UF eager to see Crompton

<p>Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton can’t stay hidden any longer.</p><p> The heavily criticized senior, who was not made available to the media all week, will now have to show up against a Gator defense that’s been just as eager to see him.</p><p> “Definitely,” junior cornerback Joe Haden said. “We saw the first two games he threw a couple picks, because he had pressure on him. … I hope they pass the ball. If it’s third-and-9, third-and-10, they got to pass it so that’s what we’re looking forward to.”</p><p> Crompton has thrown 14 interceptions in 24 games in his Tennessee career. So far this season, he's tossed two picks against Western Kentucky and three more against UCLA last week (a fourth was negated by a penalty).</p><p> He also fumbled a snap that the Bruins, given a short field, used to score their only touchdown in a 19-15 win over the Volunteers.</p><p> Looking to get his team a few gifts of their own, Florida coach Urban Meyer will see how Crompton reacts to his “Joker package.”</p><p> The Gators have used the formation, which fields three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs (including three of Florida’s safeties), to bring a variety of blitzes in obvious passing situations.</p><p> “In third downs, that’s when you see a lot of that Joker package,” said Meyer, who pointed out the scheme has become a big part of what the defense does. “You try to confuse and pressure.”</p><p> In fact, Crompton’s inability to handle pressure has left Vols' fans confused.</p><p> On Tuesday, Tennessee's first-year coach Lane Kiffin said, “It blows me away sometimes how much hatred there is toward (Crompton) when you hear a radio show and people call in with comments.” He also said Crompton has to deal with criticism on an “hourly basis,” and said, “I feel bad for him.”</p><p> Nonetheless, Kiffin understands that even one mistake can be a back-breaker against the Gators.</p><p> “Obviously the interceptions were a big issue, one that we’ve continued to work on,” Kiffin said. “We’ve continued to do a better job of our decision-making and our timing in our passing game, because these guys are fabulous at turnover margin. It’s a big challenge for us.”</p><p> The setbacks to the Vols’ receiving core, including a season-ending injury to senior Austin Rogers, don’t make that challenge any easier. Neither does the poor performance by the team’s offensive line, which Kiffin said was the worst unit on the field against UCLA.</p><p> One of the leaders on the offensive line, senior left guard Vladimir Richard, is aware the Gators are coming with pressure that could damage Crompton’s confidence.</p><p> “We just have to give it our all on the line to protect him from all the blitzes or whatever they’re coming at us with,” Richard said. “If Crompton’s getting hit then we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do. We have to be able to give him time to make his decisions and reads.”</p><p> Junior wide receiver Brandon Warren, a converted tight end who caught one of Crompton’s touchdown passes in the season-opener, believes the team will stand by its quarterback.</p><p> “Jonathan’s going to be fine," he said. "He’s got all of us behind him and supporting him. We’re going to be there fighting the war with him. He’s not going alone.”</p><p> However, more Vols fans will leave Crompton’s side if he doesn’t improve on the 93 passing yards passing last week. That was Tennessee’s worst production in the department since the team’s 21 passing yards last season against Vanderbilt when Crompton blew his second shot to be the team’s starter by throwing an interception on his first pass attempt.</p><p> Redshirt senior linebacker Ryan Stamper feels Tennessee’s run-heavy offense will lead Crompton right into the teeth of the Gator defense — the secondary, where Haden and company eagerly wait.</p><p> “We pretty much love it. I’m definitely comfortable focusing on the run,” Stamper said. “That’s pretty much what we’re focusing on this week, because our secondary will pretty much take care of business.”</p><p><b>Correction:</b> <i>Jonathan Crompton has 14 career interceptions. The original version of this story inaccurately stated he had 30.</i></p>