Guest list for Fulmer is more than 150

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Coaches Chavis and Fulmer talk about the impressive 23-game winning streak against Kentucky. The 2008 game against Kentucky marks Phillip Fulmer's last game as head coach for the University of Tennessee football team. Watch »

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UT defensive coordinator, John Chavis, reflects on his career as a coach for the Vols. He talks about his coaching staff, the "keep it real" philosophy with players and what these last few days with the program mean. Watch »

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UT offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson, talks about the struggles with the offensive line this year and the quarterback issue -- all dating back to this Spring. Watch »

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Coach Fulmer talks about the Kentucky matchup and Coach Chavis talks about seeing UT's former offensive coordinator, Randy Sanders, again. Sanders is now the quarterback coach for the University of Kentucky. Watch »

Tennessee will host more than 150 of coach Phillip Fulmer's former teammates, players and their guests at Saturday's game against Kentucky (TV: ESPN2, 6:3O p.m.)

The game has been dubbed "Phillip Fulmer Day" and will be Fulmer's last as UT's head coach.

The guests have been invited for Friday's walk-through practice at Neyland Stadium and will have an opportunity to greet Fulmer on Saturday before the Vol Walk at 4:30.

Fulmer will be accompanied by his family on the Vol Walk and a walk through the pre-game 'T' following Senior Day introductions.

Several video tributes to Fulmer will run throughout the game.

Quarterback Quandary: Fulmer declined to name a starting quarterback on Tuesday and offered no hints as to when he might make an announcement.

Junior Jonathan Crompton and redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman both played for UT last week against Vanderbilt. The Vols also played safety Eric Berry and receiver Gerald Jones in UT's G-Gun package.

"It's confusing," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said of playing that many quarterbacks. "It's a challenge to call plays."

Football Future: Clawson said he's not sure what type of job he'll pursue after this season is complete.

"I've enjoyed being a head coach and I've enjoyed being a coordinator," said Clawson, who was Richmond's head coach last season before coming to UT. "I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if we scored more points."

Clawson said he never wanted to be a coach who moved too often from job to job.

"I never wanted to be one of those coaches that after 30 years you look at their resume and there are 15 different schools," Clawson said.

Clawson said he thought UT's football program was more stable when he accepted the job in January.

"I thought going into it that it was more stable than it is," Clawson said. "I think most people did to, but we didn't play well.

"Whenever you don't play well and you don't perform well, certainly as coaches we're responsible for that. When you do that, this can happen."

Ascending Arian: With 173 yards to go, it's unlikely that senior tailback Arian Foster will surpass Travis Henry's school record of 3,078 rushing yards.

"I'm very surprised," Fulmer said of Foster not reaching the mark. "That was one of those things that you really wanted to happen for Arian because he's done such a good job since he's been here."

The Vols are only averaging 115 yards per game (96th in the nation) and Foster usually splits carries with UT's other tailbacks.

"It would take a lot to get it," Fulmer said of the record.

Foster was hampered for much of the past month with a bruised quadriceps and missed the Wyoming game. Fulmer said Foster was 85 to 90 percent going into last Saturday's game against Vanderbilt and is expected to be close to full health this week.

Claw Marks: Clawson said UT's offensive line played one of its best games of the season last week against a "pretty good defense".

He was also complimentary of backup tailback Lennon Creer.

"Lennon Creer is going to be a really special player here," Clawson said.

Clawson said the sophomore isn't just a scat back and that he will run between the tackles.

He said Creer's improvement came from more practice time following injuries to Foster and Montario Hardesty.

"He knew what he was doing," Clawson said of Creer's game last week against Vandy. "He played with confidence. He made assertive cuts. He's a good player.

"He's a guy - whether it's next year or the year after that - I think he will become one of the best running backs in the SEC. He's got great upside."

Chavis' Call: If defensive coordinator John Chavis had a Heisman vote, safety Eric Berry would get it.

"He has that impact on a football team," Chavis said. "I don't think that very many players around the country - if he has the kind of year next year that he's had this year - will have the same kind of impact on their football team's success that Eric Berry can."

Car Troubles: Chavis quipped to a reporter that he would be looking for a new ride once he returns the car provided by UT.

"In a few days I probably won't have any," Chavis said. "You got one you need to sell. I'm in the market."

Open To Open Dates: Fulmer downplayed any advantage Kentucky may gain by having an open date last week.

"Open dates can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you're playing and how healthy you are," he said.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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