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.