Well, that’s an understatement. Gleaning through some of the post game comments this morning there are a few other that are too. From Fulmer regarding the last play of the game, “We were trying to be really safe” – looks like that’s how the Vols played the whole game. Lots of 4th down opportunities that got punted away. Seems that’s all Fulmer has done these past 10 years, is to play “safe” – no guts.

The only shining star I saw all night was Nick Stephens – poise under pressure. What I did see once again, was a poorly coached team. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Stephens debut was not the time to use the “G-gun”. All it did was lose opportunities for first downs and possible touchdowns. The “G-gun” has become too predicable, Fulmer’s not the only one who watches game film. Yes, much to my whining, Gerald Jones did throw the ball, sorry I asked for it.

Speaking of watching game film, look at the difference between Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty. Hardesty is a hard charging, smash mouth runner. Foster looks like he’s afraid to get hurt, he runs like a girl. Neither got a whole lot done against NIU.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Mike Hamilton “suggested” to Fulmer that Stephens should be the starting quarterback.

I was offered tickets to this game too, I turned them down. I hedged my bet that it would be cheaper to order the pay per view than another trip from Birmingham to Knoxville, plus staying overnight in a hotel. And then there’s my own curse of the Vols losing whenever I go to the game on “gift” tickets.