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Dawgs own Vols' turf

Georgia unbeaten at Neyland after 2001 win

By Mike Strange (Contact)
Originally published 08:08 p.m., October 4, 2007
Updated 08:08 p.m., October 4, 2007

Tennessee vs. Georgia
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, 3:30 p.m.
  • Where: Neyland Stadium, 1720 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN
  • Cost: Not available
  • Age limit: All ages

Full event details »

When Georgia won at Tennessee in 2001 on a last-minute touchdown it was a fluke. Really, it was.

A rookie head coach working his first SEC road game. A freshman quarterback, David Greene, facing a hostile Neyland Stadium crowd of 107,592 and an unbeaten, sixth-ranked team.

"Gosh, we didn't know what we had,'' Georgia coach Mark Richt recalled this week.

"Being my first year in the league I was pretty ignorant about how difficult it would be to win there.''

In those days it was extremely difficult. In fact, if Steve Spurrier wasn't on your sideline, forget about it.

These days, it's a different story.

Georgia returns to Neyland Stadium on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff (TV: WVLT) that finds Tennessee desperate to defend its home turf.

This will be Richt's fourth visit to Neyland and he's still never lost.

The Vols (2-2, 0-1 SEC) are trying to become a factor in the Eastern Division race. The first step is making Neyland less visitor-friendly to SEC rivals like No. 12 Georgia (4-1, 2-1).

From 1995 - Peyton Manning's sophomore season - through 2001, Tennessee was 41-3 in Neyland.

In SEC play, the Vols were 25-3 at home: two losses to Florida and the '01 surprise by Georgia.

However, visitors no longer fear to tread on Shields-Watkins Field.

From 2002 through this week, the Vols are 25-11 at home. In SEC play, they're 11-9 - or, one game above .500.

"You have to be talented enough to beat whoever you play, regardless of where it's at,'' said UT coach Phillip Fulmer. "The field is the same size, whether you're home or away.''

When Georgia won here in 2003 and 2005, it was no longer a fluke. The Bulldogs are attempting to make it four in a row Saturday.

It would be a rare feat. Ole Miss won four straight in Knoxville from 1960 through 1966. Alabama had a pair of five-game winning streaks here from 1972-80 and again from 1986-94.

"Our players are well aware of it,'' said UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. "That's not a pleasant thing to talk about, but if you don't want to talk about it you've got to try to do something about it.

"That's a big challenge this week, to kind of break that streak.''

Ironically, Tennessee has beaten Georgia on its past two trips to Athens, making this a series in which home field seems a disadvantage.

The Vols need to restore normalcy Saturday.

"I guess it's time for a change,'' said linebacker Rico McCoy.

"A loss is a loss, but most of the time people have family and close friends at home games. It's a loss, but it hurts even more when you're at home.''

And a win feels even better in the other guys' house.

Richt is 23-3 at Georgia on opponents' home fields. That excludes a 1-5 record against Florida in "neutral" Jacksonville.

Some players and coaches say it's easier to get focused on the road. There are no recruits to entertain and fewer family and friends around.

"It's just us and the coaches,'' said Georgia linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. "All we do is meet.''

Richt attributes much of Georgia's road success to the poise of the coaching staff.

"The coaching staff has got to keep everybody in a calm mood,'' he said, "where they understand this game is not over, even though something awful just happened and the crowd is going berserk.''

Georgia quieted the crowd here in 2001 with a desperation five-play touchdown drive after Tennessee had taken the lead with 44 seconds left.

The Bulldogs quieted the crowd again in 2003 when Sean Jones scooped up a UT fumble and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first half.

In '05, the crowd deflated after Thomas Flowers' 54-yard punt-return TD in the fourth quarter gave Georgia a 20-7 lead.

"It's exciting to go there and play,'' Flowers said this week. "It's hostile, but the atmosphere is great. Tennessee is a wonderful place to play.''

Wonderful if you win all the time.

"It's our stadium,'' UT senior Xavier Mitchell said. "Teams pride themselves on going to somebody else's house and taking a win.

"We can't let that happen this week.''

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       50 Comments

Posted by 55Vol on October 4, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee has a winning record at Neyland Stadium South in Athens also in the same time frame

Posted by agentorange on October 4, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

protect the mothership to the last man. time to play some vintage volball.

Posted by mikeinknoxville on October 4, 2007 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its time to take back Neyland..GO VOLS

Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on October 4, 2007 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why yalllll know it's the fan's fault.
Stay the course Phil!
hoot hoot

Posted by yeavols on October 4, 2007 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get used to it..stay the course

Posted by yeavols on October 4, 2007 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watching Kentucky and South Carolina game..ya..it's that bad for us

Posted by bigorangesob on October 4, 2007 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm watching the game as well and niether team has really impressed me

Posted by chucker6 on October 4, 2007 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From 2002 through this week, the Vols are 25-11 at home. In SEC play, they're 11-9 - or, one game above .500. That just about says it all. Mediocre performance with great recruiting classes = pisx poor coaching, period! You can have bad luck or poor chemistry for an off year, but that is 5 years of disgusting, inexcusable performance. Our coaches need to do the honorable thing, resign and quit pulling this once proud program down.

