UT Notes: Foster still the starter at running back

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee senior tailback Arian Foster hasn’t lost his starting job after all.

Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said Tuesday that Foster remains the starter heading into Saturday’s home game against Northern Illinois.

A report Sunday night on ESPN.com said Foster’s role would be reduced this week after he failed to receive a handoff Saturday from quarterback Jonathan Crompton, causing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown in UT’s 14-12 loss at Auburn.

“Arian’s still the starter,” Clawson said. “If he goes in there and plays well, and we’re moving the football, we’ll keep him in there. Again, I’ve said this before, but it’s a good problem.”

Junior Montario Hardesty, Foster’s primary backup, said he wasn’t aware of any potential lineup changes.

“From what I know, we still have the same starter,” Hardesty said. “I don’t know.”

Clawson also said the Vols plan “to ride the hot hand” in the backfield, complimenting Hardesty and sophomore Lennon Creer, whose 45-yard run Sept. 13 against UAB remains UT’s longest of the season.

“Arian is very multi-dimensional and can do a lot of different things,” Clawson said. “Montario is probably our hard-hat guy, the most physical guy. And I’m not sure Lennon doesn’t give us the best opportunity for a big play.

“One of the reasons we had Lennon in the (Auburn) game late is we were struggling in the pass game, and we thought if we were going to break a big one, he might give us our best opportunity.”

HIGH PRAISE: Defensive coordinator John Chavis wasn’t willing to compliment his defense immediately after Saturday’s loss at Auburn, but he didn’t hold back Tuesday.

The Vols held the Tigers to 226 yards of total offense, including 97 rushing yards on 38 attempts — an average of 2.6 yards per carry. Auburn quarterbacks Chris Todd and Kodi Burns combined to pass for only 129 yards.

“We were, really for the first time, complete in terms of our coverage and our pressure up front being in kilter,” Chavis said.

“We looked like a good football team rushing the quarterback. We looked like a good football team stopping the run. And our secondary played as well as they have all year, and they’ve played well all year.”

OTHER OPTIONS: Sophomore linebacker LaMarcus Thompson, who entered this season as UT’s No. 3 weakside linebacker, has moved to middle linebacker to provide additional depth.

Thompson was listed third at middle linebacker on the latest depth chart released Tuesday. Sophomore Nick Reveiz remains the top backup to senior starter Ellix Wilson, who suffered a shoulder injury against Auburn.

Chavis said the Vols also have worked junior weakside linebacker Rico McCoy in the middle, but Chavis said a makeshift lineup shouldn’t be necessary against Northern Illinois.

Coach Phillip Fulmer deemed Wilson “probable” for Saturday’s game during his weekly teleconference Sunday.

“I fully expect Ellix to play this week,” Chavis said. “That’s the plan. I think he’ll be fine to go. But we’ll have some answers in case he can’t.”

STAYING UPSTAIRS: Clawson admitted he considered calling plays Saturday against Auburn from the sideline instead of the press box but ultimately decided against it.

“When you’re playing like we’re playing, you think about everything,” Clawson said. “I’ve thought about coming down. I’m going to hold off on that this week. I’m going to stay in the box. I think being able to see things and communicate that is important, and I’ve reiterated that many times.”

FULMER ABSENT:

Fulmer returned in time for the final 70 minutes of practice.

Chavis, who also carries the title of associate head coach, filled in during Fulmer’s allotted time to meet with media.