky. The Tennessee program has never lost eight games in a season
