Fulmer’s not worried about preparing for future

KNOXVILLE — Lame-duck coach Phillip Fulmer isn’t concerned with using the final two games of a disastrous season to prepare the Tennessee football team for the future.

“The next guy can figure that out,” he said.

Fulmer’s focus is on doing whatever is necessary to help the Volunteers (3-7, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) win out and end his 16th and final season as head coach at his alma mater on a positive note.

At least that’s how he explained his decision to start junior Jonathan Crompton at quarterback Saturday at in-state rival Vanderbilt (6-4, 4-3).

Going with redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman, who threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns last week in UT’s junior-varsity win against Hargrave Military Academy of Chatham, Va., might have made sense in the long run, Fulmer conceded.

But Fulmer and the current seniors don’t have much of a future at UT. They’re more worried about what’s best for this year’s team.

In this case, coaches said, that’s giving Crompton another chance to start under center.

“I think you still have to approach it as, ‘What is the best way to win the football game?’” offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. “You make a change because it’s going to make it better.”

Sophomore Nick Stephens was replaced by Crompton in each of the last two games before UT’s season-opening starter took back his job.

Stephens, now No. 3 on the depth chart behind Crompton and Coleman, threw three interceptions in back-to-back losses to South Carolina and Wyoming. His only turnover in his first four starts came on a fumble against Northern Illinois.

Crompton reflected briefly Wednesday on losing his starting spot to Stephens leading up to UT’s win Oct. 4 against Northern Illinois.

“It’s not easy, by any means,” Crompton said. “But it’s something that God put me through, and I think he helped me get through it. And that’s pretty much all I can say about it.”

The Vols still plan to play Coleman at some point against the Commodores, who are bowl-eligible for the first time in 26 years.

When and how much Tennessee uses Crompton and Coleman will be determined by the same thought process that led them to turn back to Crompton, who was benched after a 1-3 start.

“We’re going to do what we feel’s best to win the football game,” Clawson said.

“I don’t think it’s fair to Jonathan to say, ‘Hey, you better play well the first series or you have the hook.’ But I really want B.J. to prepare like he’s going to play, because I’d really like to get him in there.”

Fulmer admitted Coleman “does give us some things, perhaps, better than what we’ve got.”

Coleman, a Chattanooga native who played briefly Oct. 18 against Mississippi State, is simply eager for the chance to throw his first pass in a varsity game.

“It’s a great feeling,” Coleman said. “Growing up as a little boy I’ve always dreamed of playing SEC football. It’s a real special opportunity this week because Vanderbilt is an in-state team.”

HARDESTY HEALTHY: Junior backup tailback Montario Hardesty said he’ll be able to play against Vanderbilt after sitting out Nov. 8 against Wyoming because of a stress fracture in his left leg.

Hardesty said his repetitions have been limited this week in practice only as a precaution.

“They’re just cutting down on the amount of impact I get,” he said. “But come game time, I’ll be out there doing everything I usually do.”

Hardesty could be in line for his first start since 2006. Senior starter Arian Foster remains limited by a thigh bruise that kept him from playing against Wyoming, and Fulmer said Tuesday he was surprised that Foster’s injury “hasn’t responded” well.

“That all depends on how Arian’s thing comes around and stuff, but I’m going to prepare to get out there and play,” Hardesty said. “So whether it be starting or not, I’ll be ready come Saturday.”

TAKING BLAME: Senior wide receiver Josh Briscoe said UT’s quarterbacks haven’t been the only ones to blame for the offense’s season-long struggles.

“We’ve got to go out and get separation and get open, and we’ve got to make plays,” Briscoe said.

“We’ve got to make whoever is back there at quarterback feel comfortable. That’s something I don’t think as a group we’ve necessarily done well this year compared to last year. We haven’t found the holes in the zone, and we haven’t beaten man coverage the way we wanted to.”

MUST WIN: Saturday’s game means a lot to senior defensive tackle Walter Fisher, a former standout at Hillsboro High School in Nashville.

“I do not want to go home after this season is over with knowing that I lost to Vanderbilt,” Fisher said. “I’m not trying to say that in a negative way or nothing. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of family members that love Tennessee, and for me to lose to Vanderbilt and then go home and walk around like nothing’s happening, that’s not going to fly with them.”