Kentucky Stats
For Tennessee’s football team, the “Last Tackle” ranks up there with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and turkey with all the trimmings.
“The last tackle’s always special as you introduce the guys,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.
On Thursday, though, UT’s Thanksgiving tradition had a new participant.
As usual, Fulmer said a few words about each of his 25 seniors, ending the individual tributes with a slap of the helmet or a pat on the rear.
But after the last player jogged down and slugged a tackling dummy dressed in Kentucky gear, Fulmer made his own last tackle.
“I got in on a cleanup block,” he said. “I didn’t have to hit it. It was already on the ground, so I just cleaned it up a little bit.”
Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. game (TV: ESPN2) in Neyland Stadium against Kentucky (6-5, 2-5 SEC) will be the final game of Fulmer’s career at UT (4-7, 2-5), which spans 32 years also including his time as a player and assistant coach.
Thursday marked the first time in Fulmer’s 17 seasons as head coach that he has made a run at the tackling dummy.
Asked if he had participated in the last tackle before, Fulmer said, chuckling:
“No. (Before) it wasn’t my year to be the last tackle.”
Quarterback Update: UT hasn’t officially named a starter at quarterback, but junior Jonathan Crompton will likely get the nod against the Wildcats, Fulmer said.
“We’ll take this film and study it and go from there,” Fulmer said.
Crompton started — and finished — last week’s 20-10 victory over Vanderbilt. He was 0-for-1 passing with an interception.
Redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman completed four of his eight passes for 21 yards against the Commodores, but was pulled in favor of Crompton after throwing an interception that Vanderbilt returned for a touchdown.
How much, if at all, Coleman plays could be determined by a foot injury that caused him to be limited this week in practice.
“He should be available,” Fulmer said. “We’re hopeful that will be the case, but he has missed some work this week.”
Jersey Swap: Another Thanksgiving tradition provided its share of laughs on Thursday.
For the Vols’ final full practice of the season, players always swap jerseys with teammates on their side of the ball.
Crompton wore center Josh McNeil’s No. 50, while safety Eric Berry wore defensive tackle Dan Williams’ No. 55.
The funniest, perhaps, was 300-pound offensive guard Anthony Parker’s trade with 185-pound wide receiver Gerald Jones.
“It’s hard to see Gerald Jones out there in (No.) 75 running the football,” Fulmer said.
Stocker on Streak: Tight end Luke Stocker, the only player on UT’s depth chart from Kentucky, is well aware of UT’s 23 game winning streak over Kentucky. He’s also aware it doesn’t take a win to get Wildcat fans excited.
“Even last year when it was a close game, they talked some smack after that,” said Stocker, who grew up in Berea, Ky. “I can’t imagine what would happen if we were to lose.”
Are Kentucky fans optimistic the streak will end this year?
“They know we’re having a bad year but Kentucky’s not as good this year as they were last year,” Stocker said. “They’ve got their fingers crossed.”
Stocker said his entire family roots for Kentucky but he requires them to wear orange in Neyland Stadium to get his allotment of tickets.
On The Cobb: Former Alcoa High School star Randall Cobb has certainly caught Fulmer’s eye. As a receiver and quarterback, Cobb has had a strong impact on Kentucky’s offense.
“I knew he was a good player,” Fulmer said. “He’s done extremely well.”
Fulmer said he’s a bit surprised that Cobb has had such a big impact as a true freshman.
Entering Saturday’s game, Cobb has started seven of Kentucky’s 12 games.
He’s rushed for 294 yards and seven touchdowns, caught 21 passes for 197 yards and two scores and throw for 519 yards with two touchdowns.
He has also returned nine punts for 79 yards.
Cobb considered UT before deciding to stick with an earlier commitment to Kentucky.
“He didn’t feel like he would fit into what we were doing,” Fulmer said of the recruiting battle. “He’d fit into Kentucky’s system a little better is what he said to me.”
Injury Update: Cornerback Brent Vinson is doubtful after suffering a calf injury last Saturday against Vanderbilt.
Dave Hooker contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 55
threehundredbowler writes:
This is Ky.Forget everything except how to keep this win streak alive.Beat those Wildcats.
MidTennVol writes:
Congrats, Coach Fulmer. Too bad it wasn't The Flying Bambino.
You will missed. Your place in Tennessee football history is secure.
Go have some fun now.
BigVolOnBoard writes:
Don't sign a long term contract coach,
we may be wanting you back in a couple of years.
tngivem6 writes:
Last tackle very emotional
blhvols#536551 writes:
I agree!!!! We may be like Kansas State !!!!
TommyJack writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
blitzshoot writes:
Win it Vols. Send him out with a victory. Walk off the field, close the doors and put this season behind you,
but he deserves a victory. Go do it.
nbt44 writes:
Fulmer just plain dropped the ball when it came to recruiting Cobb.
He sure wouldn't have fit into Fulmer's program. Fulmer's program has been to let younger more talented players ride the pine while upperclassmen play...even when they play poorly (i.e. Crompton)
tnbigg writes:
TommyJack writes:
in response to blhvols#536551:
I agree!!!! We may be like Kansas State !!!!
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Wow! New KNS countermeasures...reply button to eliminated post removed...TommyJack..you had a post removed? Holy cow...as for the story...okay...
shipperman#280095 writes:
No we won't. We have seen what he couldn't do. Hopefully we won't go there again.
