Phillip Fulmer knows how to push Britton Colquitt’s buttons.

Some players might respond negatively if a coach criticizes them publicly, as Fulmer did recently with his starting punter.

Not Colquitt.

"It’s been real good for me because my attitude hasn’t been where it should be," a contrite Colquitt said after the Orange and White Game on Saturday. "I’ve been taking spring practice kind of lightly when it’s a really a time to get ready for the season and get better."

Fulmer said Colquitt had a "lame excuse" for missing practice on April 1. Fulmer also said the Bearden High School graduate was "AWOL" and described his situation with a term that is not fit for public consumption. After Tuesday’s practice, Fulmer had more tough words.

Whatever Fulmer said, it worked.

"This past week you could tell the difference in my attitude and my performance," Colquitt said. "I think I was thinking this summer I have plenty of time to work out, get better and get stronger."

Colquitt said he’s happy with the way things worked out. Still, being headline news isn’t very fun.

"It kind of bothers you but I’m kind of used to it," Colquitt said. "He’s (Fulmer) always been hard on me. He knows I can handle it. He knows it’s made me better. It will continue to make me better."

Colquitt said he didn’t sleep well the night before UT’s scrimmage last Saturday because of a sore hamstring. That caused him to oversleep. Colquitt said once he woke up he was ashamed to go to Neyland Stadium for practice. Instead, he went to the training room.

Colquitt says his hamstring is OK but his legs are still sore. That’s because Fulmer added extra calisthenics to Colquitt’s daily schedule as punishment.

"I’m really sore," Colquitt said.

While Colquitt was in the doghouse, placekicker James Wilhoit took over punting duties. That was enough to make Colquitt a bit territorial.

"That’s what it would feel like to get done here and know that I didn’t do all I could," Colquitt said. "That would be terrible."

Colquitt maintains that he hasn’t had any issues with alcohol recently. He was involved in a string of incidents in 2003 and 2004.

Tight End Attack: Tight ends caught eight passes for 63 yards Saturday. Junior Brad Cottam caught five passes for 38 yards. Freshman Jeff Cottam caught two passes for 19 yards. Junior Chris Brown caught one pass for six yards.

"You all could tell today the tight ends caught the ball a lot more," Brown said. "They’re looking to us a lot more. The whole spring practice we’re getting the ball a lot more."

Brown was the only tight end who caught a pass for the Vols last season. He had 14 receptions for 141 yards.

"I just hope we can be a part of the offense," Brown said. "Last year we really weren’t a part as much as we wanted to be. And it wasn’t really our fault. Things just didn’t go our way."

Slash: Defensive back Demetrice Morley was surprised when he was called on to play wide receiver.

"That was my first time," Morley said. "That just came out of the blue. It something I really like."

Morley played wide receiver in high school. Fulmer said there is a possibility that Morley could see more time there this fall.

"I wasn’t really nervous," Morley said. "You just catch the ball and make a cut. I don’t know if there’s a future there. My place is D.B."

Morley caught one pass for five yards in his one play at wideout.

Farewell: The Orange and White game marked the end of Keith Clements tenure as UT’s head athletic trainer. Clements, 33, was the youngest head trainer in the SEC after replacing Mike Rollo in 1997.

Clements left UT to pursue a career in medical sales and spend more time with his family.

Crompton’s View: Jonathan Crompton said he is seeing defenses better than he expected to before spring practice began. The freshman quarterback completed 15-of-19 passes for 102 yards. Crompton said offseason video study is paying dividends.

"Every time you get a chance to watch film, it certainly helps," Crompton said. "That definitely pays off in the end."

Hoops Report: Prize basketball recruit Ramar Smith attended the Orange and White game along with UT coach Bruce Pearl and center Major Wingate as part of his official visit. Smith, one of the highest rated guards in the nation, was a standout at Detroit's King High School and is expected to choose between Arkansas and Tennessee on Monday.

Fan Favorite: Jim Bob Cooter registered a tackle late in the third quarter as a part of UT’s kickoff coverage team. The backup quarterback from Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn., will be a senior this year.

Go White: Even with a 34-7 White win, the Orange team still holds a 23-20-3 advantage in UT’s annual spring game.

Mike Griffith contributed to this report.