Vol Report
Audio
- Podcast: Dave Hooker interviews Erik Ainge and Ryan Karl about one of the biggest games in Phillip Fulmer's tenure. Also, John Adams breaks down the Georgia Bulldogs in this week's podcast.
- John Adams files an audio report from Athens, Ga. on The Sports Page.
- Dave Hooker interviews LB Ryan Karl
- Dave Hooker interviews QB Erik Ainge
- Dave Hooker interviews Assistant Coach Steve Caldwell.
WVLT video
Georgia stats
Tennessee Stat Book
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Georgia
- When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
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.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 42
agentorange writes:
protect the mothership to the last man. time to play some vintage volball.
mikeinknoxville writes:
Its time to take back Neyland..GO VOLS
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
Why yalllll know it's the fan's fault.
Stay the course Phil!
hoot hoot
yeavols#228407 writes:
Get used to it..stay the course
yeavols#228407 writes:
Watching Kentucky and South Carolina game..ya..it's that bad for us
bigorangesob writes:
I'm watching the game as well and niether team has really impressed me
chucker6 writes:
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.
shane6#638715 writes:
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.
iowavol writes:
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.
10ACVOL writes:
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.
rockytopjeff writes:
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
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
Well.The ole ball coach just showed us how to beat Ky.
Let's hope Foolmer was watching!
aj_vol#248433 writes:
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.
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
Sorrie aj. Me flunked speelin.
And I am 12 for your info..........
Take a xanax and chill man.
Go Vols!
newtonrail writes:
iowavol, those were tickets in GG, HH, II, that Arkansas ATD returned that their fans wouldn't buy and travel here.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Just beat the dawgs! GO VOLS!!!
BlakeyWakey writes:
Turn the dawgs into poodles.... beat the mess out of em ... VOLS
CrankE writes:
SIT UGA!!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
aj vol, go read the article about the media comments toward CPF...and then say I'm sorry!!!
seaplane#216536 writes:
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?
OldNumber7 writes:
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 !!!!
arkyvol writes:
one game above .500? you've gotta be sh*%ing me!
vol4jesus writes:
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.
bsvolfan#325031 writes:
The Arkansas tickets are the ones that the hogs sent back.
99gator writes:
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.
Basketball_Jones writes:
99 gator, UT doesn't have a defense either so they won't be able to stop KY
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
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.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
C'mon Tennessee, Git er done!!!
imnotwithphil writes:
We will lose to both USC and KY. Miss State and Vandy will most likely be our only SEC wins this season.
DenverVol writes:
11-9 at home in SEC play since 2002 makes me sick to my stomach. That's got to change!
ibvolman writes:
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!
skinalive#242458 writes:
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.
invisiblekid writes:
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.
DennisVols writes:
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!!!!!!!!!!
jandjhome#228397 writes:
Thanks for your comment CRVol you absolutely on target.
surfing_vol writes:
"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.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
vols.....stop the run game and you will win
aj_vol#248433 writes:
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?
ncdawg writes:
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!
Ralph_Crampton writes:
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.
gbflvol#218183 writes:
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
brokebackvol writes:
Not anymore. Hope you enjoyed that buttkicking, Dawgs.
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