Posted by shane6 on October 4, 2007 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not going to get into this "fire Fulmer" debate because I think this team needs all the support they can get (let's talk about change in staff after the season) BUT does he honestly believe that "the field is the same size, whether you're home or away"? Is he saying that home field advantage doesn't factor into a ballgame? So, the excitment of the home field fans doesn't energize the players? Opposing teams pipe in noise at there practices for no good reason? Ever been to Death Valley? Teams lose there because of the home field advantage (those drunks can make some noise!). Hell, even Underarmour has made millions on the concept of home field advantage (Protect This House). Offenses can't hear, defenses can't hear.... I'm not an armchair quarterback, never even played college ball, but I am a Marine and I know from trial by fire that the theory of fighting on familar territory is always an advantage to the home field team.
Think before you speak man! Surely Fulmer really knows better.

Posted by iowavol on October 4, 2007 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I got an email yesterday from UT Ticket office saying they still have Arkansas tickets. It is sad that we can't fill up that stadium and this is probably why Neyland is no threat anymore. This is the epitome of Mike Hamilton malfeasance.

Posted by 10ACVOL on October 4, 2007 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, really sank in watching this UK SC game. Kentuck is ranked #8, SC is #11, and UT is unranked....My how the tables can turn.

Posted by rockytopjeff on October 4, 2007 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the ole ball coach will be 7-1 when they get here probobly ranked in top 7, we'll be an underdog, how much shat will they talk that week, we need a win this week in a BAD way, lets be loud and beat the dawgs. go vols

Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on October 4, 2007 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well.The ole ball coach just showed us how to beat Ky.
Let's hope Foolmer was watching!

Posted by aj_vol on October 5, 2007 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NCCOLTSFAN = Name Calling Colts Fan?

What are you 10? Grow up.

Name another coach that has been as successful and loyal to his Alma Mater as CPF.

Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on October 5, 2007 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorrie aj. Me flunked speelin.
And I am 12 for your info..........
Take a xanax and chill man.
Go Vols!

Posted by newtonrail on October 5, 2007 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

iowavol, those were tickets in GG, HH, II, that Arkansas ATD returned that their fans wouldn't buy and travel here.

Posted by andy112382 on October 5, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just beat the dawgs! GO VOLS!!!

Posted by Blizake on October 5, 2007 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Turn the dawgs into poodles.... beat the mess out of em ... VOLS

Posted by 55Vol on October 5, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee has a winning record in Neyland South in Athens over the same time period.

Posted by tngeoff on October 5, 2007 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

agentorange,

"protect the mothership to the last man. time to play some vintage volball."

Spoken like a prophet. Great post!

Posted by jdcvols on October 5, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

aj vol, go read the article about the media comments toward CPF...and then say I'm sorry!!!

Posted by hiresanders on October 5, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They will rename Neyland after the Dawgs beat us Saturday. It will be called Mark Richt Stadium.

Posted by seaplane on October 5, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Simply put this is Fulmer's biggest game. If UT loses at home against Georgia, he's gone at the end of the year. He knows it, Hamilton knows it. How could it be any other way with gone on this season?

Posted by RocketVol on October 5, 2007 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Change Fulmer! Evolve! Bryant did it and so can you! Change or get out of Tennessee-Tradition's way! Start tomorrow by bringing some motivation and beat the DAWGS!! If this team can get on top Saturday then Neyland is on it's way back! Go FREAKIN VOLS !!!!

Posted by arkyvol on October 5, 2007 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

one game above .500? you've gotta be sh*%ing me!

Posted by vol4jesus on October 5, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hi ho, hi ho its off to work we go (whistling). I hope we are ready to rumble in a dawg fight...oops! No Mikey Vick inferences there. Beat the gridiron dawgs and start reestablishing home field advantage. Yes negsative children this is going to be hard work. We don't have an nfl prospect in the dline as we have in the past few tears. Just ORANGE collared workers whose work ethic neeeds to be boosted about 100% to achieve our desired goal this game and those to come.

Posted by grvol on October 5, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer initiated the 2001 loss with his stupid squib kick call... Then the infamous MUSTANG finished it. Fulmer's strategy of playing NOT TO LOSE has got to GO!

Posted by bsvolfan on October 5, 2007 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Arkansas tickets are the ones that the hogs sent back.

Posted by 99gator on October 5, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 may be right.

south carolina may win the east because they have something the rest of the division doesn't.... a defense.

kentucky showed they can be stopped or slowed down. but, tenn and florida will have to outscore them.

tenn-ga will be an interesting game. still don't know what to make of georgia.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on October 5, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99 gator, UT doesn't have a defense either so they won't be able to stop KY

Posted by hiresanders on October 5, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AJ, Knute Rockne was far more successful to his alma mater than fulmer 106-12 record 4 national titles. Frank Leahy as well had a better record and more national titles at his alma mater than Fat Philly.

