After a week of practice, it all comes down to what Nick Stephens can do in a game.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer announced Friday evening that Stephens would be the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game (TV: Pay-per-view, 7 p.m.) against Northern Illinois, saying the sophomore has earned a chance to show what he can do on the field.

“We need a lot more production from the quarterback position,” Fulmer said following Friday’s walk-through practice in Neyland Stadium. “Jon’s had his opportunities in the ballgame – that certainly doesn’t say that he won’t have future opportunities at all. Nick has made progress, and he deserves the chance to see how he does in a football game. That’s for our team.”

Stephens, a third-year player from Flower Mound, Texas, has played eight snaps in his UT career. All those plays came against UAB on Sept. 13, and he was 1-for-2 with a 42-yard completion to tight end Brandon Warren. Stephens also rushed once for 5 yards.

Fulmer said Stephens’ improvement since the season began helped him earn the opportunity to start.

“He’s become in the last couple weeks, several weeks, more consistent in his play and his handling of the huddle and his voice inflection and those kinds of things,” Fulmer said. “He’s had ability all along. I’m anxious to see how he does. I certainly understand that the most important thing is we get production from the offense, regardless of how that happens and/or who does it.”

For now, Stephens is UT’s quarterback, although that could certainly change depending on his play. It's what happened to Crompton, who ranks last in the SEC in passing efficiency after going 8-for-23 for 67 yards against Auburn last week.

Echoing his comments from Thursday as well as those of offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, Fulmer said Friday there is no plan to share snaps between Stephens and Crompton on Saturday. Simply put, if Stephens can move the offense, he’ll be Tennessee’s quarterback for the foreseeable future including next week's trip to No. 11 Georgia.

“Obviously the perfect scenario is Nick goes on fire and takes over and everything happens like you want it to happen,” Fulmer said. “That’s what we’re hoping for. If it doesn’t happen that way, then we’ll evaluate it from there. I’d like for somebody to take charge.”

Players do not speak to the media after Wednesday evening, and neither Stephens nor Crompton was available for comment Friday.

Fulmer informed Crompton and Stephens as well as the team of the decision Friday afternoon before practice.

“They both handled it well, which you’d expect them to,” Fulmer said. “Obviously Jonathan’s disappointed, but he handled it like a man.”

As for the team, Fulmer said it was business as usual.

“We just lined up and started practicing today with Nick as the first-teamer,” Fulmer said. “I didn’t hear anybody say anything. I think they will accept it in stride. They’re probably like everyone else, looking to see what happens a little bit.”

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.