Fulmer suspend Bolden, Coker

Starting defensive tackle Demonte' Bolden and reserve tailback LaMarcus Coker have been suspended one game for a violation of team rules, Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday evening.

Neither will play Saturday when Tennessee play host to Louisiana-Lafayette at 4 p.m. for homecoming, however both are expected back when the Vols return to SEC play next week against Arkansas.

Fulmer declined to provide specifics regarding the suspensions, including when the violations occurred.

"That's all I'm really allowed to say about that right now," Fulmer said after announcing the suspensions following practice. "Those guys are important to us. We certainly hope to have them back and ready to go for Arkansas."

Coker, UT's leading rusher last season with 696 yards, has played in every game this season except for UT's season-opener at California, rushing for 169 yards on 45 carries with one touchdown.

Wednesday's announcement marks the third suspension for Coker since December, when the sophomore missed five practices in Knoxville leading up to the Outback Bowl.

He served a month-long suspension beginning in August for another unspecified violation of team rules before being reinstated prior to Tennessee's second game of the season against Southern Mississippi.

Coker's best performance of the season came against Arkansas State, when he rushed for 101 yards.

Senior linebacker Ryan Karl expressed disappointment when asked about his teammates' suspensions, but was not worried about any lingering effects.

"Of course you're disappointed, but you know they're going to be back next week giving their all," he said. "They're two great players. We've just got to find two guys to make plays in place of them."

Senior J.T. Mapu will start in Bolden's place opposite Dan Williams at defensive tackle.

Bolden has started all eight games this season, recording 20 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack.

Coker's biggest impact this season has been as a kick returner, where his 26.5 yards-per-return average ranks fourth in the SEC.

True freshmen Lennon Creer and Denarius Moore are options to replace Coker on kickoffs alongside Dennis Rogan.

Creer (knee) and fellow tailback Montario Hardesty (ankle) should be ready to play behind starter Arian Foster against the Ragin' Cajuns.

"We're in pretty good shape, really," Fulmer said. "Lennon has really responded well to treatment, and Montario looks like he's going to be fine, so that's a plus for us."

Depth shouldn't be much of a problem at defensive tackle, either.

Mapu has played in all eight games, as has Walter Fisher.

"They're both great backups," Karl said. "All of them probably play the same amount of snaps every game. With his (Bolden's) physical presence on the field, we're going to miss him. But we have a whole bunch of experience there, so we won't be hurting that bad."

Coker and Bolden will spend the remainder of the week practicing with the scout team, as they did Wednesday.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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