BillsBrother writes:
Perhaps TommyJack has been getting a little daring in the last couple of weeks. Been imploded a couple of times.
Here's hoping TJ is not headed for his own "last tackle"!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Well at least he don't have the prison numbers after his name like I do.
TommyJack writes:
I'm just misunderstood.
BillsBrother writes:
You aren't just a number to us, Shipperman!
But be careful. The #'s could mean you are on KNS double secret probation!
BillsBrother writes:
TommyJack's KNS plea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dy8m6...
blitzshoot writes:
TJ's used 3 exclamation points and violated punctuation rule 12-d-17.
I see people using threats, calling names, defaming posters and TJ gets removed???? Has to be a joke?
TommyJack writes:
good one, LOL, straight from the day.
TommyJack writes:
Blitz: Maybe I need an intervention. Or go to a KNS rehab center.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ-I would recomend Killians with a dash of Jaegermeister followed up with 4 fingers of Makers Mark.
Great attitude adjuster.
ncvol17 writes:
Coleman hurt, Crompton inept, Stephens exiled since the INT ( and maybe some wrong words to the coaches?)
Oh boy, have we got slim and none in our corner for a win?
shipperman#280095 writes:
I feel evil with those numbers after my name. What say ye all? Will they announce kiffin Monday?
blitzshoot writes:
Then I will join you.
blitzshoot writes:
Something tells me MH may have an ace up his sleeve and a joker in his pocket.
TommyJack writes:
No Fred, what say YOU? You sticking to your guns?
shipperman#280095 writes:
At this stage, I still feel it is kiffin, but the leak has damaged the matter a bit. Hamilton does have a lot of respect for Fulmer and doesn't want anything to get out until after Saturday
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Amen, Brother, spoken like a true gentleman to a true gentleman. You won't see any class from the fire Fulmer crowd, they are just like a bunch of babies crying for what they want. Even the bible says, that "a little child shall lead them", not a baby! Mike Hamilton's acting like a big baby. You betcha, and watch the FALLOUT, don't be fooled by what you babies want, you just might get what you want, I wouldn't be surprised. Just like following the Obamamits, a whole lot of innocents will be dragged off the cliff with the unbelievers. God help us.
TommyJack writes:
Ship, ship, ship. That sounds like waffling to me, dude.
shipperman#280095 writes:
No waffling. My source still says it is Kiffin. If he is wrong he has a whipping coming.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Kiffin was not my choice but i have no say in the matter
TommyJack writes:
Let's assume your source was right. The fact that it leaked would irritate Mikey, but I can't see that as a deal breaker. I mean you either want the man or you don't. Agree?
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
You know what's funny? As I watched Jason Witten make one handed grabs today I thought about how inept CPF was moving him from DE to TE. That was just one of many ignorant coaching blunders during CPFs career
Note sarcasm.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I agree, and I think he is going to be the coach
volsbandit writes:
with $1,500,000 a year for 4 years.
tnbigg writes:
Hamilton let's more "closely held" information "slip". Part of the halftime show Saturday will feature special guests...
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WzOwB...
tnbigg writes:
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACpNVD...
tnbigg writes:
After the Missing Knights of the Oingo Boingo and a few other segments the fans will get to choose to gong various coaches...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRd1a...
tnbigg writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn_X-q...
gohawks1 writes:
Dang, TJ. Did you get the red flag again? It wasn't my fault this time, brother, lol!
chattownvol writes:
"Fulmer said he’s a bit surprised that Cobb has had such a big impact as a true freshman."
nutshell.
TommyJack writes:
Conspiracy
gohawks1 writes:
Heh heh. Keep it up and you'll be tagged by the Wildlife Resources Agency. Just ask Shipperman. I see he's sporting a new ear tag.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
See ya Dave Clawson do not let the door hit you- you maybe the most classless human being UT ever hired
Coach Chavis; Great Coach will get a solid job
Phil Fulmer: Retire for a year and stay away from UT and let them build a Non Johnny Major-Phil Fulmer program
shipperman#280095 writes:
Actually I have had the numbers for a while. Makes me special I guess
gohawks1 writes:
QB_10 - classless? Come on, now, why would you say that?
gohawks1 writes:
I'm still in the dark on what those #s mean. Anybody know?
TommyJack writes:
Clawson classless? Don't get that.
jturne44 writes:
“We’ll take this film and study it and go from there,” Fulmer said.
thats all i have to say hahahahahahahaha oh my god fulmer is a robot I knew it
and clawson is the classiest guy besides cheif on our staff...he graduated all of his players from a better academic institution by far at richmond...fulmer def can't say that he just got em out of jail.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
Are you kidding? The following statement says it all about what Fulmer thinks of Freshmen playing: "Fulmer said he’s a bit surprised that Cobb has had such a big impact as a true freshman."...we could have recruited a player like Herschel Walker and Fulmer would not have played him as a freshman. He thinks Junior and Seniors are better because they have been on the team longer, if he could have only played the best players? Oh well, to many "ifs"......
utmdm writes:
Well, there seems to be enough jokers in Ktown lately.
southernson writes:
Why not were like Vandy now. DIP STICK
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