Cal by the Numbers
Tennessee Stat Book
You could hear Phillip Fulmer all the way across the Neyland-Thompson Indoor Practice Facility.
He had his team in a post-practice huddle and he obviously had his team’s attention.
Bags were packed. Buses were gassed up and waiting.
It was just another chance for Tennessee’s head coach to grab the attention of his No. 15-ranked Vols.
“I just challenged our guys to be the kind of football team that’s representative of this great program we have,” Fulmer said, “and of the men who have worn the orange and white in the past and played with passion and energy.
“I told them this is an unbelievable time in your life right now — enjoy it,”
It’s a familiar refrain with Fulmer. It’s also one that apparently works.
Going into his 16th season opener as head coach at UT, Fulmer is 14-1 to begin a season.
The only loss was a 25-23 defeat at UCLA to open 1994. And that was a game where starting quarterback Jerry Colquitt suffered a season-ending knee injury and a freshman quarterback named Peyton Manning saw his first action.
Now comes another trip west.
The No. 12-ranked California Golden Bears are the targets this time. Kickoff is 8 p.m. (EST) Saturday (TV: WATE).
Despite all his success to start seasons, Fulmer admitted he never knows what to expect.
“There’s no crystal ball,” he said. “You have no idea.
“It’s our 11 versus their 11, and hopefully we’re as physically gifted, take care of the ball and not give up big plays.”
He’s not worried about senior quarterback Erik Ainge’s broken right pinky finger.
Ainge practiced and threw well on Thursday.
Fulmer’s seemingly not too worried about the quad injury to potential All-American punter Britton Colquitt.
“He’ll be fine by Saturday,” he said of Colquitt. “But right now just for punts.”
Daniel Lincoln will handle place-kicking duties, but Fulmer made sure Colquitt would be ready and willing in an emergency situation.
“I asked him if we had to kick a field goal to win the game at the end,” Fulmer said, “and he said, ‘Coach, I’d kick it if I had to kick it left-footed.’
“I believe him.”
Questions Persist: It’s the unknown that makes these season openers so much fun, even for a head coach.
Fulmer seemed as fired up and excited as he has in a while after Thursday’s practice.
“You’ve seen our scrimmages,” he said. “We’ve run the ball well. We haven’t turned the ball over very much.
“If we can do those things, offensively we’ll be fine. Defensively, we’ve got a big challenge.”
He mentioned throwing some more challenges at his backup offensive linemen and defensive linemen.
Question marks still surround a revamped group of receivers.
“But that’s fun,” Fulmer said. “That’s what college football is all about.
“You recruit, you coach them, you develop them and then you see where they are, and we’re about to see against a good team where we are.”
Travel Roster: Sixteen true freshmen and three junior college transfers are making the trip to Berkeley. The freshmen are Lennon Creer (RB), Gerald Jones (WR), Daryl Vereen (TB), Brent Vinson (WR), Eric Berry (DB), B.J. Coleman (QB), Art Evans (DB), Chris Donald (LB), Dennis Rogan (DB/PR), Savion Frazier (LB), Kevin Cooper (TE), Nick Guess (walkon deep snapper), Cody Pope (OL), Ahmad Paige (WR), Denarius Moore (WR) and Chris Walker (LB).
“It’s probably as good a freshmen class as we’ve ever had as a whole,” Fulmer said. “I don’t know if there’s a Peyton Manning or a Jamal Lewis in there, but, man, what a group of young men, talented and skilled. There’s a good foundation here.”
The junior college players are Kenny O’Neal (DB), Nevin McKenzie (DB) and DeAngelo Willingham (DB).
Cottam Staying Home: Injured tight end Brad Cottam was on the original travel roster, but is staying home.
“He has a little bug and I told him I’d love to take him, but I’m not interested in him making somebody else sick,” Fulmer said. “He understood.”
Ben Martin, injured freshman defensive end, could be making the trip, but he’s not listed on the travel roster.
Parrish Has His Chance: Fifth-year senior Jarod Parrish is slated to make his second career start at strong safety, his first since making seven tackles against Alabama in 2004.
After redshirting with a knee injury in 2005 and playing sparingly in 2006, Parrish has a chance to prove he’s back.
“It’s a big opportunity for him,” Fulmer said. “Jarrod is a guy who had a great spring and has had a good solid fall.
“I want to see him play and play like he’s capable of playing — not cautious.”
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Comments » 24
DadwasaVol writes:
All right, then, coach is pumped!
andy112382#209793 writes:
“It’s probably as good a freshmen class as we’ve ever had as a whole”
Now that is saying a whole lot. Sure can't wait to see them prove it on the field!
Surely happy to hear Fulmer fired up, I sure am! Sounds like our team is as ready for the opener as I ever remember hearing, it was good the 2nd and 3rd strings got their work in there at the end of fall drills and I am really looking forward to seeing us prove these tv analyst wrong who are pretty much saying we don't stand a chance! GO VOLS!!!
andy112382#209793 writes:
BTW, who is watching the LSU/MSU matchup? The LSU offense better thank all of those INTs the MSU is throwing their way! Hasn't been the prettiest of games, though, 1st games USUALLY aren't. Though, the opener for us last year was pretty darn near perfect! Lets make it two years in a row for Tennessee like that! GO VOLS!!!
