The more things change, the more they change. Coach Phillip Fulmer went back to the future by hiring David Cutcliffe, and last Saturday against Cal the result were not long in coming.

The offense looked crisp, play-calling was refreshing, and the quarterback looked, well, like a quarterback. Erik Ainge's best decision since arriving on campus has been to listen to Cutcliffe. His opening-night performance has given the coaches and Vol fans alike reason to hope for the best.

An early sign that things might be different last Saturday, Fulmer, lineman J.T. Mapu and select other players were wearing Hawaiian leis on the Vol walk. The leis were brought in by Mapu's family for good luck.

Well, it certainly couldn't hurt, but it wasn't luck that beat the No. 9 team in the nation. The Vols were loaded for bear from the beginning, thanks to a defense relentless in its approach, an offensive line scrutinized, yet successful in its technique, and a receiving corps responding to the challenge of its new coach.

And how about in-state players, Ryan Karl and Michael Frogg, making their first starts while playing with the pride that comes from wearing the orange and white.

At least through one game this Tennessee team seems to have accepted the "team concept. That's a big first in building the chemistry, and especially the confidence last year's group of Vols so desperately lacked.

Rick Russo is sports director for WVLT.