Posted by hiresanders on October 5, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Neyland Stadium has more seats than it has fans. Michigan had 112K at The Big House with an 0-2 record last month.

Posted by mparker on October 5, 2007 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the kids right, it's easier to focus on the road. plus, it's more 'us against the world' if you a tough-minded team.

yeah, 2001 stunk. Chavis admitted he hosed up.

right now, UT is an average team playing in a difficult schedule. My guess is that if they play bad this weekend, the veterans will be benched and the kids will take over. Fulmer is smart enough to know that can help him get in some recruits.

Posted by Mr_Brownstone on October 5, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

C'mon Tennessee, Git er done!!!

Posted by hiresanders on October 5, 2007 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lou Holtz once said "our schedule wouldn't be as tough if we were a better team."

Posted by imnotwithphil on October 5, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We will lose to both USC and KY. Miss State and Vandy will most likely be our only SEC wins this season.

Posted by DenverVol on October 5, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

11-9 at home in SEC play since 2002 makes me sick to my stomach. That's got to change!

Posted by dtaylor0730 on October 5, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Listen, I support the Vols. I never want to see then lose a game, and with that I do realize that a loss will happen. Occasionally a team will have a bad season. that is just football, and it does run in cycles.

However, to see an 11-9 record in your own conference on you own field is not the result of the proverbial occasional bad season.

The to hear Fulmer say: "You have to be talented enough to beat whoever you play, regardless of where it's at, The field is the same size, whether you're home or away.'' is just sad. Why not develop the talent that has been recruited year in and year out for the past several years? Why not take the attitude most coached have that this is our turf, and no one comes in here and beats us?

I do hope UT can win the rest of its games. But as I have said before, I do not have a crystal ball and can't see the future, but I wouldn't bet on UT winning out. There is a lot of football to be played, and UGA, USC, UK, and ARK will not be easy. These teams have a running game, and some of them even do very well passing the ball. I don't believe UT will lose all these, but I am not betting on them to win them all either.

It is time for fresh blood that is not afraid to actually develop young talent, take responsibility when things do not go well, and promote the attitude of winning at home isn't just something that is nice to do 50% of the time, but is is our priority to do it all the time.

For the players sake on the team...Go Vols!

Posted by skinalive on October 5, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe Fulmer's pathetic comment about the field being the same size.

Have some pride! Do something different to get the crowd in the game and fire up the players.

I hate Georgia but Fulmer is moving up the chart.

Posted by invisiblekid on October 5, 2007 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to disagree to an extent with Fulmer. The field may be the same size home or away but it isn't the same size for both teams when your team ranks #118 in punt return defense, #82 in kickoff return defense, #113 in punt return yardage, and #24 in kickoff return yardage. Kickoff returns have been the only bright spot, everything else should be an embarrassment to this staff and players. But,hey, these are just meaningless stats and the team was energized by the Gator's loss though.

Posted by DennisVols on October 5, 2007 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Being Vol fan living in Atlanta this is the most important game of the year for more than the SEC reasons.
Lets get out and support our Vols. I'll be singing Rocky Top all the way up and down I-75.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by jandjhome on October 5, 2007 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for your comment CRVol you absolutely on target.

Posted by surfing_vol on October 5, 2007 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"You have to be talented enough to beat whoever you play, regardless of where it's at,'' said UT coach Phillip Fulmer. "The field is the same size, whether you're home or away.''

Phil -- it's Neyland Stadium, not Vanderbilt Stadium.

Wait, that could be an "L" this year.

Posted by tnmantravel on October 5, 2007 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vols.....stop the run game and you will win

Posted by aj_vol on October 5, 2007 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey hiresanders I hope that is sarcasm for your sake.

I guess Hamilton can list his potential replacements like below with your logic:

1. Knute Rockne
2. Bear Bryant
3. Frank Leahy

I wonder if Amos Alonzo Stagg or Bobby Dodd are available?

Posted by ncdawg on October 5, 2007 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Dawg Fan Here. Sorry vols, but you loose tomorrow by two touchdowns. We're going to ram it down your throats just so we don't have to hear "Rocky Top" every 10 seconds. I do like your power T at the beginning though. Best College Football Tradition I ever saw!

Posted by bigfan502 on October 5, 2007 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its true we goofed in 2001 with that squibb kick which turned out to be our waterloo..we had already beaten LSU in regular season game..If we had kicked off normally with 44 seconds left we would have been in Rose Bowl game for the National Title...Oh well, that was like taking a boby punch for all Vol fans. I might add that game was against Georgia with a rookie coach..We, it seems haven't been the same Vols.

Posted by gbflvol on October 5, 2007 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was banned from TN games (sarcastically) after loosing every year, at home, to GA. I would come from FL to see the mighty Vols loose and finally my family said "No more tickets for you"!! Reality...we need playmakers insted of play inhibiters....we need coaches with DESIRE..... and we need players that run through the 'T' like it means something!! Anyone who has been to the games the last few years knows what I mean. Go Vols '79

Posted by brokebackvol on October 6, 2007 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not anymore. Hope you enjoyed that buttkicking, Dawgs.

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