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
You're right, jawbreaker. After suffering through the other one, I'm waiting until tomorrow on this one...hoping they come up with the money to pay someone to insert paragraphs. My brain's too tired tonight to look at that. Can't wait for Saturday night!! pj
AllVol writes:
I am greatly heartened by Phil's attitude. It's football--it's fun--not life or death. That's exactly what he should be telling them. I, personally, think that Phil must think he's got somethng special with this team, freshmen and all. I don't remember hearing him so loose and truly confident in the quality of his team and coaches.
I haven't heard many comments on our defense. Don't they have a real good chance at kickin' some ass? And I mean even in SEC play. I think our linebackers will dominate at Cal and make the difference in the game. I thin about 35-17 is a good pick--maybe as much as 42, especially if the run game is there.
andy112382#209793 writes:
I agree, AllVol. I was thinking the same about Fulmer being so confident in what he has, and I believe we have something special as well, but obviously he would know more than anyone seeing how much of the fall drills were closed and he knows exactly what he has at his disposal going into this contest saturday night. Can't wait!!! GO VOLS!!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
tee it up
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Glad to see the head coach ready to play. Now let the coordinators call the game. Go Big Orange
vol88 writes:
I think we'll be okay. It's a big home opener for Cal in the national sporlight, so they're going to be playing on revenge and adrenaline early. Might jump out to an early lead, but we can't let that get to us. But in the end, I think the more physical team will end up winning. Emotion doesn't last 60 minutes. Besides, Cal would never admit it, but how could they not be a little intimidated. You know everytime they close their eyes they see the Neyland scoreboard reading 35-0. Do you guys think Creer will play? I'm itching to see him.
bigorangebluegrass writes:
berry gets a pick 1st half..creer will play. jackson gets rocked on a return, sec style...go vols
andy112382#209793 writes:
Of course they would need megaphones, after all we DO play at the swamp, between the hedges, at alabama and LSU....not to mention we have a few fans of our own that turn out at Neyland Stadium! I would say we are use to the noise.
Question though, being one who hasn't ventured out of the south east, does flying 3 hours out west cause as much jet lag as some places I see claiming? I would think gaining hours would be far better than flying east and losing hours. I don't see it being an issue, but then again I haven't flown out that far, so I figured someone could provide a bit more of an answer for me there.
With Ainge and Foster having their closest games to home in their UT careers, I hope they have the game of their lives and light up the scoreboard in Berkeley! Seems like that happens a lot during players homecomings, don't know who follows the Atlanta Braves, but a pitcher for Arizona did just that recently, came back and hit two homers and pitched a great game with his family watching.
Good weekend for Tennessee coming up! GO VOLS!!!
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
Win the coin toss (and I normally don't give a flip but I think is important for the following)....Run the football and establish tempo, get on the scoreboard first. Ball Control will be crucial. It will allow us to work in the younger impact players on offense as well. Our experienced and improved offensive line and running backs will be key. Keep the defense off the field, so that when they are on the field they can pressure, pressure, pressure Longshore. GO VOLS!!!
vol88 writes:
I wouldn't think jet lag would be a problem since they flew out on Thursday. They're young, they can handle it. Me, I get jet lag when the time changes.
CoverOrange writes:
Andy, as one that flys alot, flying west does not cause jet lag (you get up way early in the morning though). Flying east can cause jet lag, but not the day you travel, usually the next day because you were up "late" the day before and had to get up "early" the next morning. Get 8 hours regardless and you're fine.
DSaVol writes:
Foolmer fired up? That is NEVER a good sign! Somebody PLEASE get him some more doughnuts!
chrisw2967 writes:
I think I know why there handing out megaphones , most of the guys (fans) are going through there normal sex changes that they go through in Cali. and they dont have yelling voices anymore so there trying to help them sound louder than what they actually are , does that make any sense ? Im just trying to figure out how the megaphones could actually help them
buxavol writes:
BUCKLE THOSE CHINSTRAPS TIGHT, CAL, 'CAUSE WE'RE FIXING TO TEE IT UP!!! LET'S GO VOLS!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
buxavol writes:
We need an early "statement" hit, like Ayers put on their tight end on the opening kickoff last year. The only way that kid could remember that lick-or the rest of the game, for that matter-is if he viewed a replay of it!! Time to kick butt, take names!! Let's go boys, it's ROCKY TOP TIME!! Going to put a ROCKY TOP STOMP on the Golden Bears!!!
txsvol#372416 writes:
It's better to be itching before you see Creer than after seeing Travis Henry! But, I want to see him, too, Vol88! Go Vols! SAVol
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Most of the comments I really like...but vols have never had too much luck in California..there has never been any explaination for it> I think one of the reasons for lack of respect from Calif., teams is the fact their disdain for southern teams results in them playing over their heads...C'mon vols make those pads pop.
Volunteer writes:
TXVol, are you in SA? I am in the Air Force and its hard to find a fellow fan that bleeds orange like myself! Im stationed at Randolph AFB and live in Cibolo, where abouts are you???
wbgbbg#625035 writes:
OK vol fans what about our secondary ?? can we stop all the balls that are going to be thrown our way ? I think we'll be tested early and often..I just hope we can get an early pick... Did anyone notice how much difference the xtra 5 yds made on the kickoffs ??? VOLS RULE
abrown#232236 writes:
Just pin back your friggin' ears and play feverish football. Stick to the maxims, and we win.
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
Secondary scares me to death....we must get pressure to win this game. A pick would be nice to get inside Longshanks head!! Chavis- Bring the heat. GO VOLS!! IT"S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!
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